I'm not for sale

KAMARAH'S POV

Everything.

The word wrapped around my throat like a noose. I stared at Zephyr, chest heaving, while my mind screamed at me to keep Nevan’s name locked behind my teeth.

“I’m not for sale,” I said, voice shaking even as I tried to sound strong. “Not then. Not now.”

Zephyr’s gray eyes burned into me. He stepped back slowly, giving me just enough space to breathe but not enough to feel safe.

He moved to his desk with that lethal grace I remembered too well and picked up his phone. My heart raced as he made the call.

“Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Transfer it to the account I’ll send in the next message. Do it immediately.” His tone left no room for questions. “And prepare another five hundred thousand. I may need it tonight.”

He ended the call and looked at me, eyebrow raised. “That should cover your medical reasons, yes?”

My stomach dropped. How did he—

“I heard enough backstage,” he said, reading my face like an open book. “You’re in debt. Deep. Consider it handled. For now.”

Relief crashed over me so hard my legs trembled. Two hundred and fifty thousand. It wouldn’t fix everything, but it would buy Nevan time. It would pay for the next round of treatments and the specialist consult.

Tears stung my eyes, but I blinked them back fiercely. I couldn’t cry in front of him. Not yet.

But I had slipped. I’d mentioned medical reasons. Stupid. So stupid. Now he'd want to know who was sick.

Zephyr crossed the room again, slower this time, like a predator who knew the kill was guaranteed. He stopped inches away, towering over me.

“Now tell me the rest, siren.” His fingers traced my jaw, surprisingly gentle. “Who needs that kind of money? A sick parent? A sibling?” His voice dropped dangerously low. “Or did you run to another man, get yourself a new life, and leave me burning?”

The question hit like a slap. I opened my mouth, but the words tangled.

“I—I don’t… there’s no one else like that,” I stammered, heat rushing to my face. “It’s complicated. Responsibilities. I just… I needed the money. That’s all.”

His eyes narrowed. He clearly didn’t believe me.

Zephyr gripped my waist, pulling me flush against him again. God, he was hard everywhere—chest, arms, and the unmistakable press of his arousal against my belly. My traitorous body reacted instantly, a rush of heat pooling between my thighs even as fear clawed at my chest.

“Complicated,” he repeated, tasting the word like poison. “Did you let another man touch you, Kamarah? Did you spread these legs for someone else while I spent five years hunting your ghost?”

His hand slid down, possessive fingers digging into my hip. “Answer me.”

I shook my head quickly, heart racing. “No. There hasn’t been anyone. Not since you.”

It was the truth. After that night with him, I couldn’t even look at another man. How could I, when he had ruined me so completely?

But I couldn’t tell him the real reason I ran. I couldn’t mention the positive pregnancy test I’d stared at the next three days in pure panic. Or the baby I carried in secret. Or the son who had his eyes.

Zephyr studied me for a long, terrifying moment. Then his mouth crashed down on mine.

The kiss was brutal. Hungry. Full of five years of rage and obsession. He devoured me, tongue stroking deep, teeth nipping at my lower lip until I gasped.

I whimpered into his mouth, hands fisting his shirt even as my mind screamed danger. He tasted like whiskey and darkness and everything I’d tried to forget.

He lifted me suddenly, setting me on the edge of his desk. My dress rode up my thighs as he stepped between my legs, grinding against me. A moan escaped before I could stop it.

“You still taste like mine,” he growled against my lips. “You feel like mine.” One hand tangled in my hair, tugging my head back so he could trail hot, open-mouthed kisses down my throat. “Running from me was a mistake, Kamarah. A very expensive one.”

My head spun. Fear and desire twisted together until I couldn’t tell them apart. I wanted to push him away. At the same time I wanted to pull him closer. Nevan’s face flashed in my mind—his sweet smile, his tired little body fighting so hard—and reality came crashing back.

I pressed my hands against Zephyr’s chest, breaking the kiss. We were both breathing hard.

“I can’t do this,” I whispered. “Not like this. Not tonight.”

His eyes were stormy, pupils blown wide with lust and something far more dangerous. Possession.

“You don’t have a choice anymore.” He brushed a strand of hair from my face almost tenderly, but his grip on my hip stayed firm. “You came back into my world. Now you stay.”

I swallowed. “I have responsibilities during the day. People who need me. I can… I can come to you at night.”

Zephyr’s smile was slow and terrifyingly beautiful. “Negotiating with me already?” He leaned in, lips brushing my ear. “Fine. Days for your precious responsibilities. Nights belong to me. But I warn you, siren—if I find out you’re hiding something… or someone… there will be no mercy.”

A shiver ran down my spine.

He stepped back and straightened his shirt like he hadn’t just had me spread on his desk. Then he took my hand, lacing our fingers in a grip that felt like shackles.

“Come. My car is waiting. You’re spending tonight in my penthouse.”

As he led me toward the private elevator, my heart raced with terror and unwanted heat.

I had bought Nevan time. But I had just sold myself to the devil.

Oh no, Nevan might spend the night without me.