My eyes flutter open and the same familiar headache throbs in the back of my head like last time. My stomach heaves and the dizziness and grogginess consume me. My muscles ache like I just finished running a marathon. Last time I didn't know what was happening to me, but this time I do.

Matteo knocked me out with drugs.

I take my time sitting up, so I don’t vomit like last time. I lie in bed for several minutes as my eyes adjust to the light and my body gets used to being awake before I try to sit up.

I don’t know how long I was out. Hours? Days? Weeks? It doesn’t matter. I don’t have access to a calendar or phone telling me what day it is. I can hardly keep track of how long I've been here when I’m conscious.

I very carefully sit up in Matteo's bed. Careful not to move too fast, so I don't get sick.

Surprisingly, I don't feel like throwing up when I sit up. I felt much worse last time. So either my body is getting used to the drugs, or he didn't give me as much as last time.

I close my eyes, trying to regain my strength before I stand up. Darkness and cold overwhelm me in one memory. Matteo’s black eyes before he locked the door, leaving me in the filth.

The dungeon. I remember.

He locked me in the dungeon unconscious and left me there all alone. I don’t remember why he was so angry. What did I do to piss him off enough to do that to me again? He’s a horrible person; he doesn’t need a reason to do monstrous things.

I know one thing: I will do anything not to get drugged again. Well, anything short of telling him where Nina is. But I need a plan.

I thought I had one after Matteo tried taking food and sleep from me. I thought when I found a way to get food and defy him; he would give up and realize I was a dead end. Apparently, he hasn't given up yet.

I need help. My lips curl up. I’ve made one ally here. I can make plenty more. Eventually, I’ll have enough allies to escape or fight back. Maybe I’ll find more allies as I did with the first…

* * *

My stomach rumbles again for the hundredth time today. I've never gone so long without food. It's only been three days but the way my stomach heaves, it feels like torture. If I don't get some food in my system soon, I’m going to become delirious, and I'll tell Matteo whatever he wants.

"I have to go meet Maximo and sign a deal for a weapons trade for next week. Watch her." Matteo undoes the shackle on his wrist and hands it to Dierk who hesitantly attaches it to his arm.

"What am I supposed to do with her?”

“Make sure she doesn’t run. And if she tries to, beat her.”

We both stare, as Matteo walks away from us, both thinking this is some sort of a joke. He hasn’t left me alone with anyone since I got here. He’s only worked at his home office. Today, though, he either needs to leave or having me around is getting on his nerves. Matteo is a loner; he likes to be left alone in his thoughts. We don’t converse a lot when I’m around; he doesn’t like the company. I think I remind him too much of Nina. That, or he’s a grumpy ass for no reason.

When I get out of here and talk to Nina again, I need to ask her what happened when she was here. Because apparently, she did a number on Matteo.

My stomach growls again and Dierk gawks at it, like a stomach making noise is a foreign concept to him.

“You hungry?” he asks.

I nod.

“Let’s get you some food then. I could eat, too.”

I try not to react. My eyes gloss over, and I smile politely. But my heart is beating fast in my chest. My feet are jittering at just the thought of food. And I can’t keep my lips from curling up. Matteo forgot to tell Dierk he isn’t supposed to feed me or let me sleep. If I play this cool, I might get to eat.

My stomach is going to give me away, though. It’s booming loudly now at the thought of getting fed. I try to calm it down by holding my belly gently, but it can’t be calmed.

Dierk turns and starts walking toward the kitchen at a much slower pace than I’m used to following Matteo at. I don’t like it. Especially not now, when I might be getting food.

We finally make it to the kitchen, after what seems like hours have passed. Lines at Disney World have moved faster than Dierk.

“I’d like a Turkey sandwich with fries,” he says to Emelia.

He looks at me, waiting for me to give Emelia my order as well.

“Same,” I say, though I really want a Turkey sandwich, fries, a burger, tacos, and a milkshake. I try to act like I haven’t eaten in hours instead of days.

