I raise my face to greet the sun. It’s supposed to rain tonight, but it’s nice to enjoy the heat while it’s here.

The warmth makes me smile, and I sigh at the unfairness of having to wear a long dress on a day like today. What I wouldn’t give to put on a short skirt and let the breeze cool me down. Not to mention getting rid of my socks and boots.

I don’t know what the founders of our community were thinking, adopting this garb when the community was formed. It’s supposed to make us look uniform because everyone’s equal.

As if.

The one man who’s far from equal is Ash.

My teenage crush, and now the head of our community, he summoned me about half an hour ago. But like I always did when I was younger, I’m keeping him waiting.

“Constance?”

I turn my head at the sound of Michael’s voice. Ash has two groups that surround him. There’s the larger group which Michael belongs to, and Ash’s much smaller inner circle. The latter are the ones I try and avoid. Smiling, I say, “Michael.”

“What are you doing? Ash is waiting for you.”

“I’m enjoying the sun. I don’t get out much while looking after Mum.”

A smile crosses his lips. “I guess not. But we’d better go.”

I sigh. “Okay. Any idea what he wants?”

He shrugs. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

“Maybe he’s decided to make an honest woman out of me.” I grin, knowing that I’m the last person Ash would ever want to marry.

“You? Honest?” He laughs.

“Oi!” I slap him on the arm.

“Seriously, I hope he’s not going to be too much of a dick to you.” He lowers his voice. “I’m getting worried, Constance. Something’s not right with him.”

I nod. “Why do you think I’ve tried to stay off his radar for so long?”

Michael frowns. “That’s a really good plan. Be careful.”

“Why are you still so close with him? You know what he’s like.”

He sighs. “I feel safe keeping an eye on him.” Flicking a glance to the house and back, an indecisive look crosses his face, like he wants to say something but doesn’t know if he should.

“What’s going on?”

Michael shakes his head. “Nothing. You’d better get in there.”

I stand on my tiptoes and plant a kiss on his cheek. “Yes, boss.”

“That’s the kind of attitude that’s just going to annoy him.” Amusement plays on his lips.

“I know. That’s why I do it.”

Ash sits behind his desk. There’s no hint of a smile, like I get from my other friends.

He used to have a sense of humour.

Increasingly, there is nothing.

“Constance, you decided to show up.” His tone is dry, but that’s nothing new when it comes to me.

I smirk. “You summoned me, oh great leader.”

Ash sighs loudly. “I’ve made a decision about your marriage.”

My heart sinks. For so long I thought I’ve tried to avoid this day, but I knew it couldn’t be put off forever. While I’ve helped nurse my ill mother, I’ve kept off Ash’s radar. But I’m twenty-two, and I’m too old now for his little harem group.

Who will it be? The men who have joined us most recently, Jared and Kane, are probably the closest to my age. It’d be unusual to be married to someone so soon after their arrival, but Ash is unpredictable.

“But first, there’s something you need to do for me.”

My mouth goes dry. There’s always something Ash wants. He was always like that growing up, even before his father died. Ash was the one who got dirt on as many people as he could, so when he took over there were no questions about him taking control so young.

“I’ve got an associate coming to discuss business in a few days. I need you to entertain him for the night.”

My heart sinks. “Me?”

Ash turns on that charming smile that just makes my stomach ache. I know what’s behind it, and I don’t want to know what’s coming.

“Anderson’s already had a couple of my girls, but he’s intrigued by the idea of someone with no experience. You were the obvious choice.”

I swallow hard. He wants me to prostitute myself for him. “Ash, I can’t—”

“You can, and you will. He’s a very important man who will fund this community for a long time to come. You’ll be married to John Parsons the following day when my associate is gone.”

John Parsons.

Panic grips me, and I hold onto the arms of the chair I’m in so tightly that my knuckles turn white. “He’s as old as my father.”

“I thought someone with a lot of experience would be a good match for you. Besides, he’s happy to accept you after you do my little job for me.”

This is payback. I’m sure of it. When we were teenagers, Ash urged me to speak to my father about a future match between us. He was eighteen to my thirteen at the time, and although I was young and impressionable, I knew I wasn’t ready for anything serious. I refused, and his father laughed him off when he suggested it. Ash stopped speaking to me after that. He blamed me.

