Page 35

I slump into the driver’s seat, resting my forehead on the steering wheel, tears burning at the corners of my eyes.

Alicia’s threat is as clear as it is crushing—hand over the villa or face the Sovereign. It’s not a choice. It’s a death sentence.

Axe’s name flashes through my mind, but I shove it down.

He doesn’t give a damn about me. I’m a whore. A traitor. He can never know.

The Sovereign don’t forgive. They don’t tolerate traitors. If they find out what I’ve done, they’ll gut me without a second thought. They’ve killed Servants for far less.

I have to find a way to save myself, but I have no idea where to begin. I start the car and drive aimlessly, my tears falling freely.

After what feels like hours, I pull into my townhome’s driveway, staring at the house I once took pride in. It’s a painful reminder of how alone I am.

I drag myself inside, lock the door, and head to the guest bedroom. The furniture and pieces of my old life are all still here, untouched, as if I was never dragged away. Digging through the closet, I unearth the box buried under old clothes and forgotten shoes. Carrying it into the kitchen, I set it on the table and wrestle with the lid, my hands shaking.

As I lift it, a rush of memories floods over me, and my heart feels like lead. Inside are the remnants of summers in Italy—my only connection to my childhood. I pull out a framed picture of my mother, her vibrant smile and bright blonde hair glowing in the sunlight.

“Why?” I whisper through the tears. “Why did he lie to me?”

I sift through the keepsakes—journals and small clay figurines. Clutching the journal, my knuckles whiten as I skim the innocent entries from my childhood. Tears blur the pages, and I slam the book down, frustrated.

“Fuck it,” I snarl, throwing the journal across the room. It thuds against the wall, pages fluttering to the floor.

There’s only one person who knows what I am, and I barely know him. Taking out my phone, I delete the missed calls and texts. It’s reckless, but I don’t care. I text the masked man:

Me: Please. I need you.

I hit send and share my location, heart pounding in my chest. I haven’t heard from him since the Hamptons. Why should tonight be any different?

I rake my hands through my hair, trying to steady my trembling body and racing heart. Axe and Griffen will figure out I’m not at the Pavilion—if they don’t already know. What the hell am I doing?

I grab a bottle of wine, pour a hefty glass, and slam it back. The burn is fierce against my raw throat, but it barely touches the ache gnawing at my chest. I can’t give Alicia the villa—it’s the last piece of my mother I have left.

My phone buzzes, jolting me. I freeze, glass halfway to my lips. Slowly, I set it down and reach for the phone. Shit, it’s Axe. Not now. I stare at the screen, hand shaking. He’s calling again. Ignoring it, I let it go to voicemail. Axe will eventually find me, but maybe, just maybe, I’ll get what I need from the masked man first.

I take another long sip, pour another glass, and head to the living room, leaving the phone behind.

Sinking into the couch, I curl up, grabbing a blanket from the back of the sofa and draping it over my shoulders. The wine warms my veins, and I close my eyes, trying to block out the storm outside.

The rattle of branches against the windows jolts me awake. I open my eyes to rain lashing against the glass and wind howling through the trees. My body feels numb, and my mind is foggy.

How long have I been out? I check the clock—it’s almost 12:30 AM. No sign of the masked man. He’s not coming.

Disappointment crashes over me. Why did I think he would?

A car pulls up to the curb, and my pulse quickens. I hear the front door handle rattle.

“Rory! Open the fucking door!” Griffen’s voice roars through the storm. Panic surges as I unlock the door. He storms in, drenched and livid. “What the fuck, Rory?! Are you fucking crazy?!”

“Griffen, what are you doing here?”

“What am I doing here? What are YOU doing here?! Do you have any idea what you just did?” My blood runs cold; the room starts to spin.

“I—”

“You just made a huge fucking mistake, Rory. Axel is fucking furious!”

“Griffen, I?—”

“Fuck, Rory! What the hell were you thinking? You’re in so much trouble!”

“Griffen, please,” I beg, my voice breaking.

“He’s going to fucking kill you!”

“Just listen to me. Please,” I plead, tear welling in my eyes.

“Can you even drive, or are you drunk?” His gaze lands on the wine bottle, his expression darkening.

“I’m not drunk,” I snap, but it only makes his anger flare more.

“Grab your shit. We’re leaving. Now.” He grits his teeth, and I know better than to argue. Defeated, I grab my purse and phone from the kitchen, taking one last look at my house.

