ight, looking like a predat

n hold," he barked into the receiver. "Restore the credit lines to the Lanc

is safe," he said, his voice dangerously smooth, a promise of

ding outside, Hank Kowalski, "From now on, Mrs.

" But two towering bodyguards, seemingly materializing from the shadows, blocked her path with silent, resolute efficiency. Their mas

table, from now on, your diet, your sleep-everything will be 'managed' by professionals." His gaze dropped to her hand, where her phone was still clutched tight

her only "weapon," her link to the world, was taken away. The chilling, brutal reality of her situat

, welcome to your new cage." He straightened up, cast one last look at her as if she were a precious but unruly animal, and turned t

her back against the cold, unyielding wood, her chest heaving. This lavish bedroom, once a symbol of her privileged life, now stood as a gilded prison. Silk

es, fiercer and more unyielding than ever. Delano had underestimated her. He thought he had trapped her, broken her will-but he had

to bre

ter th