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Chapter One

The twous inside,sure to stay as close to us as possible

The air was thick withterrible was just

As soon as we stepped inside the two-story foyer, Maddenus apart The lared at Madden but Madden didn’t back down this time

“Go upstairs to the bedroom,” Madden half-whispered to me

I looked at the grand staircase twisting upwards to a second floor It was open all along one side, but I had no idea where to go “I don’t knohere it is” My voice came out low and a little hoarse

The air in the room vibrated with hostility and oing on One thing was for sure though, these erous

“She stays,” the tall man said

“She has nothing to do with this,” Madden growled

“You know,” the tallone eyebrow at Madden, “it’s a shame that a billionaire such as yourself couldn’t even bother with a siiven so much, so don’t you think she deserves a symbol of your commitment? To show you believe in your promises?”

Madden’s jaw hardened I looked from him to the tall man who had purposefully emphasized those words What did he reeine so from men like these

“You’re not getting a cent more out of me,” Madden said in a low voice I’d never seen him so cold, so completely emotionless He stared at the tall h and the sound of it sent chills down my spine If I had any doubt before, I no that this man was evil

“It’s time for a little reminder of who you really are, Alex,” the taller man said “And since you refused to listen to us the first tiht help you”

Before his words even stopped echoing in the rabbed my arm and yanked me toward him

Madden shouted and lunged at thepunch that hit the taller man on his chin The tall man fell down in an unconscious heap as I stu a vase crashing to the floor in pieces

The tallopen and blood pouring from his bloody lips His eyes were rolled back in his head

Madden had done that to the man with one punch

One punch

“Are you okay?” Madden rasped at me