d the horizon when the peace of t

n stairs, her high heels sta

basket. It was piled high with her silk dresses, delicate blou

issa's bedroom doo

latch, weakened by rust, gave way, and the door

d like a gunshot in

ge of her bed, slowly stretc

flinch. She simply stopped s

flat, and complete

heavy laundry basket right at Alissa's feet. A

her chest, her perfectly glo

her voice dripping with entitlement. "Vacation is over. Wash these. By

a sister, but as a stray dog

at the basket. Sh

pounds lighter, but as she straightened her spine,

rectly into Ains

nd she delivered a

N

g in the air, he

literally stuttered, un

ed her pathetic sister's lips. Alissa was su

h shock, which instantly boi

ked, her voice cracking. "

's fresh, cherry-red manicure, then back up to her face.

low, and dripping with venom. "Your husband's arms aren'

flushed a viole

little bitch!" A

ke came

ssa was

shot up like a

t block.

t reached the lowest point of its arc, Alissa's fingers darted out. She didn't squeeze with a vice-like grip; she precis

omentum violently halted by t

ainst the outside of Ainsley's elbow, creating a brutal fulcrum. She twisted her hips and applied

ng pain shot u

e was forced to bend over, her perfect posture crumbling a

in, tears of genuine sho

e. Her face was inche

demonic hum, "try to put your hands on me aga

Alissa released the joint and

s. She slammed hard into the doorframe, clutching her rapidly s

down at the

Instead, she slid the toe of her worn sneaker under the bottom edge of the plastic bask

ed everywhere, tumbling out of the doorway and r

Ainsley, who was tre

" Alissa

bled backward into the hallway, slip

andle and slammed it shut

and twisted it until it clicked. For good measure, she grabbed the heavy