el

s the city lights blurred past. I kept my hands clenched in my lap, my nails digging into my

If you do, I'll make sure

power he held over me. I wanted to hate him, to scream a

ate creaked open, revealing a sprawling estate that looked more like a fortress than a home. The house

me. I hesitated, my heart pounding as I stared up at the

" Alessio said, his voice

and into the house. The interior was just as intimidating as the exterior-cold, sterile, and devoid

d in front of a set of double doors. "This is

, with a king-sized bed, a sitting area, and a balcony that overlooked

otherwise," Alessio said, his t

ing through the fear. "And what if I don't w

en your father will suffer the consequences. Do you un

ging deeper into my palms. "Yes,"

anced back at me. "One more thing," he said, his voice, low and dangerous. "Don't try to contact anyo

ng the door behind him. I was alone.

s? Just a few days ago, I'd been planning my escape, dreaming of a future where I

t it did little to calm the storm raging inside me. I stared out at the grounds, my eyes scanning the perimeter. The estate was

as no w

wanted to scream, to cry, to do something-anything-to make this nightmare end. But I knew

e standing in the doorway. It was a woman, tall and elegant, with dark hair an

," she said, her vo

he tears from my e

stepping onto the balco

ing. Alessio had a sister? W

ofia said, her gaze softening. "

ly. "That's an u

beside me. "Alessio can be... difficult.

ping with sarcasm. "Because he

st stared out at the grounds

t quite place. "Be careful, Evelyn," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "

sinking feeling in my chest. What had she meant? What was Aless