htforward: see him and he would guide her out of James's influence. But her heart let her down; something still

r shoulder. His quiet presence had turned into a continual burden in her life

ght. James walked in, gaze frigid but calculating

hough his voice was silky, there was a sh

ia rose fast. "No, nothing at all." Sh

shed a lock of hair from her face; she froze. You are mine,

icture of Mason's face stayed in her head. Though the thought of leaving James, of forsaking

her phone: "I'm waiting," a str

uld she go away and take the chance? Or would she rem

inging to indicate her presence. Already sitting at a table clo

ort of reaching his eyes. Sophia, it's nice to see you again.

wn in front of him. All of this... I don't know what to m

. "You don't have to leave." I can assist you in taking back con

raced. So wha

. There is no catch. I wish to assist you.

le's edge, she paused. Should I

hing you should know. He hesitated, hoping she would look at him. I don't do anyth

ected. Could

t soon enough." Still, if you are ready to believe me, I can

ous offer, she stood at the verge of a precipice. She could nearly taste the freed

she had had with Mason. As she walked to her workstation, his words rang in her head. His

s deliberate and forceful. His presence seemed like a storm cloud

dily and sharply. Ms. Barrett, I hope you hav

rising within her. Certainly, Mr. Davidson.

be doubted. You have one more opportunity to show you can manage this position

to make her doubt herself. His power over her life was stifling, yet she felt

ked at the screen. Mason sent another:

ames and losing herself in his web or taking a risky step into the unknown with Mason

binding her closely to him. He knew her flaws, her anxieties, and how to exploit them against her; the power he hel

ases made her heart race. It reminded her of the getaway she had been thinking of. But could she actuall

at manipulation. There was no doubting the way he turned her feelings, how he made her feel like she w

night. The choice was both freeing and scary. She was unsure if she w

d her breath caught. James! Sitting up straight just as

ture? James inquired, his voice icy an

ed. Was this the tim

ough his eyes were friendly, something concealed beneath them, a calm calculating, made her unc

, right? Mason i

s she spoke it, she was uncertain. James had a knack for learning a

smiling but not in his

to James. What would he do should he learn? Should she

htly. Still, you should know something. Walking away from hi

weight rest in her chest. Was she truly ready to set every

uld respond. A message from James caused

ded, but was it the correct one? Or h