My consciousness came back in pieces the heavy scent of roses, the silk sheets sticking to my skin, the weight of someone straddling my hips.

Natalia's breath was hot against my neck, her fingers working at the buttons of my shirt. My body reacted before my mind could catch up, a traitorous shiver running down my spine as her lips brushed my pulse point. her lips brushing my skin. "There you are," she murmured, her knee sliding between mine.

No. No. No.

Every muscle in my body locked. I snarled shoving her off with more force than I thought I had left, rolling us over until I pinned her wrists above her head. My vision still blurry with the drug still thick in my veins, but I could feel her beneath me

the rapid flutter of her pulse, the way her breath caught when I leaned down. Her pupils were blown wide, lips parted not in fear, but anticipation.

"Moy muzh," she murmured, testing the restraints. When I didn't relent, she arched beneath me,

deliberately pressing her body against mine. "You're stronger than I thought."

The drug still clung to my veins, warping my thoughts. My grip on her wrists tightened as I inhaled perfume, yes, but beneath it, the sharp tang of her arousal.

Fuck.

My body burned. That bastard must have given me aphrodisiac.

She tilted her head, baring her throat. "Go on," she dared voice low. "Take what's yours."

For one terrifying second, I almost did.

Her neck was right there pale and exposed her floral scent filled my senses. Without thinking, I leaned down, dragging my nose along her throat. She shivered, a soft sound escaping her.

Fuck.

For a second just a second l imagined biting down. Drawing blood. Making her whimper for real.

"Da," she murmured, tilting her head to give me better access. "Just like that, moy muzh."

The words snapped something inside me.

I recoiled like she'd burned me, scrambling back until my shoulders hit the headboard.

Disgust coiled in my gut at her, at myself, at this entire fucking farce.

No. No. No.

Natalia's eyes darkened, her lips parting whether in surprise or hunger, I didn't care.

Natalia propped herself up on her elbows, watching me with dark amusement. "Running away from your own wedding night, muzh?How scandalous."

My hands shook. I needed clarity. Now.

Natalia's smirk faded. "Or you could just talk to me like a civilized man."

I spat onto the sheets between us.

"Civilized men don't drug their sons and sell them like livestock."

Her expression shifted something almost like understanding flickering behind her eyes.

But then it was gone, replaced by that predatory smile.

"Lucky for you," she said, crawling forward,

"I've never cared much for civilized

"Don't," I snarled, but it came out ragged. My hands shook. The craving to close the distance, to take, clawed at me.

I bit down on my own knuckle hard enough to tear skin. Blood flooded my mouth, the pain cut through the fog.

Natalia's smirk faltered as I spat red onto the sheets.

"You-" She sat up, eyes flickering between my face and the blood. "You bit through your skin?"

I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand, panting. "Stay the hell away from me."

Her laugh was sharp. "Or what? You'll bleed on me?" She reached out, her fingers grazing my split knuckles

I grabbed her throat. Not hard enough to hurt.

Hard enough to warn.

"Or I'll remember I don't need to be sober to kill you."

My hands shook as I backed away from Natalia. Her smirk made me want to slit her throat right there.

No. Focus.

The window behind me was my only way out. I could hear Oisin and the others shouting in the hallway, their heavy footsteps getting closer.

I didn't hesitate.

The glass shattered as I threw myself through it, shards slicing into my arms as I tumbled onto the fire escape below. Cold air hit my face, clearing the last fog of the drugs from my mind.

Run. Don't stop.

I hit the alley running, my boots splashing through dirty puddles. Behind me, I heard the window slam open again Oisin's voice yelling orders. They'd be on me in seconds. My chest burned as I ran, each breath harsh on my throat. The window escape had left my palms bleeding, but the pain was nothing compared to the voices shouting behind me or what father will put me through if I got caught.

Don't stop. Don't look back.

I crashed through the door of a small boutique, the bell jingling wildly. Warm air wrapped around me, thick with the scent of lavender and new fabric. Five female faces turned to stare.

A woman with curly red hair dropped the dress she was folding. "Oh!" Her eyes widened. "Are you—"

I flashed her my best sheepish smile, running a shaky hand through my hair. "Sorry for barging in," I said, making my voice deep and smooth. "My girlfriend's meeting me here soon and I..uh.. might have forgotten our anniversary." I shrugged, playing the embarrassed boyfriend perfectly. "You know how it is."