The woman’s eyes bulge while I stare at her, biting my lip hard, begging her with my entire body to not give me away. To fix me food and not question if she should be feeding me or not.

I don’t know how Matteo treats his staff. I’ve never seen him treat the men who work for him poorly. The worst I’ve seen him do is raise his voice slightly when he was frustrated with them. I’ve never seen him hurt them or threaten to kill them or something. But for the most part, I’ve never seen any of the men who work for him do anything that would deserve punishment. They practically worship him.

I’m not sure if the regular house staff would be immune to any discipline if they were to fuck up. If this cook got caught giving me food when she knew I wasn’t allowed to eat, what would Matteo do? Dock her wages? Fire her? Beat her? Or kill her?

I don’t know the answer, and I hate making this woman take the risk, but I’m desperate.

She nods and turns toward the grill to start preparing our food.

Dierk turns, takes a few steps, and waits for me to follow him until we are standing side by side. He doesn’t go to the main dining room as I expect. Instead, he walks past it to another room, which I realize is an office.

“You okay eating in here? I like having some quiet time to think before things become crazy at night.”

I nod, happy not to have to eat in the dining room where any number of people could walk in and remind Dierk he’s not supposed to be feeding me.

He slowly walks me over to the small table in the corner of the room where two chairs are seated around it.

He pulls out my chair for me like we are on a date or something.

I smile at him as I take my seat. I try not to let his simple charms eat at my heart. There is a high probability this is all an act. Like a good cop, bad cop routine. Dierk is going to treat me nice so that Matteo can treat me like crap later and I’ll let something slip.

“What do you do?” he asks.

I snort.

His eyes wide and his mouth parts questioningly, like he doesn’t understand why I could find what he said funny.

“You’re serious? I’m a slave in this house, and you want to pretend we are friendly strangers chatting for the first time?”

He rubs his neck with the hand tied to me. He stares at the chain like he’s seeing it for the first time and realizes what it means.

“I’m sorry.” His eyes show the sadness of the world as he speaks. He leans forward in his chair placing his hands in his lap. “I’m sincerely sorry. I know you don’t understand, but I am.”

I frown. Dierk can’t be serious. I distract myself with the office filled with ancient wood, worn like it was made in a different time, as is the entire house. It looks old-fashioned and regal. The mahogany desk takes up most of the space in the room, leaving enough room for a bookshelf and this small table.

“This is your office, right?” I ask.

He nods.

“Then I don’t think your sorrys mean very much. You decided to work for the devil. So you are just as culpable for what happens to me as he is.”

A knock startles me.

“Come in,” Dierk says, staring at the door past me.

Emelia comes in, carrying two plates of food and my stomach churns. The dizziness in my head aches, knowing soon it could be gone. Soon I might be able to walk straight without swerving. Soon, I might have some strength back.

“Can I bring you anything else?”

“No, thank you,” Dierk says.

The woman leaves.

It takes everything inside of me not to dig into my food, stuffing everything on my plate into my mouth in one scoop.

“I know you’re hungry. Eat.”

I hesitate and peek at Dierk, even though I know I shouldn’t. I need to eat as he said.

“You know?” my voice trembles, thinking this is some twisted game.

He nods. “I know Matteo isn’t feeding you.”

“But you’re allowing me to eat? What game are you playing? The food’s poisoned or something, isn’t it?”

His lips fall, and his body seems to hunch over a little.

He reaches onto my plate, stealing one of my fries and popping them into his mouth. He chews and swallows before I’m satisfied.

I can’t wait any longer. I dig into my food as Dierk nibbles on his fries.

“Why? Why be nice to me?” I ask, my mouth full of my turkey sandwich.

He stares out the large window out into the forest below.

“Because I know what it feels like to be hungry.”

My mouth drops open a little. Dierk seems to have transformed into a young boy in seconds.

