Chapter 10 Help Me

A figure drew nearer, and before Kaitlin could register what was happening, she was pulled into an embrace.

The scent of pine surrounded her, sharp and clean, like she had been swept into the heart of a forest.

When the bright lights hit his face, she finally saw who it was. Dominic.

Relief rushed through her, as she believed that as long as Dominic was near, nothing could touch her.

His friends traded stunned glances, unable to hide their disbelief.

Everyone knew Dominic hated being close to any woman, so why was this happening?

He clung to this woman as though letting go wasn't possible.

From the way he held her, it was obvious he knew her well.

Whispers of suspicion grew-something had to be going on between those two.

While the crowd struggled to make sense of it, Donald staggered in with blood streaking his face. He shouted, "You wretched woman! You'll pay for what you did to me! Tonight I'll make sure you-"

His tirade broke off the moment his eyes landed on Dominic, who still had Kaitlin in his arms.

His whole body locked up. In the next moment, he crumbled to his knees, shaking like a leaf. "Mr. Phillips... I swear, I didn't know she belonged to you! Please forgive me. Just once-I won't ever cross the line again."

Before Dominic could respond, a faint sound slipped from Kaitlin's lips, soft and weak.

Her face turned crimson, and without realizing it, she fumbled at the edge of her collar.

Dominic's eyes turned cold as he glared at Donald. "What did you make her take?"

He had spent years in business, long enough to learn just how rotten these tricks could be.

Without waiting for an answer, he kicked Donald, sending him crashing to the floor.

Staying flat on the floor, Donald begged with trembling words, "Mr. Phillips, have mercy! I'll never repeat it, I promise."

Letting Donald go without consequence never once crossed Dominic's mind.

Yet the weak stirring of Kaitlin against his chest told him this wasn't the moment for revenge.

His gaze held the chill of a man delivering judgment, and his voice cut sharp. "Leave."

"Y-yes, of course!" Donald blurted out, retreating like prey fleeing from a predator.

Dominic moved quickly to the elevator, Kaitlin limp and heavy in his arms.

Her feverish breath grazed his skin as her body shifted in uneasy movements.

His hold only grew firmer while his expression darkened with emotions he couldn't untangle.

By the time they reached the Maybach waiting at the curb, her fever burned so hot it nearly scorched through his shirt.

The driver rushed forward at once, pulling the door open wide.

Dominic eased Kaitlin onto the leather seat, then followed her inside without hesitation.

"Take us straight to the hospital," he instructed coldly.

The driver glanced at the rearview mirror and instantly caught on. "Right away, sir," he said.

He raised the partition in one smooth motion and pulled the car into gear.

Darkness pooled in the cabin, and Kaitlin felt consumed by fire from within.

Her hand shot out in desperation, searching blindly for anything that could ease the unbearable heat.

"It's burning... I can't stand it," she gasped, her sight swimming as the shape of a strikingly cold face came into view.

His lips hovered so close she could feel his breath brushing hers.

Instinct carried her forward, her lips colliding clumsily with his.

Dominic froze, caught completely unprepared.

The unexpected chill of her kiss left him dazed and motionless.

For a moment, he could hardly believe what had just happened.

Every part of him screamed to step back, knowing she wasn't fully aware of herself.

"Please," Kaitlin whispered, her mouth trembling against his. "Please help me. I can't endure this anymore."

She clung to him like someone who had found the only thing keeping her alive.

The raw ache in her plea pierced straight through Dominic.

Something unfamiliar surged in his chest, unraveling his calm.

Instead of pulling away, he surrendered to it.

His lips pressed harder, turning the unexpected kiss into something deeper.

Each breath between them thickened, heat rising fast.

Then Kaitlin's hand slid downward, fumbling toward the buckle of his belt, and Dominic froze.