Isolde could not look Damien in the eyes all morning. The new video kept playing in her head. Marcus handing money to her mother. Damien paying them to stay quiet. She sat at the table pretending to read through more files while her mind screamed at her.
"You are doing it again," Damien said. He closed his laptop. "Shutting me out. Tell me what is wrong."
"Nothing." The lie tasted bitter. The collar buzzed sharply. Pain this time. She winced.
Damien stood up and walked over to her. "Do not lie to me. The collar knows when you do." He tilted her chin up. "Talk."
She pulled away. "I saw another video. Marcus giving money to my mom. You are paying them to stay quiet. Is that true?"
Damien went very still. "Where did you get that?"
"From her." Isolde stood up too. "She sent it this
