*ADELINE*
My heart raced as I stood frozen in place, eyes locked on the figure framed in my hotel room doorway. Orlando de Luca—the last person I wanted to see. Panic surged through me as I took in his confident stance and the smirk on his lips, which suggested he was all too aware of the chaos he brought with him.
"Adeline," he drawled, his voice smooth and dangerously enticing. "We need to talk."
Instinct kicked in, overriding my shock. In a split second, I turned away from him, my mind screaming at me to get out. I dashed for the door, breath quickening as I reached for the handle, but just as my fingers grazed the cool metal, a firm grip snaked around my waist. Orlando yanked me back against him, pulling me firmly to his chest.
"Ah, ah, where do you think you're going?" he taunted,
