When she came, it was with a sob. With James's anguished cry echoing in her ears. With the knowledge that she'd just shattered him completely.
Atlas pulled away immediately. Scrambled back. Couldn't meet anyone's eyes.
Dante smiled. "Good. Now James understands. Now he knows what his wife has become."
He moved to James. Removed the gag.
James gasped. Then: "You're a monster. You're a f*****g monster."
"Perhaps." Dante lit a cigarette. "But I'm the monster who owns your wife. Who's broken her. Who's made her into this."
He gestured to Novalee. Still on the bed. Still naked. Still collared. Covered in evidence.
"Look at her. Really look. That's not the woman you married. That's my creation. My pet. My toy."
"She's still in there," James said. Voice breaking. "She's still—"
"Is she?"
