The house was too quiet.
Too still.
Sierra lay sprawled on her bed, one arm draped over her eyes, listening to the faint hum of the ceiling fan overhead. The quiet pressed down on her chest, magnifying the sound of her own breathing, magnifying the thoughts she couldn’t silence.
Damien’s touch still burned on her skin like an echo. His words dark, commanding, impossible to ignore looped in her head until she wanted to scream just to drown them out.
You’re mine, Sierra. That’s the only truth that matters.
She rolled onto her side, clutching the pillow like it might keep her anchored to sanity. Her body buzzed with want, but her conscience screamed. Every kiss she gave him was a knife pointed at her mother’s back. Every moan was a betrayal.
Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She jolte
