Chapter 1 - THE PILL I REFUSED TO SWALLOW
The most dangerous man in Chicago was standing beside my bed, holding a mysterious white pill, and expecting me to obey him.
I had just spent the night in his penthouse.
He had transferred $49,200 to help me bury my mother.
And now Nathan Drake was looking at me as though one small tablet could erase everything that had happened between us.
“No,” I said.
His dark eyes narrowed.
“What?”
“I said I'm not taking anything until you tell me exactly what it is.”
Nathan looked down at the pill.
For the first time since I'd entered his penthouse, he seemed uncertain.
“It's emergency contraception,” he finally admitted.
I stared at him.
“Then why didn't you say that?”
He rubbed his jaw.
“Because I didn't want a discussion.”
“Well, you're having one.”
His expression hardened, but I didn't back down.
“You don't get to make decisions about my body, Nathan.”
Silence filled the room.
Beyond the windows, Chicago was waking beneath a pale winter sky.
Nathan slowly placed the pill on the nightstand.
“You're right.”
I hadn't expected that.
He stepped away.
“If you want information about it, I'll arrange for a doctor or pharmacist to explain your options. Whatever you decide is your decision.”
I pulled the blanket around myself.
“Why are you so desperate to make sure nothing comes from last night?”
His expression changed.
Something dark passed behind his eyes.
“Because women who get close to me usually end up paying for it.”
“That sounds like a threat.”
“It's a warning.”
I climbed out of bed and began dressing.
The money was already in my account.
My mother's funeral could finally happen.
But I didn't want to owe this man anything more.
“I appreciate what you did for my mother,” I said. “But I won't be bought.”
Nathan watched me zip my dress.
“I know.”
“Then don't contact me.”
He nodded once.
I walked toward the door.
My hand had barely touched the handle when his phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed immediately.
“What do you mean she's dead?”
I froze.
Nathan turned toward the window.
“Who authorized the transfer?”
A pause.
Then his voice dropped.
“That's impossible. Hannah Carter died three days ago.”
My blood went cold.
He looked directly at me.
“Bella, don't leave.”
I tightened my grip on the door handle.
“Why?”
Nathan slowly lowered his phone.
“Because someone just accessed your mother's medical file using my private security credentials.”
May you like
He swallowed.
“And the person who accessed it is the same woman I buried eight years ago.”
