Page 16 of Before Dawn

A laugh bubbled out of me at her bluntness.

She kissed my forehead. “I love you, my dear Abigail.Always.”

As she left, clarity settled over me. I was done being afraid. Done wasting time on someone who barely cared if I existed.

Then, he returned to my mind—the man whose presence lingered like a melody I couldn’t forget.

Every time I closed my eyes, Mikkel was there.

Tall. Imposing. That voice, smooth and deliberate, making every word sound like a promise. The way he looked at me—like I was someone—sent my heart into a sprint. And that cologne…spicy, warm, and all-consuming.

Curiosity got the best of me.

I didn’t even know his last name, but a quick Google search for “luxury transport companies in New York City” gave me more than I expected.

His face was everywhere.

Mikkel Suarez.

Owner of Elite Rides, the top luxury transport company in New York. Billionaire. Businessman. And insanely fucking handsome.

How had I not known this?

I scrolled past article after article—interviews, business expansions, and, most surprisingly, not a single photo of him with a woman. My stomach twisted. This man wasn’t just successful—he was one of the biggest names in the city.

Just as I was about to close the tab, my phone pinged.

Joshua.

Joshua:?

I sighed. Since I had already opened it, I decided to respond.

Me:What?

Joshua:I texted u like three weeks ago.

Me:And how was I supposed to respond?

Joshua:Idk. You could just answer.

Me:What do you want?

Joshua:Missed u, send tit pics.

I nearly gagged.

Me:You didn’t even check to see if I landed safely, but now you’re asking for nudes?

Joshua:?? That’s what you’re here for. Making me feel good. Are you planning to fail at that too?

The phone slipped from my hands. A single tear escaped.

“That’s what you’re there for.”

“Are you planning to fail at that too?”

I thought he had broken all of me, but I was wrong.

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