Chapter 109

Vincent's fingers trembled slightly.

He never expected to encounter Susan in such a place. The chilly night breeze in the suburbs scattered the last shred of his rationality.

The screech of brakes shattered the silence.

A stray cat darting across the road had saved her. Vincent stared at the lone sneaker by the roadside, his pupils constricting abruptly.

He remembered.

Susan had worn those shoes during her audition that morning. The small size, as delicate as she was.

An unmarked black sedan idled nearby.

Vincent's temple throbbed. He snatched up the shoe and charged toward the cabin, kicking the door open—only for his blood to run cold.

Several men surrounded Susan.

"Get out!" His voice was sharper than a blade.

The intruders fled in panic. Only then did Vincent notice Susan's condition—her unfocused gaze, the unnatural flush on her cheeks.

"Susan?"

No response.

He bent to retrieve the discarded shoe. Her ankle was startlingly slender, her sole pale as jade. His Adam's apple bobbed involuntarily.

The moment his fingers brushed her skin, Susan flinched.

"Vincent, stop teasing..."

That whisper struck his heart like a hammer. Memories of the dungeon surged forth—days and nights spent relying on each other, finding joy in hardship.

She always lost their guessing games.

And she'd pout like this whenever he tickled her feet.

Vincent yanked her into his arms. Susan struggled dizzily, her small hands fumbling.

"Take that for bullying me..."

She mumbled, reaching to tickle his ribs—a secret only the closest would know.

Vincent's breath hitched.

"Susan, still refusing to give up?"

"Of course not!" she retorted indignantly, her fingers already at his shirt buttons.

The last thread of his restraint snapped.

Vincent flipped her beneath him, kissing her with desperate hunger. He conjured a thousand excuses, but none outweighed one truth—

He wanted her.

"I'll pay you," he panted against her ear. "But don't expect anything more."

The words doused her like ice water.

Susan jolted awake. Was this cold man truly the same Vincent who'd once vowed to protect her forever?

"Let go!"

Her shove earned a mocking laugh.

"Playing hard to get?" Vincent gripped her chin. "Remember your place. You'll always be mine—"

"Susan!"

Andrew's roar exploded from the doorway, laced with fury.

The air inside the cabin froze.