Book 3: Chapter 10

Santiago’s eyes darkened, his smile growing. “Good,” he murmured, pleased with her answer. “I knew you would see it my way.”

Without warning, he leaned forward and kissed her again, his lips capturing hers with the same intensity as before, possessive, claiming. Esmeralda didn’t resist, though her heart screamed at the growing complexity of her situation. Santiago’s kiss felt like a promise, a silent declaration of the control he now had over her life. When he pulled back, there was a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes.

“Now,” he said, his voice regaining its cold edge, “I have some business to attend to.”

Esmeralda blinked, still reeling from the kiss, her mind struggling to catch up. Santiago’s mood had shifted so quickly, it was as if the kiss had been nothing more than a momentary distraction for him. He stepped away from her, adjusting his suit jacket with casual ease.

“Feel at home,” he added, turning his back to her as he walked toward the door. “Rest.