They came for me on the fourth night Corey was away.

My head still aches from the blow to the head that knocked me out. Ash’s sidekick, Jason, has long, angry marks on his face where I scratched him while fighting back before Liam issued the blow.

I never stood a chance.

When I wake, my brain feels like it’s growing inside my head, pulsing in pain. There’s a man sitting on the bed, and I turn my face to look at him. My eyes focus, and there he is—Ash Harris.

I let out a scream. My throat constricts. My mouth is so dry, and the sound goes nowhere.

He reaches down, brushing the hair from my face. “Finally awake.”

“What are you doing?”

“Taking back what’s mine.”

“I’m not yours.”

He narrows his eyes. “We had a deal. You broke it. I had to punish my delivery driver, who you sneaked out with.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I spent a long time trying to work out how you managed to get away. And then I realised that night, I had a delivery go out. You hid in the truck, didn’t you?”

“Are you asking me, or telling me? I want to leave.”

Ash shakes his head. “You’re not going anywhere this time. You’ll fulfil the deal we had, or your parents will suffer.”

“Leave them alone.”

“No one makes a fool of me, Constance, and yet, that’s exactly what you did.”

“I don’t want to be here.”

He nods. “I know. But like I said, you owe me.”

“I owe you nothing.”

“Get off the bed. We’re going for a little walk.” He grabs my hand and pulls me to my feet.

“No.” I lean back on the bed, and try to get away.

“Not even to see your precious parents?”

I swallow, hard. What if this is it? What if I never escape? If that’s the case, I need to at least see my parents. Then, I’ll know if they’re okay.

“I’ll come with you,” I whisper.

“That’s better. I don’t want anyone thinking there’s anything wrong, so you’ll walk with me to their place. I’ll leave you there for an hour to visit, and then I’ll collect you. And you will be watched.”

I nod.

“No smartarse comments for me?”

I fix my gaze on him. “You’re not worth the effort.”

Anger flares in his eyes, but I’m not backing down.

“Let’s go,” he says.

I take a step and the long skirts of the grey dress swish around my legs. My stomach rolls as I look down and take in the sight of it. Someone’s dressed me when I was out cold.

When I meet Ash’s cruel gaze, he laughs. “You needed to be dressed for the occasion.”

I raise my hand to slap him, but he grabs my wrist.

“You were only wearing a shirt. It’s not like you were wearing a lot to start with.”

“You’re a pig.”

“And you need to pull your head in. I don’t think your parents will stay safe if you misbehave.”

I swallow down my anger, and follow him out the door. Four of his friends close in around me, and we walk as a group out of the main building and toward my parents’ house.

The whole way, I keep my head up high and do my best to pretend nothing’s wrong.

My parents’ lives might depend on it.

“Are you alright?” Mum asks me for what seems to be the fiftieth time. I haven’t answered her so far, and that’s probably why she keeps asking. At least they had the decency to give us some space to talk.

“No.” It’s all I can manage. I’m trying to be strong while I figure out a way out of here again, but escaping won’t be as easy this time around.

“This isn’t right.” She frowns.

“No shit, Mum. It’s been not right here for years.”

Her mouth falls open at my words. I was brought up not to swear, and I didn’t as a general rule. Not until I fell in love with my potty-mouthed mountain man. Thinking of him in that way brings a smile to my face.

“It hasn’t,” Dad says.

“We all need to leave.” I fix my gaze on my father, and he nods. “But not before I find out what Ash is up to. If I’m back here, that’s the least I can do.”

He sighs. “There’s something not right with that young man.”

“That’s an understatement.”

“Why did you come back?” Mum asks. “You were free, weren’t you?”

I nod. “Ash and his goons found me and brought me back.”

Tears well in her eyes.

“Not that I went far. I moved in next door.”

Her eyebrows lift. “Next door?”

“I met someone. Fell in love. And then Ash dragged me back here. He’s still carrying grudges for things that happened years ago.” I sigh. “He’s bitter toward me, and he worked out where I was.”

Dad lays a hand on my shoulder. “Is he a good man? The one you love?”

I nod. “He’s the best. But he’s away working and won’t know I’m gone for a couple more days.”

“Do you think he’ll try coming for you?”

“I don’t know.”

The Corey I know would come looking for me. But this place is dangerous, and there are already too many people here who I care about.

I don’t know what to do.