“Rory!”

“Fine,” I snap back, and he grabs my arm, dragging me out into the storm.

Rain lashes down, wind howling as he shoves me toward the Range Rover. I climb into the driver’s seat, my stomach churning with dread. Griffen’s Bugatti roars off into the night, tires squealing against the wet pavement.

I take a shuddering breath and put the car in drive, dread coiling tighter in my gut. Griffen’s right—Axe is going to kill me.

As I drive, my hands shake uncontrollably.

Pulling into the driveway, the security lights cast eerie shadows on the walls. The storm rages, rain drumming on the roof, and the windshield wipers are the only sound breaking the silence.

The gate slides open, and I inch through, my vision blurred by tears. How do I explain this? Sobs shake my body, and the weight of everything crashes down. Fear clenches at me as I grip the steering wheel. The car stops, and I look up to see the garage door in front of me.

I made my choices, and now I have to face the consequences. I can either be brave and own up or be a coward and lose everything my mother left me.

Stepping out of the car, the rain and wind batter me. My clothes cling to me, soaked through, and my hair sticks to my face.

I stop dead. Axe’s car is in the driveway.

Panic floods me, and my stomach drops. I thought I’d have more time. But there’s no escaping it now. As I climb the steps, the door swings open. He stands in the doorway, his eyes blazing with pure rage—I’ve seen that look before. The night he branded me.

My chest tightens, and I can’t breathe past the lump lodged in my throat.

He’s going to kill me.

I force myself to move closer, my body shaking. His gaze remains hard as I reach the top step. He steps aside just enough for me to pass, his voice slicing through the silence.

“Get inside.”

I don’t dare meet his gaze as I enter. My soaked clothes leave a trail of water on the floor. I shiver uncontrollably, teeth chattering.

“Rory,” he says, low and menacing. “Why did you ignore my calls?”

I try to speak, but my throat seizes, the words stuck. Before I can gather myself, his hand shoots out, gripping my throat and slamming me against the wall. Pain erupts sharply, squeezing the air from my lungs.

“Answer me,” he growls, his face inches from mine. The heat of his anger radiates off him.

“I’m sorry,” I rasp, barely able to get the words out. His grip tightens, pinning me harder against the wall.

“I asked you a question. You will answer it. Don’t make me ask again.”

“I—” My voice breaks, and tears streak down my face. “Axel, I’m so sorry.” His fingers dig in harder, taking more of my air.

“Not as sorry as you’re going to be,” he snarls.

“Please,” I beg, desperation clawing at me.

“You had your chance. You didn’t want to talk then. Now it’s too late.” He painfully yanks me away from the wall, dragging me toward the basement. Panic surges as I try to resist.

“Axe!” I cry, fighting against him. “Please, don’t do this!” He doesn’t respond. “I’m sorry!” I sob, clutching at his arm.

“You should be. You broke the rules. You will pay the price.”

“Axel, please—stop! I know you care about me. You don’t have to do this. I’m sorry! Please!” I beg, as he drags me toward the basement stairs.

He stops abruptly, spinning to face me—his eyes pitch-black. “You think I care about you?” His breath is hot against my face as he leans in. “Why the fuck would I care about you?”

“But you...” He roughly grips my chin, forcing me to look at him.

“What? Held you? Touched you? Made you come?”

My mouth quivers as I nod.

“I can do that with any fucking cunt. You are nothing but a hole to fuck.”

My heart shatters under the weight of his cruelty. He stares at me with cold, unfeeling eyes.

“I don’t believe you,” I choke out. “You’re lying. Why would you buy that car for me if you didn’t care?”

His grip on my arm tightens, and his face twists in anger.

“I bought you a car because you are a possession. An object. A toy. Just like the car. Something I own, something to play with. Not because I fucking care about you.”

I try to mask the hurt, but it feels like a dagger twisting in my chest. I never wanted him to have feelings for me, but hearing him confirm I’m nothing to him is still excruciating.

He yanks me toward the basement stairs, and I know fighting is pointless. I’ve broken the rules, his and the Sovereign’s.

At the bottom, he unlocks a heavy wooden door and shoves me inside. The cold concrete, dampness, and mustiness hit me like a wall. I stumble, catching myself as he slams the door behind me. The click of the lock seals my fate, and I’m swallowed by total darkness.

Alone.

Empty.

Betrayed by my father, blackmailed by Alicia, and now punished by Axe.

I have no one. Nothing.