en us was thick e

e like he could read every unspoken thought racing through my mind. My fingers c

ering city, and him, perched like a king at the head of a dark mahogany desk. The leather chair swa

ted

rcing my chin up. "If this

errupted smoothly, his voice deep

icy dread through me. I followed his glance, my stomach twisting into

asured, "Age twenty seven. Grew up in a small town outside of Denver. Graduated with honors in accounting. Moved to the city five years ago. Curre

blood run

n't a casual meeting. He had don

eared my throat. "I'm not sure wh

desk. "Drop the formalities, Elara. We bo

ned out the faint hum of the city

in, my fingers twitching. "

here was no humor in

e body w

h, the world tiltin

air again, casual as though he hadn't just ripped the ground out from under me. "Would you lik

white. "I You don't..." My throat closed, and I had to s

man who didn't raise his voice to assert power he simply was power. "I don'

my entire bo

with almost everyone I knew, kept my pregnancy quiet, even switched hospitals a

ye

.." My voice cracked

have resources. I don't mis

y in me, momentarily overpowering my

His eyes burned into mine, unyieldi

I wouldn't cry in front of him. Not now. Not when he was

, voice shaking. "He's mine too. And you don't

n his life? Claim him? Protect him? Provide for him? Elara, do you even k

. "Target? What are

n who wants custody papers. I'm a Blake. My name comes with power... and enemies." He glanced briefly toward the floor-to-ceili

words hung he

awing up my throat. "You're

ck to mine, sharp a

ath hi

ld be in danger because of his bloodline made my stomach twist violently. I'd been so focused on keeping h

ne hurt him," I w

l I," Adrian

flicker there-something softer, something almost vulnerable.

I said, my voice sh

ll agree t

ch sank.

posture relaxed, but his words were anythin

re I'd mishea

"You'll both live under my roo

in my ears. "Y

. And

r. "You think you can control me? Just beca

voice cutting through mine like a blade. "It's about

my breaths coming

fuse?" I ask

'll use every legal resour

art s

dn't," I

ightly, his expressio

ness, his arrogance, his ability to make me feel so trapped. But more than that, I hated that he

agged, defeat

," I whispered, m

toward me. "It's a contract," he said. "Spelled out clearly: You and Liam move in with me, and in exchange, I'll p

t the document. "You w

es

happens if

d. "You already

ng my freedom. Signing away everything I'd worked so hard to build. But when I thought about Li

fingers, I pi

" I wh

e contract. When I was done, he leaned forward and slid the paper ba

y. "Pack your things.

ight have forced me into this, Adrian, but

expression, but he didn't respond. He simply sto

said, his voice low. "Tom

-

re shaking so badly I had to lean against the wall

thousand conflicting emotions. I hated him. I feared him. And yet... there w

levator button, a sharp vo

a Mor

turning

lway, dressed in a crisp black suit. His expression was

thout a word, then turned and disappeared d

g, I tore the

e slip of paper wi

He's not protecting y

the paper slipped fr

-

what does it mean for Ad