My heart was still beating fast and it was all I could hear. My body in shock, and my palms sweating.

Amidst Callum's threats, he escorted me to a back table where Leo arrived to attend to the badly beaten victim. Watching the body being dragged away, I noticed the faint movement of his chest—slow but present. He was alive.

To quell my nerves, I closed my eyes and focused on counting my breaths. Avoiding Callum's gaze, I felt his presence across from me. He hadn't spoken since I was pushed into the chair and instructed to behave.

Leo, accompanied by the rest of his crew, entered the room. Two men huddled in conversation, while another stood near the door. Leo positioned himself beside Callum.

My thoughts drifted to Amy, and I worried about her safety while I was trapped here. "My friend. She's alone. Let me go get her," I urgently pleaded, breaking the deafening silence. My fists clenched at the thought of her being alone, wondering where I was.

"You, my dear, aren't in a position to give commands," his stern voice cut through the silence. I kept my eyes downward, feigning interest in the hem of my dress.

"But," he began unbuttoning his suit jacket and reseating himself, "I'm not a monster, despite your assumptions." I mentally chided myself. He didn't know my thoughts. "So, she's safe. My men are with her. She was told you received a call and had to leave immediately," he lied smoothly. What?

"She wouldn't believe that. I would never leave her for a call," I retorted, lifting my head to face him.

His eyes met mine, unreadable and cold. "That may be so, but you'll soon find out, Miss Ruth. I am very convincing," he replied cryptically.

Ruth? How did he know my last name? I hadn't mentioned it. I hadn't even told him my first name.

"How do you know that?" I shot back. "I never said my name."

His half-smirk was his only response as his eyes dipped to the floor. I hoped Amy wouldn't believe his story and that she'd be okay. I couldn't forgive myself if something happened to her.

"Gianna Ruth. 26. From Montreal,Canada. Your childhood's a mystery, almost impossible to trace after age 10," he continued, his words bringing tears to my eyes. "You ended up in London somehow. Those 13 years are a blank." The room's eyes bore into me. I felt a hammer pounding in my chest as anxiety surged.

I couldn't show weakness in front of this man. I had to hide it. Summoning a smile, I retorted, "I thought you spent your days with men in suits, not as a certified stalker."

I saw shock flash across his features, his jaw clenching as his eyes bore into me. "Watch your words," he warned. "You entered the wrong room at the wrong time, and you have no idea how screwed you are."

He seemed agitated. Good. I wanted to get under his skin. Outwardly, I appeared composed, neutral. Internally, my true emotions raged.

"Let's strike a deal, Miss Ruth." His eyes locked onto mine. Steeling myself, I held his icy stare.

I processed his words. "What kind of deal?" I inquired, my fists opening and closing on my leg, wiping away my nervousness.

One of the men who had been conversing approached, handing a folder to Callum. My eyes fixated on the folder, as if it held answers.

"My men are swift, Miss Ruth. From the moment you received a call, I identified you. In addition," he shifted in his seat, opening the folder slowly, "we've drafted a deal."

"You must read, sign, and uphold this contract willingly. It binds us on paper over this incident," he commanded sternly. I lifted my gaze to meet his, finding them already fixed on me.

A shiver ran down my spine. "This contract requires you to:

1.Never disclose anything that occurred in this room or during this meeting.

2.Refrain from discussing it with anyone, including  Amy. Is that her name?" Another smirk, and I narrowed my eyes at him.

3.As you know, I wield substantial power. For the next 6 months, you'll be interrogated weekly to verify your compliance.

4.Alongside the interrogations, I'll closely monitor your activities."

Could someone ruin your life in an hour? Because that's what this felt like. My world was crumbling. I had finally secured a home and job, and now? I was to be watched like an animal in a zoo.

"5. Failure to adhere to these rules leads to imprisonment. I have more connections than you can fathom, Ruth," he squinted at me once more, flicking his hand to send the folder gliding toward me.

"6..." he pointed to the folder, and I looked down. Reading number 6, my world collapsed.

"I know your true identity, Miss Ruth. Speak out, and the world will learn your secret."

He had somehow uncovered something from my past, a secret I'd buried deep. My hands trembled as I held the paper, my body shaking, my heart racing.

I could feel his gaze, and my skin seemed to burn under it. "If you accept this deal, I guarantee your safety. I won't harm you or your friend," he sighed, leaning back. "And number 6 will remain a secret, of course." His eyes met mine. "Choose wisely."

"I'll take it, and I want my identity to be kept secret." I said, my voice trembling.

Wide-eyed, a pen in hand, I scrawled my name on the line. Signing my life away to Callum Black.