long and quiet. Kendrick drove in silence, one hand on the wheel, the other tapping a rhythm against the leather. The car was

, distant, unfamiliar. The bruises had started to heal, but the ache inside hadn't. It w

She hadn't spoken a word since they left. Kendrick hadn't expected her

wasn't

as th

ilence, her

I get

the room with cold eyes and cruel hands. She had lost count of the days. Of the times. Her body had been a bat

ch

ch

ldn't b

r even longer? Would he chain her to him forever with a chil

wn her spine. She

ad against the cool gl

e told herself, if it co

left a bitter ta

ught crept in, d

I pois

t an actual plan. He trusted her now. At least enough to leave her alone sometimes. She made

wide with confusion, with fear. Just like she had fear

the fea

I get

sistant. The victim who snapped. He was a billiona

enough to make h

r he still held over her

at still, frozen, until Kendrick came around and opened her door. He didn't offer hi

pped ou

seen the skyline in weeks, and for a second, she alm

anym

g. She stood beside him, their bodies not touching,

guest room," he said smoothly. "

st

t been a guest since the

lls, marble floors, gold accents. It looked like something out

bed in the guest room, hands trembling. Every

nside, her phone was gone again. Her a

herself in the mirror. The same qu

know how to tell. It was too soon. But her body had

nics. Pills. Escape routes. She neede

en, Kendrick pour

mething," he said,

she replied, her v

A faint smile. "You're s

e only turned away and

awake, eyes wide in the dar

n't be hi

it took she'd

ecoming a monster

meant usi

l

educ

play h

ay soon,