Chapter 1 Help Me

A stifling wave of heat washed over Juliana Fowler, making it impossible for her to catch her breath.

She blinked through the fog in her mind. Was the air itself on fire? Why couldn't she cool down?

It took everything she had just to open her eyes. As her vision focused, a shadowy figure began to approach her.

Before she could recognize who he was, cold fingers grabbed her chin. "Who brought you here?"

Her thoughts tangled and distant, Juliana instinctively pressed her face into his hand, tears threatening her words. "It feels like I'm burning inside..."

Braydon Morgan watched her in silence for a moment, and then pulled away and started for the door. In a panic, Juliana reached out, desperate to stop him.

"Please, don't leave." The coolness of his skin dulled the fire raging in her veins, and she couldn't stand the idea of losing that relief.

Braydon paused, peeling her hands from his arms.

He had come with a purpose, business on his mind, but he hadn't counted on finding a woman obviously drugged and desperate.

Suddenly, Juliana latched onto him again, her grip even more frantic. "Help me..."

Her awareness faded in and out, but instinct drew her toward the comfort his touch provided.

When he looked at her eyes, wide and full of innocence, something inside Braydon snapped. He tossed her onto the mattress. "You wanted this."

Any pain was lost on Juliana. As he hovered over her, she only clung to him more tightly, needing his cool presence.

Each kiss he placed on her skin left her breathless, soft sounds escaping her lips. Garments fell one after another, landing in a messy trail beside the bed.

She was swept away by a torrent of longing, her body moving in rhythm with his, legs looping around his arms as he drew her closer.

Out of nowhere, a jolt of pain shot through her, making her clamp down on her lower lip, eyes brimming with tears.

Without warning, he sank his teeth into her chest, claiming her with wild intensity.

Juliana squirmed beneath him, fingers clawing desperately at his arms as she tried to steady herself.

Night faded away, swallowed by darkness.

When morning arrived, Juliana surfaced from her dreams, confusion clouding her thoughts. Someone's arm was heavy across her chest.

Broken flashes from the night before drifted through her mind. She turned, heart pounding, only to find a stranger beside her. The color drained from her face.

She realized with horror she had spent the night with a man she did not know.

A tremor ran through her as she inched his arm away, and then moved to slip from the bed. The instant her feet touched the floor, pain rippled through her, drawing a gasp from her lips.

One glance at the man reassured her-he seemed sound asleep.

Gathering each discarded piece of clothing, Juliana dressed with trembling hands and crept out, hoping not to wake him.

Moments after she slipped away, Braydon reached across the space beside him. His hand came up empty.

His eyes opened to a room that felt colder. Only a scarlet stain on the sheets remained as proof she had been there.

...

Juliana made her way back home, shivering, unable to shake off the chill that settled deep in her bones.

Nothing made sense. One minute she was picking up her boyfriend, Johnny Dale, after one of his drunken nights, and the next, her memory faded to black right after drinking the wine he handed her.

How was she ever supposed to face Johnny after what happened?

With her hand on the doorknob, voices drifted through from inside the apartment. Johnny's words rang out, sharper than a slap.

"Mr. Gill, does that settle it? My girlfriend's never been with anyone. I kept my hands off so you could have her first. Now, about that promotion..."

Every muscle in Juliana's body locked up. A cold dread slid down her spine. Was she really hearing this?

Pieces fell together in her mind. That drink. The way she passed out. Johnny must have set her up, intending to hand her over to his superior, Rocco Gill.

Heat surged through her. She shoved the door so hard it slammed against the wall, rushed toward Johnny, and knocked his phone out of his hand. "You scumbag!" Juliana shouted.

Trust felt like a sick joke. All those times Johnny claimed he wanted to wait for their wedding-she had believed every word.

But it was all fake. He had been willing to trade her for a step up at work.

Johnny reeled from the shock, voice rising. "What's your problem, Juliana? Why are you attacking me?"

"You drug me and act innocent? You're disgusting, Johnny. I never imagined you could stoop so low." She met his glare with a hollow laugh.

Trying to mask his growing annoyance, Johnny latched onto her wrist. "Juliana, I'm doing this for us. Honestly, it doesn't bother me."

Her fury exploded, and she slapped him across the face. "I'm finished with you, Johnny Dale!"

Rage twisted his features as he snatched her hand back. "You act like you care, but aren't you willing to do anything for me? Your mom's operation isn't free, you know, so don't pretend you have a choice!"

With a rough push, he sent her stumbling.

Juliana hit the floor, pain jolting through her.

"Since you've already been with Rocco, you might as well stick around. He'll take care of you better than I ever could." Johnny scooped up his phone, shot her a cruel look, and stormed out.

When the door slammed, Juliana peeled off her clothes and stepped into the bathroom. The mirror revealed angry bruises along her neck and shoulders, reminders of everything she'd endured last night. Her soft skin looked battered and raw.

She cranked the shower and let the warmth pour down, hoping it might wash away the ache, but tears kept spilling over. No amount of scrubbing could erase what had happened.

Once she was out and wrapped in a towel, her phone started ringing. The hospital's name flashed across the screen. She answered without hesitation.

"Hello, is this Juliana Fowler? Your mother has taken a turn for the worse and is now in surgery. Please come as soon as possible."