s he grabbed his phone, his voice a low gr

Despite the urgency in his voice, there was a flicke

. The sight of the weapon sent a jolt through Eden. This world she'd entered, this tangle

Through the crack in the door, she saw Damon facing two burly men in black suits. They looked li

n demanded, his voi

ders spoke, his voice devoid of warmth.

lackwood? Veronica? A shiver ran down her spine. T

growled, his hand tigh

d," the intruder continued, h

g against her ribs. "Returned?

llet of violence in the confined space of the library. Books tumbled from shelve

gth to overpower one of the attackers, sending him crashing into a bookshelf. The other, however, manag

king the silence. All eyes turned towards h

kled, a humorless sound. "The fa

narled, his voice straine

d, the tip of the knife digging deepe

strength. "You'll answer to Veronica, an

pting his menacing demeanor. He exchanged a glance with

hoving Damon towards Eden. "Consider this a warning, Mr. Blackwood,

w, melting into the night like wraiths. Damon slumped against t

orry battling within her. "Are you al

g as she gently examined his wou

bed," she replied, the fear still raw i

ica," he started, a hint of bitterness in his voice. "She wants you out o

es. "So, she tries to kidn

ng hers. "But this only reinforces the need for this charade

and confused by the growing attraction sh

his phone. "He'll patch us up and make sur

advisor and confidante

trast to the chaos of the past few moments. He cleaned Damon's w

d," Arthur muttered, his voice low and gr

lied a pressure bandage. "Two men, black su

d, his voice dry. "Targeting you is one

sh armchair, bristled. "Apparently, Veronica doesn't like

ble crossing his eyes before he turned back to Arthur. "Have

ire perimeter has been swept. I also contacted our security detail. Th

nder constant guard? This whole chara

tioned, voicing her worries. "If

ingly soothing. "We have a team of PR professionals on standby.

ggle, a heavy silence settled over the room. The adrenaline rush that had fuel

tonight," Damon finally said, his voice tired.

th the intruders. The reality of their situation, the threats and mani

agreed, for

d, perhaps a change of scenery would be beneficial. A weekend retreat to your

up, and perhaps, to explore the connection that had sparked between them during their dinner.

Ms. Thorne?" he as

t strangely drawn to? It was a risky proposition, one that could poten

," she said, her voice firm despite the pounding

of something more complicated. With a newfound resolve, they started making arrangements

ifferent. News reports scrolled across TV screens, oblivious to the drama that had unfolded in Damo

arah, the stylist, asked, he

a billionaire and his mi

"It's more than just the money now, Sarah," she admitt

e careful, Eden," she said, her voice laced with concern. "The wor

she replied. "But sometimes, you have to take a

leaving behind the prying eyes and the constant pressure. As they soared abo

led the crisp mountain air, a sharp contr

ting, with a crackling fire in the stone hearth and plush furniture arranged for comfort. A ste

mon explained, his voice low and war

ealthy man surrounded by material comfort

rfoot punctuated only by the rhythmic sound of their breaths. They spent evenings huddled by the fire, sharing stories of their pa

e and purple, they found themselves sitting on the porch,

pered, her breath forming w

gaze fixed on her face. "Bu

y amidst the symphony of nature. Her eyes met his, and for a moment, the world see

strand of hair from her face. His touch sent a

inside the cabin shattered the moment. Damon cursed und

eet, have we?" he muttered, dr

ad Veronica followed them? Were they

lose behind him. The kitchen was in disarray, drawers pulled open, cabinets emptied

n said, his voice tight.

posal, was leading them down a dangerous path. But there was also a sens

voice surprising even herself with its

in his eyes. "You sure about that, Ms. Thorne

s," she added, a mischievous glint in her eyes, "who

hey moved closer to each other, a newfound sense of purpose mingled with the growing attraction. They were in this together, facing a common enemy, and