on the bed. She slowly p

as a stunning antique brooch, sha

ry of Carlton's fake kiss and his immediate, violent rejection played on a loop in he

ggressively. She nee

. Her fingers brushed against the soft leather of her acupuncture roll. She traced the outline

pocket of her silk robe, and stood up. Her throat was dr

door and stepped out into the hal

staircase, a loud, heavy th

the dark, forbidden corridor. The contract clause flashe

followed by a low, guttural roar of pure agony.

verriding her fear. She gritted her teeth, turne

lway was dim. The air fe

ssive oak door at the very end

tly. It swung inward, reveal

emains of an expensive floor

hands were clamped the sides of his head. The muscles in his a

orward and slammed his forehead directly into

r of blood was already paint

into the room, her bare fee

reaching out and grabbing his b

e whites completely red. His pupils were blown wide, unfoc

st, he swung his ma

beth in the chest. She was lifted off her

against a heavy

ut a choked gasp and slid down the wood, collapsing onto the

e raised his bloody fist and began pounding it int

experiencing a catastrophic neurological pain event.

her lip until it bled, placed her hands flat on the

be pocket and pulled ou

cking the leather strap open. A row of long,

ocked onto the back of Carlton's neck, mapping

le-the nerve-calming pin. Her e

Elizbeth lunged across the roo