MacCraig.” Alistair answered his cell phone and felt cold sift through his bones as the bad premonition he had been feeling since he discovered Nathalie was not in Alice’s house confirmed itself. He froze in front of the hearth. He didn’t recognize his own voice when he spoke, “I’ll be there.”

From Alistair’s ashen face, Leonard instantly knew it was something grave.

He turned off the phone and without a word walked to the front door of Leonard and Alice’s house as if he was being chased by the devil.

Leonard’s hand yanked him back. “Alistair. What happened?”

“Police. Nathalie. Car accident,” he rasped. “They are taking her to St. Mary’s hospital.”

“I’ll drive you.”

Alistair was grateful for Leonard’s help because there was a thick fog in his head.

He entered the car, and resting his head on the headrest, he closed his eyes and prayed.

Prayed for his daughter’s life.

* * *

Alistair flung the car door open before Leonard could stop it fully and ran inside the hospital.

His heart speeded up in his chest as he saw a gurney surrounded by doctors, being pushed quickly down a corridor.

The blonde hair of the child was matted with blood, but he would recognize his daughter any way, anywhere.

Thank Christ! My dear angel. “Nathalie,” he shouted, and ran after the gurney that was being rushed into a room.

Alistair stopped outside the room and looked through the glass window. He fell as Leonard stopped by his side, but his gaze was fixed on his daughter’s battered face as doctors and nurses pushed tubes and wires into her small body.

Christ! He tried to breathe but there was no air in his lungs. He swayed on his feet and Leonard grabbed him by the upper arms. My little Nathalie.

He blinked twice but his lovely daughter was still lying in that hospital bed, white as a ghost and broken as a ragged doll. Her small body was strangely bent in the middle and her legs were broken. The sheet that had covered her was stained red and had been flung in a corner. So much blood!

“Nathalie!” he roared and banged his fists on the window.

“Stop, Alistair!” Leonard grabbed his arms.

Nathalie tilted her face to look at him. Her blue eyes were wide open and scared.

He saw when her lips moved and said, “Daddy…”

He saw as she coughed and a trickle of blood marred her white lips.

He saw her struggling to breathe and her eyes filling with a faraway look.

The machine beeped one last time and Nathalie’s chest moved no more as a desperate and impotent Alistair screamed and pounded all his grief on a window pane.

* * *

Alistair closed the door behind him and looked around Nathalie’s empty room.

He wished he could kill Heather for what she had done.

But he couldn’t.

He heaved a breath as a pain that couldn’t be expressed took hold of him, going on and on, crushing him.

The best time of my day was when your laughter rang in the air, Nathalie.

Now…

Now, you’ll never laugh again.

Never again will you sit with me to play with your princesses and their castles in the clouds.

You will never grow into a beautiful woman.

So many dreams I had for you, my little angel.

Now…your castles and my dreams have been shattered.

Now…you are dead.

And I am alive.

The knowledge that she was gone—forever—and that he would have to live on without her, swelled the emotions that gripped his heart. Alistair flung himself on her small bed, burying his nose in her sweet scented pillow.

I deserve to live in hell. “Nathalie,” sorrowfully he sobbed his little daughter’s name. “I’m sorry. So very sorry.”

He lay there in darkness, completely devastated, as huge sobs left his chest and his tears soaked the small pink pillow he clutched to his face.

His pain was so excruciating, his grief was so profound, his guilt was so enormous that no matter how many tears he shed, they would not ease his despair.

In the space of a few hours, Alistair turned into a black hole of nothingness.

* * *

Fragmented images swirled in a dizzying kaleidoscope of red-and-black. Grueling impressions of cold and pain and discomfort were overlaid with confusion and growing awareness.

Alistair fought his way out of sleep, breathing heavily as the remnants of the nightmare fell away.

He inhaled deeply and looked at the windows, and through the opening in the curtains, saw that dawn was already overtaking night with its soft pink-and-orange hues. He felt Sophia shift slightly, still pressed closely to him. Since he started sleeping with her, he hadn’t dreamt about his daughter, but the dread of telling Sophia his dark secret had brought the painful memories back.

He rose and put on a T-shirt, shorts, and running shoes. He silently left the bedroom heading to the Spa. He knew that no matter how many hours he exhausted himself on the tread-mill and with weights, nothing would take away from his memories the last image he had of Nathalie.

* * *

Alistair’s scent is so good. Sophia burrowed her nose in his pillow.

Her lips curled as she heard the water cascading in the bathroom.

Mmmm. There is a delectable body under warm water. All alone. She jumped from the bed.

On her tiptoes, Sophia entered the bathroom. He was washing off the foam from his hair under the huge shower. It was perfect for his size. His back, shoulder and arm muscles contracted with strength. Sophia’s mouth watered. She opened the shower door silently and pressed herself flush to his back.

“Christ, Sophia!” he shouted as she startled him under the water.

“Good morning, Handsome.” She rubbed her face on his back, kissing him. “You make a fine sight to start the day.”

She ran her hands on his chest and kept them moving down.

He was already becoming hard and she gripped him tightly.

Sophia’s laugh hung in the bathroom.

