His collateral

The relentless clicking shutters and blinding flashes of cameras made Elena's migraine worse. Even the dull ache in her ankle, a reminder of the six-inch heels she wore, wasn't enough to stop her from smiling. She had to. The world was watching, and beside her stood her ex-husband, Jason Dalton.His arm slipped around her waist as they adjusted their pose. The feel of his fingers against her bare back sent goosebumps crawling over her skin. If only her stylist had agreed to the simpler dress she wanted. Then she wouldn't be standing here, half-exposed, pretending to enjoy the touch of the man she once loved."Mrs. Dalton, look this way!" someone shouted from the crowd of photographers.Elena's smile widened, her cheeks ached."Are you cold?" Jason asked, his breath grazing her shoulder."I'm fine," she replied, voice barely above a whisper, smile still playing on her lips.Jason turned a deaf ear to her response. He slipped off his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders. Elena's

"How do you wish to pay? Bank transfer or cheque?" Lucien asked, closing the file. A smug smile curved his lips as he placed it on the table.Elena's nails bit into her palm, her stomach twisted at how entertained he seemed by the whole situation.Her eyes trailed to Jason, his face was buried in his palms, shoulders sunken in defeat. Questions buzzed in her mind, questions she knew she wouldn't get any reasonable answers to."So, Mrs. Dalton." Lucien started, cutting through her trail of thoughts. "We should start processing the payment. The night isn't getting any younger."Elena's gaze returned to Lucien. Her mouth opened a fraction to speak, then closed. Her throat felt tight, the words stuck somewhere between fear and pride.Lucien let out a low, mocking laugh that made her chest tighten. With a quiet shift, he slowly uncrossed his legs and eased them off the table. "You must have changed your mind." He said, leaning forward. "The door's still open. You can leave anytime.""Elena

Feisty, fiery, courageous but yet so clueless. The perfect words to describe her. Easily manipulated and lured by her weakness.Pathetic.He gave her a chance, an opportunity to walk away from the lurking danger. But she was soft-hearted, too tender. How could anyone who possessed amiable qualities still lack knowledge of how the world works?Lucien turned off his phone, gently placing it on the glass table in front of him. There was no need to continue reading the background report his man had sent him. It was no different from what he had observed.He took a quick look at his watch, and his brows furrowed. It had been exactly an hour and twenty-six minutes since Elena was gone. Too long just to pack bags.He had an important matter to attend to this morning. Another debtor who had refused to pay up his loan. His men were gathered at his mansion, awaiting his return for them to set off. But yet he was stuck in this clammy apartment waiting for a woman.Lucien reached for his pocket,

Elena's gaze followed the car leaving the front yard through the slightly parted curtains, her heart thudding loudly against her chest. She had to act fast now that he was gone.She slid the glass window open. A gust of wind brushed against her face. Her eyes traveled downward to the terrifying height below. It was her only exit but it was dangerous. Too dangerous.One mistake and she would lose the ability to walk forever. Yet the fear wasn't greater than her need to escape. A rope would be her only safe option but there was nothing available, neither were there enough bedsheets to improvise as she had done earlier.She turned, eyes searching the room for something. Anything that would help. They fell on the intercom on the bedside table and froze instantly. A tear of relief almost slipped down her face.Why hadn't she thought of it?She rushed toward the table, picking up the intercom. Her fingers trembled as she punched in numbers desperately. A loud buzzing sound followed by silen

The temperature in the room was low. So low that she could still feel the cold even with the blanket pulled over her body. The remote control for the air conditioner rested on the vanity table a few steps away but she had no energy to retrieve it.A loud yawn escaped Elena's mouth as she turned to her side. Her eyes widened at the realization of what she had just done.The food.Still untouched. She swallowed hard, staring at the tray. The soup must have gone cold by now. She slowly peeled her gaze from it, shifting her attention to the suitcases on the floor. One lay open with clothes spilling through.Her thumb lifted to her lips and she nibbled on it. She had never been messy with her clothes and hated to see her things out of place. A walk in closet was a door away yet she wouldn't unpack. Unpacking meant she had accepted the terms of Lucien Black.A loud noise rose from her stomach, cutting off her thoughts. She sighed softly, her gaze returning to the tray. She had to eat someth