Chapter One

Ethan Leo knew he needed to figure out if last night was a set-up orchestrated by his stepbrother to manipulate him out of his position as the president of the Leo Empire. Seated on a couch in the presidential room of one of the family-owned hotels, now under his ownership, memories of last night's intense and satisfying events flashed in his mind. It was the first time he felt such intimacy, which troubled him because he never wanted to develop feelings.

Interrupting his thoughts, a knock at the door prompted him to say, "Come in," confident who would enter.

"Here she is, sir?" reported one of his bodyguards.

"Thank you, you may leave," Ethan replied, and the bodyguard nodded before exiting the room.

Standing before him was Sasha Brooks, her fingers interlocked, but her trembling knees betrayed her anxiety. Observing this, Ethan chuckled, realizing she was afraid of him. That fear, he thought, would make it easier to extract the information he needed.

"How dare you seduce me?" Ethan asked, looking coldly into Sasha's eyes, which she attempted to avoid.

"No, boss, I wouldn't dare," Sasha replied shakily.

Upon hearing her voice, Ethan felt something he couldn't quite comprehend. What had this woman done to him?

"You're afraid, and you should be. You, a mere cleaner in my hotel, dare to climb into my bed."

"I didn't, boss. I only came because I was told to clean something here. When I walked into the room, you were drunk, and you pulled me into your bed. Sir, I am willing to resign. I don't want any trouble, sir."

Ethan sensed that she was telling the truth. Everyone in town feared him; he was unafraid to kill and wouldn't hesitate to eliminate anyone who betrayed him. At age six, his pet rabbit was killed by him with his bare hands. He was a cold-hearted man, and everyone knew not to seduce him.

"If I find out you lied to me, I'll gouge your eyes out and feed them to my dog. You better not have had a hand in drugging me yesterday," he warned.

"I swear, sir, I had no hand in it," Sasha answered.

Ethan found her intriguing as his eyes wandered over her biracial appearance and striking features. He wasn't ready to let her go just yet.

"Here's what we're going to do," he declared in an authoritative voice, leaning back on the couch.

"You'll keep coming to me every night, and I'll do everything for you."

"What? That's crazy," Sasha said, furious. "Last night was clearly a mistake."

Did she call a mistake with Ethan Leo a mistake? Ethan couldn't believe the audacity this woman

had.

"Mistake? You work for me; therefore, I own you," Ethan snapped at her.

"Just because I work for you doesn't mean you own me. I don't belong to you or anyone but myself. Besides, I have a fiancé."

Ethan stood up, his face expressionless and cold. A tall man with fair skin and striking blue eyes, he looked like a Greek god. Walking towards her, Sasha felt her heart pounding. Ethan Leo, the eldest son and president of the Leo Empire, was known to be ruthless and a monster. How had she gotten involved with this man?

He pushed her into a corner, gently stroking her face before grabbing her neck.

"You must not know that everything in this city belongs to me; I am the law here. Every inch of you belongs to me – your dreams, aspirations, hopes, thoughts, life, and heart. After yesterday, you became mine, and I will make you see that," he declared, pushing her to the floor.

As he walked out the door, Ethan said, "Wait for my call, and make sure to break things off with your fiancé. I don't share my woman."

His woman? Sasha couldn't believe her ears. She had only met the man yesterday; he was crazy to ask her to break things off with Brat. She wouldn't do such a thing. He couldn't be powerful enough to make her leave the love of her life. He was being ridiculous.

Sasha dragged herself up from the floor, her body aching with the remnants of last night's horror. The memory of Ethan, drunk and merciless, forcing himself on her was still painfully vivid. The soreness she felt this morning was a cruel reminder of his violation. Ethan had even dared to blame her for what had happened, showing no hint of remorse. The rage boiled inside her; she hated him with every fiber. But what could she do? The Ethan Leo was untouchable in their city. His word was law, and anyone who dared to oppose him faced certain ruin. She knew she needed to escape him immediately and quit her job.

The shrill ring of her phone jolted her back to reality. Seeing the caller ID, her heart dropped.

"Is Chris okay?" she blurted out as soon as she answered.

"Whoa, take it easy," Dr. Jack's calm voice came through the line. "Your brother is stable, although he's still in a coma."

"Oh, thank God. So why are you calling?" she asked, a mix of relief and anxiety in her voice.

"The hospital told me they haven't received any payments for Chris's treatment for the past three months. They're threatening to discharge him."

"What?" Sasha's anger flared. "You mean my dad hasn't paid the hospital bills for three months?"

"Yes."

"That son of a gun," Sasha fumed. "We had a deal, and now he's backtracking." Silence hung heavily between them, the weight of the situation pressing down.

"Please tell them I'll get the money. I just need a little time to sort it out."

"Don't worry, I already paid," Jack said.

"Oh, Jack, you didn't need to do that, but thank you," Sasha said, her voice trembling with gratitude and near tears. "I'll pay you back."

"You don't have to; we're childhood friends. I'd do anything for you."

"But you need the money to pay off your student loans; I insist I'll pay you back."

Jack let out a soft, resigned laugh. "You can't help it, can you? You don't like receiving help. Alright, kiddo, see you when I see you. Bye."

"Thank you, Jack. I appreciate you so much. I promise I'll pay you back."

"Okay then," Jack said as he ended the call.

Sasha stared at her phone, disbelief mingling with anger. Her father had reneged on their deal, proving once again what a cold monster he was, abandoning his own son in his time of need. She would give him peace of her mind and find another job. She had to pay Jack back; he came from a struggling background and had worked tirelessly to finish university. She refused to let him sacrifice for her. Her pride and determination surged; she would not burden her friends with her problems. First, though, she had to quit her job.

She picked up her phone and dialed Eve's number.

"Hello, Eve. Is there still a vacancy at the nightclub where you work?" Sasha asked, her resolve firm as she walked out of the room.