ice officer, to expose Bailey for the monster she was. But Bailey was

ink you're going

lammed her against the ornate staircase railing. The impact kn

led into a mask of terror. "Alanna, no! Please, don't

er shock, Bailey slapp

!" she screamed, her ey

ailey let go of her arm and threw herself backward, tumblin

the top of the stairs

a blur of motion came

ile

e a thundercloud. He didn't even look at Alanna. His hand came up and he

stumbling back. Her cheek burne

he roared, his eyes blazing. "Can't

his face a mask of panic. He didn't spare her a glance as he scramble

ot slipped on the smooth marble. Time seemed to slow down as she fell

ion cleared, the world was tilted and blurry.

brother' s arm. "She said... she said she was going to s

crafted to trigger their fears, that

erson commanded from the bottom of t

g into her hair. Blood. But the physical pain was nothing. The coldness spreading through

herself up on one elbow, her gaze locking with Cam

mance of a lifetime. "I have proof," she rasped, her hand going to the locket at

pened her mouth to speak, a flic

"You're still lying. Still trying to hurt her. I've

ley, nodded grimly. He

ring soft comforts to Bailey, completely ignoring th

g too hard. Before she could get it off, two of Cameron' s bodyguards w

e breaking with desperation. "You're going

y, their backs a solid wall of betrayal, leaving

de her head throb. Her cheek was swollen and purple, and the cut on the back of her he

ive for the tenth time, her voice raw. "Agains

mily lawyer. He didn't look at her with

clined to press charges due to lack of evidence. In fact, M

"However, your brother and Mr. Stewart are willin

h case, they will use their connections to have you sent back to that... villag

Her hell. She started to tremble, a deep, uncontrollab

oice," she choked out, h

on. He slid another paper across the tab

anderous' accusations were a result of trauma-induced delusion. Yo

It was a choice between her personal hell and public humi

d barely form the letters of her own name. A dry, bitter laug

easily fooled by a pret

ced her skin, but she didn't cry. The pain was distant, unimportant

ut her phone, booking the first flight out of the country. To anywhere.

airport, when a black SUV screeched to a halt in front

r before she co