K R

ed open with a t

She hadn't even heard footsteps, just the violent sound o

chest heaving. Every inch of him radiated fury. Kristen instincti

. "What... what do you want no

locked on her like a predator sizing up prey. Hi

uth," he finally snarled. "You embarrassed me

er head, eyes wid

room. "You think because you're wearing a pretty dress and hiding

ing her off the bed like she was weightless. K

go of m

ing. His eyes were wil

? Fine." He shoved her down to the cold marble flo

the floor as she tried to crawl away, but he grabbed her again-rough, relentless,

nding her fists into his back. "Yo

flinch. He d

down the long, silent corridor. Her eyes darted i

obbed, desperation in every word. "

e said

had never noticed before. Thick. Wooden. Hea

he only light came from

nt floor with a sickening thud. Pain exploded in her ankle as it t

d over her l

ow and cruel, "is where yo

tur

t leave me here!" she cr

tepped outside, reached for the door,

me out! You can't do this

. Nothing. The silence around her was su

're a

de the

is back to the door. His hands trem

in charge," he muttered. "Let's

his voice sharp enough

ied over.

food. No water. No visitors. S

ted. "But sir...

ed his gl

was all

stammered, bowing h

s he reached his room, something lingered, an uneasy weight pressing into

d it bot

focused on the past. On the r

ars

een young, quiet, sweet-too gentle for the cruel world around her. Wh

ina had tur

she'd said. "She's tr

eks later wothout help

s she took her last breath. He had no

ay on, he'd s

him-a powerful mafia boss who saw something in the broken boy. Carlo

e begging for a loan. She was drowning in debt. He gave her ev

time came to collec

r. In exchang

now was that he'd n

tanding in front of his mirror, adjusting his

rs pa

mbled with cold. Her throat was dry. Her lips cracked. She tried to

med. Pounded th

one

arse. She lay still now, staring into the darkness. M

y gave in, and he

that n

m a meeting. He poured himself a dri

ost forgotte

until Cassy

ietly. "The madam... s

o look

"S

.. come out. A

"Fine. Let her out. I'm su

nodded and

nts la

echoed fr

out in panic. "Sir! It's t

s heart

ocking his cha

on the floor! S