I stayed pressed against Ryder’s side, his warm hand still resting on my shoulder
Anna wasn’t done playing her game.
She stepped closer again, that sugary smile glued to her face. Her green dress swished as she moved, and she reached out to me.
“Come on, Doris darling,” she cooed, her voice dripping sweetness that made my skin crawl. “Let Mama hold your hands. You look so tired after all that training. Let me rub them for you, hmm?”
Her fingers stretched toward mine, the same hands that used to slap me. I jerked back fast. My arm shot up on its own, pushing her hands away hard. Not gentle. Not polite. Just a clear, firm shove that made her stumble one step.
The room went quiet for half a second.
Anna’s eyes widened, then narrowed. But she recovered quickly, laughing like it was a jo
