Chapter 5
Natalie jolted at Jonas’s words, her body stiffening. She knew the trap lying in his question. If she agreed, it would be like handing herself over to a predator–willingly walking into the lion’s den.
That kiss, searing and unrelenting, had been his warning. And his words were the reminder. If she got into that car, she was silently consenting to more of this–to the dangerous intimacy he’d made clear he wouldn’t hold back.
But she had no choice. She was stranded, without a single piece of ID to prove her identity. Worse, with her striking looks, being left behind in this place wasn’t an option
She didn’t need a vivid imagination to foresee the horrors waiting for her if she fell into the wrong hands. She wouldn’t even make it to the nearest embassy. Just the thought of being captured by terrorists, tortured, and left to rot made her stomach churn.
Her survival instinct kicked in Natalie swallowed her fear and gave him a small, obedient nod. She would live–she had to live. She needed to tell her grandfather the truth that her father’s death might not have been an accident
She needed to return to her homeland, where the years of blood, sweat, and tears she’d poured into getting accepted to her dream university would
not be wasted.
Over a thousand days of relentless effort were on the line. If she gave up now, it would all be for nothing. Dying here wasn’t an option for her. She clenched her fists tightly, her resolve hardening
Jonas’s lips curved into a slow, predatory smile. His piercing eyes narrowed slightly, taking her in as though she were a helpless prey caught in his snare. There was a glint of something almost exhilarating in his gaze.
There’s no way this girl’s appearance in my life is a coincidence, he thought, his mind calculating. “Either she’s a damn good actress, playing this role to perfection, or she’s an unwining pawn, dragged into a game far bigger than she realizes.
“Either way. I’m going to enjoy finding out who dared to mess with me–especially if they thought using those eyes was a smart have.
Ignoring the faint struggles of the girl in his arms, Jonas carried her effortlessly and yanked open the car door with casual confidence.
He shoved Natalie into the backseat without so much as a glance, then slid in beside her. He leaned back against the seat, his posture as relaxed as ever, though the intensity in his demeanor never faded.
It wasn’t until he noticed Myla still standing frozen outside the car that his lips quirked into another lazy smirk. He extended one elegant arm out the window, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the doorframe.
“What’s the matter? he drawled, his voice drenched in that maddening mix of mockery and nonchalance. “Still can’t get enough of this freak show! Should I get you a monthly subscription or something?”
Myla snapped out of her daze, her expression shifting to something caught between amusement and disbelief.
Seriously?” she thought, biting back a sigh. Even the good–looking ones are shameless fiets these days. But then again, it’s him. Should’ve expected no less from our boss.
She strode toward the driver’s seat without a flicker of emotion on her face. The moment Myla climbed into the car, she noticed Jonas’s mood seemed off. A wry thought crossed her mind. Great, looks like Tl be the one taking the heat again–his ever–reliable, talented, one–in–a–million Jackey.
After a brief pause, Myla decided that playing it safe with some flattery was her best bet. With an exaggerated one of admiration, she said, “Boss, you’re incredible. That move you pulled back there! Smoking hot.”
Jonas’s reaction was immediate, “What the fuck,” he muttered annoyed, his low growl carrying a rare edge of disbelief.
Jonas didn’t swear often–usually, he was the one making others lose their composure. It was a rare feat for someone to rile him up enough to curse, and Myla wore that badge proudly.
Myla, after all, was a force of nature. With her striking, intimidating demeanor, Myla seemed even more intimidating than Jonas. She exuded an aura of icy arrogance, but beneath that, she was unapologetically cheeky and unabashedly shameless, especially when it came to her twisted sense
of humor
As soon as she plopped herself into the seat, Jonas wasted no time delivering a sharp kick to the back of her chair. “Head back. Three days of private training as punishment.”
Myla froze. Her usually impassive face nearly cracked under the weight of her dread, but she didn’t argue. She was smart enough to know better.
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Chapter 5
Still, her thoughts ran rampant. ‘Boss and that girl are both drop–dead gorgeous. If I could witness them getting it on for a couple of rounds, I’d take a year of private training without complaint.”
The thought alone sent her eyes darting to the rearview mirror, where she could barely conceal her giddy anticipation as she sneaked a glance at Jonat
He caught her look and knew what was on her mind instantly. Without missing a beat, Jonas lashed out with another kick. “One week.”
Myla’s expression shifted, a glimmer of realization crossing her mind. Wait a second. When it comes to women… Jonas doesn’t work like that, does be? Oh, hell. I just got excited for no reason.”
But Myla wasn’t one to sulk for long. With a shrug, her thoughts shifted gears. So what if he can’t get it on with her? I can.
She turned her burning gaze back to Natalie through the rearview mirror, her intentions unmistakable. “Well, if he isn’t interested… I’ll take over when he’s done!
The entire scene was enough to make Jonas feel like he’d been unwittingly cast as the lead in some raunchy adult film. He shot Myla a warning glare an irritation bubbled to the surface.
Then his gare landed on Natale, curled into the furthest corner of the seat. His brow furrowed. What’s with the shaking! Wasn’t she the one who kissed me? Now she looks like I’m the one who did something unforgivable
Jonas wasn’t in the habit of pretending to be a good guy. In fact, he took a certain pride in his bad reputation. “When I decide to take someone’s life, rip out their eyes, or skin them. I’m at least courteous enough to let them know beforehand.
Jonas gave a lazy nod toward the passenger seat, his tone casual. “Sit there.” His words dripped with the kind of aristocratic arrogance that could make anyone grit their teeth–and yet, left them with no choice but to comply.
By this point. Myla had already started the engine.
Natalie’s wide eyes darted around nervously. Her pulse quickened with an irrational fear. What if the moment I step out of the car, Jonas gives Myla the order to drive off?
The ropes binding her wrists had been cut by Jonas the second she got in the car, but that didn’t ease her anxiety.
Without wasting a second, she scrambled between the seats, crawling her way toward the passenger side like her life depended on it
- on. As she She was wearing a black, knee length cotton dress, stiff enough to hold its shape but far too snug for the situation. As she moved, the hem rode up. revealing her slender legs that seemed almost luminous in the dim light.
ed briefly bro
before relaxing, as
Jonas’s gaze flicked upward just in time to catch a glimpse of soft white fabric sliding out of view, His brows furrowed though brushing away an intrusive thought
Leaning idly against his seat, he raised a hand to his lips, tracing them with a slow, deliberate motion. Turns out she is trying to seduce me. It’s not that I’m horny or desperate–it’s her.
The dry, dusty desert air swirled around the vehicle as Myla drove off, forcing the windows up in an effort to keep the grit at bay.
Jonas let his eyes drift shut, sinking into the quiet, his expression turning contemplative. In his mind, he began sifting through a list of names, trying to piece together who could’ve ser Natalie up to trap him.
But then, without warning he furrowed his brows and suddenly spoke up. “Throw her out.”
His voice, laced with irritation, cut through the silence of the car like a sharp blade, making the stillness feel even more oppressive.
AD
