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Prologue

Sia

Mexico

Seven years ago

I ran down the hallway I kept my face forward as Iso fast it stole my breath I fuan to echo down the hallway My hands shook, fear taking rip But the doorknob finally turned

I fled into the rooripped ainst the wall The breath was knocked out offrom the contact Juan’s dark eyes pierced mine He looked as perfect as always

But he wasn’t perfect The man I lovedhad fallen for so quickly and deeplywasn’t the ht he was

He washe was evil

“Why did you pushas Juan ran his finger down ainst the wall

“I’ on my stuttered breath

Juan smiled, then leaned in and pressed his lips to et the hell away, but I was frozen in fear

“I don’t want to hurt you,” he said, his headso his nose could run down the side of my neck His hand held my waist He still smelled as perfect as always He still looked as handso about hiirl tricked by the devil’s pretty smile

“You’re my queen, bella” He kissed my neck then cupped my face in his hands His eyes studied mine—I didn’t knohat for I tried to smile To prove that he could trust methat he didn’t have to teach me any more lessons I couldn’t take any more lessons

But Juan’s hands tightened on htened e in my cry of pain I squeezed ainst my ear Ice-cold shards traveled down my spine But I did as commanded

“Good,” he said, sasped with relief “I chose you, bella I chose you to stand by h me when he said, “Your life could have been so different if I hadn’t seen so special within you Do you know that?”

“Yes,” I replied And I kneas right What I had seenwhat he did to the different for me

Juan kissed ain, soft and sweet, a complete contrast to the threat he had just laid at my feet “I can’t keep away frora And I’o”

Chapter One

Sia

High Ranch, Austin, Texas

Present Day

“Steadysteady”

Sandy’s ears flicked back and forth as she heardI keptrein loose as she trotted on the sand Her coat was lathered with sweat; so wasa hole in my jean-clad ass

“Okay, enough for today,” I announced, both to Sandy and myself

I had just fed her with hay and water and locked her stall door when I heard the all too fa in the distance

Frowning, I headed out of the barn I walked to the front of my house and spotted two Harleys as they approached my door

Styx and Ky, I realized, giving them a surprised wave