Each night is a new adventure.

When I first got here, we’d watch television after dinner, or Corey would put on a DVD and we’d watch a movie.

Now, every night we lie in front of the fire. It’s so cosy while the world around us gets colder the closer winter comes. He covers me with kisses all over my body, and I explore him in return. Corey knows me better than anyone ever has, and has learned how to thrill me in such a short space of time.

I fall a little more in love every single day.

Graham’s spoken to me a couple more times since the first interview to get further details, but he’s kept his distance other than that.

It’s been two weeks since I first spoke to him, and we’re snuggled on the couch watching a movie. My world’s become so much bigger since I came here, and Corey has as many DVDs as he does books.

They could make a movie of what Ash is doing to our community.

I wonder if it’s my fault he’s like that. I turned him down.

What if he’s hurt my parents?

“What’s wrong?” Corey snaps me out of my thoughts.

“It’s my fault.”

He frowns. “What’s your fault?”

“Ash. The way he is. I’m partly to blame.”

Corey kisses my shoulder. “Con, he’s nuts. There’s no way you can be responsible for that. It’s all on Ash.”

“I rejected him,” I whisper.

“Good.” He searches my eyes, shaking his head.

“I was thirteen.”

His eyebrows rise. “Pardon?”

“Ash was the guy that all the girls my age liked. He was a lot different back then, or at least, he seemed different.” I sigh. “Everyone knows everyone there, so of course he knew who I was. When I turned thirteen, it seemed like my body flipped a switch. I had boobs, and I grew a half a foot in a few months.”

“So you looked older than you were.”

I nod.

“But he knew how old you were.”

“Yes.” I pause. “He was sweet. And I liked him. Really liked him.”

“What happened?”

“He was my first kiss,” I say. Corey tenses beside me. “And he wanted me to tell my father that when I was old enough, I wanted to marry him.”

“Did you?”

I shake my head. “Even at thirteen, I think I was far too sensible for that. My dad would never have listened. Besides, it was Ash’s father who made those decisions, and he didn’t take kindly to pressure from anyone.”

Snuggling into Corey’s chest, I link my fingers in his. “Ash spoke to his father, and he dismissed him. There was already someone closer to Ash’s age who he had in mind. I’d have to wait until I was older to find out who he’d match me with.”

Corey raises my hand to his lips, planting kisses on my fingers. “Ash didn’t suggest you to be together after his father died?”

“No. That was four years later, and in that time Ash grew to realise what kind of power he’d have over people. He was so angry at me for not going to my father. He blamed me for his father saying no.”

“This man he wanted you to marry?”

“John Parsons beat his first wife to the point where either he killed her, or she killed herself. The second one ran away—she was so scared. Ash took his time getting his revenge, but he still harbours a grudge. He’ll always remember I rejected him, and that’s why he chose me to be next.”

Corey runs his finger under my jaw, tilting my head so my gaze meets his. “You were a child.”

“That didn’t matter to Ash.” I swallow. “When he told me about his plans for me, I basically threw myself at him. As much as I grew to hate him, living in Ash’s little harem would have been preferable to the fate he’d prepared for me.”

His eyes are so full of sorrow. “He turned you down.”

“I’m so thankful that he did. If he hadn’t, I never would have found you. And I wouldn’t have been happy. So, when I tell you how happy you make me, Corey, it’s because I came so close to never coming through that wall.”

His lips are on mine in an instant, and then he brushes them over my cheeks, removing the tears that fall. “Don’t you ever blame yourself for Ash.”

“I’m scared, Corey. I haven’t heard anything, and I don’t know how my parents are doing.”

He wraps his arms around me and makes me feel safe. As he always does. “I’m sure if anything had happened to them, Graham would know.”

I nod. “I guess.”

“I’ll ask him in the morning if he can get an update from his guys.”

“Thank you.”

He’s right. That wall does need to come down.