The rain didn't stop.
It poured harder, as if the sky itself was warning me.
Run.
But my body refused to move.
Not when his hand was still holding my chin… not when his eyes were locked on mine like I was the only thing that mattered.
Or the only thing he wanted.
"I'm not yours," I whispered again, though my voice was weaker this time.
Alexander Blackwood tilted his head slightly, studying me like I was a puzzle he intended to solve.
"You keep saying that," he said calmly. "But your body says something else."
My breath caught.
"What are you talking about?" I snapped, trying to push his hand away.
This time, he let go.
But instead of stepping back, he stood up slowly… towering over me.
Powerful. Unshaken. In control.
"Stand up," he ordered.
"I'm not going anywhere with you."
A pause.
Then—
"Amara."
The way he said my name sent chills down my spine.
"How do you know my name?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
A small smile tugged at his lips.
"I know everything about you."
My heart skipped.
That wasn't normal.
That wasn't okay.
Before I could react, a sleek black car pulled up beside us.
The door opened immediately.
Of course it did.
Men like him didn't wait.
They were waited on.
"I'm not getting in," I said quickly, backing away.
But I had nowhere to go.
The street was empty.
The night was cold.
And he was right in front of me.
"You don't have a choice," he replied simply.
"I always have a choice."
His eyes darkened.
"Not tonight."
In one swift movement, he grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the car.
"Let me go!" I struggled, my heart pounding wildly.
But it was useless.
He was stronger.
Way stronger.
And somehow… he knew it.
The moment we got into the car, the door shut behind us.
Locked.
Trapped.
My chest rose and fell quickly as I pressed myself against the other side, trying to create distance.
But the car wasn't big enough to escape him.
Nothing was.
"Why are you doing this?" I asked, my voice shaking despite my effort to stay strong.
Silence filled the car for a few seconds.
Then—
"Because I want you."
Simple.
Direct.
Dangerous.
"That's not a reason!" I snapped. "You can't just take people because you want them!"
Alexander Blackwood turned his head slowly toward me.
"And who is going to stop me?"
I froze.
Because deep down…
I didn't have an answer.
The car drove for what felt like forever.
The city lights faded.
The noise disappeared.
And soon, we entered a place that looked nothing like my world.
Huge gates.
Tall fences.
Security everywhere.
We stopped in front of a massive mansion.
My eyes widened.
"This is where you live?" I asked, unable to hide the shock in my voice.
He didn't answer.
He simply stepped out.
And waited.
For me.
"I'm not coming out," I said, crossing my arms.
A dangerous silence followed.
Then he leaned down slightly, his voice low and calm.
"Don't make me carry you."
My heart jumped.
He wasn't joking.
I could see it in his eyes.
Slowly… reluctantly… I stepped out of the car.
The cold air hit my skin, but I barely felt it.
Because something else was settling in.
Fear.
And something even worse—
Curiosity.
As we walked inside, I couldn't help but look around.
Everything was perfect.
Too perfect.
Like a place no one escaped from.
"You'll stay here from now on," he said as we entered the grand hallway.
I stopped immediately.
"What?! No! I have a life! I have a job—"
"You had a life," he corrected.
My chest tightened.
"You can't do this!"
He turned to face me fully this time.
His expression unreadable.
"You walked into my world the moment you touched me," he said quietly.
"And now… you don't get to walk out."
My heart pounded loudly in my ears.
"This is insane," I whispered.
"Maybe," he replied.
Then he stepped closer.
Too close.
"You'll get used to it."
I shook my head, stepping back.
"I will never belong here."
A pause.
Then a slow, dangerous smile appeared on his lips.
"We'll see about that."
And just like that…
I realized something terrifying.
I wasn't just in his house.
I was in his world.
And leaving it…
might be impossible.