“I won’t do it. Any of it.”

He leans across the table. “You always were argumentative. I haven’t known what to do with you until now, but it seems like I solve a whole lot of problems this way.”

I narrow my eyes. “What kind of problems?”

“You, mostly.” He smiles. “John’s known for keeping tight control of his women, and you’re way too mouthy. You always have been.”

“There was a time when you didn’t think that.”

His expression straightens. I’m grasping at straws, but if I can take him back to when he had feelings for me, maybe …

“You ruined that,” he says softly. “We could have been married with children, but you didn’t choose me.”

“I was a child. I’m a woman now. And maybe I made a mistake.”

His blue eyes flash with … is it regret? “Things are different now, Constance.”

“But why do they have to be?” I have to think fast. “I always thought you’d come for me when your father died.”

He steels his gaze. “We both know that would never have happened. Why would I want you when I could have anyone?”

Despite my fear, the slight irritates me. “I don’t know what I ever saw in you.”

His eyebrows rise.

“You were everything to me, and then you were nothing. You walked away from us. It was never the other way around.” My tone is hurt. Even though I haven’t wanted him for years, his words still sting.

For a moment, I hold my breath as he seems to take in what I’m saying. His expression turns thoughtful and sad. “Don’t try and rewrite our history. You made the choice that stopped us from being together.”

I let out a sigh. “I’m sorry, Ash. I hope one day you’ll forgive me.”

He gets up from behind his desk, and my skin crawls at the thought of him touching me. I take a deep breath and wait.

But he goes past me and hangs his head out the door. “Scott, can you get Doctor Jackson in here?”

My heart seizes. Doctor Jackson is not known for having any real medical knowledge. After Julia’s issues giving birth, Ash brought someone in to live here who doubles as the community doctor. But I doubt he has any real qualifications. He knew nothing of my mother’s illness.

And multiple sclerosis isn’t exactly rare.

“All my girls have the contraceptive injection until I decide it’s time for them to become pregnant. It’s your turn. I don’t want you having a kid to Anderson.”

I roll my eyes. “Really? I thought it would give you a huge ego boost to have a bunch of little Ashes running around.”

The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them.

Pain races through my scalp and down my neck as he grips my hair. “You just can’t help it, can you?”

There’s no point in backing down now. “You always did bring out my sarcastic side.” Tears prick my eyes. I don’t want him anymore, but I still mourn the love that could never be. “And you used to laugh at it. You know, back when you weren’t the egotistical control freak you are now.”

Behind me, the door opens.

Ash holds me in place while his ‘doctor’ tries to roll up the long sleeve of my dress. I slap him, but Ash uses his free hand to grab hold of my arm. He’s too strong, and I try to fight, but my sleeve goes up anyway.

“She needs to stay still.”

“No,” I cry out. This isn’t even about contraception. It’s about Ash proving he’s more powerful than I am.

The needle slides into my arm, and tears roll down my cheeks as Ash finally loosens his grip.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I glare at Ash.

“It’s time you realised who’s in charge. I kept you out of my way for a long time, but now it’s time to repay me for what you did. You can tell people about your match, but our other business is between you and me. Tell anyone, and you put your parents at risk.”

I swallow down more tears. “I didn’t do anything to deserve this.”

His tone softens. “That is the problem, Constance. You didn’t do anything.”

When he lets me go, I storm out of the house, slamming the door on my way out.

“Constance?” Scott Abernathy gives me a curious look. He’s another one of Ash’s hangers on, one of his inner circle, and someone I’ve known since childhood. He stands in front of me, blocking my path.

“Get out of my way.”

“Woah. What’s going on? You look upset.”

I swallow. “You’ve got your beautiful young wife at home that Ash picked out for you. Right?”

He nods, confusion clouding his eyes.

“I’m being given to a violent old man. Please, tell me why I wouldn’t be upset.”

I can see the internal fight going on inside him. He’s so far up Ash’s arse that Ash could burn this whole place to the ground and Scott would swear it caught fire by itself.

“Who?”

“John Parsons.”

