ra

he maid's gentle knocks and the text from Dante that simply

different. Tonigh

wasn't his. He was dressed in a tailored black suit, his power a physical presence in the room, sucking the air fr

dinner. Drink this. It's an herbal blend

. There was no warmth in them, only assessment. He wa

thy scent. "I'm not thirsty," I

sign of his patience wearing thin. He walked closer, the scent of ex

t. It was an order, backed by the unsp

possessed rising within me. This was for my baby. I

ne swift movement, he grabbed my chin, his fingers digging into my jaw. He forced my head back,

e tilted the cup, and the hot, bitter liquid flooded my mouth. I choked, t

coughing and sputtering. He watched me, his face an

e room began to blur. Dante's imposing figure wavered, splitting int

y eyes slid shut was the fain

and a dry, foul taste in my mouth. Darkness

emembered the pinhole camera I'd hidden in the books

et. I huddled under the covers, the screen's glow illuminating my face. I fast-for

standing over me. Isa

she asked, h

e replied. "The do

squeezed by an invisible hand.

my unconscious form with pure contempt. "She fought

n't matter. A few more weeks of this, and she'll be perfectly do

gged gasp. He wanted to drug me into sub

have our fun. After we make her drink the celebratory champagne, she won't remember a

g. He was a monster, but not the kind that hides in the shadows. He was the kin

ide me was a silent, cold thing. He didn't just want a

nning, right up until the moment I