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“I… I could really use a shower,” I mumble.

“Terrific. Use the sink,” he says flatly. “Now, are you going in or not?”

I nod, quickly walking past him.

Fuck, his scent hits me hard: leather, a hint of bergamot, a bit of spice.

It’s sohim, and this whole situation is sonothim, that my chest tightens.

I start to close the door, but Nero sticks his foot in front of it.

“Yeah, no.”

“Seriously, what am I going to do?” I snap. “Tunnel out? Or do you just want to watch me pee that badly?”

He glowers at me. Then he moves, and I gasp as he squeezes his large body into the tiny bathroom with me, pushing me tight to the sink. He leans down, and I hear the clank of the lock as he secures my chain to the pipes under the sink.

He steps back out of the bathroom and blinks impassively at me.

“I reserve the right to open the door at any time.”

“Got it,” I mumble as I shut the door in his face.

I use the bathroom, then I take off my filthy dress and use the rickety sink and the tiny scrap of god-only-knows how old bar soap to wash myself. By the time I’m done, I’m dripping wet, and there’s no towel, but I at least feel a bit cleaner.

I pull the dress back on, no longer even caring that it shows everything as it clings to my wet body.

When I step out, Nero glares at me. “All dewy and fresh?” he says sarcastically.

“Not really,” I mumble. “Can I get some fresh clothes or something?”

He smiles icily.

“No.”

He leads me back to the cage, locks my chain to the bars, and shuts the door. Then he walks over to the TV and turns it on. The infernal loop starts again.

“Are you ready for tonight?”

“Yes Papa, I’m ready.”

I groan, sinking onto the cot and burying my face in my hands.

“I already told you,” I blurt at him. “That didn’t happen!”

“You’ll make sure Nero is at the spot you agreed on?”

“Of course, Papa.”

Nero turns to smile coldly at me. “Figured I’d give you something to watch to pass the time,” he growls. “Until you’re ready to admit what you did.”

“It'sfake!!”

“Excellent. If that changes, let me know immediately.”

“Yes, Papa.”

“Goddammit!!” I scream at Nero through the bars between us, tears beading in my eyes. “You want me to admit it!? FINE! I’m actually a sociopath who spentmonthsgetting to know you via fucking letters, so that I could help with my family's masterplan to kill you. Surprise!!”