elief. She had never imagined that her life could change so drastically in such a short amount of time. In the span of just one night, everything s

reality. There was no going back to the life she once knew. The sooner she accepted t

tensed, instinctively straightening up. She didn't know what to expect anymore. Was

dn't look at her right away, instead walking to his desk and sitting down with a fluid motion. H

thinking," he said, h

oped. She had been thinking of a way out, a way to escape this cage. But she wasn't fool enough to voice that desire alo

g her words with precision. "I've been thin

le, though it didn't reach his eyes. "G

s gaze, holding it even as he continued to study her like she was some kind of experiment. H

ne to fill it. She was learning that silence could be just as powerful as word

rstand about my world, Isabella. It's not just about power-

ze her. She couldn't let him see how much they affected

her voice steady despite t

aised her. "Do you? Because in my world, people don't get to question me.

m that she wasn't just some toy to be used and discarded. But she bit

the words coming out as a promise,

se. But just as she thought the conversation was ov

in my organization, and I need you to make an impression. You're going to be spending time with them, l

? The idea of being in the same room with people like him-dangerous, powerful-made her stomach turn. Sh

" she asked before s

rous passing over his face. "You don't. And if you do

she felt a chill run through her body. She had known that Alexander was ruthles

only option being to com

toward her, his presence overwhelming as always. He st

sabella. In my world, you don't get to make mistakes. If you want to

brief moment, Isabella's breath caught in her throat. His touch was

back to business. "You'll meet my people shor

orm of fear and uncertainty. She wasn't sure what was worse-the fact that she was completely at his me

se Alexander wanted her as a partner. No, she was here because he needed her to be part