Chapter 1

The black Porsche had barely come to a stop when Sophia's phone rang.

The name "Daniel Clementson" flashing on the screen made her fingers hesitate.

Before she could answer, a shadow fell across the hood of her car.

"Miss Lowell, Mr. Roscente is waiting for you."

Zachary Evans' perpetually expressionless face appeared outside her window.

Sophia gripped the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white.

"Tell Mr. Roscente I have plans."

She declined the call and started the engine.

Zachary yanked open her car door, his tone brooking no argument. "Mr. Roscente said you're not going anywhere today."

In the rearview mirror, Sophia saw her own pale reflection.

Two years, and she still hadn't learned how to refuse him.

A black Maybach sat silently a short distance away.

Zachary tapped on its tinted window, which lowered with mechanical smoothness.

Ethan Roscente's profile emerged from the shadows, a cigarette dangling between his elegant fingers.

Through the haze of smoke, his gaze locked onto hers.

That look alone made her knees weak.

"Come here."

His voice was low, edged with ice.

Sophia took a shaky breath and stepped out.

The scent of leather and sandalwood enveloped her as she slid into the backseat.

"Uncle Ethan." Her voice trembled.

Ethan stubbed out his cigarette with a cold laugh. "Now you remember I'm your uncle?"

In one brutal motion, he seized her wrist and dragged her onto his lap.

Sophia landed hard, her nose colliding with his unyielding chest.

"Let me go! Daniel is waiting—"

"Daniel?" Ethan's fingers dug into her chin. "How familiar."

His icy touch trailed down her collar.

Sophia went rigid.

"Explain last week's text."

He bit her earlobe, increasing the pressure until she gasped.

After sending that "We're over" message, Ethan had gone radio silent for seven days.

She'd thought he'd accepted it.

"I'm getting married." She met his glacial stare. "Aunt Emily introduced us. He's a good man."

Ethan's eyes darkened dangerously.

"Did I approve?"

He tore open her blouse and sank his teeth into her collarbone.

Tears sprang to her eyes at the sharp pain.

"You don't own me!" Her voice shook. "Aren't you engaged too?"

The air turned arctic.

Ethan's lips curled. "Well informed."

Abruptly, he released her waist and hit the window control.

"Look who's here."

Sophia followed his gaze—and her blood turned to ice.

Daniel Clementson was approaching, phone in hand.

"Tell me," Ethan murmured against her ear, "should he see how his fiancée looks right now?"

Sophia frantically grabbed his wandering hand.

"Please..."

Her plea ended in a sob.

Ethan only smiled.

The doors locked with a decisive click.

"Too late."

Daniel reached the car, peering curiously through the glass.

Sophia shut her eyes in despair as Ethan's hand slid beneath her skirt.

"Miss Lowell?" Daniel knocked. "Are you in there?"

Through the tinted window, Sophia saw his blurred silhouette.

She bit her lip until copper filled her mouth.

Ethan suddenly withdrew his hand and lowered the window.

"Mr. Clementson?"

His voice dripped with satisfied indolence.

Daniel froze.

The partially open window revealed Ethan's razor-sharp profile—and Sophia disheveled in his arms.

"Allow me to introduce," Ethan traced Sophia's tear-stained cheek, "my niece."

He emphasized the last word cruelly.

Daniel went sheet-white.

"Miss Lowell, this is—"

"My uncle." Sophia's throat felt scraped raw. "Mr. Ethan Roscente of Roscente Group."

Daniel's bouquet hit the pavement with a thud.

Ethan chuckled. "Still taking my niece to dinner, Mr. Clementson?"

His fingers drew slow circles on Sophia's thigh.

Daniel fled.

Sophia trembled violently.

"Happy now?" Her voice was wrecked.

Ethan raised the window and gripped her nape.

"Remember—I make the rules."

He crushed his mouth to hers, blood blooming between them.

"Run again..."

The threat dissolved into shared breath.

Staring at the car ceiling, Sophia let silent tears fall.

She knew—she'd never escape him.