NINE
My eyelids flutter, and I twist under the blanket, searching for a more comfortable position to sleep on Kade’s bed. Beside me, he sleeps peacefully, but I can’t. Every creak and groan of the manor startles me awake, and the intimidating shadows of the enormous room morph into Vincent.
And Michael.
And Henry.
And Elizabeth.
Fear and guilt eat me up, and hot flushes of anxiety crawl over me. I should feel safe. I should be at ease, but I’m not because I’m breaking the law, and Vince knows it. No matter how powerful Kade is, he can’t save me from the structure and laws of society.
Intrusive thoughts of Vince send dread hurtling through me, further progressing my anxiety. If Kade ever finds out what happened in the bathhouse...I shudder at the thought of what he’d do.