la

o Norman Stravkos' outrageous demands, stating that she'd already lost a daughter and couldn't lose the other. But her words hadn't been reasonable. Surely, the contract I'd signed together with Abel would hold no water in any court of law, but I very well knew the co

ngle one

nd her son again. At Mother, my uncles and cousins. In

keeping them all alive. Th

I have to put an end to thi

s six foot eight. He watched me come over patiently, trying to be polite and act civilized in front of the reporters no doubt. I wondered fleetingly if his h

He wasn't any different from his father. They alway

more than anything. After I'd gotten my high-school degree, Norman Stravkos had me placed in an Elite college located on the outskirts of town and totally cut off every communication I had with my family. Whil

me to suffer a fate that was rightfully hers and didn't have

im because he was my head. My Lord. Sometimes I pinched myself to check I wasn't in a bad dream. A lot of times, I wished to wake up and find out this was all a terrible nightmare,

me. Perhaps, bear an heir as well for Abel. My life would be theirs and my presence w

me to be a model wife. To

s is so

corners, the crowd watching me go to him. His face was still expressionless as I neared. I wasn't sure if he'd ever smiled

r every little detail of my face. A cold shi

practicing, perfecting a cold pep talk for this moment. Ye

nning from ear to ear. A surge of disgust and hatred spiked in my ches

k my head, clearing my throat. "I wrote a lett

father was a dear friend to me in the latter days of his lif

ort. "You're sure that's

in, he whispered gently. "I didn't want to deprive myself the opportunity to bid my long-time rival a hearty farewell. Sad he was being kicked out of t

nor and promptly backed away, but it was too late. I'd already gotten him across his cheeks, my acrylic nails digging fiercely into his skin and drawing blood. He cussed

hrummed wildly against my chest. I expected him to hit m

my arm, his face tight a

haps I would," I retorted, g

me running. They shot the crowd zeroing in on the drama with warm smiles — Andrew throwi

me with his signature haunting eyes. "It'd be in your best interest to

ated, gritting his tee

g me apologize, well then here's my apology. I'm sorry I got a ch

or, and Abel muttered a

hen I thought Norman would explode. "We've

, his other hand gripping my waist

oor. The driver started the engine, and Abel pinned me down on the soft leather seats, his

he bit out, his minty breath fanning against my cheek harshly. "I

y. "I'm not scared of him. Let him do his wors

in relief, scooting farther away from him, a sob threa

eatures. He admired my courage. He admired how determined I was n

I refused to be at their mercy. I

efu