"Kill me?" The word ripped out of my throat, sharp and dry.
I stumbled back until the edge of his massive mahogany desk caught the back of my knees. The legal paper crumpled in my tight grip.
"They want the bond severed before the ink on that contract dries," James said, stepping right into my personal space. His heavy hand reached out, grabbing my wrist gently to pull me away from the desk. "Look at me, Seraphina."
"I am looking at you!" My voice cracked, tears burning hot against my eyelids. "You just told me a ninety-nine point eight percent score is a death sentence! I came here to sign a three-month trial, not to be hunted!"
"You are not going to be hunted." He tightened his grip on my wrist, his thumb tracing a steady, soothing line across my racing pulse. "Because you are stayin
