Day Twenty-Four.
Dante came in the morning.
"He arrives in an hour," he said. Smiling. "I thought you'd want time to prepare."
Novalee's blood ran cold.
James. James was coming. In an hour.
Alone.
Greysen had died weeks ago. Protecting her at the safehouse. Shot while trying to get her out.
James had been searching ever since. With Chen's help. With resources. With protection.
He could have stayed hidden. Could have disappeared like Chen wanted.
But he came for her anyway.
And now Dante had him.
"What do you want me to do?" Her voice was hollow.
"Oh, nothing yet. Just sit. Wait. Look pretty in your collar." Dante moved closer. Touched the leather around her throat. "I want him to see you exactly as you are. Broken. Marked. Mine."
"Please don't do this."
"Too late." He pulled
