mi

oning me. I couldn't think properly. I could barely breathe properly, my knees became sh

o Maddens,

ed with sarcasm, the same tone that used

?" I asked, my voice shaky. I couldn't even tell when I said that out loud. My heart pounde

trying to keep my tone neutral despite

condescending. "Don't play dumb

te me. We were never friends, not in the way he implied. He was my tormentor, my

want," I said, trying to

"You're still so jumpy. I just wanted to see h

hat he was doing, pushing my buttons, testing my boundaries. I felt a shiver run down

I lied, trying to k

was the devil, himself, contacting me after all these years? I couldn't believe I had once had a crush on this heartless man in

hat I recently acquired an asset. And now, I'm the head of your pathetic little b

he rubbed it in my face. I couldn't imagine the pain Elvis must have felt when he heard those words. I thought about the count

simply saw it as an opportu

at he's superior and bet

, just to p

after all these years. I needed to get a grip and remember that I was no longer that vulnerable high school girl. I was a strong, capable woman, and I wouldn't let him get under my sk

audacious. My mind raced with a million different scenarios of Stefano firing me on the s

with you, Camilla," Stefano

I corrected him, trying

he firm, and now I own the firm. That means I own

ped. "You don't own me," I pro

y spine. "Don't I, Camilla? I think I

d was the unsteady rh

you might be interested in knowing that your days of

he planning to do? Was he going to fire me? The thought sent a

lf to speak, my voice still shaking

e smug. "I just wanted to let you k

chalkboard. I was breathing hard and slow, trying to calm my

e?! Just tell me already!" But I couldn't get the wor

to say something. "Okay..." I stammered, trying t

" Stefano said, his tone groggy. "J

eating. I knew I had to pull myself together, but I couldn't shak

ate him! I hate

"I hate this man," I muttered, my fists clenc

u do. Me too. But you love

m," I groaned. The very thought of it

. But we need

every name under the sun. I wante

crossed my arms, and gritted my teeth. I had fought so hard to get where I was

own. I could feel the tightness in my chest. I tried to relax, t

hought of facing Stefano tomorrow felt deadlier than

rembling. I closed my eyes, trying to block out the though

words kept echoing in my mind, "I own you, Camilla."

groggily reached over to my nightstand and picked it

e devil, it was Elvis. I was still pissed at him, and I didn't want to talk to him right now.

over my head, and sq

*

ading through the room. I groaned, pulling the cov

ed and stretched, feeling the softness of my bed beneath m

texts and missed calls from Elvis. And

the cat, and I cl

a. I hope you're ready for you