Chapter 1

“Help… help me…”

Alexandra “Lexi” Starling staggered down the hallway, blood dripping onto the marble floor. Her vision blurred. Her legs barely held her up.

She pushed into Room 3006.

The room was dark. She didn’t think—just assumed the bed was empty and collapsed onto it.

The man in the bed stirred.

In the dim light, his eyes opened slowly, settling on the intruder. A woman.

Then he caught the scent—heavy, intoxicating, unnatural. Not perfume. Something chemical. Deliberate.

“Hold me… I’m cold…” Lexi whispered, her burning skin pressing against him, hands sliding up his neck.

He didn’t push her away.

The scent clouded the air. His body reacted before his mind did. When he noticed the blood soaking her clothes, his expression shifted. He wiped it away and stripped off her damp outer layer.

Lexi jolted awake.

Her haze cleared instantly.

“Let me go! Who are you?” She shoved at him, weak but panicked.

Her resistance only seemed to amuse him.

Until she bit his arm.

Hard.

He stilled.

“This is my room,” he said smoothly, voice edged with irritation. “You climb into my bed, and you bite me?”

She forced herself upright. “Fine. I’ll leave.”

Her legs gave out. She fell straight into his chest, pressed intimately against him.

Panic flared in her eyes.

In one swift motion, he flipped her onto the bed and pinned her down.

Moonlight slipped through the curtains, casting everything in gray.

Fear overtook her.

Lexi fainted.

A faint smile curved his lips.

“This,” he murmured, “is what happens when you trespass.”

Lexi woke late the next day.

The room was empty.

Pain shot through her body when she tried to move. Last night hadn’t been a dream.

She dragged herself to the bathroom. Cold water hit her face. She stared at her reflection, fists clenched.

“Isabella Rossi… you’re ruthless.”

Memory rushed back.

Drugged at her college graduation bonfire. Ambushed while leaving campus. She had barely escaped and fled into the nearest hotel.

Isabella was gone. Her calls went unanswered.

But Lexi couldn’t dwell on it. She had a business deal with German clients. She had to show up.

By 9:30 p.m., she arrived at Halo Nightclub.

Inside was chaos—neon lights, pounding music, dancers, alcohol. Her foreign clients lounged comfortably, women draped over them.

Mr. Victor, the intermediary, led her into a private room.

Five minutes later, the door burst open.

Lexi stumbled out, furious and disheveled. The door slammed into a middle-aged man’s face. Blood streamed from his nose.

“Alexandra Starling! Get back here!”

He barked at his guards. “Catch her!”

Lexi ran.

She turned sharply, nearly slipping. Near the dance floor, she twisted her ankle and fell to one knee.

The guards were closing in.

She grabbed a beer bottle and hurled it behind her. It smashed, forcing them to recoil.

“You think you can hit us and run?” one shouted.

The crowd assumed she was a nightclub escort making a scene. Whistles and laughter followed her. The music cut abruptly. Silence spread.

Her heart pounded.

She was almost at the exit—

Her foot caught. She fell hard, scraping her face. Blood filled her mouth.

Then she saw them.

Polished black shoes stopped in front of her.

“Help… please…” She grabbed at the man’s ankle.

Sebastian Blackwood paused.

He was not known for mercy.

“Move,” he said coldly, about to step past her.

But her grip tightened. Small hands. Surprisingly strong.

“Please… I’ll do anything. I’ll work for you. Just save me,” she begged.

Something flickered in his eyes.

He looked down at her properly this time.

Recognition dawned.

“It’s you.”

Lexi stared up at him.

Had she heard that right?