The deep engine growl of the heavy black SUV hummed through the floorboards. Clara sat squeezed in the plush leather backseat between Jax and Silas while Lucian drove through the quiet city streets.
Rain began to patter against the dark tinted windows, turning the city lights into blurred smears of gold and red. Nobody spoke, but the air inside the vehicle was thick with a heavy, restless heat that made Clara feel like she was drowning in sensory overload.
Every time the car took a sharp corner, Jax’s thick shoulder brushed against hers. The raw heat coming through his shirt was like a burning furnace against her cool skin.
On her other side, Silas sat with his arm lazily draped over the seat behind her head. His fingers lightly brushed the ends of her dark hair, sending small shivers down her neck. She squeezed her hands tight in her lap, her throat dry as her mind raced over the contract she had been forced to sign.
Ninety days. She had given three dangerous men complete control over her life for three whole months just to stay out of a cold prison cell.
The SUV turned off the main highway and glided past massive iron gates that opened slowly into a dark estate. High stone walls topped with sharp iron spikes wrapped around the entire perimeter, hiding the property from the outside world.
The car rolled up a long driveway lined with tall oak trees before stopping in front of a grand three-story mansion built from dark gray stone. Warm yellow light glowed from the tall glass windows, casting long shadows across the wet driveway.
"Welcome to your new home, sweet cheeks," Silas murmured in her ear, his warm breath tickling her skin before he pushed his door open.
Clara stepped out into the cool night air. Raindrops caught in her hair, but before she could take two steps, Jax’s large hand gripped her elbow. His hold was firm, guiding her up the wide marble steps toward the massive front doors.
Inside, the grand foyer opened up into a breathtaking hall with high ceilings, a wide sweeping staircase, and black marble floors that reflected the bright crystal chandelier above.
"Follow me upstairs," Jax said, his deep voice bouncing off the high walls.
Clara followed him up the grand staircase while Lucian and Silas disappeared down a quiet hallway on the ground floor. Jax led her down a long carpeted corridor on the second level, stopping in front of a heavy mahogany door.
He pushed it open, revealing a bedroom that looked larger than her entire previous apartment. A massive king-sized bed sat in the middle of the room, covered in dark silk sheets and soft velvet pillows. A wide glass terrace door overlooked the gardens below.
"This is your room," Jax said, turning around to face her.
Clara stepped inside, her small boots sinking into the thick carpet. "It looks more like a luxury prison."
"It is whatever we want it to be," Jax replied, closing the door behind them. The quiet click of the latch sounded like a trap snapping shut. He took two slow steps toward her, his towering frame blotting out the light from the hallway. "Before you get comfortable, we have rules. Hand over your bag."
Clara pulled her worn leather shoulder bag close to her chest, her eyes flashing with sudden anger. "This is my personal stuff. You have no right to search my things!"
"You signed the paper, Clara," Jax said softly, stepping even closer until he was standing right in front of her. "In this house, we check everything that comes through the door. No hidden phones. No secret weapons. No tricks."
Before she could pull away, Jax reached out and smoothly took the strap from her shoulder. Clara gasped, stepping back, but her hips hit the edge of a polished wooden table. Jax did not back down. He stood directly between her knees, leaning over her so closely that she was completely trapped against the table.
He unzipped her bag and emptied the contents onto the smooth wood. A cheap plastic phone, a small worn wallet, a lip balm, and a small ring that had belonged to her mother slid across the surface. Jax picked up the plastic phone first, sliding it into his back pocket without a second thought.
"Hey! Give that back!" Clara shouted, reaching out to grab it.
Jax caught her wrists in one hand, holding them up against her chest with ease. The physical contrast between them was terrifying. Her delicate wrists were completely encircled by his large, calloused fingers. His skin was warm, rough, and strong, holding her in place without causing a single bruise.
"You do not need a phone anymore," Jax growled softly, his dark eyes dropping down to trace her trembling lips. His chest rose and fell against hers, the hard muscle of his torso pressing her body flat against the table. "If you need to talk to someone, you talk to us."
"You are insane," Clara breathed out, her chest heaving as she stared up into his fierce eyes. Her heart was beating so fast she could feel it in her throat. She tried to pull her wrists free, but the movement only caused her chest to rub against his hard chest, sending a wave of intense, confusing heat shooting straight down to her core.
Jax’s gaze darkened. He lowered his head slowly, his jaw rough with dark stubble as his cheek brushed against hers. He leaned in so close that his lips grazed the sensitive skin right under her ear, making her gasp aloud. A deep shiver ran through her entire body, her toes curling inside her boots.
"Maybe I am," Jax whispered, his rough voice vibrating against her throat. "So do not push me, Clara. This wing belongs to the three of us. And you need to remember one very important rule in this house."
He pulled back slightly, his thumb pressing gently into the soft pulse point on her wrist, feeling her wild heartbeat under his touch.
"The Vane brothers share everything we own," Jax said, his eyes burning with a dark, possessive light. "Our money, our empire, our debts. And right now, you are our absolute favorite debt."
He let go of her wrists suddenly, stepping back and taking her small wallet off the table. He tossed her mother's ring back to her, which she caught with shaking hands. Without another word, Jax turned around, opened the bedroom door, and stepped out into the hallway, locking the door firmly from the outside.
Clara stood frozen by the table, her whole body shaking from the intense encounter. Her skin felt hot where his hands had touched her, and her breath came in short, ragged gasps. She looked down at her mother's ring, clutching it tight against her chest.
"I am not going to break," she whispered to the empty room, her jaw setting in defiant anger. "I will survive these ninety days, and I will get my revenge on Victor."
She walked over to the massive bed, kicking off her boots and unzipping her wet dress. She found a soft cotton robe hanging in the adjacent bathroom and wrapped it tightly around her waist.
The clock on the wall read two in the morning. The quiet inside the room was heavy, almost suffocating. Clara walked over to the wide glass terrace door, wanting fresh air to clear her burning thoughts. She grabbed the polished brass handle and pulled, but it did not move. It was locked tight.
Clara let out an annoyed sigh, resting her forehead against the cool glass. Outside, the rain had stopped, leaving the night sky clear. A full white moon hung over the dark ocean water visible in the distance.
Suddenly, a quiet metallic click echoed from the adjacent side of the balcony.
Clara lifted her head, her eyes widening in surprise. The terrace door right next to her room swung open, pushing past the low stone divider that separated the two outdoor spaces.
A towering, shirtless Lucian stepped out into the cold moonlight, holding a crystal glass of scotch in his hand.