The Devil's Lover: Be Mine Or Be Lost Forever

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."

The hospital corridors buzzed with noise as Juliana rushed in, only to have a nurse step forward and press a slip of paper into her hand. "Miss Fowler, your mother is stable now. Here's the invoice. We'll need payment as soon as possible."

Her gaze landed on the five-figure medical expenses, and weariness settled in her bones.

Weekly dialysis and countless ICU stays had become her mother's new reality. There was no way her income could keep up, but giving up on her mother was never an option. Her mom, Laura Fowler, was her whole world.

Every last cent she had managed to save had already been poured into hospital bills and prescriptions.

Juliana massaged her forehead, and then paid what she owed, maxing out both credit cards.

A question nagged at her as the receipt printed. How would she manage next month's costs?

Orderlies wheeled Laura out from surgery, and Juliana pulled up a chair, keeping a silent vigil at her bedside.

When her mother's eyes fluttered open, Juliana forced a gentle smile. "You're awake, Mom. How are you feeling?"

"Don't worry about me, Julia." Laura reached for her daughter's hand, her voice barely above a whisper. "I hate making things so hard for you."

Juliana blinked back tears. "Please, Mom, you never have to apologize. Taking care of you is the least I can do."

"But all these hospital bills-"

"You don't need to stress over money, Mom. I'll find a way, I promise," Juliana cut in, eager to keep her mother from worrying any further.

Time slipped by as Juliana remained at Laura's side, refusing to leave for even a moment, until her phone started buzzing with calls from Johnny.

She stared at the screen, thumb hovering over the decline button, ignoring each ring.

Not long after, a message popped up-Johnny's tone cold and threatening. If she didn't come outside, he'd barge in himself.

All traces of her earlier calm faded away.

Laura caught the shadow that passed over Juliana's face. "Julia, did something happen?"

Forcing a steady voice, Juliana replied, "It's just my supervisor asking me to head back to work."

"You'd better go, sweetheart. Your job matters," Laura insisted gently.

With a nod, Juliana offered a few last words of reassurance, and then slipped out into the hallway. There, leaning against the wall, stood Johnny.

Her demeanor hardened the moment she saw him. "What do you want?"

Ignoring her cold tone, Johnny seized her wrist and pulled her along. "Rocco wants to see you. He's upset you weren't in his room last night."

She tore her hand free and struck him hard across the cheek. "You actually think I'll just go along with this? Johnny, what kind of person do you think I am?"

A storm brewed in Johnny's eyes. "You haven't settled your mom's bills yet, Juliana. Spend a night with Rocco and I'll get you a hundred thousand."

Her glare could have burned right through him. Trying a softer approach, Johnny said, "Listen, Rocco's not going to treat you badly. He promised."

Rage made her voice tremble. "Get that fantasy out of your head. I won't be part of your schemes. Whatever we had, it's over!"

Without waiting for his response, Juliana spun around, intent on leaving him behind.

Desperation flared in Johnny's face as he grabbed her arm again. "Julia, just this once. We could finally have a good life. You know what I had to do to get this shot at a promotion. You'll help me, won't you?"

His whole plan had fallen apart because he'd sent her to the wrong hotel room by mistake.

Now, he had to swallow his pride and beg her in public.

Juliana's tone went ice-cold. "Touch me again and I'm calling the police. I mean it."

Her threat made him let go at once, muttering curses under his breath.

With people nearby and hospital staff glancing their way, Johnny had no choice but to back off. "All right, I'm going. Just keep your voice down."

He slunk away down the hall, but Juliana couldn't shake off the sick feeling that clung to her.

Evening had settled in by the time Juliana decided to head out and flag down a taxi after spending hours with Laura.

A yellow cab rolled up to the curb, and she reached for the handle, only for someone to clamp a cloth over her mouth and nose.

She barely managed to stammer, "Johnny, what are you-" before her knees buckled and the world slipped away.

The realization stung-he had been tailing her this whole time.

"You wouldn't listen, so you left me with no other option," Johnny snapped, hauling her limp form into the back seat and telling the driver their destination.

