ingers frozen, and my heart beat in a slow, painful way that felt like a warning. What hav

om him was months ago. He sent me a cold email regarding the hotel redesign, but

yet, I wasn't ready. I wasn't sure what to say that woul

ld cleave glass. The billionaire with ice in his veins and fire under his skin. The man who

hat could I say to him? That I was afraid? That I was alone and carrying a life that wasn't just

r message, Junip

ding. The tension was so bad that I felt l

e phone. The lights of the city looked like s

ven though my intel

o ignore him. Bu

s I sat down across from Lila, my oldest friend and the only one who cou

inquisitive, didn

he stated in a quie

the rim of my mug with my fin

s furrowed. "Something'

ret was weighing me down.

cked for a second, then worried. "Why d

e doesn't know, and if he did,

e barely above a whisper. "No

lish this by yourself. But you have to know, Callum? He's not just

bringing back the old f

," and her eyes darkened. "Not t

I didn't think the truth wo

own, then back at me. "You need

ause I knew the road a

walls and the dusty shelves. The peaceful buz

was a secret fire that w

er seemed assured. I started to make a list. Names, doctors, and locations to hide if things

t hope, like a tiny ember,

eight of his little hand in mine. Could I keep him safe? Could I trust C

ted knock shook

my heart hit

liar shape. He was tall, well-dressed, and had

t say a

in a calm, steady voice, "

ast was banging on the doo

on where this doo

of. Callum Dane. He was tall and statuesque, and his fitted suit fit his broad shoulders like

asked, and my voice was sha

e that made it clear he dominated every inch o

t breathe

Say no? "Don't

t him to notice how scared I was. "I'm keeping us

m not here to have fun. I wish

w what you're getting into." You know how

storm under that calm veneer. "I'm

e breaking. "You left me alone with thi

in the room. His intensity hit my b

" he said softly

I looked him in the ey

nse, heated, and har

floor felt heavy with

scorching and uncompromisin

y heart still beating and hi

forever. Then came the

lope on the welcome mat. It was a bright

open, my han

e Dane International emb

not

questions: What was this? A reques

ed to come off the card, bringing me back i

ID on my phone whe

ht between terror

it was a trap, a promise, and maybe

he door, holding the

d like secrets from far away, an