Johns

, played on an endless loop in my mind. It was like a needle, jabbing into an open wound, twisting each t

rld became too much, I used to drive. Fast. To the seediest, loudest places I could find.

s underwater, the cold calculation, was a fresh horror. I straightened my spine, forcing down the lump in

eadable. "Kianna? Are you feeling alright? You look pale

y voice colder now. "And don't bothe

his eyes, but he merely nodded. "Right away." He turned

cheap perfume. I walked straight to the bar, ignoring the leering glances, and ordered a line

s out of place in his sharp suit, but his presence was a shield, k

the icy ache in my soul. My head began to spin, the music a dull throb

there, pretty lady," a slurred voice breath

imace. "Go away," I muttered, my v

for my arm, his fingers tightening. "Com

st, a single look from him would have sent a man like this scurrying. My heart,

re, a stone statue, his gaze fix

oser. "Don't you ignore me, sweetheart.

my anger finally breaking t

aren't we? I like that." He yanked me ha

r now threatened to erupt. "Grant!" I gasped,

ause in that exact moment, a high-pitched

Grant!

a. She was surrounded by a group of rough-looking men, her face stark whi

n, Gran

with a primal fear I had never seen, locked onto Dariana. He was a blur, a force of natur

Left me. Ju

tor" had abandoned me without a second thought. The realization was a devastating b