“Vladimir,” Karlos snapped. “Take him to the car and have Gus drive him home.” He pressed the intercom again. “Lexi, freeze Karson’s accounts immediately, then see to it that Gus supervises any further purchases.”
I turned away. The sight of him made my stomach lurch. Dread filled my chest.
I wanted to collapse onto the marble floor beneath me, but Vladimir guided me to the elevator… down to the car waiting below.
***
Gus navigated the Range Rover through a maze of tunnels toward my new prison.
The blood drained from my face as I told him what had taken place inside. He flicked a glance at me in the mirror, his fingers tightening on the wheel like claws.
I just need them safe until I can come up with a plan.
The garage door opened silently. We drove in, It came down like a guillotine, cutting me off from the world…
I stumbled inside.Welcome to my cell.
The house was stunning, every detail carefully curated to impress. But all I could see was the ugliness beneath it.
I looked slowly around the room. I was trapped in luxury… shackled by deception.
My father’s words rang in my head as I gasped for air. I stormed outside, and kicked open the door to the gym, charging at the punching bag hanging from the ceiling.
I swung my right leg around, landing a roundhouse kick squarely into the heavy bag. Pulling my leg back, I quickly transitioned my stance.
With my bare fists, I swung upward, picturing my father’s sneering face, pounding the bag with a barrage of uppercuts until I couldn’t feel anything anymore.
I fell against the bag. Motionless. My lungs burned as I sucked in mouthfuls of air.
A hot trickle ran down my arm. I raised my clenched fists, examining my torn knuckles. Blood spilled over my hands, thick red droplets pooling on the rubber matting.
I stared at it blankly before dragging myself inside.
***
As I sagged into the plush velvet armchair in the living room, I searched for answers in the angry surf below, the thunderous waves mirroring my state of mind.
I stared, glassy-eyed, through the window as the sky turned from light to dark, a wash of vibrant color in between.
But even that seemed dull and gray.
I got up and stumbled down the long corridor to my room, throwing myself onto the king-size bed. All traces of warmth left my body.
I was cold. Heavy.
I’m so sorry Ivy. I wish we could be together. Please understand, I had to do it.
A lump formed in my throat. I was more alone now than ever. For most of my life, Dyson had been there to talk and laugh with. And even if he hadn’t been on a flight to San Francisco, I didn’t have the will to call him.
Karlos had taken it.
I have to fix this. And I’m going to get even—with the monster who called himself my father.
I drifted into a tumultuous sleep.
***
I lay face-down on the bed, stock-still, until I heard Gus shuffling about.
