Page 4

"It's okay," he says quietly.

R-Really?

"I understand now."

H-He does?

I have no idea what he says he understands, but the calmness of his voice makes me feel a lot better, and already I can feel my heartbeat slowing down as I watch him take his phone out. His gaze meets mine as he brings the phone to his ear⁠—

"Konrad Oslov."

My eyes go wide, and my heart freezes up in shock.

No no no no no no.

How does he know Konrad’s last name? Was he simply having fun with me? Did I sign my own death warrant, asking for help from the friend of my enemy⁠—

"He's in this building,” the stranger murmurs. “Find a way to distract him until I'm able to leave. Get rid of all security footage." A pause. "Thanks."

When he looks at me again, I’m stunned and confused, and just a little bit scared. Can I really consider myself safe with this man?

“W-Who are you?”

Or did I just jump out of the frying pan and into the fire because the next thing he says⁠—

"Your future husband."

—can’t possibly be true.

Chapter 2

Not A Good Idea

"Um. Right."

I say this as pleasantly as I can, and I even manage to smile while taking a step back. I know I'm no genius, but even someone like me recognizes a lunatic when I see one, and well, there's only one thing to do but⁠—

Run.

That's what I was planning to do, but I don't get the chance because he's the kind of lunatic who's not just gorgeous but also capable of reading my mind.

I don't even get to turn around.

He's already captured my wrist, unsmiling (but also still too beautiful for my heart to be immune to, and aargh, why can't I stop thinking about his looks?)—

His fingers go all the way around my wrist with room to spare. He isn't hurting me, but he isn't letting go, either, and when I give my arm the tiniest, most pathetic little tug, his grip doesn't even notice.

"In five minutes, my security will be here with the necessary means to remove you from these premises without being seen. You understand why that's imperative?"

I slowly nod. Konrad is one of the wealthiest men in this lawless nation, so that pretty much makes him a god.

And I just ran away from him.

"Getting you out is just the first hurdle." He lets go of my wrist and moves away with the kind of grace that's strangely lethal. Like a big, dangerous cat that's more used to the dark.

I rub my wrist without meaning to. It doesn't hurt, but it's warm where his hand used to be, and I don't know what to do with that.

"For as long as you're in this country, you're considered your stepfather's property without any right to liberty."