rt monitor. The smell of antiseptic fil

from the mansion was

e full of relief. "Mr. Dillon was so worried. H

sense. He had traded me. He

en Fletcher himself walked in.

isn't broken beyond repair." He looked at me, a cruel smirk on his lips.

he could continue to torment me. He couldn't stan

leaving us alone in t

, grabbing my chin and forcing me to lo

get away?" he whispered. "Did

with a cold fire I didn't know I p

he hissed. "You belong to me, Kiara. In lif

ering. Fletcher resumed his nightly ritual, holding me ca

it. She brought flowers, her fa

e sympathy. "But you really must be more careful. First my champag

m her touch. "I didn't ta

can you say that? I trusted you!" sh

inn cried, running to him. "She must have

ooked at me, his eyes full of

ice weary. I was ti

om," he comman

ucked away in my art supplies, a place I had

said, his voice dangerously low. He ordered his

The whip cut through the air, a vicious, whistling sound. The firs

coppery taste of blood filling my mouth

ssive. After ten lashes, he hel

your mistake?"

my face. "My only mistake," I spat, "was ever t

th rage. "Continue,"

cusing on the thought of Evan. The thought of freedom

oison. "You should have just kept your mouth shut," she

ight." I was a wreck. But I was still ali

n death. It was the only