When consciousness returned, Juliana's eyes landed on the sweaty, bloated face of Rocco leering over her.

Without thinking, she lashed out-a sharp slap caught his cheek, and her foot drove him off the mattress.

Panic shot through her as she scrambled upright and bolted for the door.

Just yesterday, she'd ended up in a stranger's bed. Now, here she was, trapped and forced to face Rocco. Despair and anger tangled in her chest.

Rocco was already back on his feet, his lips curling in an ugly grin. "You've got some fire. I like that."

Before she could get far, he snatched her wrist and tossed her back onto the bed. "Did I say you could leave? You're not going anywhere."

The soft mattress caught her, keeping her from getting hurt.

As he closed in, her gaze darted to a lamp on the nightstand-old-fashioned, with a jagged tip.

Quick as lightning, Juliana snatched the lamp, brought it crashing down on Rocco's head, and then drove the pointed edge into his chest.

Rocco howled, pure rage twisting his face. He had expected obedience, not this kind of resistance. "You bitch!"

Despite his injury, he lunged for her, but Juliana delivered a swift kick to his chest that left him gasping for air.

"You're not escaping that easily!"

Ignoring his threats, Juliana sprinted for the door. Her heart pounded as she hit the living room of the hotel suite-only to spot a figure stationed by the front entrance, blocking her escape.

It made sense now-Rocco's smugness wasn't just boldness. If she went for the main exit, his man would have her pinned and hauled straight back.

A glance at the neighboring balcony sparked a desperate idea. It hung just three feet away-close enough to reach if she moved fast and prayed for luck.

However, she was on the eighteenth floor. One misstep, and there would be nothing but empty air to catch her.

No other options remained.

After what she'd done to Rocco, she knew he'd never let her walk away alive.

Determined, Juliana ripped the heavy curtains from the rod and tore them into wide, sturdy strips, knotting them into a makeshift rope before tying one end to the table leg. Every second counted as she scrambled toward the window.

If she could just make it to the other side, maybe she would finally break free.

The dizzying drop below made her pulse race, fear clawing at her with every second.

There were no safer routes left to consider.

Escape meant risking everything now.

Step by step, Juliana edged up to the open window, steadying her breath. She stretched out, fingers barely brushing the metal railing across the gap when the door behind her burst open.

Rocco stumbled out of the bedroom and shouted, "You've got some nerve, bitch! Think you can just hurt me and walk away?"

Panic gripped Juliana, twisting tighter with every word.

Knife in hand, Rocco advanced, blade gleaming as he hacked at her makeshift rope.

She saw her chance slipping away and, heart pounding, hurled herself toward the neighboring balcony without another thought.

She clung desperately to the railing, arms trembling as her grip started to slip. The longer she hung there, the closer she came to falling.

Rocco peered over the edge, malice flashing in his eyes. "Running won't save you. Once I get my hands on you, you'll wish you hadn't tried."

After spitting out his threat, he disappeared back inside, footsteps fading fast.

It dawned on Juliana what he meant to do-he was headed next door to cut off her escape.

With nothing but empty space beneath and danger closing in from above, fear threatened to swallow her whole. Was this really how her story would end?

Hopelessness crept in, heavy and cold.

She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for whatever came next.

A voice drifted up from below, light and amused. "Are you in the middle of some daredevil training, or should I call for backup?"

The unexpected sound jolted Juliana, and she looked down to see a stranger watching from his balcony.

Something about the sight-a lifeline she hadn't counted on-brought tears to her eyes. "Please, I need help. Can you reach me?"

Braydon flicked away his cigarette, wearing an easy grin. "I'm not really in the habit of helping damsels for nothing. Tell me, what's in it for me?"

"Just help me, please! I'll do whatever you ask," begged Juliana, desperation coloring her voice.

Her arms ached, and her fingers threatened to give way at any second.

Braydon regarded her, a thoughtful look in his eyes. After a moment's pause, he smirked and replied, "Whatever I ask, huh? How about being my woman?"