Page 16

I wasn't going to die, not tonight, not here.

If I could get away, I could run. I could run for help, I could run and keep running until I was far away from here, far away from Remo, far away from hell.

Gritting my teeth, I forced the chain to move down my hips. It hurt like hell, feeling like I was being squeezed in one of those old-fashioned clothes dryers you'd see from the twenties. The metal pinched my skin, tearing it at the surface and turning it raw.

With one final push, I felt the leash pop, loosening its hold as it passed onto my thighs. The pressure faded, and I wanted to yell out with excitement. Biting my lip, I held in my joy and focused.

I need to get out.

I can celebrate when I'm free from this.

Slipping free, I picked up the chair at my side and softly stepped back to the window. Holding it out to the side, I took in a few heavy breaths. I was going to slam this thing so fucking hard that I knew it wouldn't be quiet.

But I'd have a few seconds before Dante was able to make his way back in. He'd have to unlock the door and that would slow him down for a little blip of time.

As if a light went off inside my head, I flicked my eyes to the dresser.

I can get more time if I block the door.

Gently placing the chair back down, I tried to not make a sound. I didn't want to draw any attention to myself. At least not until I was ready.

Tip toeing across the wood floor, I tried to avoid making the ground speak to my movements. Standing next to the dresser, I wasn't sure how the hell I planned on moving it across the floor without it making a shit ton of noise. Just pushing it would definitely draw attention.

Holding the corners, I attempted to see if I could lift it. It was heavy, but it felt empty, so there was a bit more give to it than I expected. Holding up one side, I shifted it around side by side, until I had walked it in front of the door. And it was a lot easier and quieter than I thought it would be.

Thank you, thank you.

I had this surge of power flood my veins. I was taking control of this, I was working the situation and going to make it out. Dante had underestimated my abilities, and left me in here alone.

No matter what feelings were floating around inside my body, he had taken me. I couldn't forget that, Iwouldn'tforget that. In my head, I was giving Dante and his family the middle finger.

Fuck you Pisanis.

Fuck you.

Stepping to the window, I picked up the chair again, gripping it like it was the last thing I would ever touch in my hands. Holding it with a death grip, I swung.

The sound was deafening. The pop the wood made against the glass as it shattered into bits around me was unmistakable. And as I lifted my head, brushing the hair from my eyes, I stood in sheer panic.

The glass was still whole. There wasn't even a fucking crack, a split, nothing. It was crystal clear, gleaming at me with an unbroken smile.

Fuck! No! No!

The buzzing in my head was growing softer, the pounding of the door behind me filled the empty space between my ears.

“Ivy! Fuck, Ivy!” Dante's fists rained down on the door, the weak material breaking away with his rage. Busting through, the dresser fell forward with a loud bang.

Throwing himself inside, his eyes were wide and shining like glass. “What the fuck are you thinking?!” His yell came out thick and fierce.

My body ignited, prickles lifting off my skin and taking me hostage. I was afraid and hot, scared and turned on by the way his voice slithered to my core.

And I felt sick about it. I couldn't honestly be excited by him, his demeanor, his hard muscles and rippled chest.

The control he possessed over my body's reaction was like nothing I'd ever felt before. My heart was racing and excited. A deep need to feel him punish me however he saw fit was strangling my brain.

But I was afraid—afraid of how much that thought warmed me on the inside.

Raising my head high, my shoulders shot back. “What? Did you think I would seriously just give up?” Crossing my arms over my chest, I held my chin towards the ceiling. “I warned you.”