Chapter 179

If Evelyn chose to walk away now, leaving Nathaniel to suffer alone, the guilt would gnaw at her conscience forever.

She drew a sharp breath. "Wait! I'll help you."

Nathaniel froze mid-step, pulse thundering in his ears.

His control warred with primal need like a starving wolf resisting fresh prey. Only sheer willpower kept him from lunging at her.

His gaze turned predatory. "Why?"

Evelyn approached, fingers trembling as she untied his robe. "This is crisis intervention. Humanitarian aid. And..." She swallowed hard. "You're objectively attractive. I'm not exactly sacrificing here."

Each clinical word struck like a slap. No passion, just cold logic.

Nathaniel's jaw tightened. "If any decent man stood here instead of me, you'd offer the same...charity?"

"Probably," she admitted.

The admission ignited his fury.

'So I'm nothing special. Just another charity case.'

He yanked her against him, voice dripping venom. "How noble. Then by all means, saintly Evelyn, save me."

Her protest died beneath his bruising kiss.

When he tossed her onto the bed, his heated gaze raked over her. "Last chance to back out."

Eyes squeezed shut, she muttered, "I don't regret doing the right thing."

A dark chuckle rumbled through him. "Too late for regrets now." His lips traced her collarbone. "Let's see how merciful you feel by dawn."

Evelyn's breath hitched. She told herself this was purely medicinal, ignoring the treacherous heat coiling in her stomach.

This way, she could pretend nothing changed between them. Partners. Business associates. Nothing more.

Dawn painted the room gold when Evelyn stirred, every muscle screaming in protest.

The empty bed still radiated Nathaniel's warmth. Wincing, she wrapped herself in a robe and limped toward muffled voices in the hallway.

Lucas was speaking urgently.

"...the kidnappers are locked up, but their boss walked free. Solid alibi, no digital trail. Police had to release him."

"Find him," Nathaniel commanded. "I'll handle the rest."

The door swung open, revealing Evelyn leaning heavily against the doorframe.

Nathaniel's eyes darkened at her disheveled state. "You're awake."