Doris Elizabeth Corday

Mr. Illion's business trip came up a few days later, and though the resort was only a two-hour drive from New Hale, the journey felt endless. I sat at the front with the driver, staring out the window as the city gave way to rolling hills and a golden coastline. Behind me, Mr. Illion and Secretary Coy went over documents I had no interest in.

Though I only tagged along to get an opportunity to escape, once we arrived, I nearly forgot all about running away.

The resort sprawled along the beach, pristine and polished. Manicured gardens and sleek, modern villas lay hidden among tall palms swaying gently in the ocean breeze.

The villa we'd be staying in loomed ahead, all glass walls and stark lines that somehow still melted into the surrounding beauty. My mouth hung open as we walked inside. White marble floors, open air, and the jewel of the place: an infinity pool that looked like it flowed right into the sea. The water gleamed under the sunlight, spilling over the edge as if merging with the horizon.

"You stare as though you've never been to the beach," Mr. Illion's voice cut through my trance.

I kept my attention locked on the view.

"I've only been to the beach once before. Years ago."

"Once?" he echoed. "You never visited the beach on holidays?"

I turned toward him, the warm ocean breeze tugging at my mousy hair.

"I've never had a holiday," I replied.

For a moment, the only sound that followed was the faint squawk of seagulls and the crash of waves. Mr. Illion stared at me in that strange way I couldn't describe.

After a beat, he cleared his throat, as if brushing off whatever question he was considering.

"I'll be attending a meeting now. You can order anything for yourself at the restaurant or bar and place it under my tab. Feel free to wander around if you wish. But don't leave the resort." His black eyes flicked deliberately to the choker around my neck. "I'll know if you do."

My fingers brushed against the smooth velvet. It was his way of reminding me that despite the freedom he seemingly offered, I was anything but free.

Just a pet on a leash.

For now.

"Understood?" Mr. Illion asked.

"Yes, Sir," I answered mockingly.

His gloved hands flexed, and a faint shadow crossed his face.

I couldn't help my smirk at his restrained reaction. He might be in control of everything here, but I had a subtle power over him too. I could still get on his nerves. And in this twisted game of ours, that bit of control felt intoxicating.

How far could I push him?

As soon as Mr. Illion left for his meeting, I took out the phone I'd acquired and sent a message to Rico.

Beth: Are you sure about tonight?

While waiting for a reply, I took my time exploring the grounds. The stone path crunched beneath my feet as I wandered. A faint hum of live music floated from the outdoor lounge, mingling with the casual laughter of guests wandering between souvenir shops and the beach.

Finally, my phone buzzed with a reply. I slipped into the resort's boutique, its floor-to-ceiling windows offering a flawless ocean view. I grabbed some swimsuits and hid myself in the dressing room while I replied.

Though I didn't see anyone watching me, it was safer sending messages where there weren't any eyes.

Just in case.

Rico: We're all set. I'll be waiting for you at your apartment. 2 AM should be fine, right?

Beth: I'll find a way to get there. Do you have a way to get rid of my choker?

Rico: I found someone that said they can do it.

Beth: You sure?

Rico: When have I ever let you down?

I sighed in relief.

Beth: See you tonight then.

Fed up with my stiff dress and blouse, I picked out a white swimsuit and sarong, its fabric soft against my fingers.

I was able to purchase the clothes under Mr. Illion's tab and added a pair of ugly designer sunglasses to the pile just out of spite.

After changing into my swimwear at the villa and wrapping the pale green sarong around my hips, I made my way down to the shore. The waves crashed over the golden sand and the salt-tinged breeze whipped at my hair.

The beach was quiet, save for the occasional guest lounging in a cabana or strolling along the water's edge. I ordered a colorful cocktail by the bar, letting the sweet, tangy drink slide down my throat as I stared at the horizon.

If my debt was paid... If all this was over... I think I'd like to take my mom to a beach just like this.

Drink in hand, I found a lounge chair to settle into. The sun dipped lower in the sky, painting everything in shades of gold and orange. I watched the water sparkle, letting the warmth of the day melt into my skin.

Ever since this debt I got left with, all I knew was worry. Worry how to pay that month's interest. Worry if I'd get caught for stealing. Worry if my mom was alright — wherever she was.

I'd never really allowed myself to... relax.

Alas, my peace didn't last long.

A group of men in barely buttoned shirts sauntered over with gazes that felt like oil running down my skin. They offered drinks I didn't want and compliments I knew they didn't mean.

They didn't pay half as much attention to my face as they did my body. I held my drink close to me, hoping to cover the way my bikini sat tight around my chest.

"Hey, sweetheart," one of them smiled with teeth too white to feel real. "What's a lady like you doing all alone at this resort?"

I straightened up, trying to appear casual in my disinterest.

