His Possession, Her Escape

ay with food, a gesture of care that was as hollow as his promises. I was a

away from the ears of Brennan' s servants. I made a deal. My freedom in exchange for

y. He was dressed in a tailored suit, loo

surprisingly gentle. "We're going

to present a civilized face to the world. I used to attend these events with him, playing

ing. But then I remembered. This was my last night. My escape was

ht," I

as wheeled into the grand ballroom, the first thing I saw was Debbi, pe

nnan, oblivious to the monster he was. They saw a powerful man, a philant

ed to be by his side. I was the one he used to adore. Now, I

e way he looked at her, the way his hand reste

ed over, her smile a mask of sweet innocenc

ed. "Wh

illy. Brennan is giving it to m

to my father' s legacy, the one part of his world that was meant for good. It was

giving it a

nued, her voice a triumphant whisper. "But with you here to

e here as a prop. A tool to dismantl

he wheels squeaking in protest

y voice thick with unshed

best, Alyssa. Debbi has real

issed his cheek. "Oh,

on his face in years. He kissed her back, a long, lingeri

," he warned me, hi

master of ceremonies announced Debbi Foley as the new face of th

ess. Then Brennan stepped forward. He produced a velvet box from hi

nted out in a magazine months

d only," he said into the microphone, his voi

a show. A grand, public spectacle designed t

d fled the ballroom. I found my way to a deserted roo

breath, when I saw them. In a darkened corner,

d the faint light from the stre

art s

of our most hated rival, a man Brennan himself h