A

nally came, the

p in sev

hot and puffy. My lip was crusted with dried blood.

my chest. A hollow, burning

or unl

ckly, my hea

, his hair messy, his shirt wrink

ably ha

is eyes traveled over my swollen fac

aid finally. His voice was almost gentle.

t him. Was

have to be rough with you again." He stra

h my chest. Hot and

is eyes out. To make him feel even a

stayed

I was

onight," he continued. "So I need you to fre

I said

e Maria bring you some clothes. And Raina?

he

a long time, sta

to the small bathroom

showed me

en. My cheek was dark with bruis

d like

actly like

d to look like th

makeup. She also brought an

he whispered. "I'm so

you,

nything. Anything at all. Some of us... w

left before I

hour gett

n. Layer after layer to hide

the dark patch

attention away from

et everythi

mask careful

I looked almost

dn't look

on. Perfect on the surf

inside m

g the victim in

prop in his pol

g had to

*

was t

the loving husband. He touched my hand. He

it wa

ed to

and a booming laugh. His wife, Patricia, was q

that saw

me. "More wine, darling? Are you com

lt like acid

ughed at his jokes

rson leaned forward

aid gently. "What ha

stor's foot pressed

arn

. "I'm so clumsy. I slipped in the bat

gaze moved to the shadow under my eye t

painful," sh

," I said qui

e. Like she was trying to

under the table. His fin

ork," he said smoothly. "She forgets to slow down

. But something in her voice mad

assed in a blur. I b

were getting r

y hand as we st

ieter, so only I could hear: "My daughter runs a she

a small card

ound it quickly bef

ou," I w

ne, Castor turned

quiet at dinne

when sp

tricia was watching you like a ha

dn't say

f you think you can embarrass me, think again. I'll

lenched at

rstand me?"

es

ous. "You are replaceable, Raina. There are plenty of poor, desperate girls out th

what br

at he could just throw me away

ight," he said.

e guest room, my

nd leaned against i

remem

ster'

idden in a zippered pocket w

ut now with t

ack to me. "You

ing his

when you'

k as I pulled

he number for

d out, he would destroy everything

dn't do th

survive fiv

en survive fi

aled th

ang

ic

and low: "I was wonde

hing in my chest loosen. Li

whispered. "I'm

voice came again

've been waiting

ay he said my name

fear th

ething that made my skin