lla

my room at Crestwood. The rich scent of leather replaced the smell of antiseptic, bu

g mountain road. He hadn't spoken a word since his command for me

The world had kept spinning without me, and now I felt like a str

stem instantly connected the call. Yara's voice,

u get ... her?

to attention, a low growl rumbling in my chest. Yara. The puppe

It was a masterful performance of feigned concern and subtle distanc

hard, softened instantly. "I have her, Yara

a practiced sob. "Or hurt anyone else. Tonight is so important to me. Spencer is going to

azy-she was planting the seed that I was a danger to myself and others. Setting the

lan soothed, his tone gentle and protective.

n my stomach. To them, I wasn't a sister returning h

lence that returned was he

e rearview mirror. They were

. Your apology needs to be sincere. It's the very least y

me of being drugged. The shame of being framed. The shame of surviving thr

stared back out the window, watching the

a defiance he c

ed on th

otesting against the asphalt. I was thrown forward by the momentum, my ha

His eyes were blazing. "I am speaking to you! Did thr

e first time since leaving Crestwood, I let him see i

pect the people who threw me away like garbage? You want me to respect the

steering wheel so hard I heard the leather creak in pro

ungra

ed me tonight. You need me to play my part in your little theater. Hit me, a

e, and I stared right back. It was the first time in m

or. The car shot forward, the engine roaring in protest. He

d in my pocket found the worn edges of the photograph. I squeezed it,

ctory. The f

g mansion sat atop the hill, its many windows glittering like cold, watchful eyes.

the grand, sweeping driveway

e of the estate, down a narrow, gravel path I had

unassuming door set into the stone wall

uckled his seatbelt. "Get

clear. I was not worthy of walking through the front

added, his voice flat. "Don't co

wind was sharp, and it cut through my thin clothes, makin

out. He just rolle

s voice a low threat. "One wrong move, and Dr

powerful engine growled, and the car sped away, leaving me standing

and I could hear the faint sound of music and laughter dr

it was

for the party. I was here for C