Chapter 69

The master suite stood eerily vacant, Harrison's presence completely erased.

A sharp knock interrupted the silence. Dominic appeared at the threshold. "Mr. Falcon, I spotted Mrs. Falcon leaving as I arrived."

She left? After I explicitly told her to wait?

"I've dispatched our team to locate the antidote for that aphrodisiac Dominic administered."

Nathaniel barely moved his lips. "Unnecessary."

He strode into the marble bathroom, twisting the shower knob to its coldest setting.

The drug's effects had mostly dissipated after Harrison's intervention, leaving only residual traces in Nathaniel's system. His iron will could overpower what remained.

Icy needles assaulted his sculpted torso as the water cascaded down. Droplets danced across his defined abs before shattering against the tiles - a physique that could make saints falter.

Nathaniel kept his gaze lowered, yet Harrison's delicate features haunted him. The memory of her gentle touch burned hotter than the water was cold.

Desire flared unexpectedly. He cursed under his breath, dragging a hand down his stubbled jaw.

Morning light stabbed through Harrison's eyelids as her phone screamed. Gabrielle's name flashed on screen.

Chaos erupted through the receiver before Harrison could speak. "Harrison! Sebastian just stormed into Vogue Paris with his goons!"

"What?" Her pulse stuttered. Sebastian attacking Gabrielle's workplace? "Are you hurt?"

"I'm fi-- AHH!" The phone clattered before Sebastian's sneering voice replaced hers.

"Harrison, your little friend's my guest now. Come play if you want her back!"

Gabrielle's muffled protests cut through. "Don't come, Harri--"

"Shut her up!" Sebastian barked.

Only desperate whimpers remained.

Harrison's vision sharpened to lethal focus. "Touch one hair on her head, Sebastian, and I'll dismantle you piece by piece."

She arrived at the magazine offices in record time. Sebastian lounged amidst his black-suited enforcers. Gabrielle struggled against duct tape binding her mouth.

Their eyes met. Gabrielle shook her head violently, pleading silently for Harrison to flee.

Harrison squared her shoulders. "What's your game, Mr. Blackwood?"

Sebastian - Willowbrook's most notorious bully - feared only Nathaniel. He smirked around his chewing gum, surveying Harrison like roadkill.

"Faster than I expected, country girl. Isabella called last night - said you're clinging to Nathaniel like some desperate groupie. Can't fathom why trash like you thinks it belongs with royalty."

So Isabella had poisoned his ear.

Sebastian had always considered Harrison unworthy. After Isabella's failed seduction attempt, she'd weaponized Sebastian's disdain.

He traced a finger along Gabrielle's cheekbone, eyes glinting maliciously. "Since you've made Isabella's life difficult, I'll return the favor. Let's see how tough you really are."

His hand tightened in Gabrielle's hair.

"Stop!" Harrison's voice cracked like a whip.

Sebastian paused, grinning. "Scared, peasant? Beg nicely and maybe I'll go easy on her."

Harrison's gaze turned arctic. "You've always despised me, Sebastian. Here's my offer: A challenge. If I lose, I'll grovel at your feet. If you lose, Gabrielle walks free."