"I'm not alone," I said curtly, aiming to leave.

"Oh, come on," he laughed, grabbing onto my arm. "It's my buddy's bachelor's this weekend. Why not show us a good time, yeah?"

Another one of them leaned in closer, his breath heavy with alcohol.

"What's your name, gorgeous?"

Despite the shiver that ran down my arms, I plastered a smile and laughed it off, pulling my arm away from the first man with a lingering touch.

"Sorry, boys, my boyfriend's waiting for me."

"Boyfriend?" a third man asked, his hand reaching for mine. "He must be a fool to leave a lady like you all alone. We'll take better care of you."

I let him grab my hand and slowly pulled away, shifting my weight.

"I should go now," I brushed him off with a light chuckle.

"Hey, don't be such a tease."

A hand grabbed my ass, and I stiffened at the surprise. Before my fist could clench, a shadow suddenly loomed over us.

"Remove your hand if you wish to keep it."

The men and I whirled toward the voice, and I froze at the sight of Mr. Illion.

He stood just a few feet away with his hands in his suit pockets. Secretary Coy and a throng of security waited behind him. But it wasn't the burly guards that made my throat turn dry.

It was Mr. Illion's cold black eyes. The same eyes he had before killing a man.

"Ey, we don't mean no trouble," one of the men next to me stammered, still attempting an air of swagger.

"If you don't want trouble, I suggest you stop touching what belongs to me," he replied.

My initial surprise was quickly replaced with a scowl.

Mr. Illion's gaze locked onto me at that last part, and I rolled my eyes at being treated like an object again. Without any further words needed, the men around me scattered like cockroaches in the light.

Mr. Illion's attention stayed on me. His steps were slow, and when he reached me, his expression was unreadable.

"What was that about?" he asked. "You should've left immediately."

"What? They were harmless," I said with a shrug. "Just having a little fun."

"You don't get to have this type of fun. Not without my permission. What if they were trying to get information out of you?"

I rolled my eyes.

"You might not have the same mindset as most men, but I can assure you," I smirked, "although they were certainly after something, it wasn't information."

His eyes narrowed.

"What were they after?"

I couldn't help the laugh that escaped at his earnestness.

For all his power and control, he was clueless about something so basic. Here he was, this intimidating crime boss, and yet he seemed to lack the smallest understanding of desire. It was as if that part of him had been shut off. Or maybe it had never existed in the first place.

Which, of course, made teasing him all the more enjoyable.

I leaned closer, lowering my voice just enough to see if it made him uncomfortable.

"Something you'll never get your hands on," I said, swirling the last of my drink before downing it in one smooth gulp.

His gaze dropped to my bikini, and I caught the faintest hint of color creeping up his neck. He cleared his throat, shifting his weight.

"I have no time for your riddles," he said coolly. "You should be grateful I intervened."

"I can handle myself just fine." I flashed a sly grin and reached behind my sarong, pulling out the watches and rings I'd lifted from the men. "I even got some souvenirs," I added sweetly, holding up the jewelry. "They won't miss them."

Mr. Illion's face tightened instantly, the circles under his eyes darkening.

"You're not allowed to steal without my permission, Miss Corday. Don't test me."

I rolled my eyes again, unbothered.

"Not allowed to have fun... Not allowed to steal... Is there anything I am allowed to do without your permission, Mister Illion? May I breathe?"

"Perhaps not," he replied flatly.

"Well, too bad you need me," I shrugged.

The moment stretched, taut and heavy. Finally, his patience faded. With a slight nod, he gestured to one of his security personnel. Before I could protest, the guard seized my wrist in a tight grip, practically dragging me along as Mr. Illion led the way back to the villa.

"Is this really necessary?" I huffed, struggling against the firm hold.

Mr. Illion glanced back only briefly — like I was nothing more than a barking dog.

Back inside the villa, he didn't speak a word to me. He simply dismissed his staff and busied himself with documents in the kitchen, as if nothing had happened.

Irritated at having my brief freedom stolen away, I headed straight for the pool. The cool water slipped over my skin, easing my nerves. I swam languidly, lapping back and forth as the sunset turned the sky a fiery red that melted into a deep, romantic purple.

Once I got hungry, I finally pulled myself out of the water, droplets trailing down my skin and catching the fading light.

That's when I noticed him.

Mr. Illion leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching the horizon with a stillness so intense he might as well have been carved from ice. His gaze was deliberately fixed on the fading light, making me wonder if he'd initially been watching me before I noticed him.

A small smile curled at my lips.

If this was my last night with him... Why not mess around a bit?

"You know," I murmured, brushing a hand through my damp hair, "I thought maybe you'd join me. The water's perfect."

He shifted those dark eyes over me as though I was no more than a piece of furniture. But I caught the faintest shift in his expression, a hint of tension in his sharp jaw.

