Isla let out a shaky breath, glancing over her shoulder to ensure no one was following her as she slipped into the quiet sanctuary of her hotel room. Her heart ached with a fresh wave of guilt and fear, tears pricking at her eyes. It had been three years since her elder brother, Theo, had been trapped in a coma after that terrible accident. She had been selfish, ignoring the risks. What if Mikael-cold, merciless Mikael-hurt Eric just to get to her?
Relief had briefly settled in when Dominic changed his mind about her fate, but deep inside, she feared that the war was far from over.
The moment she turned the key and stepped inside, a damp cloth was pressed against her nose. Isla gasped, panic exploding through her senses as she fought against the overwhelming dizziness.
How had they gotten in?
Her senses reeled as the chemical stung her lungs, suffocating her. Terror clawed at her chest as she fought against the intruder's hold.
Who was behind this? Mikael? Her own father?
Who would save her now?
A bitter regret slammed into her. She should have listened to Dominic when he'd asked her to leave with him. That was her last coherent thought before darkness swallowed her whole.
---
When she regained consciousness, Isla found herself seated, her hands bound tightly behind her back, a rough sack shoved over her head. Her throat burned as the stale air filled her lungs. Then, the creak of the door startled her. Right then, she perceived Mikael's familiar scent and knots formed in her stomach.
Seconds later, the bag was yanked off. She blinked against the harsh light flooding the room, her heart pounding as she took in the sight of the figure standing before her. Mikael Voss, the devil incarnate. He stood there, a cruel smile playing on his lips.
"Did you really think you could run from me?" His voice was low and taunting, his eyes glinting with amusement.
"Unite me," Isla spat through clenched teeth, her defiance flaring despite her fear.
He crouched slowly in front of her, the darkness in his gaze deepening.
"Why should I? You humiliated me. You'll pay for that," he said with an icy voice.
Isla squeezed her eyes shut as his shadow loomed closer until his breath ghosted over her ear.
"You're shameless, you know that? Going back to him for help... What now? He won't save you."
A lump lodged in her throat as his lips brushed the delicate curve of her neck.
Suddenly, his hand cupped her face, pulling her lips to his. Isla struggled, wrenching away, but Mikael was relentless. Desperate, she bit down on his lips hard enough to make him bleed.
He recoiled with a guttural cry and struck her hard across the cheek. The world spun as she fell from the chair, pain shooting through her body.
Blood trickled from his split lip and he wiped it away, his eyes blazing with fury
"Have you always been this stupid? What's wrong with you?" he snarled.
"I'd rather die than marry you," Isla spat back fiercely.
The door suddenly slammed open. A man in a sleek black suit stormed in, whispering urgently in Mikael's ear. Fury twisted Mikael's face, his jaw clenched tight.
"Let's go," he growled, and they vanished through the door, leaving Isla trembling and alone.
---
The ropes bit cruelly into her wrists as she tried to move. But then the air thickened, and then a sickly, choking smoke began to curl under the door.
A fire? She thought, panic surging within her.
She struggled harder, the heat pressing against her skin.
The acrid stench of burning wood soon filled the air and she started to cough, the smoke stinging her eyes.
Suddenly, the door slammed open and steady footsteps made their way towards her. Through her blurry vision, she caught sight of a pair of piercing grey eyes.
Relief flooded her as she felt hands untie her, lifting her gently off the floor.
"You're safe now."
The deep voice was unmistakable. Dominic.
Exhausted, Isla let her head rest on his shoulder and surrendered to the dark pull of oblivion.
....
Isla jolted awake in a warm bed, her heart racing as the memories of last night's events crashed into her. Dominic had saved her. She was certain of it.
Cautiously, she slid from the bed and opened the door. The corridor before her shimmered like she'd just stepped into a grand palace. How rich was Dominic really?
Her footsteps echoed softly as she searched for him, but froze when she heard a familiar baritone voice.
Her father.
Why was he here?
Anxiety twisted inside her as she hurried to the staircase, peeking over the railing into the sitting room below.
Two men stood locked in tense conversation.
"I want my daughter back," her father demanded, his voice laced with menace.
Isla stiffened.
How did he find her so quickly? She wondered.
Dominic smirked but his eyes were dead. A chill crawled down Isla's spine.
"So you do want her. Why should I return her? This is the perfect leverage. If you were me, would you give her up?"
Isla's brow furrowed in confusion when she saw the strange fear flickering across her father's face. Her father wasn't the kind to express fear. Just what was going on?
Dominic's voice dropped to a silky drawl. "You recognize me, don't you?"
Her father paled. "It's not possible... You were-"
Clearly, they shared a dark history.
Suddenly, Dominic's eyes flicked up, locking on hers.
"It's rude to eavesdrop, princess."
Isla's cheeks heated up, but she straightened, stepping into view.
Both men's gazes were fixed on her for a minute and without a word, her father spun on his heel and stormed out.
"What was that about?" Isla asked.
Dominic shrugged lazily.
"You don't need to know. It's between your father and me."
Curiosity pricked at her.
"How did you know where I was earlier?"
He didn't hesitate. "I installed a tracker on your phone when you gave me your number after our agreement."
She stared at him, stunned.
He settled onto the couch, picking up an iPad.
"Did you need something?" he asked without looking at her.
"No... I was just curious."
His gaze finally met hers and suddenly, she felt self-conscious.
"Curiosity is the one thing that will get you killed," he droned and before she could respond, a knock interrupted them.
Dominic leaned back as the door swung open. A tall man with light brown eyes and a crisp black suit strode in, closing the door behind him. He approached Dominic, handing over a thick contract.
Then, his sharp gaze flicked to Isla.
"You can call me Enzo. I'm Dominic's Beta," he said curtly.
Isla nodded, and before she could speak, Enzo cut her off.
"I know who you are."
Dominic held out a hand, and Enzo passed him a fountain pen. Dominic flipped open the contract, signed quickly, and pushed the papers toward Isla, pen in hand.
"What's this?" Isla asked, heart hammering.
"Our marriage contract," he said flatly.
Her pulse quickened.
Was she really going to do this?
"Sign it quickly. Enzo has to leave soon."
Teeth clenched, she skimmed the terms. Her stomach twisted at the phrase 'Open Marriage'.
Pushing her unease down, she signed.
As Enzo departed, her phone buzzed in her pocket.
A new message flashed on the screen:
'Don't trust him. He's your enemy.'
A lump settled deep in her throat as she stared at the words.
Dominic rose abruptly causing Isla to nearly flinch.
He advanced toward her, his presence overwhelming, the scent of him intoxicating and suffocating all at once.
"W-what are you doing?" she stammered, backing away until her spine pressed against the wall.
He halted inches from her, his eyes locking with hers.
His hand came up, cupping her jaw, sending shivers down her spine.
He leaned in, close enough to steal her breath away.
Isla descended into panic.
Was he going to kiss her? Already?
She squeezed her eyes shut, her heart pounding like a war drum.
Then he spoke, the words rumbling from his chest.
"Your phone."
Her eyes snapped open.
"What?"
"Give it to me."