I'll be his prisoner. But I'll make damn sure he knows what that costs.
I am Eve Sinclair. And I will not go gentle into this cage.
When we arrive at the penthouse, Nathan heads to his office to make calls, and I retreat to the library, needing space to breathe, to process, to cry without him watching. Which I know he will do anyway.
"Miss Sinclair?"
I spin around, hastily wiping my tears. Maria stands in the doorway with fresh linens, her kind face creasing with concern.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." She sets down the linens. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," I say automatically, but my voice cracks on the lie.
Maria hesitates, then moves a little closer. "Forgive me for saying so, but you don't look fine. Can I get you some tea? I make a chamomile blend that my grandmother swore could cure anything."
The unexpected kindness makes my throat tighten. "That's... that's very sweet, but I'm okay."
She nods, turning to go, then pauses. "Miss Sinclair, I know it's not my place, but... Mr. Hale is a good man."
I look up sharply, and she continues, her voice gentle.
"I've worked for many wealthy people over the years. Most of them barely see me—I'm just part of the furniture. But Mr. Hale, he's different." She smiles softly. "A few weeks ago, I mentioned my granddaughter—just a casual conversation while I was cleaning. She's about your age, works in fashion, too. Most employers would forget the moment I left the room."
My breath catches as she continues.
"But Mr. Hale remembered. Every time he sees me now, he asks how Elena is doing, if her job is going well, if she's happy." Maria's eyes glisten. "And one day, I found a bonus in my account—more money than I make in six months. No explanation, no fanfare. Just... kindness. When you've been invisible as long as I have, you notice when someone actually sees you."
She heads for the door, then turns back one last time. "Whatever you're going through, whatever makes you cry like that... I just wanted you to know that you're not alone. And the man who cares about you? He's one of the good ones, deep down."
Then she's gone, leaving me standing there with tears streaming down my face—but for different reasons now.
Chapter 18 - Nathan
The morning light catches in Eve's hair as she stands at the window, wrapped in one of my silk robes. She's watching the city wake up, and I'm watching her—the way she holds her coffee cup like it's anchoring her to something real, the slight furrow between her brows that means she's thinking too hard.
I want to smooth that line away with my thumb. Want to pull her back to bed and make her forget everything except the sound of my name on her lips.
But there are things she needs to learn first. Things I need to show her about the world she's chosen to inhabit.
"Get dressed," I say softly, moving behind her. My hands settle on her waist, and she leans back into me—an unconscious gesture of trust that makes something fierce and tender twist in my chest. "There's someone I want you to meet."
She turns in my arms, green eyes searching my face. "Who?"
"The man who will keep you safe when I can't be there." I brush a kiss across her forehead. "Trust me?"
The pause is brief, but I feel it. Then she nods, and I realize I've been holding my breath.
***
The gym is discreet, tucked away in a building I own, accessible only to those who know it exists. Eve's hand is small in mine as I lead her through the lobby, past the front desk where the staff know better than to acknowledge us, and into the private training area.
Bjorn is waiting, standing with that military stillness that makes most people nervous. He's built like a tank, six-foot-four of muscle and menace, with cold eyes that have seen too much death. But when I made him my head of security five years ago, I knew he was the only man I'd trust with something truly precious.
Now I'm about to trust him with her.
"Eve," I say, feeling her tense beside me. "This is Bjorn Andersson. He's been with me for years. He's loyal, efficient, and utterly ruthless when it comes to protecting what's mine."
Bjorn's gaze flicks to her, assessing but not threatening. Then he bows his head slightly—a gesture of respect I've never seen him give anyone but me.
