His wife was never meant to survive

I

id not

ness card over in her hands. The sharp corners bit into her fingers. Sh

t. A window that overlooked a brick wall. It was a

uzzed again

nknown number li

gn anythin

art hammering against her ribs. Her fingers hovered over

nothing. Just the glow of

number. It went straigh

one down with

ing with Arthur. Someone kn

wanted he

stion w

side Lucas Holdings, a glass tower

. Black. Simple. It felt like armor, but it wa

her to the top flo

like it cost more than her entire life. White marble. Modern

mile was polite and empty. "

th floor-to-ceiling windows. At the end w

t knocked once

his attention fixed on a tablet. H

it

ed herself to move. She sat in the le

blet down and fin

the night before. Controll

different in his eyes

sleep?"

N

d every word of this before you sign it." A

act toward her. It wa

said. "My lawyer is waiting in the

up at him. "This is my life yo

read f

is voice made her

message on her phone. Of the fact

contract and

TH

d Kiah's face

ile. But intelligence was different from cleverne

awyers to catch the details. They signed with

ad ever

sed on certain sections. Her brow f

w what she

him. "It says I cannot leave yo

rre

s impri

me. You will be seen in public as my wife. That makes you a target for anyone who w

sk fro

on did not change

ed, but she return

. Anger meant she w

were too dazzled by wealth to se

them im

uzzed. He glance

m the same unknown

ing. If she signs, s

it and set the

wanted him to know they were watc

not a

s pre

is thoughts. "It says all communication wi

es

talk to m

Under sup

op of the contract. "You are asking

our freedom for six months in exchange for your brother's li

th something dark.

a flicker

essure. They begged. They cri

e she wanted to

break the contract?

mple fact. "I will ensure your brother never sees daylight again.

the room like

or a moment, Arthur wonde

him want

see how far he could pu

sign?" Kiah

a pen acro

I

hook as she s

he pen felt like

e. The way he used to make her laugh when their

ld surv

surviv

ed and pressed a button on his desk. The door

signature,"

d his name beside Kiah's and le

contract in a dr

is d

t sold herself and was waiting t

move in?"

od

snapped u

to your apartment. You have two hours to pack w

ulse racing. "I have a lease.

with that predatory grace. "Your lease will be paid out. Any debts you

id it made he

methin

he did not

my brother fi

N

romise

ed closer. Too close. "I did not promise you

hitched. "Yo

ed lower. "And you just signed away y

scream. To h

ontract w

al was

all box. When he opened it, a diamond caught the l

your hand

id not

yes darken

eft hand, hating h

r finger. It was heavy. Fore

knuckles, and the touch sent a jolt t

ack. "I am not your wi

ath warm against her ear. "And if you ever forget that, I w

rd she thought it might

returned to his desk li

e said without looking

ked toward the door

e, but before she could o

ia

fr

night." His tone was casual. Too

ood turne

rned s

g her now, his exp

know that?"

ved into something

I know ev