The Unseen Cost of Love

art pounding against my ribs. I sat up,

yes fixed on the ticket as if it were a

lied, the words coming easily n

f the tension leaving his

ek or

me. He hated my hometown. He hated the memories of

bones, that once I left this apartment, I would never

ze dropping to my bandaged ankl

the restaur

d, a frown creasing his bro

you," I said simp

econd, I saw the boy on the rooftop again, the one

," he whispered. "Always

itter laugh. "Not

his partner. I was just a relic from a life he had o

, my voice hollow. "We both ha

his things to the new penthouse. I packed my tw

dy for my trip," I said

't ques

last ten years seemed to linger in the dust motes dancing in the sunlight. This plac

upboards, throwing away old spices and forgo

e, a hand clamped over my mouth from behind. Another

. I was dragged into the stairwell, the

back of my head sent me into darkness was a fa

with zip ties that cut into my skin. The air smelled of mil

en's dark hair and sharp jawline, but his eye

id, circling me like a predator

be Blanche. I'm Demetrius. Damien's cousin.

you," I spat,

He lashed out, the back of his hand catching my cheek. The blow sent

defend him to

ousin. You're going to tell him I have you. You're going to tell him that if he wan

ng. I wouldn't do it. I would nev

ok my

e. He grabbed my phone from my pocket and d

And rang.

cem

rius said, his voice danger

, no

oesn't care. He's probably off with his new, ric

efused to let them work. "He's

fending him? You stupid bitch." He nodded to two thugs w

wind out of me. Another blow landed on my ribs. Pain exploded through m

up my phone again

g. I prayed Damien wouldn't answer. I

was about to go to voice