He blanches. We’ve all seen the damage that man has inflicted on his previous partners. “Ash must have had a reason.”

“You mean apart from being vindictive and cruel?” I push past him, marching toward my parents’ small house.

“Constance.”

I roll my eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Michael runs after me, grabbing me by the arm, the arm that was just injected. Ouch. I tug it away, wincing. “What the fuck did he do to you?”

“He’s chosen my partner.” I sniff. “And worse. So much worse.”

His dark eyes search mine, and we both know there’s nothing either of us can do about it. Something happened about two years ago that left this place on a tighter lockdown than ever before.

People used to come and go at one point. If they chose not to be here, they went with everyone’s blessing. If they returned, they were welcomed back with open arms.

Now, no one leaves.

The only person who’s left this place in the past couple of years was Julia when she had Andrew. And even that was a frantic rush in the night.

I was sad when she came back.

This is no place for a child.

Michael grabs my arm again, disrupting my thoughts. “Worse? Con, tell me what’s going on.”

I close my eyes, the urge to cry overwhelming. My tears ignore my wishes and roll down my cheeks anyway. “I can’t tell you.”

“Why not?”

I open my eyes again and look upon the face of a man I’ve known all my life. I still can’t trust that he won’t run back to Ash if I tell. “He’ll hurt my family if I do.”

A look of agony crosses Michael’s face. “He threatened them?”

I nod. “I shouldn’t even have told you that.”

Wiping my cheeks with my sleeve, I turn. “I have to go home.”

“Constance, who did he pick?”

“John Parsons.” The words are a whisper on my lips. I can’t look at Michael for fear of seeing the pity I’m sure is in his eyes.

“I’ll talk to him.”

“And put yourself at risk?” I turn back. “Ash is a dangerous man.”

“So is John Parsons.”

I nod.

“Somehow, we need to get you out of here. Go home. I’ll do what I can.”

I swallow. "Be careful.”

He nods. “We all need to be careful.”

“Don’t say anything to Scott, either. He says Ash must have a reason for picking John.”

“Scott’s a fool.” He licks his lips. “So is Ash.”

“You shouldn’t say that too loudly.”

He shrugs. “I’ll do what I can to help.”

That’s all I can ask for.

It’s just Mum at home when I get there.

Dad will be out somewhere on the farm or tending plants in the greenhouse. He might be sixty-five, but he’s still physically active every day. Even more so than I am.

I flop on the couch beside my mother, rubbing my arm.

“What’s wrong?” she asks.

“Ash made a decision about who to match me with.”

She smiles. “It’s about time.” Her smile falters. “As long as it’s not in that house with all those other women.”

“It’s worse than that.”

She scans my expression. “Who?”

“John Parsons.”

She raises her hand to her mouth. “No.”

Tears well in my mother’s eyes. This isn’t the future she wanted for me. She and Dad were barely out of their teens when they moved here together, and just when they thought that they’d never have children, I was a menopause baby.

It means I spend my days taking care of my mother who’s not only elderly but has a chronic illness. And I do it gladly because I know how much my parents love me.

“He can’t,” Mum says.

“He has.”

Her expression tightens. “Wait till your father hears about this.”

“What’s he going to do, Mum? He’s no match for Ash.”

“I know, but—”

“John Parsons will kill me.”

His first wife was my mother’s friend. Over time John seemed to care less about the bruises she sported. In the end she appeared to take her own life, but my parents never believed that.

What goes on behind closed doors stays behind closed doors in this community. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realised that. Ash isn’t the only monster here.

She swallows hard, and nods. “It won’t happen quickly, but I agree. He will.”

“I think that’s why Ash chose him. To make me suffer.”

“Oh, Constance. Ash cared so much for you.”

“Cared, Mum. Past tense. That was a long time ago.”

She sighs. “I still thought …”

We both turn at the click of the door, and my heart swells at the sight of my father. He’ll know what to do. Won’t he?

“Hi, love.” Dad bends to kiss Mum’s cheek and smiles at me. “What an afternoon. We got all the seedlings transplanted into the field, and they’ll get a good drink of that rain when it comes tonight.”

I love these two with all of my heart. My life has been dedicated to looking after my mother, and now I can’t even make her proud of my future.

