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My mechanical movements stopped, gaze settling on this string of names.

I wanted to be in her future.

I needed to do something. Had to do something. Even if it costs everything for one conversation. Even if she'd curse me without restraint. Even if she'd hate me.

Hate me intensely.

Don't ignore me. Don't distance yourself from me. Don't act like nothing happened between us.

I lightly traced my finger across that string of numbers—the penalty if she wanted to abandon everything and flee Baltimore.

5.8 million, plus reputational and credibility losses.

She couldn't escape now.

A dark, almost pathological satisfaction seized my heart. An idea gradually formed.

This time, I would catch her.

Chapter Ten

Layla

I'd been staring at the design on my computer screen for a solid ten minutes.

The lines were still the same lines. The gem cut angles were fine. But my brain refused to function.

Twenty-two hours ago, my life had been stable, successful, a little stressful but full of drive. I'd been so damn satisfied I'd almost wanted to praise fate for once. And then? One disastrous dinner, a reunion with the last person I ever wanted to see again, Kai's sudden bloodline episode, and that bastard following me to the hospital and discovering everything.

Perfect. Everything was screwed.

"Ella?" Anna's voice pulled me back to reality. "That's the third time I've called you. Mrs. Hathaway's order—are you sure about this cut?"

"What?" I looked at her blankly.

Anna sighed and came over to take the mouse from my hand. "You've been distracted since you got back last night. Is something wrong with Kai?"

"He's fine. Much better." I rubbed my temples.

The medication Amy prescribed had controlled the bloodlineepisode, but I knew—eighty percent certain—it was only temporary. An Alpha's bloodline was never simple. I knew the best, fastest, most thorough solution: have his biological father perform the bloodline guidance. Also the most impossible one.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

Don't think about him. Don't think about last night.

Baltimore's big enough. Even if you can't run, can't you at least hide?

My phone rang.

I answered weakly. Lucas. Currently my biggest client.

I rubbed between my brows, pulling myself together to greet my patron. "Mr. Lucas, you—"

"Miss Ross, our company's been acquired!" An excited, high-pitched voice exploded in my ear.

Moon Goddess above, I must still be asleep.

"What?" My vision went dark. I forced my eyes wide, making sure I wasn't hallucinating.