ssa

ng the key. The dress-a silky navy-blue gown-hu

was no party, then I could go home! I grabbed a pair of scissors f

harsh sound. As my vision cleared, I gasped in shock to find Gnero standing

xclaimed, half frigh

e said, his voice calm in cont

someone else's door," I spat, a

s, and take you downstairs to the party. Either way, you're coming with me. So choose, cupcake," he said, and despite my anger, the idea of his hands on my ass sent a shiv

y voice defiant, and

g my gaze to the bed, where the shredded dress lay in t

much this dress cost

another one," I retorte

y forearm. "You're going to

snapped, pulling my arm free. His grip wa

stepped closer, his presence suffocating as he loomed over me. His voice dropped to a whis

tossing it aside. My heart pounded in my chest as

stated, his eyes dark and unreadable. "But

his gaze made it hard to breathe. "What are you plann

out a sleek black phone. He pressed a few buttons, and within se

unzipped the bag, revealing an even more exquisite gown than the one I had just destroyed. It was a deep crimson, the

dressed. I'll be waiting downstairs. She has five minutes." With that

utiously, and I waved them off. "I can do it myself," I snapped. They

wn on me. Gnero was relentless, and every move I made seemed to push me further into his we

d how it made me feel powerful and vulnerable at the same time. The deep red fabric

r what was to come. Gnero had won this round, but I wo

lent, the usual noise of servants and guards absent. It felt like I was walking into a tr

g for me, a glass of dark liquor in his hand. He looked u

id, his voice low and smoo

t, my jaw clenched. "Le

nce. "The party is just the beginning,

was firm, and as he led me towards the double doors at the end of the hall, I couldn't shak

hat was until the doors opened and I saw no trace of my family

he men, they stood still all gathered and whisp

carrying a grim expressio

er on his w

hand , taking me to a corner but I co

"I asked saucily then ro

g my family but Gnero's lips were pressed in a

he said slowly and somehow I thought the

accident, your fathe