“That’s none of your—”
“If that’s the case,” he cut in smoothly, his tone turning razor-sharp, “then I have another offer. One you can’t refuse.”
Cold dread sluiced through me. “What are you talking about?”
“I’ve wanted you since the moment I saw you in that restaurant. And if you don’t do exactly as I say, I’ll destroy Damian Miller. One phone call, and tonight his little antique shop goes up in flames. Everything he’s built, gone. And that’s only the beginning. I’ll dismantle his company piece by piece until there’s nothing left. Until he’s nothing.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” I whispered, my voice shaking.
He leaned in, his eyes glittering with menace. “Ten minutes. Room 126. If you speak his name or mine, I light the match. And you’ll get to watch me ruin him.”
I stood, and this time he let me. “You’re bluffing.”
“Do you want to find out?” His smile was thin, cruel. “Damian Miller wouldn’t be the first I’ve destroyed. And I don’t like him. That makes this easier.”
Tears burned my eyes. I knew he meant it. I had no choice.
“All right,” I whispered, barely audible. “I’ll do what you want.”
Mason’s expression softened into a look of satisfaction. “That’s better. I knew you were a clever woman.” He rose smoothly, and then he was gone, leaving me trembling in his wake.
My hand moved before my mind did. One breath, and my phone was already in my palm, the screen glowing, my father’s name filling it. My thumb hovered over the call button — one tap, and he would come. One. Just one.For a heartbeat, I almost pressed it. I felt my breath stutter, shallow, broken. God, I wanted to. To let him end this. To let him burn Mason out of existence.But then the truth crashed into me, sharp enough to tear the air from my lungs. If my father knew a man had threatened me, he wouldn’t stop at Mason. He’d come with every guard he had, drag me out of this hotel, force me back to Rome, end my job, my life — every inch of freedom I’d fought for.My thumb trembled so hard I couldn’t make it touch the screen.
I froze — then slowly lowered the phone, but didn’t let it go.I couldn’t.A shaky exhale slipped out as my fingers curled tighter around it.I couldn’t call him. Not like this. Not ever.My thoughts raced. I had no choice. To protect Damian, I had to give in. But the thought of what it would cost me — what it would cost us — clenched around my throat.My hand was still shaking as I walked toward the elevators, gripping the phone like a lifeline. I forced my thumb to move, forced the screen to unlock — forced myself to lie.
19:25 Daisy:I’m running late.
The foyer swelled with arrivals—laughter, conversation, the rustle of expensive fabrics. Through the shifting crowd, I saw Marlon enter. His gaze swept the room, searching. Searching for me. My heart jolted, hope surging. I wanted to wave, to call out—
The elevator closed on the world—and on any version of me that could still say no.
Shaky-legged, I walked down the corridor until I stood before room 126. As threatened, Mason came toward me, looked both ways down the hallway, then swiped his card through the slot. He shoved me inside with a push and locked the door behind him.
“I’m glad you’ve decided to make this deal, Miss Elfhorn. You’re sparing your friend a lot of suffering,” he said, taking off his shoes and his vest. “On the couch,” he ordered. Then he tugged at his tie, his tongue wetting his lips.
“Why are you doing this? You’re rich. You could have any woman.”
“You don’t understand.” His grin widened, wolfish. “It’s personal. I want the one Damian fucks.”
“Pull up your dress. I want to see something.”
An inner battle raged inside me. Was this really the right choice? Could I make this sacrifice for Damian?
“Don’t act like that. You can leave if you want, but I told you what will happen to your lover,” he threatened, pulling a condom from his pocket. Then he stripped off his pants, exposed himself, and began stroking his cock with a greedy stare. Nausea rose in me.
“Take off your panties. I want to see your cunt.”
I did what he demanded, my body moving while my mind recoiled. Mason let out a dark moan.
“Oh, I could come all over that pretty face. But no—I want my cock inside you.”
He stepped closer, lifted his foot, and shoved my knees apart.
“Open up,” he snapped. “That’s it.”
He rolled on the condom, pushed me back on the couch, and threw his heavy body on top of me with a guttural groan.
I froze. What followed I could only grasp in fragments. I couldn’t move. Didn’t even want to fight. I only wanted it to end. I had come to him of my own will—and now I had to bear the cost.
