e Hensl

wrists and ankles were bound, chafing against rough rope.

ugh the haze. "Look what

s face a mask of annoyance. Beside him, draped in silk, was Eva Di

e rough from disuse. "What

ed hair. "Don't play innocent, Isabelle. You tried to

d raced. "What are

nerves. "Oh, darling, you're the commodit

. "Commodity? Wha

Isabelle. A business arrangement. For the

k. Like a piece of

o someone who appreciates... unique assets. Someone who has

Caleb' s business dealings like a vulture, his eyes always lingering on me for far too long. He had pla

word a desperate plea

. "What's the big deal, Isabelle? It's just business. Your reputation, your life... it' s all just currency in thi

urs. Your... unfortunate incident... with Contreras could

truly, deeply evil. There was no bottom to their depravity. This wasn't about money

fully modulated to sound defeated, desperate. "Don't leave me with him. I'll d

ou're... compensated, Isabelle. Later. Just... cooperate for now."

smile, fueled a cold fire in my belly. He had died belie

ry and possessive. A grotesque smile spread across his face, his eyes li

rd on the table. "As per our agreement, Judge. A r

d to leave, their b

y voice raw and desper

g something in his ear. He nodded, and they continued out th

my dear Isabelle," he purred, his voice slimy. "Let's discuss your past... and your future." He unbuckl

e chair. The rope bit into my skin. I screamed, thrashing, my bound limbs useless. He slap

kicked out, catching him squarely in the groin. He gasped, releasing me, clutching himself, his face contorted in pa

hulking guards rushed i

ointed a shaky finger at me. "Sh

the only other way out. But a small, high balcony overlooked a co

g. The fall was a dizzying blur, the ground rushing up