“What you do to me, Sophia.” He turned and engulfed her in his arms. “Sleep well?”

“Yes. The exercise made me relax,” she said dismissively.

“The exercise? The gall!” He fisted her wet hair and yanked her head back, kissing her fully on the lips, his tongue demanding entrance. He backed Sophia onto the marble, trapping her between his warm body and the cold wall. She hissed and tensed.

“Feel that? I’m going to have you right now just for your petulance.”

She flexed her stomach onto his hot and hard erection and moaned, “Yes.”

“Rough.” He softly bit her neck and she gasped, tangling her fingers in his hair and pulling him for a demanding kiss.

Lips clashed and tongues entwined.

Her foot trailed up his calf, her leg rubbing the side of his solid thigh.

His hand dropped to her knee and traveled up her thigh, caressing her, testing, teasing, and without asking permission, two fingers plunged inside her.

Sophia broke the kiss with a cry, panting.

He stared at her eyes full of desire, and his own flamed. “So ready, Beauty,” he murmured against her lips. His strong hands grasped the back of her thighs and hauled her up, gliding her breasts on his chest. He grunted and ordered, “Wrap your legs around me.”

“So bossy, Handsome.” She wound her long legs around his waist and locked her ankles, pressing her heels on his ass. Her hands plunged in his wet hair.

He backed her onto the wall and pressed his chest onto hers.

“What do you want?” He let her slide down just a bit, his straining erection finding her entrance, teasing.

“You. Any way you want,” she replied, huskily. “Inside me. Now. Here. Forever.”

“Yes!” He sank himself into her and started to work her body in a frenzy.

She moaned loudly, “Give me more. Give me everything.” So good.

He pounded and circled his hips, teasing her clit. His fingers adjusted better on her thighs and ass and one of them brushed her tight rear opening. She tensed.

“Relax,” he said and slowly thrust his index finger into her.

She gasped. And moaned, relaxing in his arms.

“That’s it, sweetheart. Let me show you.”

Sophia felt she was rising higher and higher while he pounded into her, hammering with all his might. Her whole body started to tremble in time with her shaking legs.

“Let go, Sophia. I’ve got you,” he crooned and widened his stance without slowing his tempo.

She moaned with desire, “Alistair.”

“That’s it, Beauty. Come for me.”

Sophia’s throat convulsed and she arched her body on his, calling his name as an intense orgasm consumed her.

He watched her with an intense, undefined emotion as he filled her. He saw another shudder of pleasure shake her body and he ordered, thrusting deep and hard in her, “Again.”

She gasped, shaking her head, struggling to maintain her hold on him, feeling boneless.

“I. Said. Again,” he ordered in a hiss, licking and nibbling her neck and shoulder, thrusting fast. “Let me consume you.”

“Ah!” Her insides clenched and coiled and she screamed again as a second orgasm hit her.

Her yellow-diamond eyes flew opened as a third wave washed through her. She let out a long and loud gasp and her whole body stiffened and snapped, as a fierce lightning bolt coursed from her nape to the end of her spine, tearing her apart with hard shudderings.

He came violently, burying his head on her neck, inhaling her scent, filling her with his release. He remained inside her for some time as if he wanted to fuse himself with her, mark her body as his.

With his back now to the wall, he slid down to the marble floor with Sophia tenderly nestled in his arms.

After a few minutes, still panting hard, he asked her, “First time?”

What is he talking about? She blinked at him, her brow creased, barely breathing. “We’ve made love,” she gasped for air, “in the shower before.”

He smiled at her inexperience. So refreshing. He whispered on her temple, “First time you had a multiple orgasm?”

“Oh. No, second.” She purred like a kitten, rubbing her face on his broad shoulder and kissing his collarbone. “The first time was in my pantry, a few days ago.”

“I’ve always envied this ability women have. From one to ten, how would you rate this one?”

“This one? Twenty,” she murmured. “I was about to freak out. It was…staggering.”

“I noticed.” He chuckled. “And first time in your ass?” Sophia blushed and he laughed out loud. “Hmm, I think so.”

“First time,” she confessed. She rested her head on his chest, listening to the rapid rhythm of his heart. “This is the most wonderful music I have ever heard.”

“Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony?”

“No.” She grinned at him. “I didn’t even notice that was on. I was talking about the beat of your heart.”

He buried his face in her hair. He lifted his head to look into her eyes and remembered. Fuck. I haven’t told her everything yet.

“Let’s finish this shower.” He stood up and pulled her to her feet, holding her against his body as he tenderly soaped her.

“Mmmm. This is so good,” she moaned in his arms, her hands roaming freely over his strong back. “I’ll become addicted to this.”

I do hope you get addicted so when I tell you my whole story you won’t back away from our relationship.

He rested his forehead on hers and closed his eyes, for a fleeting second imagining what his life could have been if he could go back in time and be whole again for her. His arms tightened around her, holding her against him, as if she were the most precious thing in the world. He whispered so low that Sophia almost didn’t hear, “I love you so much.”

* * *

The beautiful dark-haired woman stopped at the door to the home office and knocked softly, pushing it as she heard a voice commanding her to enter.

