dge of the bed, her fingers tightly clutching the silk sheets beneath her. Her mind was racing, but her body r

it clear: betray him

in every corner of life. This world that she had been thrust into wa

, smoothing her dress as she rushed to the door. When she opened it,

he man said, his

anymore. She nodded and followed him down the hallway, her heart pounding in her chest. She had no idea

open. Inside, Alexander sat behind a large desk, the glow of a single lamp illumina

hout emotion, his voice smooth

g to maintain composure, thoug

n the doorway, who stepped aside, allowing a second man to enter the room. This man looked far more

id, motioning toward the man.

o idea what that meant, but the fear

low and devoid of warmth. "One of your... associates from back in New York has caused a sti

ssociates'-or at least, she hadn't thought sh

sked, trying to ke

s name is Adam. He used to be a part of your inn

riend from her past. But why was he mixed up in this now? Why was he suddenly a threat? She did

re of him," Alexander sa

a froze

g. "You've spent enough time playing the innocent victim. Now it's time

was terrified-she hadn't been in this kind of situation before. But she knew, deep down, that there was no choice but to co

ndle this," he said, almost as if reading her mind. "But I'm here to show you that this is the reality now. Yo

n like a heavy stone in her chest. She wasn't in c

ting for a response. When none came, he final

it quickly," he said. "I'm giving

the door. Marco gave Isabella one last look, his expressio

What was she supposed to do? She had never been the type to take life into her own han

-

that

d was a whirlwind of thoughts-fear, confusion, and something darker that she couldn't quite identify. She h

t she had already seen what Alexander was capable o

he set the glass down on the table and walked to the door, her heart

Marco, his face hard,

e," he sa

Tonight, she would make a decision that would chan