an's

awn to Reese. N

. A celebrity with beauty painted on by expensive salons and curated scandals. He'd only agree

e that night...silent, shivering,

mething el

, eyes narrowed as he stared at the city below. The lights shimmered li

be

o his thoughts like

t. Should've destroyed the

he d

s clothes, trembling lips biting back the truth...he knew he wa

t expected... but n

aw te

rting him. Feeding him a substitute like he wouldn't notice. Like he couldn't

ol

k they had fo

l was now watchi

is gloves creaking as he pulled them tighter onto his hands. His mind

as she

r loyalty to th

ng before

Ember, with her scared eyes and soft voice. Ember, who didn't belong in silk gowns o

ld tes

own... and build he

urled into a sl

ttered darkly, reaching for his ph

ust want to

ow far she'd go to

spilling out in tears and desperation....he w

he one holdin

ttle mouse," he whispered under his breath. "Let's see

......

rious guestroom. Reese groaned and blindly reached for her phone, the name

embled as she

ce trembling despite her

Reagan's voice was cold, commanding too c

ne wen

. Wait... that wasn't... Her breath hitc

d man with a beer belly and a weak will. That's how the rumors described him rich, powe

ashed-up CEO. It was low, dominant, and dangerously self-a

ing her temples. "What if... what if he found

chaotically as she stormed into the sunlit lounge where Cha

Grey! He wants me at his office....what if he

a calm sigh. "And what if he did? You told me Ember sai

trapped cat. "But what if she's lying?! What if he's not that g

alked over, and gripp

the damn CEO of the Grey Group. This is your future, Reese. You'll be Mrs. Grey, and the c

wallowe

knows I wasn't wi

said he didn't recognize her, keep up the illusion. Smile like a temptress. Talk like his lover. Mak

y. "Okay... Okay, ye

g her hair back into place. "Now go get d

in her eyes. But beneath her calm face, a voice scr

nd leaned into the plush leather seat, face turned toward the window, sunglasses hiding her unrest. She wore b

s of silk and powder,

adn't heard

ve told me what happened after she

driver stepped out

e stepped out like she was walking into her engagement press conference. He

he glass building, a

nists wh

s peeked

guards gave her

took it

asn't ad

s con

e private elevator marked CEO – Restricted A

ccess g

ood... At least this worked.

e long hallway that led to Reagan's office was bathed in silver light. The

en...

ss doors of the CEO's office. H

Excelle

he handle just as the

ere he

a

onably

harp jaw, eyes li

ba

t

he was pre

over her with the calm cruelty of a man

a low, slow drawl. "I'

d. "I-I came to

ffered, stepping a

e thundered

breathed.

air, fingers steepled beneat

through

he one who had marks at his chest, shaking and scared beneath his touch.

as the

had slipped into h

to see how far thes

l-rested?" he asked smoothly, t

ltered for h

ring. "Of course. Last

ps twi

omethi

s dilated

"You don't remember?

ted hi

e coiled in

thought, watching her play the part with practice

and dangerous. "I remember enough. Yo

lushe

dn't

nk she had

trying to kee

rade out until the mas

.. not out of lust, but pain. A trembling girl who tried to bite down her wh

be

as her

her voice when

he need

to save this family who fed her

he said casually. "You'll be

Of course. I'll wea

smi

eart. You'll need it when I