ng a glass of whisky in his hand. Across from him was his friend Collins__hi

've finally decided to put a leash on yourself?..

." Oh, don't get sentimental on me, Col

able between them. "And believe me, she is as

led low, shak

ou are her Prince charming com

hould have seen it, Liam. Sitting across me, all wide-eyed and t

. "She signed the contract without hesitation...Lik

er, his drink sloshing in his

just reali

t back,

nt of him. "So what's the deal? She gets to play your wi

r's hoard off my back...though she doesn't know this is the main reason I'm keeping her. They

now how you do it. You've got wo

his drink.

an, you've got it all figured out. Tell Me, you've checked

ial media, no public stunts. I don't need some sub-story about her pathetic

s squeaky clean...huh. Accept it, Mike, you are

ainst the bar top. When he saw the name o

hone and staring at it like

lling me now" he sai

mockery salute. "Man, she's

exhaling sharply. "I don't

___________

for the love of everything sane, tell me you did not

es, letting out a sha

yn, do you even know what you've done? The man is ruthless. He chews

phone lightened, her k

constant threats, what am I supposed to do?" Her voice cracked, tears

rm. "I get that, but this...this isn't the a

"I tried everything, Ava. I begged the banks

e only one willing t

. "And what does h

ing. "He gave me rules". She wipes at

ermission. No friends over unless he approves it" She

this relationsh

tched."Well...d

up with Collins".

! He's controlling your life before m

.but it's difficult for me to let go of someone who discip

"Cynthia, what are

heartbeat loud in herr her ars. "Collins and I had

ly. "Cyn...why di

itted. "And now...I'm stuck

"You're not stuck. The

ered, wiping out her tears. "I

k echoed through Cynthia's apartment.

mured, her bo

What'

someone at

rpened. "At th

ed. "It could be...

ame, louder tha

to a whisper. "Cynthia

ng at the door handle, her he

whispered urgently before her ne

eached for the lock, but be

y; the man was standin