“Good morning, Scott,” she said, stepping into the office.

“Good morning, Sophia,” Scott replied with a smile.

The woman pursed her lips. “Scott, I’ve already asked you not to call me Sophia when Ethan isn’t around. My name is Barbara.”

Scott’s smile waned and he frowned.

“So-phi-a,” he stressed the name. “You knew the rules and you agreed to them. But if you are not satisfied…” He left the threat hanging in the air.

Barbara sighed and lowered her head, “I’m sorry. I won’t ask again. I…I was wondering if I could have a day off. I need to visit my mother.”

“Ask Mr. Ashford, Sophia. I’m sure he’ll comply. He has a very big heart,” Scott encouraged her. “He’s having his breakfast. Go on.”

“I…”

“Go, go, Sophia. The real…you wouldn’t doubt—er…your course of action. Try to be more assertive. Mr. Ashford is not going to bite you.”

“You know I need the money,” Barbara said. “I can’t risk displeasing him, Scott.”

“You won’t.” He motioned with his hand for her to exit the room, “Now, go. Ask what you want in the next half hour. We have a meeting after that.”

“Okay. Wish me luck,” Barbara asked and bit her lip.

Scott laughed. “You don’t need luck, my dear. Just bite your lip and ask what you want. He will grant it, I’m sure.”

That made her stop in the middle of the room, “Why do you say that?”

“You do exactly what the…ah…first Sophia did. I’m sure that’s the reason he chose you, besides, of course, your great similarity. It’s impressive,” Scott explained.

Barbara pulled up a chair and sat next to Scott, looking into his watery-blue eyes. “Scott, I need to study her. I need to see her. I need to know her life. Where she studies. What she does. Who are her friends. Photos, videos. Everything. Can you get me those?”

While Scott thought about her request, Barbara continued talking, an idea forming in her mind, “Wouldn’t it be nice for you, if he was happier with me as her?”

“Come again? If he were…happier with you?”

“If I look and behave more like her, he will be even more satisfied with your services than he is now. I’m an actress, Scott. I know I can imitate her better if you give me something to work with. It’s very difficult to be someone I don’t know.”

A grin spread slowly on Scott’s features. “I’ll make a file for you later today.” He patted her hand, musing, “Good idea. Good idea, my dear.”

She gave him a bright smile and exited the room, closing the door behind her.

* * *

Ethan lowered the newspaper when he heard soft footsteps in the dining room. “Good morning, darling.”

Barbara approached him and bent down to kiss his cheek. “Good morning, Ethan.”

She fidgeted with the skirt of her dress, unsure if she should speak her mind or not.

If she should sit or not.

If she should flee from the mad job she’d accepted or not.

But she desperately needed the money to repay the loan sharks or they would bother her mother again.

Not a shade of my Sophia. Ethan sighed and said, “Sit, please. Have breakfast with me.”

She sat on the chair beside him and bit her lip, remembering Scott’s words. She almost smiled as she heard Ethan’s groan.

His hand shot to her chin and his thumb freed her lip from her teeth. “Don’t.” His hand fell from her chin and he motioned to the loaded table. “Choose something. Eggs, bread, fruit. Espresso, cappuccino.” He stepped on a button under the table and, within seconds, Imelda, his housekeeper, appeared at the door.

“Yes, Mr. Ashford?”

“Please, see to Sophia’s breakfast.” He motioned to Barbara and held her hand in his. “What do you want, darling?”

“Tea and a white omelet, if you please, Imelda.”

Tea with white omelet! Ugh! He breathed deep and turned back to his newspaper.

“Ethan,” Barbara entwined her fingers with his and squeezed lightly. “I wanted to ask if I can have today off. I’d be back tomorrow by mid-day.”

“Today? Saturday?” he frowned. “Your days off are Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

“I could take Mon–Monday off, if you think it’s bet-better…” she stammered. Then Barbara remembered Scott’s words, bit her lip for a second, looking down at her empty plate. She heard his sharp intake of breath. Then she said softly, “I’d like to visit my mother. She doesn’t live in London. She’s getting old and I haven’t seen her for some time.”

Hmm. Information, Ethan. An old mother is good leverage. He shifted on his chair, sitting more comfortably, and smiled at her. “Where does your mother live?”

Ethan was a master in subtly probing and manipulating others into relaxed and revealing conversations. He had made Sophia tell him many private things without realizing it. He didn’t mind using such methods to gather all the information he could in business or in personal affairs. In truth, he shared Machiavelli’s idea that the end justified the means.

He smiled and nodded to the woman in front of him, devoting all his attention to her.

Barbara didn’t know she was dealing with an extremely intelligent and perspicacious man as Ethan sometimes seemed to be just a rich, bored dandy. She knew he was the president of the board at Ashford Steel. She knew he was well-read and knowledgeable.

Nonetheless, Ethan masked his sharp mind and quick-wittedness very well.

Barbara smiled inwardly as she answered his questions and chatted away, revealing all he wanted to know. She thought that she could easily deceive and spellbind Ethan Ashford with her charms.

That would prove to be her greatest mistake.