"You think I'd ever lower myself to share a pool with you?" he asked.

I could tell he was trying to stay composed, trying to maintain that distance between us.

But I wasn't going to let him. Not tonight.

"Why not?" I asked.

I clasped my hands behind my back as I slowly strolled over, a posture that emphasized every line of my body, knowing exactly the effect it would have. Water dripped down my exposed skin, glistening beneath his gaze.

"Afraid of getting a little wet, Mister Illion? Or maybe..." I leaned in, my words a murmur. "You just can't swim?"

His expression didn't falter, but the slight tension in his shoulders betrayed him, his gloved hands flexing at his sides.

Good.

I was getting to him.

Just how far could I push him before he cracked?

"I'm not afraid of anything," he said with a dangerous edge that sent a thrill up my spine.

"Liar." I tilted my head, letting my voice drop to a sultry tone. "You're terrified of getting close to people, aren't you? It's why you have that 'no contact' policy in your company, right? I bet you've never even touched anyone."

My eyes trailed down to his gloved hands.

"That's why you wear them, isn't it?" I asked, restraining a laugh. "Keeping me around... It must be your own private hell."

His eyes darkened, his control slipping just enough for me to see the heat of his anger flickering beneath.

"You think you know me?" he murmured. "The one that should be scared is you."

"Then prove it," I challenged, taking another step closer. "Show me you're not all talk. Or will you just stick to threatening? Got any more empty guns to test me with?"

"I can assure you, you're playing with a loaded gun, Miss Corday."

"Oh?" I nearly giggled. "How loaded are you?"

My eyes glinted suggestively which only made him tense even more.

His jaw clenched, his gaze hardening.

"I warned you," he whispered, the edge in his voice like a blade pressed to my throat. "Don't push me, Miss Corday."

I laughed, low and unbothered.

This was too much fun.

"What are you going to do, hmm? Tell me to stop? Cry about the contract? You can't even touch me. Without your security here, you're no threat, Mister Illion."

His eyes followed every move as I closed the remaining distance. Knowing how much my proximity must be eating him, I had to give him credit for holding his ground.

"You think you're getting under my skin?" he asked, his voice like ice. "You're playing a dangerous game."

"Oh, I know," I replied, a sly smile curling my lips. "But I've always been good at games."

"Don't mistake me for someone who'll let you win," he said, taking a step closer.

My brow raised and a warning drummed in my chest.

Just one more push, I thought. Then I'd let the poor guy go.

"I don't know," I taunted, a daring smile tugging at my lips. "The fact that I can get you so worked up... I think I already won."

Before I could blink, he drove me against the cold stone wall.

My breath caught as his gloved hands seized my wrists, pinning them high above my head. He pressed his body into mine, so close I could feel his pulse pounding against my own. A shiver ran through me, my eyes widening at the unbreakable grip that held me in place.

His breath was hot against my ear. A low, dangerous murmur that sent a thrill of something dark and electrifying through me.

"You wanted me to touch you, didn't you?"

I didn't know what I was expecting, but I didn't think he'd actually break his 'no contact' rule.

His strength surprised me. And with his body so close, the hard planes of muscle beneath his suit radiated a heat that seeped into me. A lock of black hair trailed over his dark eyes, making him look more disheveled than I'd ever seen him.

I could still feel the droplets of water on my exposed skin, a reminder of how vulnerable I was at this moment.

Perhaps I shouldn't have pushed my luck...

I forced a smile, though my voice came out softer.

"So... you can touch people," I teased, but the edge was gone.

The tables had turned, and I didn't want to know what that could mean for me.

Mr. Illion's voice was low enough to send goosebumps over every inch of me.

"You're playing with fire, Miss Corday."

"I like fire," I shot back, trying to reclaim control over the moment. "You're not so scary, Mister Illion. I think you're just all bark and no bite."

Just as I thought he might back off, he leaned in, and his teeth sank sharply into my neck.

"Ack!" I gasped.

My mouth parted and my eyes shot wide as I struggled to process what was happening.

"Wha— What do you think you're doing!?" I stammered, trying to shove him away. But he was immovable, his grip relentless as his teeth grazed my skin just enough to leave a sting.

In one swift motion, he changed his grip on my wrists so he had them pinned above me with one hand while his other moved to my waist, pulling me closer.

My heart beat so fast I thought I would pass out.

"What are you, a dog?" I spat, trying to mask my unease with defiance.

He finally pulled back, a smug smirk on his lips. More strands of black hair fell over his eyes, a stark contrast to his usual slick-back appearance.

I swallowed nervously, my thighs clenching together.

"No, you're the dog, Miss Corday." He leaned in so close I thought he might kiss me. "And I own you."