ey heard sounds of tires crunching against the gravel driveway outside. My h

urface gleaming in the fading sunlight. Outside of the car stands

door, but I don't dare

for you," Tammy says, cat

r aside with a sour expression on his face.

say as I look around my room. "D

here, though they are a little early. I can send your things to

breath, steeling myself for what was to come. If this Damian Blackwood thinks he can buy me, he is in

will ever

He seems unmoved by the chill in the evening air and doesn't even pay attention to the light breeze blowing hi

hrough the window. I can feel the weight of his stare fr

eems oddly calm as well, his face not showing any emotions at all. Though he has never been one

h as my younger brother, who is

almost like it is all some part of a game he has long sin

downstairs that I didn't have adequate notice, so I am behind in packing. After I

out of the room, leaving Tammy with me. I glance to the side, noticing h

what is going on. Either that, or s

at I need, then father will pack and send the rest," I say in a

s finding mine when I look up. "I wish there was some

ance from my father. Otherwise, I think it's go

e meaning behind my words. Keep your distance or

ods before leaving the room,

own. I move to my dresser, my fingers pressing into the edge of the old wood and feeling th

certain. I'm not re

to prepare and the idea of leaving without a single item feels like a betrayal to who I am

y room, a journal I keep near the bed, and a sma

ront door and he was now shut in the house with us.

ave my hand on the zipper. This is real. One of Damian Blac

ere soon, they may just wa

. From what I've heard about him, he

mor of fear slip up my spine. Whate

lway, I notice how badly I've begun shaking. Once again, I pause, but this time in the doorway with my hand gripping the fram

be human and now he controls my entire future. I am being so

ep and the weight becom

vements are measured and my posture is rigid, though regal. I am no

ing room a few minutes later, shadows creep a

think about the loud slam earli

t it as he speaks on the phone to someone. His suit is perfect and in a dark

ams that he's too perfect, but the dang

, who is standing there not too far from him, patiently waiting.

m, making sure I'm seen,

mber with specks of something in them. What catches me by surprise most is the way he seems to be

makes my bl

ly. "I trust you are ready

strap of the bag over my shoulder. "Ready is not quite the r

only smiles with his lips curled up into a devious smirk. It isn't exactly kind

you d