” I hated how my jaw quivered as I plead with him but not enough to overrule my desperation. He peered down at me with a look akin to remorse, but I knew better. This monster I had called family was incapable of something so human as remorse or empathy. Before I could curse him and spew insults, he walked to a table on the side of the room I hadn’t noticed before. He picked up a roll of duct tape and tore off a section with his teeth. “What are you doing?” I blurted. “I’m afraid I can’t have you telling all my secrets.” With both hands, he stretched the tape over my mouth and pressed down to seal my mouth shut. I wailed and raged against the tape and my constraints, but it did no good. “I’m sorry again, sweet Alessia. I hope you understand, it’s nothing personal.” If there’d been any quest
