Chapter 1
In the opulent, dimly lit private cinema, a live broadcast of the most exclusive jewelry auction unfolded. The rich cadence of the auctioneer’s voice echoed, “One million, one o’clock, two o’clock…” Alicia Bennett barely registered the words; her attention was completely captivated by the man beneath her. His intensity overwhelmed her, driving her to bite his shoulder in a desperate attempt to resist his advances.
He merely grunted, continuing without pause. “Ease up, will you?” he purred, his voice thick with tension as he squeezed her waist, urging her submission.
Alice, still biting his shoulder, hesitated. Slowly, her jaw unclenched. Just as an apology formed on her lips, he let out a low, almost mocking laugh. “That’s not the part I asked you to ease up on,” he said.
Alicia froze, heat rising to her cheeks. Shame flooded her, silencing the apology. Yet, the intensity between them only intensified, their bodies entangled in a battle of passion and control.
The auctioneer’s hammer fell. “Sold for ten million! A round of applause for Mr. Joshua Yates!”
The name struck Alice like a bolt of lightning. Her body stiffened, a reaction the man couldn't miss. Her eyes, half-closed in satisfaction, darted towards the screen. The camera focused on Joshua Yates’ face, his familiar features perfectly clear.
“Joshua Yates, the second son of the Yates family… an acquaintance, perhaps?” he said, a sly smile playing on his lips as he playfully nibbled her earlobe.
Alice frowned. “Is gossip also part of your services?” she snapped, her voice cold and irritated.
He laughed softly, the sound filling the space between them. He didn’t deny it, instead tightening his grip on her waist, his movements becoming more relentless, chaotic, almost challenging. The room pulsed with their desires, the air thick with lust, their ragged breaths merging. They reached a breathless crescendo. Afterwards, while he showered, Alicia slipped away quietly.
She left a stack of bills on the chair and silently departed, wincing at the pain in her lower body.
When Caden Ward emerged from the bathroom, his gaze fell on the money. A smile touched his lips. He lit a cigarette, calmly handling the bills.
Moments later, his assistant, Hank Ford, burst in, clearly nervous. The lingering scent of sex made Hank uncomfortable. “Er, apologies, Mr. Ward. I let my guard down. Give me a moment, and I’ll have her brought in immediately.” They had taken every precaution, yet a woman had evaded their security.
Caden exhaled a lazy stream of smoke, his expression calm, almost indifferent. “It wasn’t necessary. I was… a voluntary participant.”
Hank’s eyes widened. Only then did he notice the faint red marks on Caden’s chest. Hank’s vision swam. Caden had never been with a woman, not even casually. Rumors of a secret ailment circulated. Now, those rumors seemed unfounded.
Before Hank could process it, Caden’s deep voice cut through the silence. “I want you to look into Joshua’s personal life. Have the report on my desk in half an hour.”
That night, Alice stumbled into her room, feverish and disoriented. She had clearly been drugged. All of Caden’s years of abstinence ended the moment he held her. Then came the revelation: Alicia was still a virgin. Two years of marriage to Joshua, and they hadn't touched her? The memory of the night’s passion stirred him, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. The unexpected intrigued him. But it was clear: Alicia had no idea who she had been with because of the drug.
When Alice returned home, dawn was breaking. He realized how long he’d been gone, pausing at the door, clenching his teeth in frustration. Even on the verge of collapse, he refused to let her go.
Who was the intended client? Before she could ponder it, her phone rang. It was Monica Flynn.
“Alice!” Monica’s voice was sharp with concern. “How are you now?”
Alice exhaled deeply, kicking off her shoes. “I’ve been better,” she murmured.
Monica’s anger flared. “Joshua is a piece of shit! He’s beyond disgusting. If he doesn’t want to be married anymore, he should get a divorce. What kind of sick man would conspire against his own wife?”
The pain of betrayal pierced Alice’s chest. Yesterday was their second anniversary. Joshua had suggested a celebration. Daring to hope for change, she’d dressed up, only to be met with a drugged drink and a night of confusion. Was Joshua behind it all?
Swallowing her bitterness, Alice slowly climbed the stairs. “Okay, Monica. I’ll take care of it.”
Monica, ever protective, wasn’t convinced. “‘I’ll take care of it’? What do you mean? Tell me, and I’ll be there in a jiffy! I’ll even wear my sharpest heels, ready to kick him in the balls!”
Alice managed a tired smile, though her heart ached. Monica’s tone shifted, curiosity evident. “But seriously, who was that guy you were with last night?”
Alice froze, a bad feeling rising. “Didn’t you hire a male escort for me?” she asked uneasily.
“I called one,” Monica replied, her voice serious. “But he never showed up. He texted me this morning saying he waited all night and didn’t see you. So… who were you with?”
Alice gasped, realizing the truth.
Before she could respond, her bedroom door creaked open. She looked up, her stomach dropping. Joshua stood there, fresh from the shower, a towel around his waist, his damp hair clinging to his forehead. His voice was low and menacing. “What companion?”