“Constance has some news,” she says quietly.

“Yes?” He looks up at me with so much hope in his eyes that it makes me want to cry. No doubt he’ll know I was summoned to see Ash, but he clearly has no idea about the outcome of that visit.

“Ash made a decision about who to match me with.”

A worried expression crosses his face. He knows now that something is wrong. I can see it, and I don’t want to hurt him by telling him. But I have to. “It’s John Parsons, Dad.”

His worry turns to fury, and he stares at me. “That can’t be.”

“It is.”

“He shouldn’t even be living in this community. That man is not one of us—hasn’t been for years. I’ll talk to Ash. Tell him how stupid he’s being. He can’t expect my little girl to go through with this.”

I swallow. “Well, he does.” I can’t even bring myself to tell him anything else. Dad doesn’t need the stress.

“Constance, I’ll take care of it.”

“It’s too late.”

He sits on the couch beside me and pulls me into his arms. God, how I used to feel safe being with my father. Ash’s father and mine knew each other since they were children. This used to be a happy community, but now it feels fractured and weary. How can I tell my dad that I don’t feel safe here anymore?

“We need to work out what to do. That man is not getting his hands on you.”

Tears roll down my cheeks as my father rocks me.

I hate this life.

I hate Ash Harris.

I cook dinner, but my stomach is so wound up I can’t eat a bite of it. I put my plate in the fridge and sit on the chair in the living room.

When Mum and Dad have finished, they join me. Dad frowns. “You have to eat something, Constance.”

A knock sounds at the door. I look up, my heart in my throat as my father stands up from the couch and opens it.

“Julia?” I say as she steps into the room.

She gives me a strained smile. “Michael sent me. He’s so worried about you.”

I shake my head. “What’s there to worry about?”

Julia takes my hands in hers. “Did you tell your parents?”

I nod.

”You might be good at putting up a front, but no one in their right mind would want to be John’s wife.”

I squeeze her hands. “Let’s talk in the dining room.”

I don’t want Mum and Dad to hear this.

Swallowing hard, I meet her gaze. “There’s something else he wants me to do.”

“What?”

I shoot a glance at Dad and lower my voice. “Entertain one of his business associates for the night.”

Her jaw drops; she releases my hands. My hands drop to my sides. “I thought …” She stops before she finishes the sentence.

“You thought what?”

“There’s this guy who Ash is doing some business with. I’m not sure who he is or what that business is. But he’s already had two of Ash’s girls spend the night with him.” She grimaces. “I was hoping that was all he wanted.”

I take a deep breath. “Well, it’s my turn. And if I don’t do everything he wants me to do, he’ll hurt my parents.”

She shakes her head. “He’d never hurt your parents. He might be a sociopath, but he loved you once.”

“He has a funny way of showing it.”

She nods. “He’s nuts.”

“I don’t know what to do.”

“Run.”

Dad steps up behind her and nods. “She’s right, Constance.”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“I mean, there’s a gap in the fence about halfway down the maize field. Get out, Constance. Save yourself from whatever Ash has planned for you,” Julia says.

I sit up, but my heart beats so fast I feel as if I’m going to pass out. “Where am I going to go?”

“If you get through that fence, someone will help you. I can’t tell you anything other than that.”

Dad licks his lips. “You need to get out of here.”

“Dad—”

He shakes his head. “Don’t argue. Ash is trying to show he can control all of us with this latest move, but I won’t let him. John’s not a nice man. I’m not going to let you be hurt by him.”

Tears prick my eyes. I want to run, but terror fills my heart. “What if I get caught?”

Dad’s face drops. “You have to take the risk. I know you can do it. You were always the tough one.”

I stand, wrapping my arms around his waist. “Can’t we just leave together?”

“Your mum and I … Starting again is a lot to ask of us, and I think we need to leave too, but I need time to plan.” He holds me back, scanning my expression. “Knowing you’re safe is what’s important to me right now.”

“But you two …”

“We can’t go out the same way as you. We’ll never get your mother’s wheelchair through that field. And we’re fine.”

“There’s no way of knowing how fine you’ll be when Ash finds out I’m gone.”

He gives me a small smile. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take.”

