a single word was exchanged between them, the only sound being the h

a stop, Celeb, the driver, was quick to st

out into the crisp air only

use, but something that looked

rand building rose like a modern-day castle. For a moment, Alina forgot herself and simply stared, her mind

t was...

ntional smile as she imagined

rough her thoughts. "You like the h

tone, but chose to ignore him. Since wh

tered a long hallway that seemed to stretch forever.

herself stepping into an enormous living roo

ac

ing was

, the walls were painted in the same shade, and the heavy curtains matched perfectly. It

delier hanging from the ceiling. It shimmered with golden light, scattering warm glo

anything, Liam's vo

in a perfectly pressed suit hurried forward,

oom I told you to?" Lia

sparkling clean," Joe replie

mmm." He waved the butler

at the chandelier, her eyes following

m said flatly. "It might fall just fr

him, eyes wide. Did... d

oying her outrage. "What would you do if I called you u

om his words, but from the sheer audacity of him. She clenched h

Liam turned and started up th

before trailing behind him, silently wis

the first door to the right, pus

as neatly made, the floor gleamed, and the air smelled

as b

ck pillows. Black dra

ng as if trying to proces

m," Liam said, tu

t maybe you could change the color? Orange and white would be perfec

n two heads. Did she think he was her f

with the col

he admitted bluntly. "I

lightly. "Good. Then you've realized you're standing

, he said, "If you don't like it, you can always

e really just suggest

uttered quickly. "T

ve a short n

began swinging it in the air, muttering under her breath about arrogant, heartless man.

r hands and smacked str

ment, ti

s widened.

ands, staring at her with an expression tha

room suddenly

orm the butler if she needs anything-only to be

eath wish?" Liam asked,

an it. It was a mista

ly want to die?" His voice was low, dangerous, each word dripping with menace as

eir movements matching in a slow, ten

t the wall beside her head,

his eyes. But when she risked a quick glance, she couldn't help noticing despite the

etween them, making it harder for her to breathe. Just when she

her it's intentional or not. I'

wall and left the room, leaving Ali

hated them. One day, she knew, she would close her eyes a

he sighed and pulled her phone from her pocket only

him. The moment he picked up, different wo

kay?" That was he

hy would you agree to go with the

? Please speak, are you

ouldn't worry too much a

gets you killed?" he

h left to live for," Alina said. There was silence

at way. I'll be fine, please be

ting home soon,"

m," she

her grandmother said

r family could be, but she underst

umber. She knew her best friend

t your mom told me is a lie, that you're staying wit

I didn't call earlier... I was going

you hiding something f

I'm fine," Al

's house is the biggest in the city. P

's like a castle from a Barbie cartoon, o

show me on video c

uld allow it. But in the end, she

n exclaimed as Alina showed her aro

e Devil's favorite color

What are you going to do now?" Helen as

'll have to get use

feel uncomfortable-just run away, okay? We can leave the country, go som

about me, I'll be fine," Alina said with a smil

ore ending the call. Then A

wled loudly, pulling her back to reality. She glanced at the clock on the wall-it was dinner time. With a reluctant sig

ung, beautiful woman sto

he woman said politely, bowing slightly. She looked to be in her early

ryone working for the Devil was so good-looki

ide. The table was made of sleek black wood, adorned with shiny bronze candelabras holding tall, thin candles spaced at measured intervals. Overhead, a glittering

plate and dishes had been set out, clearly meant for her. As

f you need anything," Joe

. The food looked mouthwateringly delicious, but something caught her at

efore she could ask, Joe spoke again

is working,"

uldn't manage much. Maybe it was because she wasn't used to dining alone. Back home, meals were

little more, she rose from he

fore sleeping. Without a second thought, she stri

hort black towel wrapped around her bo

evil to his house without making any preparation

efinitely couldn't put back on the cloth

**

him. The steady tapping of his fingers on the keyboard fil

leb knew better than to dist

am called, hi

d light footsteps approac

asked without loo

t's cut your tongue?" He swiveled his chair

r clung to her face, and her long, wet lashes made her eyes seem softer, more alluring. Liam guessed she'

e delicate curve of her collarbone. Her skin still held the faint flush from the heat of th

barely reached mid-thigh, expo

re? Trying to seduce m

Do I look like a prostitut

ion barely contained. "What do y

any clothes to we

him off gu

bring my things," s

nothing to wear, you show

baffled. "Half-naked? I'm we

you isn't. I can see... everything." His finger

s to hide her embarrassment. "It's your fault. If you'd give

afraid of what I

man's bedroom, late at night, wearing nothing but a towel bene

stammered, unsur

iam said, risi

ly intended to harm her, he would have done so alr

ry corner drenched in black. This man is

walk-in closet lined with neatly arranged suits, busin

," he sai

until she finally spotted a white T-shirt and

in her hands, but he said nothing except, "Y

knees, with a wide neckline that revealed the pale line of her neck and collarbone. The shorts were lo

dy at his desk again, his long fingers gliding over

," she sa

es lingered. She looked... cute. Too cut

t o

quiet "thank you"