His surrogate my betrayal

MIA POV Angelo Cross doesn’t look at me like other men do. He looks at me like he already knows every secret I’m hiding. His office is all glass and steel, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city like he owns it. Maybe he does. The man sitting across from me in a black suit that probably costs more than my car is worth billions. He’s handsome in a brutal way, sharp jaw, ice-gray eyes, dark hair perfectly styled. But it’s not his looks that make my skin prickle with warning. It’s the way he’s staring at my left ear. At the heart-shaped birthmark I’ve had since birth and never thought about twice. “Miss Lawrence.” His voice is smooth, controlled. “Tell me why you want to be a surrogate.” The standard answer sits on my tongue, the one I practiced with Sophie last night. Something about wanting to help families, about believing in the gift of life. Beautiful lies that sound noble. But something about those gray eyes tells me he’ll know if I lie. “I need the money,” I say i

MIA POVThe darkness is extreme.I can’t see Angelo, can’t see my own hand in front of my face, but I can hear everything with terrifying clarity. The footsteps in the hallway. Multiple people. Moving with purpose toward my room.Angelo’s hand finds mine in the dark, grip iron-tight.“Don’t make a sound,” he whispers against my ear.My heart beats so loud I’m certain whoever’s out there can hear it. Who are these people? Why are they here? And why does Angelo sound more angry than afraid?The footsteps stop outside my door.The handle turns slowly.Angelo pulls me backward, navigating the pitch-black room like he can see. His other hand presses against my mouth gentle but firm silencing the scream building in my throat.The door opens.A flashlight beam cuts through the darkness, across the empty bed where I was sitting thirty seconds ago.“She’s not here.” A man’s voice. Rough. Unfamiliar. “Check the bathroom.”We’re pressed against the wall beside my closet. Angelo’s body shields mine, one arm

MIA POVAustin’s gun is three feet away from my face.“Step away from her, Angelo.” Austin’s voice is calm. Too calm. “This doesn’t have to be messy.”Angelo moves in front of me. “You’re not taking her.”“I’m not asking.” Austin adjusts his aim now pointed at Angelo’s chest. “I’ve got twelve men in this garage. Derek’s team are upstairs. You’re outnumbered and outgunned. So here’s what’s going to happen, “Mr I’m so tough.” Mia comes with me. You walk away. Everyone lives.”“And if I refuse?”Austin smiles. It doesn’t reach his eyes. “Then I shoot you, take her anyway, and Mom buries another son. Your choice, brother.”My heart bears so fast. Angelo’s hand finds mine behind his back, squeezes once. A message I don’t understand.I wish I understood stuffs like this. Damn,“Why do you want her?” Angelo asks. “She’s just a surrogate. Doesn’t mean anything.”The words sting, heck they hurt so much even though I know he’s lying.“Because she’s has the upper hand here..” Austin’s gun doesn’