fe, and turned toward the door to see three familiar men filling the entryway like a storm. The leader who had haunted her dreams the past two weeks, stepped in first, exudeing an aura so powerfu

eemed to recognize the man in front of him, his mouth twisting with barely concea

g, spoken in hushed tones among those who dared to even ment

predatory smile spread across his face. "Yes," he said, his voice dark and

king of the underworld and CEO of a vast empire that stretched far beyond any legitimate business. And h

his voice all business. "I'm here for

d without thinking, she stepped forward, hands clasped nervously in front of her. "Please," she whisper

an unsettling intensity. Then, without a word, he pulled a

ow and ominous that Sera couldn't hear. She watched, feeling a chill crawl down her spine as her father's expression changed, his jaw ti

d with panic. "What are you

hands still unsteady as he signed his name. When he finally stepped back, he sh

ck into his coat pocket. Then he turned to Sera, a cold smile curling his lips. "C

t out a shaky breath. "Thank y

necessary," he said, his tone chillingly detached. "You see, your fat

pooling in her stomach. "

word sharp and precise, "which states that all his debts ar

lurring as her heart thundered in her chest. "No..

expression, as if he'd been expecting this reaction. "Yes," he replied simply. "The deal has been made. Yo

t the floor, his shoulders slumped in a way that seemed almost hollow. He

hope clinging to her words. "You... you're

didn't even look up, just kept his gaze locked on the

nds shaking as she tried to muster up the courage to face him. She had no choice. If she refused, she kne

her voice barely audi

toward the door. His two men closed in behind her, flanking her l

hoping for a miracle-a word, a look, anything from her father. But he remain

the other as she followed Enzo to a sleek, black car waiting at the curb. The leather seats felt too

ght to keep her composure. She was leaving behind everything she'd ever known, stepping into a world that