mith. He

three automatic steps back, putt

sharp with jealousy.‌ ‌"You know her?

His gaze swept past me like I was a pi

ve. I bit my lip until I tasted copper, swa

rgive the scene. My country cousin's child-no manners. One wrong word a

laugh es

ment. But using me as a stepping

ou were auctioning me off to some geriat

er, Mother. But Henry darling, maybe you have single friends? You could int

"‌ ‌and‌ ‌"brother-in-law"‌ ‌h

's face, desperate for

d behind Lena's ear with tender c

romises against my skin-now dripping with devo

it: she knew. About us. This whole

ching my voice sweetly.‌ ‌"Henry, you left something

warning. I didn't care. Swaying s

es twisting in my chest:

-

e six-pack. By 2 AM, empty bottles littered the floor of‌ ‌his

oorbel

orld tilting dangerously. Th

forearm blocked it, sleeve roll

is my house."‌ ‌The mocking emphas

t. I had no

teps before he manhandled me again

perform your role

rfume clung to him-floral and exp

chest.‌ ‌"Go to Lena. Perfect match-the h

ed. With a snarl, h

lungs. Pain spiderwebbed up my spine, white-hot and

t me? That was just h

you. I pay you. Know your place."‌ ‌He adjusted hi

did I register the rain-sheets of it, hammering

y way up the wall. Then-warmth

oked

ing across my sweatpants