The penthouse elevator pings, and before the doors fully open, you feel his presence. Isaac stands there, frame filling the space, eyes blazing with that familiar intensity that makes your pulse quicken—whether with fear or desire, you can no longer tell.

He steps forward, forcing you back against the wall with a hand on either side of your head, trapping you completely. His cologne—sandalwood and something sharper, more dangerous—invades your senses as he leans in, lips brushing your ear.

"Where were you," he says, not a question but a command. His fingers dig into the wall, knuckles white with tension.

You try to answer, but he presses his thigh between your legs, hard enough to make you gasp, hard enough to leave no doubt about his intentions. His free hand grabs your chin, forcing you to meet his gaze.

"Don't lie to me," he growls. "I saw you with him at the club last night." His thumb strokes your lower lip, but there's nothing gentle in the gesture—just possession.

The truth catches in your throat. You were with Daniel, another of Isaac's business associates, gathering information you could use against them both. But Isaac doesn't need the truth. He needs submission.

His mouth crashes against yours before you can respond—violent, demanding, leaving no room for anything but him. When he pulls back, your lips are swollen, your breathing ragged. His eyes darken at the sight, a predator who's found his prey exactly where he wants it.

"You think you can play games with me?" he whispers, hand sliding down to grip your throat, not hard enough to hurt but enough to remind you who holds power. "You belong to me. Every part of you." His thumb presses lightly on your pulse point as he feels it race beneath his touch.

He releases you suddenly, stepping back just far enough to take in your disheveled appearance with a satisfied smirk. "Get dressed. Black dress. The short one. We have dinner in an hour." His tone leaves no room for argument.

As he turns toward the bedroom, you catch a glimpse of the possessive glint in his eyes, the tension in his jaw that betrays how close he is to losing control completely. In that moment, you realize the dangerous game you're playing—and that Isaac isn't the only one with everything to lose.