enim jeans. White sneakers hugged her feet, and her hair was tied up in a messy ponytail that framed her delic

m and headed downstairs, where her parents we

think you should stay home today. The Devil... he's not

ife? What life, Dad?" she said firmly, surprising even herself with how steady her voice sounded. "The same life that

arents, but something inside her refused to back down this time. Something

ce. "Sweetheart, listen to your father. The Devil isn'

om, I'm going," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. "I can't just sit here doing nothin

s-she had made up her mind, and nothing could sway her now. With a

luctantly, his voi

d. Alina trailed after them, her heart pounding with a strange mix of

*

he spacious meeting room, and Alina's patie

t, here they were the ones in desperate need of his h

ck. What kind of arrogant ma

air. No in

out before she c

e idiot call

ice wa

ry head snapped tow

suit entered the room with his assistant following h

soon as he sat, his eyes glanced at every single person who sat

ice was deep, calm, a

felt heavier, as though oxygen it

, the cold edge in his voice making

suffocating tension. "Please, nothing like that was

ed into a slow,

in his chair, gaze locking on Mr. Cole.

b stepped forward, placing a small,

am rose from his seat. Without a wor

d without hesitation rested

g. Mr. Cole's face drained of color, h

her

from the far si

in

air, her back straight, h

narrowing on the girl who dared interr

t if I slit her throat right her

ed the room, but Alina

ou're a

emperature dropped ten

rt nearly stoppe

asked, his voice low and danger

dy knocking at her door, and she had nothing left to lo

pping her throat with a firm, unyielding hold. His other h

gazes

ndless and suffocating, like being pulled into the depths of a black oc

, voice a deadly whisper. "

hers-not in a kiss, but in something painful. His teeth caught her l

on line well

tasting her blood. "Nice," he murmured, h

rassment, but from sheer fury. Never in h

r back before she could hurl her rage at h

ng. "She's our only daughter. Don't hurt

rying, her hands claspe

e grateful she was still alive. Anyone else who'd dared speak

hen finally said, "It's fine. I wi

ces was instant. "Than

terrupted. "In fact... I'

Even Caleb's bro

vest?" Mr. Cole asked

am replie

with relief. "Thank you so m

ut through, "I want s

comes, he knows his master woul

I promise to give it to you,

ina. The faintest smir

... is your

d frozen. For more than twenty minutes, no one

he laughed so hard that tears welled in her eyes.

rise. Did she not hear him? He had just said he wanted

r. Cole finally said, his voice cr

g else," Liam replied

mouth to argue, bu

ally wa

ion. "That's the only way I'll i

streaming down her face. "Not my

id coldly. "He promised me anything I

fuse, then I won't invest. And

red, clearly annoyed. What did

and I'll have my men take you in public-mid

something else,

lina said suddenly.

in the corner, felt a wave of pity for her. She h

mally, Alina was quiet and obedient. But today she had insulted the Devil...

ife was already ticking away-just a few months left. If she was going to die anyway, wh

courage? Most would be on their knees, begging for mercy. But she

no problem. I'll give you whatever amount you need t

t halfway there, he stopped a

? Or should I have

an't it wait until t

nd I don't like my property ou

mother, who was still sobbing. "Mom

Mrs. Cole's voice trembl

n. Tell Grandma I love her." She hugged her mother tightly before st

she whispered, "Don't worry

fore she finally pulled away. She gave th

d at the curb. Caleb opened the back door, and L

Caleb got behind the wheel, started