Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 71 - Chapitre 80

Eric found Declan in the study.The old man was sitting behind his desk, a glass of whiskey in his hand, his eyes fixed on the fire. He did not look up when Eric walked in. He did not acknowledge him at all.Eric closed the door. Leaned against it."You've been avoiding me."Declan took a sip of his whiskey. "I've been busy.""Busy covering your tracks? Destroying evidence? Making sure no one can tie you to the Governor's death?"Declan set his glass down. He looked at Eric. His eyes were cold."What do you want?"Eric pushed off the door. Walked toward the desk. Stopped in front of it."I want the girl."Declan's face did not change."Brianna.""Who else?"Declan leaned back in his chair. He studied Eric for a long moment."She's not mine to give.""She's not yours to keep either. She's a pawn. A tool. A way to control your son." Eric leaned on the desk. "Name your price."Declan laughed. It was a dry sound."You think I need your money?""I think you need what I have. Protection. Si

The hallway was dark.Dawson had not left the house. After walking out of the study, he had stood in the shadows near the stairs, his hands shaking, his chest heaving. He had heard his father on the phone. Prepare the guest room. We're having a visitor.He knew who the visitor was. He knew what his father had done.And then he heard Eric's voice.Dawson moved closer to the study door. It was cracked open, just enough to see the firelight flickering inside. He could hear them talking. Laughing. Making deals.His father's voice: Ten million. A seat on the board. And the girl.Eric's voice: The girl will be at your villa by morning.Dawson's blood turned to ice.They were selling her. His father and Eric. Selling Brianna like she was cargo, like she was a shipment, like she was nothing.He heard his father laugh. You're making a mistake. The girl is not just a leash. She's a weapon.Eric: Once I have her, I won't need you anymore.Dawson's hands curled into fists. His whole body was shak

The car rolled through the estate gates as the first light of dawn touched the horizon.Brianna sat in the passenger seat, her eyes fixed on the house ahead. The windows were dark. The gardens were still. Everything looked the same as it had the night she arrived.Everything was different.Dawson parked the car. He sat for a moment, his hands on the wheel, his jaw tight."The staff will have heard," he said."About what?""About last night. About the fight. About the Grey Office." He turned to look at her. "People talk. They always talk."She reached for his hand."Then we deal with it."He squeezed her hand. Then he let go.The kitchen was empty when they walked in.The coffee pot was full. The bread was out. Someone had been here recently, but they had left in a hurry.Dawson walked to the window. Looked out at the garden."We need to talk to my father.""About what?""About Eric. About the deal. About what happens next."The door opened. A maid walked in. She saw them and stopped.

The study was cold.Brianna had been sitting in the chair by the window for hours. The sun had climbed and fallen. The shadows had lengthened. No one had come for her. No one had brought food or water or news.Declan had left her here to rot.She pressed her forehead against the glass. The garden was empty. The trees were still. There was no sign of Dawson. No sign of anyone.Her eyes burned. Her body ached. The exhaustion she had been holding off for days finally caught up with her.She curled up on the small couch near the fireplace. The cushions were dusty. The fabric was rough against her cheek. She closed her eyes.Just for a moment.The window was open when she woke.She sat up fast. Her heart was pounding. The room was dark. The fire had gone out. The only light came from the moon.She looked at the window. It was open. She had not opened it.A shadow moved near the door.She opened her mouth to scream.A hand covered her mouth. Warm. Calloused. Familiar."Shh."Dawson.Her bod

Morning light crept through the cabin windows, pale and soft.Brianna opened her eyes slowly. The fire had burned down to embers. The room was warm, quiet. She was still in Dawson's arms, his chest against her back, his breath slow and even against her hair.She did not move. She wanted to stay here, in this moment, where the world outside did not exist. Where there was no Eric, no Declan, no list, no fear.But the light was growing stronger. The day was coming.She turned her head.He was awake.His eyes were open, watching her. There was no mask. No ice. Just raw, unfiltered emotion. Love. Fear. Hope. Desperation. All of it there, written on his face like she had never seen before.Her breath caught."Dawson."He did not speak. He just looked at her, like she was the only thing in the world worth seeing.Then his eyes changed.The mask slammed down. The ice returned. He pulled back, sat up, ran his hands through his hair."I'm sorry," he said. His voice was flat. "I didn't mean to w