Chapter 8

The gentle click of the door woke Mia from a deep, dream-filled sleep. Romance had taunted her in her dreams, inspired by the book she’d drifted off reading. But the fantasy shattered when she saw him standing there—Axel—watching her from the foot of the bed. His stare was intense, unreadable, his dark gaze locked on the robe that had slipped open during the night, exposing the lacy red lingerie she’d foolishly put on for him earlier.

Heat surged through her body as she rushed to cover herself, cheeks burning with shame and embarrassment. But when her eyes met his, that shame twisted into something else entirely. Desire, lust and need… hunger radiated from him. His chest rose and fell with every breath, his eyes tracking her every movement like a predator waiting for the right moment to pounce.

“Darlin’,” he said lowly, his voice gravelly from drink or exhaustion—or both—“sorry about before. Had some business to take care of.”

It was then Mia noticed the blood splatter on his crisp white shirt, stark against the fabric like red ink on snow. Her stomach twisted. Business. Of course.

The illusion of fantasy shattered into sharp, cold reality. He’s killed someone.

Her confidence flickered, but not her resolve. Play the game. Learn everything. Survive. She pushed through her own discomfort, forcing herself upright.

“Will you tell me more?” she said, her voice steady despite the trembling underneath. “In exchange for… whatever you want.”

Axel’s lips curled slightly, amused, intrigued. Good girl, that look said. “Sure,” he murmured, sitting on the edge of the bed. “But lose the robe.”

With shaking hands, Mia shrugged the robe off her shoulders, letting it pool around her hips, the cool air tightening her skin into goosebumps. His eyes drank her in, slow and deliberate, the hunger in his gaze both thrilling and terrifying. “What do you want to know, Doll?” he purred, his hand sliding over his thigh as her fingers followed, pressing gently.

She stared him down. “What have you told everyone about me? How do you know people won’t come looking?” She pinched his thigh in frustration as she asked him the question she wanted to know the most.

It was a bold question, and for a heartbeat she thought she saw conflict flash behind his eyes. But then the dark part of him—the cruel, dominant version—surfaced again. His hand fisted her hair suddenly, yanking it down hard enough to make her gasp. “Careful, sweetheart.”

“Ow…” Tears pricked at her eyes. Her pride burned hotter than the pain.

He released her, letting her catch her breath before answering. “I left your little friend a wad of cash and a note saying you found a job opportunity. Said you’d be in touch once you got settled.” His grin was wicked, like he enjoyed her heartbreak.

“Apparently she was more interested in the money than checking on you. Got on her flight with a smile. You’re on your own now, Doll.”

Mia’s stomach dropped, tears rising before she could stop them. She really was alone. There would be no rescue, no one looking for her, no one even wondering.

For a split second, Axel’s cruel expression faltered. The darker part slipped… just enough for the other part of him to surface—the one that almost cared.

But the softer Axel was weak, hidden, chained by the darker one. He covered it quickly, as though ashamed of his own weakness.

Mia swallowed hard and shifted, straddling his lap in a bold move she didn’t entirely believe herself capable of. His hands didn’t hesitate. They found her hips, trailing up her thighs, gripping her ass roughly as she sat on him.

“Fine,” she said with a lift of her chin. “I’ll play along. I’ll do what you want. But I want something in return.”

His brow arched. She could tell he liked that—liked her spirit. “Tell me.”

“Freedom,” she breathed. “Eventually. Let me earn it. I won’t run. If I prove myself, you’ll let me have it. Deal?”

Axel’s eyes widened slightly in genuine surprise. No one negotiated with him—not here, not in his world.

Especially not women like her. Slowly, he leaned forward, placing gentle kisses along her collarbone, tracing her with lips that suddenly didn’t feel so cruel. “I tell you what,” he whispered darkly, “be good for me, do as I say, and we’ll see. But if you run? If you betray me?” His breath was hot against her ear. “I will find you.”

But then—softer—“It’s not safe out there for you now. Especially not with my family. You’re safer here… with me.”

It was the first time his possessiveness sounded almost… protective.

Something inside Mia shifted. The idea of being his, being kept, owned, should’ve disgusted her. But that flicker of care—that crack in his armour—ignited a dangerous curiosity. She wanted to see more of that softness. She wanted to win this game on her own terms.

Her lips found his, hot and needy, the desire mixing with confusion and power. She kissed him like she wanted him, because in that twisted, terrifying moment… she did.

As their lips parted, her hands moved to his blood-stained shirt. She pushed the brutal reality of who he was out of her mind, undoing the buttons, peeling it from his body. His carved torso, olive skin stretched over sculpted muscle, looked like it belonged to some ancient statue. He was beautiful. Untouchable. Dangerous.

His hands moved fast, impatient, tearing the red lace from her chest, exposing her fully. Mia flinched slightly, but then steadied herself, forcing her breathing to stay even. You’re not breaking yet. Not yet.

His lips were softer now, tasting her skin like he needed her as much as she needed answers. Her resolve blurred with want. She carefully unbuttoned his pants in return, watching him hold back. Why? Why wasn’t he tearing her apart like before?

Something had changed. The evil in him was still there, still simmering beneath the surface, but something else—a hunger for connection? For control? For comfort?—had begun clawing its way to the surface.

Her lips kissed down his stomach, tasting skin, ignoring the metallic tang of blood still staining his ribs. She kissed lower, freeing his cock from his boxers, running her tongue teasingly around the tip before taking him fully in her mouth. This time it was different. This time she chose it.

His groan of pleasure filled the room, vibrating through her bones, wrapping around her like a chain. But not all chains bind; some hold you together.

For the first time, Mia realised—she had power too.

And she was going to use every last drop of it to survive.