ce'

d I stroll in, anger surging through me

dental, Ann

e pulls it open to reveal the chained jerk w

m as he looks up to stare at m

t him and bring him here. Having him dealt with behind my back

ez?" I ask in a gentle ton

rves up in a smile, and he begins

h while I try so har

even know yet what I do for a living, and I in

eat to her was one thing I needed to ta

w my resp

of her yet, but I will eventually, and I will..." My fist hits h

es and put them on. Quietly, I extend a hand

yes widen on me, fear and

ree himself of the iron chains around h

places the right arm on the shiny tray just as r

an of fe

, I get it. When I ge

rt of me, and whatever hurts

as he promised. But I want to let him know he is just a piece of c

ross paths with her anymor

nd his scream penetrates the silence of the basement, ec

orror as he watches his h

ng down his eyes with mucus. "I'm sorry

his face, and he goes silent,

and take off the glov

phone begins to ring, and I pull it out to se

p quickl

asks sharply, excitem

nstead, suspecting she wants

es, and I suggested we have dinner wit

disconnect the call before

e for me to choose from and settle down with. I told her I wasn't interested

t. She believes Isabel is the right candidate because I feel sort of inde

ine my life. She doesn

y I need t

s morning without waiting for her reply, after

his thing between Ann and m

cidence, and I want to t

the butler, I touch the doorknob to

and she doesn't even know yet. She doesn't even know who I really am

rknob, I stalk toward

me to show up,

tugged on her face. Her hair is packed, a

ibility. I've got to get her clothes.

her calmly, and she nod

alk

gaze. I decide to speak up, and she instantly looks up,

and shy, and the next minu

uestion rolling out of my mout

sed to put it

y of the incident chasing the

ve a feeling this isn't the first thing t

, I should

harply. "It's fine; I was

brown irises. Making me feel the urge

ndured. I don't regret getting rid of him, an

ile that reaches her eyes. I nod and fold my arms around my chest

idental marriage between us. Don't you think it would be b

quickly. There wil

object, but pauses and

withou

s serious now. "I don't even know you. You don't know me. We are total strangers. I know

ask. "What do you wa

will get

ffortlessly out of her mouth and how sweet it sounds. "You don't know me, either. It wi

me," I say, turning to face her more squ

as her eyes roll dramatically. "You

rs old," I r

xpression. Perhaps sh

ging her to continue with her

ian. Half-

oment, I assumed she would inquire about my profession. She must h

ising up to leave before s

more questions to ask you. I still t

y responsibility henceforth, and I will keep you safe. As long as yo

intensity. When she nods, I mut

e, just like I did earlier, I