walking on broken glass, not just because of her throbbing, crushed toes, but because of the suffocating humiliation she carried. The memory of last night-of stripping down and offering

d Walter's threat looming, the bridge

n. Her legs trembled violently from her severe limp and her kne

mply slumped down against a large, rough stack

s. Her eyelids fluttered shut, and pure, heavy

up gravel violently jolted Clara awake. She gaspe

into the small clearing. Its massive tir

from the wooden porch. The large engine id

oor. He was wearing a dark leather jacket, and a c

he passenger side. They cracked their knuckles lou

e scrambled backward on her hands and feet until her

swing open. Harrison stepped out onto the

his right hand. His dark gaze swept over the truck an

looked up at Harrison. His arrogant smirk faltered s

ayes girl had followed his orders. He pointed a thick

loorboards. He stated calmly, his voice devoid of

lick of his chin. Pure, paralyzing terror flooded

scrambled up the wooden porch steps. She rush

ist. She buried her face deep into his broad back, ph

e physical contact. The thick muscles beneath his g

s ached. Her voice broke into a pathetic, breathless

sound. He openly mocked Clara's pathetic att

is waist. He didn't peel her fingers away. Instead, his free ha

ards, its gleaming edge catching the afternoon light. "She stays with me," Harrison growled, his gravelly voice echoin

tared at the broad wall of his back, unabl

ening crack, stopping him cold. "The next one takes your hand off," Harrison said, his voice dropping to a near whisper. Walter froze, his eyes locked on the