Kaden swiped a key card, and the door to the penthouse suite swung open, revealing a breathtaking panorama of the Las Vegas strip through floor-to-ceiling windows.

He didn't bother with gentleness. He half-dragged, half-tossed the barely conscious Aleah onto the enormous sofa in the center of the living room.

The impact forced a pained grunt from her lips. The fog in her head cleared slightly, and she struggled to sit up, her limbs feeling heavy and uncooperative.

Kaden ignored her, walking over to the sleek, built-in bar. He poured himself a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid catching the light. He leaned back against the counter, his sharp eyes fixed on her.

"Sobering up yet?" His voice cut through the quiet room. "We can talk about what you really want now."

Aleah pressed her fingers to her throbbing temple, fighting a wave of dizziness. "I don't know what you're talking about," she mumbled, the lie weak on her tongue. "I just had too much to drink."

A cold, humorless laugh escaped him. He set his glass down with a soft clink and advanced on her, moving with the deliberate grace of a predator closing in.

He crouched in front of the sofa, bringing his face level with hers. His gaze was as sharp as a blade. "Is it for money? Fame? Or were you just trying to use my name to get out of some trouble?"

Her heart pounded against her ribs. The pretense was useless now. He had her trapped. A reckless, desperate energy surged through her.

She met his gaze, a spark of defiance in her eyes. "What if I said all of the above?"

A flicker of surprise crossed his face, quickly replaced by a look of intense interest. "A big appetite."

He reached out, his fingers closing around her chin, forcing her to look directly at him. "But what makes you think I'll give you any of it?"

Her body trembled, a reaction to the alcohol, the fear, and his proximity. But she didn't look away. "Because you need me," she said, each word precise. "You need a 'girlfriend.' A shield. And tonight, I was the only one qualified for the job."

Kaden's pupils contracted. He hadn't expected this. He hadn't expected this seemingly harmless woman to see through his game so quickly.

The air in the room grew thick with a dangerous, electric tension.

He released her chin, only to brace his hands on the sofa on either side of her, caging her completely in his shadow.

His face lowered toward hers, their breaths mingling in the small space between them. He was so close she could feel the heat radiating from his skin. "You're smart," he rasped. "But smart women sometimes have very short lifespans."

Aleah could see her own terrified reflection in the dark gray of his eyes. She fought the instinct to squeeze them shut.

"I just want to survive," she whispered, the words carrying a raw vulnerability she hadn't intended to reveal.

That flicker of weakness seemed to strike a chord in him. The aggressive advance paused, his expression turning complex, unreadable.

Just as the tension reached its breaking point, Aleah's stomach lurched violently.

She shoved him, hard.

Caught off guard, Kaden stumbled back a step. He stared, momentarily stunned, as she scrambled off the sofa and bolted toward the bathroom.

The sound of violent retching echoed from the other room.

Kaden's brow furrowed in disgust. He stood frozen for a moment before following her.

He found her collapsed on the cold tile floor, clutching the base of the toilet, her body wracked with spasms. The defiant, challenging woman from the living room was gone, replaced by a pale, wretched girl.

He leaned against the doorframe, watching in silence as she finished, slumping weakly against the cool porcelain, her face as white as a sheet.

After a long moment, he turned without a word. He returned from the kitchen area with a bottle of water, twisted the cap off, and held it out to her.

Aleah looked up, her vision blurry. She saw the bottle, then his impassive face, and a wave of confusion washed over her.

She didn't take it, just stared at him with wary eyes.

Kaden's patience snapped. He thrust the bottle into her hand. "Drink it. Then go to the guest room and sleep. I don't want my sofa smelling like you."

He turned and walked away, leaving her with the cold bottle and his even colder words.

Doesn't he do anything to himself?