Debra stared defiantly at Drake, whose eyes were filled with amusement.


    She scoffed, "A powerful CEO like you, resorting to something as crude as kidnapping? When word of this leaks out, your carefully polished reputation in Orkgate will crumble."


    In Orkgate, Drake was feared by all. But behind the imprable fa?ade, Debra knew the truth. Drake was nothing more than a twisted man reveling in control and cruelty.


    Drake''s smile widened. "Marion has done worse things than I ever have. Didn''t he tell you? I guess he doesn''t trust you enough to be honest. Or maybe he''s afraid to show you his true colors." He plucked a rose from the table and added, "I wonder if you knew all of Marion''s dirty secrets, would you still be so eager to be Mrs. Houston?"This text is property of N?/velD/rama.Org.


    They had risen from the same ruthless underworld. Marion was just luckier than him.


    Kale touched his earpiece, his face tightening. "Boss, Marion''s men are here."


    Debra instinctively shifted, her muscles tensing to rise. But Drake''s predatory stare pinned her in ce.


    She forced herself to remain calm, her voice measured. "There''s no real conflict between us. What do you expect to gain from kidnapping me? Marion isn''t the type to throw his life away over a woman." Drake''s expression flickered with indifference. "You''re right. I thought Marion might rush to Orkgate the moment his fiancée was taken. But maybe I overestimated him."


    He grabbed her chin roughly and sneered, "It seems you''re not as important to Marion as I think."


    Losing interest, he released her roughly, raising his hand in azy gesture. "Get rid of them. I don''t want Marion''s people dirtying my city."


    "Yes, boss." Kale immediately moved to carry out themand.


    A cold knot of dread coiled tighter in Debra''s stomach. In this city, Drake waswless.


    "Lock her up."


    "Yes, boss."


    Kale gripped Debra''s arm, yanking her to her feet. Lara quickly followed behind them.


    As they led her through the sprawling corridors of the estate, Debra''s mind worked quickly,mitting every detail of theyout to memory. The mansion was abyrinth of winding halls, its air thick with history.


    She realized they were heading toward the basement. Before long, they arrived at a wine cer, the scent of aged wine filling the cold, damp air.


    Kale shoved her inside and muttered to Lara, "Make sure she doesn''t escape."


    Lara nodded quickly and locked the door without hesitation.


    The cer was dark, with only a narrow window allowing the faintest light to creep in. The room was barren of anyfort. There were no beds or nkets, only rows of fermenting wine.


    Debra leaned against one of the barrels, exhaustion pulling at her limbs, but her mind refused to rest.


    Drake had taken her to lure Marion into a trap. Marion didn''te this time. There must be a reason for it.