Gage stood in the foyer, staring at the spot where June had disappeared. He turned to his assistant. He gave a sharp, subtle nod. The assistant immediately stepped forward and told Beatrice there was a critical emergency with the offshore trust accounts.
Beatrice narrowed her eyes, clearly suspicious. But the trust was the lifeblood of the family. She pointed her cane at Gage. "Fine," she snapped, "but if I find you've laid a hand on her, the trust will be the least of your worries." She then signaled to her personal head of security, who remained behind, watching Gage with cold eyes, before turning and walking quickly toward her study for a video conference.
Gage watched her go. He shot a lethal glare at the head of security, a silent promise of destruction, before turning and deliberately walking in the opposite direction. The moment he was out of sight, a dark, dangerous smile spread across his face. He slipped through a hidden servant's passage, bypassing the guard completely, and headed up the stairs.
Inside the second-floor guest room, the air was warm. June had just stepped out of a hot shower. She wore an oversized white silk nightgown. She sat on the edge of the mattress while the family doctor wrapped a clean bandage around her hand.
Heavy footsteps echoed in the hallway. The doctor's head snapped up. He heard the heavy tread and immediately threw his supplies into his bag. He practically ran out of the room without saying a word.
June jumped up from the bed. Panic seized her chest. She ran toward the door to lock it, but the brass handle was already turning.
The door pushed open. Gage filled the doorway. He had taken off his ruined coat. He wore only a white dress shirt, stained with his own blood. The top three buttons were undone.
He stepped inside. He reached behind him and turned the deadbolt. The heavy lock clicked into place. There was no escape.
June backed away. She took step after step until her spine hit the cold glass of the floor-to-ceiling window. Her whole body shook.
Gage walked toward her slowly. He moved like a predator cornering its prey. His eyes dragged down the thin white silk of her nightgown, then back up to her pale face.
He stopped right in front of her. He didn't raise his hand to strike her. Instead, he reached over and slowly rolled up the left sleeve of his shirt.
The deep bite mark on his forearm was fully exposed. The flesh was torn, and fresh blood slowly oozed from the broken skin.
Gage lifted his arm and held it inches from her face. His voice was thick and raspy. "Lick it clean."
June's eyes widened in horror. The sick, twisted demand made her stomach churn. She shook her head violently, pressing herself harder against the glass.
Gage's eyes darkened. His right hand shot out. He gripped the back of her neck, his long fingers tangling in her chopped hair. He forced her head forward, pulling her face toward his bleeding arm.
June pushed both hands against his hard chest. Tears spilled over her cheeks. She choked on her words, telling him she couldn't do it.
Gage's thumb pressed lightly against her pulse point. He leaned in and whispered that if she didn't do exactly what he said, the video would be sent to every news outlet in the city.
The word "video" paralyzed her. Her arms went weak and dropped to her sides. The fight drained out of her completely.
June closed her eyes. Hot tears leaked through her lashes. She leaned forward, her body trembling violently.
She opened her mouth. Her soft, warm tongue hesitantly touched the edge of the wound. The sharp, metallic taste of his blood coated her tongue.
The second her tongue touched his skin, Gage's entire body went rigid. His breath hitched in his throat.
June swallowed her disgust. She followed his order, slowly dragging her tongue over the broken skin, cleaning away the fresh blood.
The wet heat of her mouth and the slight sting of the wound sent a massive shockwave through Gage's nervous system. It fired straight into his brain.
He looked down at her. He saw her long eyelashes wet with tears. He saw her red lips stained with his blood. A violent, intense heat flared in his lower stomach. The physical arousal hit him so hard it made his head spin.
Gage's eyes widened in absolute shock. A wave of furious panic washed over him. He had never felt this kind of sick, overwhelming desire for any woman, let alone his enemy's daughter.
It felt like he had touched a live wire. Gage yanked his arm back violently. The sudden force threw June off balance. She stumbled forward and crashed onto the thick rug.
Gage stood over her. His chest heaved up and down. His blood roared in his ears. He stared at her with a mix of pure terror and rabid obsession.
He cursed loudly. He spun around, practically running toward the door.
He ripped the door open and sprinted out into the hallway, slamming the heavy wood shut behind him. The loud bang shook the walls.
June sat on the floor, her heart pounding, completely alone.
