His Possession, Her Escape

nder of Brennan' s betrayal. The physical pain was a dull ache, nothing compared to the agony in my ch

bling. "Mrs. Johnson... Mr. Johnson has instructed t

liation. I was

ann stood there, her arms crossed, with Debbi Foley h

. "Didn't you hear my brother? Get y

om," I said, my voic

sound. "Not anymore. Brennan

rying to cover the bruises that were a

a frightened doe. "Breann, maybe we sh

of Debbi protectively. She turned to the servants who were hesitati

I warned, my voice ringing with an

ter of the former head of the Sterling Syndicate. The wo

t power over the staff. "You think you can still order people arou

vicious whisper. "He's giving her this room.

again. "This is a Johnson hou

, my life, into boxes. I watched them, a cold emptiness spreading throug

on the bigger

of indifference, as they str

ed up a simple wooden music box.

ic box for Breann on her tenth birthday. I had raised

elled of mildew and earth. My belongings w

jury, from years ago. I had taken a bullet for Brennan during a shootout, a scar

s our wedding photo, the glass shattered, the fra

hining, and Brennan was looking at me with so much love it took my br

inging to

orway, a smug smile on her face. S

alse pity. "The great Mrs. Johnson, living in a ba

aching for a swea

rward and stomped her foot down ha

she hissed. "I'm

bed her ankle and twisted. She yelped and fe

sound designed to bring

otsteps pounding

e floor, clutching her knee, and his face darkened.

e demanded, his vo

Debbi sobbed, pointing a trembling finger a

in the guest room." His voice held a note of irritation, as if my location was

oncern was

him. "Brennan! She att

hardening as he looked at me. "You ha

hotos he took of me flashed in

" I tried to e

ripping with sarcasm. "She attacked herself

playing her part perfectly. "I shouldn't have come

tening as he looked at her. He stroked her hair. "

filled with ice. "Do you reme