I look over at Mum, and she nods. “Your father’s right.”

The last time I left our community was when I used to visit the cove as a child. It’s been so long since then.

I swallow down my fear.

It’s the least I can do for my parents.

“Michael will be here soon. It’ll be dark by then, and most people will be in the food hall. Someone will help you on the other side,” Julia says. “Don’t worry about taking anything with you, it’ll just slow you down. We haven’t got a message out yet, but I promise you, you won’t be alone.”

That doesn’t help the butterflies in my stomach.

Michael’s there on the dot of eight, just as Julia promised he would be. On the worst day of my life, I’ve found support in so many places. I’ll never be able to express my gratitude.

“I can’t stay out long, but I’ll take you to the edge of the maize field. All you’ll need to do is walk down the fence line until you find where it’s broken.”

I nod. “Thank you.”

“No. Thank you. I’ve been concerned for a while now, but I wasn’t sure what to think. Today has opened my eyes.”

“It’s done that for all of us,” Dad says. “Thank you, Michael. It can’t be easy. I know you’re close with Ash.”

“Not as close as I used to be. I don’t know what’s going through his head.”

“Nothing good.” Dad gives me a small smile, and I wrap my arms around his waist. He strokes my hair. “Be safe, sweetheart.”

He plants a kiss on my hair and lets go of me. I turn back to Mum. Crossing the room, I lean over and hug her tight.

“Love you, Constance. I’m sure we’ll all be together again soon,” she whispers.

“I hope so.”

Michael clears his throat. “We need to get going. There’s a movie on in the hall, and Ash is in there so we’ll have to be quick.”

I nod.

Leaving is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I spent my life in this house, and I always thought when I left it would be to join my husband in our own home or the communal living area.

Instead, I’m running away to save my life.

Michael leads me across the property. We pass the big house where Ash lives. It’s dark and silent. No doubt his little harem is with him in the common room.

It’s a long walk to the maize field. It’s on the right-hand side of the property and there are fields between the house and it.

“Have you been through this gap?” I ask.

Michael shakes his head. “No. I didn’t know about it until today. Julia knows I’ve doubted Ash for a while.” He chuckles. “She’s turned into quite the little spy.”

“I’m grateful to you for doing this.”

He lets out a loud breath. It’s dark, but there’s enough moonlight for me to see, and the air rises from his lips. “I’m not about to let anything bad happen to you.”

We reach the edge of the field. “Here’s where I have to leave you. I need to get back quickly so no one misses me,” Michael says.

I grasp one of his hands, tears welling in my eyes. “Please take good care of my parents.”

“I’ll do everything in my power to protect them.” He takes a breath. “Ash is up to something, and I don’t know what it is. But I’m going to find out. Then you can come home.”

I throw my arms around his shoulders, brushing my lips on his cheek. “Thank you. Please stay safe. If anything happened to you and Ingrid …”

“My wife comes first. I’ll do what it takes to protect her.”

Nodding, I let go of him, patting him on the chest.

He smiles. “Go.”

I follow the fence, feeling my way down it. I don’t know how far halfway is, but it seems like I walk for a long time.

The heavens open, and the rain we’ve been expecting all day buckets down.

It doesn’t take long for my boots to be weighed down by mud, the soil full of water. I hoist my dress up, but it’s no use.

Something lands on my face, and I drop my dress to brush it off. I hate insects, especially flying ones, and I’m almost glad for the dark. At least I can’t see what it was.

I want to go home to Mum and Dad.

I can’t.

Tears roll down my cheeks. I feel like I’ve been walking forever, but the fence gives no sign of the promised gap.

I jump when a loud crack of thunder sounds overhead. This is just what I need. I’m so torn about whether to turn around or not, but I can’t give up. I must be so close.

Reaching to feel the fence, my hand falls into nothing, and I catch my breath. There’s just enough room to squeeze through. I slip to the other side before bending, my hands on my knees.

I did it.

I’m safe.

I look up. Where to now? I guess I follow the fence line back the other way until I find the road. And then what?

I have no money. No food. Nothing but the clothing I’m wearing.

Ash will find me. He’ll find me and he’ll kill me.

What have I done?