LOGINHe promised to protect him from a killer. He never said he was one. When journalist Ian Parker witnesses a brutal murder, he should have been the killer's next victim. Instead, he wakes up in the hospital, saved by Zhedya Hunter…a brilliant forensic pathologist, a reclusive CEO, and a man with chilling grey eyes that feel hauntingly familiar. Charismatic and dangerously possessive, Zhedya offers Ian shelter in his opulent penthouse, a gilded cage where every comfort is a chain. As Zhedya's obsession deepens, Ian's career skyrockets, with damning evidence against the city's most wanted criminals mysteriously falling into his hands. But each exclusive story comes with a price: a fractured memory, a drugged haze, and a growing pile of bodies connected to anyone who threatens their twisted paradise. Now, Ian is trapped in a nightmare of luxury and lies, unraveling a truth more terrifying than any headline: his savior is a predator, his sanctuary is a crime scene, and the man who claims to love him is the most prolific murderer he will ever interview. Learning how to love a murderer is easy. Surviving him is the real story.
View MoreChapter Thirty Seven: The Glasses Shatters. Another check-up. The words felt heavy in Ian’s foggy mind. He sat in the passenger seat of Zhedya’s car, his head leaning against the cool window. He was so tired, a deep exhaustion that sleep never cured.Outside, Zhedya and Dr. Ethan were talking. Ian watched through the glass, his vision slightly blurry. He couldn't hear them, but he didn't need to. Dr. Ethan’s face was a mask of urgent concern, his hands moving in sharp, worried gestures. Zhedya, in contrast, stood perfectly still, his posture cold and dismissive. Then, as if feeling Ian’s gaze, Zhedya glanced toward the car and gave the doctor a chilling, calm smile that didn't reach his eyes.Ian caught fragments of the raised voices as the doctor lost his composure."…a month was the maximum, Zhedya! His system can’t handle this!""…memory loss… emotional instability… it’s becoming permanent!""You’re causing neurological damage! I won’t be responsible for what happens to him!"
Chapter Thirty Six: The Unspoken War“You know you didn’t have to be the one to drive me,” Zhedya muttered from the passenger seat, not looking up from the documents in his hands. The city lights slid by the tinted windows of the luxury car.“I wanted to, for goodness sake,” Ian insisted, his grip tight on the steering wheel. He was trying so hard to seem normal, to prove he was okay. “I’m fine with this. And this car is really cool, for real.”Zhedya pretended to relax, but his senses were hyper-focused on Ian. He watched the way his knuckles were white, the slight tremble in his shoulders. He was a hawk disguised as a passenger.Suddenly, Ian’s breath hitched. The streetlights ahead smeared into blinding, painful streaks. A high-pitched ringing screamed in his ears, drowning out all other sound. His hands went numb and slipped from the wheel.“Zhedya…” his voice was a slurred, panicked whisper. “I can’t… the lights…”“It’s alright, my love.” Zhedya’s voice was a calm, steady anc
Chapter Thirty-Five: Pulling Weeds"Are we there yet?" Ian asked, a giddy laugh bubbling up as Zhedya kept his hands firmly over his eyes, guiding him through the penthouse. The anticipation was killing him."Almost, my love. Just a few more steps... okay. Now."Zhedya dropped his hands. Parked in the middle of the private garage was a car. But not just any car. It was a low-slung, hyper-modern sports car, painted a deep, shimmering blue that looked like a midnight sky. It had a giant red bow on the hood."A gift for my award-winning journalist," Zhedya said, his voice dripping with pride. "So you never have to rely on cabs or... other people... again. It's programmed to only recognize your fingerprint and mine. It's completely safe."Ian's excited smile faltered for just a second. A normal car would have been amazing. This felt... like a tracking device on four wheels. A beautiful, expensive cage.Zhedya caught the flicker of doubt instantly. "Don't you like it?" he asked, his tone
Chapter Thirty Four: The Winner Takes It All. The morning after the party hits Ian like a truck. His head feels heavy, the taste of last night’s wine still bitter on his tongue.He finds Zhedya by the poolside, eyes glued to his tablet, calm as ever…too calm. Ian squints at him, wondering how he looks so put together when Ian feels like death warmed over.“What are you watching?” Ian groans, rubbing his eyes.Zhedya doesn’t look up. “Nothing much,” he lies smoothly.But Ian catches a glimpse of the screen…muted footage of last night’s balcony scene. He recognizes his own tense body language beside John… and then Callista, handing John her card.Zhedya finally looks up, his blue eyes sharp. “Your friend John seemed… agitated. And Callista was very chatty on her way out.”Ian shifts awkwardly. “Well, John doesn’t know about Callista… or what she really thinks about me.”“I don’t like them talking, Ian.” Zhedya’s voice turns low, cold. “They’re filling your head with poison. I protect
Chapter Thirty-Three: Gilded Cages and Whispered AlliancesIan blinked his eyes open, the soft morning light filtering through the penthouse windows. The first thing he saw was Zhedya, already propped up on an elbow, just… watching him. A sketchbook was open in his lap, a pencil still in his hand.“Creepy,” Ian mumbled, his voice rough with sleep. “How long have you been staring? And what are you drawing?”“Long enough to memorize every one of your eyelashes,” Zhedya said, his voice a soft caress. He turned the sketchbook around. It was a perfect, detailed drawing of Ian sleeping, his face peaceful and young. “Happy birthday, my love.”Ian’s heart did a little flip. Before he could say anything, Zhedya reached for a luxurious envelope on the nightstand. “I got you a small surprise. I submitted your blog for the ‘Best Crime Journalist of the Year’ award.” He pulled out the official-looking letter. “You’ve been nominated.”“Oh my god, Zhedya,” Ian breathed, his eyes wide as he took t
Chapter Thirty-Two: Roses and WoundsIan’s heart was trying to beat its way out of his chest. He completely forgot about the elevator, taking the stairs two at a time as he raced towards Zhedya’s office. What if he’d collapsed? What if he was gone?He skidded around a corner and slammed right into a solid chest.“Oof…!”He looked up, and the air left his lungs. Zhedya stood there, flawless as ever, not a hair out of place. And in his hands was a bouquet of the deepest, reddest roses Ian had ever seen.Zhedya’s brow furrowed with genuine-looking concern. “Ian? What’s wrong? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”“Zhedya!” Ian gasped, his voice shaky with relief and leftover panic. “What are you doing out of bed? I went to your room and you were just… gone! I thought something terrible happened!”A warm, charming smile spread across Zhedya’s face. “My love! I was just coming to find you.” He offered the roses. “I wanted to apologize for my… moment of weakness. I sent my secretary for t
Welcome to GoodNovel world of fiction. If you like this novel, or you are an idealist hoping to explore a perfect world, and also want to become an original novel author online to increase income, you can join our family to read or create various types of books, such as romance novel, epic reading, werewolf novel, fantasy novel, history novel and so on. If you are a reader, high quality novels can be selected here. If you are an author, you can obtain more inspiration from others to create more brilliant works, what's more, your works on our platform will catch more attention and win more admiration from readers.
Comments