rivate booth. Chloe was waiting, her face a mask of fury and jealousy. The crowd below began to

w a thick stack of cash onto the table in front of

ommanded, his voic

e money, then

e. Now pick up your earnings." He was turning his

defiance and horror. He wanted me to grovel, to lite

y angered him mo

rant. He hadn't showered me with expensive gifts, instead, he had given me a single, worn copy of my favorite book. Inside, he had written,

id, my voi

of the city. "Your mother is sleeping peacefully in the best private hospital in the state. T

g in the air,

I want you to get on your knees. I want you to bark lik

that I couldn't even form a response.

phone call, and your mother's 'exce

le, flashed in my mind. I couldn't let that happen. My pride

around my thighs. I looked up at him, my vision blurred by tears. The man I loved was look

to make the wretched sou

e knelt down in front of me, her face a caricature of sympa

e would use on a stray animal. "You see, this is

ission, a sign that he approved of her cruelty. He was allowing this woman, my bitter rival, to

ords tasting like acid. I directe

said sweetly. "It doesn't c

n a hurricane. "I will neve

you to be." He glanced down at me, a final, crushing blow. "And don't for

the walls of this club, but by the love for the one person I had left. My spirit screamed, but