The women exchanged glances. A younger girl with braids giggled behind her hand.

The redhead clapped her hands together. "We'll fix you right up! What's her size?, what’s her style”.

"About your height," I lied easily, nodding at a blonde near the racks. My heart pounded so hard I thought they might hear it. “About the style suprise me”, I said shrugging.

They swarmed me then, pulling dresses off racks and holding them up excitedly. I nodded along as they chattered, all while my ears strained for sounds of pursuit outside.

Keep them busy. Just a little longer.

When no one was looking, I slipped into the dressing room and locked the door. My hands shook as I yanked off my shirt, the bindings underneath were soaked with sweat and digging into my skin. One deep breath, then another, and I peeled them off, gasping as my chest finally expanded.

finally able to breathe properly.

The dress I grabbed was a simple black sleeveless dress, hugging my body in ways I hadn't allowed in years. I shook out my hair, letting it fall around my shoulders. A quick bite of my lips to redden them, a smudge of eyeshadow from a tester on the counter

The mirror showed a stranger. A beautiful, terrified stranger.

I stepped out.

The braided girl gasped. "You're—"

"Have you seen my boyfriend?" I asked, making my voice light and airy. "Tall, dark hair, ridiculously good-looking?" My laugh sounded real even to me.

The redhead blinked. "He left just before you came in!"

"Probably getting flowers to apologize," the blonde added with a knowing smile.

I rolled my eyes playfully and bit my lips playing embarrassed “Men."

Their laughter followed me out into the night. The cold air hit my face as I blended into the crowd into the crowd, finally free.

My heart pounded so loud I could hear it over the club music as I sipped my vodka cranberry. The straw trembled between my fingers. I'd never been out like this no bindings crushing my ribs, no guards watching my every move. Just me in a dress that felt too loose across my chest.

One night of freedom. One night to remember what it feels like to be touched without lies.

The bartender, a rugged guy with tattooed knuckles, leaned across the bar. "You keep drinking like that, sweetheart, you'll be trouble."

I licked the last drop of whiskey from my bottom lip, watching his eyes darken. "Good."

What am I even doing here?

Some guy bumped into me, his hand "accidentally" brushing my hip. I flinched so hard I spilled my drink.

"Shit, sorry," he laughed, not looking sorry at all. His eyes dropped to my chest. "Let me buy you another?"

My face burned. "I'm good."

I escaped to the dance floor, my stomach tingling from my initial shock . The music vibrated through me as I tried to move like the other girls hips swaying, hair tossing. But I just felt stiff and stupid.

God, I'm terrible at this.

I closed my eyes, letting the music move through me, my back arching as hands I didn't know gripped my hips from behind. I should have shoved them away should have remembered who I was supposed to be but the heat of a stranger's body against mine sent a thrill down my spine.

Then I felt it the weight of a gaze so intense it burned.

I turned.

He stood near the VIP section so tall that even in a club full of tall men he stood out, He looked powerful and had an arrogant grace to him. Even in the club light, I could see the sharp cut of his jaw, the way his tailored suit stretched across shoulders hugging his body in all the right places. His sleeves were rolled up, revealing thick forearms covered with tattoos. But it was his mouth that caught me full lips curved in a smirk that promised filthy things.

Then our eyes met. his eyes were dark and intense, watching me like I was the only person in the room.

My breath hitched.

My nipples tightened beneath my thin dress.

He moved toward me with the lazy confidence of a predator, the crowd parting unconsciously without him lifting a finger. When he stopped in front of me, his cologne wrapped around me spice oud and something masculine. I had to stop myself from leaning in and sniffing.

"Someone should tell you it's not safe to look at men like that," he murmured, his voice rough enough to make my thighs press together.

I tipped my chin up. "Someone should tell you I don't like being told what to do."

His hand slid around my waist, pulling me flush against him. I could feel every hard inch of him through our clothes. "Good," he breathed against my ear, his teeth grazing the sensitive skin there. "Because I wasn't asking."

Tomorrow, I'd be back in my cage.

Tonight?

Fuck bring Adrian.

Tonight I fisted my hands in his shirt and dragged his mouth to mine.