The room is simple but not stark—spacious, restrained, decorated with dark tones. It feels perfect for Monster, but slightly unnerving to me.
Greyson is nowhere to be seen, and when I shift slightly, I realize my diamond collar is attached to a metal rung on a headboard. I’m too tired to find it in myself to be upset about it; I merely sigh and glare down at my hands, which are still encased in those horrible mittens.
I turn my gaze to the window, yearning to be outside again, to feel fresh air on my skin. I long to be free… but right now, I’m having a hard time envisioning freedom. I sit up in bed and draw the warm blanket to cover me fully, hiding my nudity. I’m sure Monster will be along ina few minutes; he always seems to know when I wake up, and he’s never far away.
I don’t even bother looking away from the window when the door to the side of me opens. Then, I hear a voice that’s haunted my nightmares… and it snaps me to full alertness.
“Scarlett Sharpe. You are a difficult woman to get alone.”
Cain.
All my muscles stiffen and tense. My heart breaks out into a painful race. Adrenaline pumps through my veins, making me feel vaguely nauseous, and the bone-chilling sort of fear that I’ve seldom felt, even in my life, overwhelms me. I slowly turn my head to the side, a full-body chill coursing through me when I see the man who stalks my nightmares.
Quite possibly one of the most dangerous men in the world.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I whisper.
Cain folds his hands into the pockets of his slacks, regarding me with an impassive expression as he leans against the doorway. “I own this building. This entire fortress. I own the Nighthawks and every single person on our territory.” He cocks his head to the side. “You’ll do well to remember that.”
I swallow harshly, trying to keep my breathing steady. “I’m not going to talk.” I won’t tell a soul about what happened the day I escaped—I don’t want to eventhinkabout it.
“Oh, I know,” Cain says. “I know you won’t talk about our little secret… because you understand what’s at stake if you do, don’t you?” he takes a step forward. “Your brother’s life. And you know I won’t make his death quick or pleasant. You had time to become…intimatelyacquainted with my methods.”
“I won’t say anything,” I reiterate. “Iswear.”
I’ll never speak of the conversation Cain and I had when I spilled out of the elevator after poisoning Monster, trembling and terrified. I’ll never say a word about how Cain pinned me against a wall by my throat, told me he kneweverything—who my brother is, what he does, and Eric’s connection to Luther—and then told me to run fast and run far, threatening to kill Ericandme if I ever said anything.
I still don’t understand the full extent of Cain’s motives, and frankly, I don’t want to. I don’t know what he’s up to, and I do my best not to care.
“Good.” Cain nods. “I’m very glad to hear that, Scarlett. But I’m not only here to ensure your silence.”
“Greyson will be back any minute.” I manage to infuse strength into my tone, even if both Cain and I know it’s bullshit. I am absolutelyterrifiedof him, in ways I’ll never fear even Monster.
“We have a few minutes. He’s currently…otherwise occupiedwith Nighthawk matters, and I took the trouble of disabling those clever motion sensors and cameras he has set up around this entire apartment for you.” Cain takes several more steps forward, then helps himself to a seat on the opposite side of the bed. My breath hitches. “It’s only a matter of time before your secret catches up with you,” he warns me. “I will not allow it to catch up withme,however. And, when the truth comes out, you’ll be faced with a choice. Incite a war that can only end with your brother’s death… or fall so utterly in love with Greyson, you can plead a convincing case to your brother for why you want to stay here.” A threatening smile spreads on his lips. “For the sake ofyour brother’s life,I hope you choose the latter.”
My lower lip trembles. “I don’t love Greyson.” I never will.
“I’m quite well aware, but you will learn to act like it. I don’t give a fuck ifGreysonthinks you love him—his emotions aren’t my business. My business is the prosperity of the Nighthawks, and your brotherwill play a vital role in that.” Cain pins me with a vicious warning stare that cuts me to the bone. “If you interfere, Eric will no longer have any usefulness to me. And those who aren’t useful to me don’t live very long.” He stands from the bed and smooths down his tie. “Do yourself a favor and don’t forget that, Sharpe.”
“What thefuckare you doing here?”
For the first time in my life, the sound of Monster’s voice comes as a relief. Between him and Cain, he’s the lesser threat.
“Just giving a warm greeting to our newest resident,” Cain says calmly. “I wanted to welcome her back.”
“No,” Monster snaps. “This is a line you don’t get to cross, Cain. Scarlett ismyresponsibility, not yours. Don’t fucking come near her without askingme.”
“Why?” Cain questions mildly, arching an eyebrow. “Are you worried I’ll hurt your property?”
Property.That really is what Cain sees me as. Property that could also present potential complications for the future of his organization. Property with influence… but still just property. I want Monster dead without a doubt, but Cain… I want to see Cain burn in hell. I ache to be the one to send him there.
“Get thefuck out!” Monster roars. “This might be your fortress, but these quarters aremine. Don’t fuck with me, Cain. You need me.”
Cain stares at him for a few moments, jaw clenched with displeasure. Finally, after what feels like an eternity, he leaves.
Monster turns to face me, and his expression softens. Something in my chest pangs—confusion, fear, uncertainty, and something warmer. I despise him, but the change that overcomes him when he’s facing me… it’s impactful. Nobody’s ever looked at me this way.
“What did he say to you?” Monster questions.
