20 Yulia “It’s your fault, b***h. It’s all your fault.” Dimly, I’m aware that the words are strangely distant, but the terror still engulfs me, pressing down on me like a smothering blanket. I can feel him over me, and I scream, struggling to avoid the violation, the awful pain. “No, please, no!” “Shh, baby, it’s okay. You’re just having a bad dream.” Strong arms tighten around me, pressing me against a hard, warm body, and the suffocating terror eases, the cruel voices receding. Sobbing with relief, I try to turn, to face the person holding me, but something hard tugs at my left wrist. The handcuffs. “Lucas?” “Yeah, it’s me.” Warm lips brush my temple as a big hand smoothes back my hair. “I’ve got you. You’re all right now. You’re fine.” He’s got me. Something should worry me ab