“I went without food many a night when I was a kid. I watched my mother starve to death. My sister cried herself to sleep every night because she was in so much pain from the stomach aches. No one should ever be hungry.”

I swallow down the turkey, along with the lump in my throat.

“Thank you.”

He nods. “I know Matteo wants you to tell him where Nina is. He still loves her, but he deserves better. She loves Arlo; she will never love Matteo. He needs to move on and do what’s best for his family.”

I shovel the rest of the fries into my mouth and Dierk places the rest of his food on my plate.

“Matteo is a caring, devoted man. He’s just lost. He’s always had his brother. He doesn’t have the confidence to operate on his own. He hasn’t found his place in the world yet.”

I frown. “I don’t think Matteo’s a very caring man.”

He takes a deep breath staring at me. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe he isn’t a kind man. I don’t know. I took this job in high school to put food on the table and ensure my family never goes hungry again. But I can say Matteo is a better boss than Enrico was. That doesn’t make Matteo a saint; it makes him better.”

“I guess,” remembering all of the horrible things Nina told me about Enrico, Matteo’s father.

“Now, tell me about yourself. I might as well get to know you if I’m risking getting fired for you.”

I wince. “You could get fired because of me?”

He shrugs. “Maybe. If Enrico was in charge, yes. No one has gotten fired since Matteo took over. But probably.”

“You shouldn’t have risked it.” I don’t want another family hurting because of me.

He laughs. “You say that now you have a full belly again. I couldn’t sit back and watch you wither away.”

“You’re prolonging the inevitable. Tomorrow Matteo will start starving me again.”

“He’ll try, but he won’t be able to, not when I’m sneaking you food.”

I smile. “Thank you. I wasn’t sure there was a kind person in this house.”

“There are a lot of nice people here. There are a lot of bad people too, though. Now, what do you do for a living when you aren’t here?”

“I prosecute the bad guys and lock them up in prison.”

He grins. “I guess you were right. You do have a better judge of character than I do. Any chance you will spare me when this is all over with?” He wiggles his eyebrows, and I laugh.

“What makes you think I will make it out alive?”

“Because you are strong and resourceful. And despite Matteo being cruel, he’s not the worst kind of monster. He won’t kill you. Heck, he can’t even beat you or rape you as he wants. He’s desperate to get answers about a woman he loves, you’re the only lead he has to find her, and the best he can do is deprive you of food. I’m pretty sure he left you with me because he knew I couldn’t resist feeding you. He’s aware of my past.”

I think for a minute, letting Dierk’s view of Matteo in, but I’m not sure it’s true. I think Matteo hides his plans from everyone he doesn’t fully trust.

“You don’t have a clue where Nina and Arlo are?”

He shakes his head. “Not a clue.”

I grin. “I will spare you once I escape.”

* * *

Dierk said Matteo has a soft side, that Matteo has some warmth in him, even if the evil hides it. Looking around at where I woke up, I’m beginning to think Dierk might be right. I was drugged in the dungeon, but he didn’t leave me there. Instead, he brought me back to his bed.

When I was unconscious, did Matteo sleep next to me in bed or did he sleep on the couch and give up the bed to me? I’m guessing from how I was lying in the middle of the bed, I slept in the bed alone. So he gave up his bed for me, again.

His weakness is Nina, I know that, but could I also be his weakness? I remind him of her, so maybe I can find a way to use that to my advantage. All I know is I won’t let him drug me again. I’d rather he starve me. I can’t handle giving up substantial portions of my memory.

The door opens, and Matteo steps in, but only to make his presence known as his eyes focus on me.

“Come on. Breakfast is getting cold.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Breakfast?”

“Yes, starving you only works when my staff doesn’t feed you behind my back.”

My heart races. “Your staff didn’t—”

His face tenses, and his dark eyes protrude, threatening me. I stop.

“I’m not asking you to rat out who it was. I don’t care. I know my employees are loyal to me and I can understand how a woman like you could manipulate them into doing what you want. Now get the fuck up and let’s go.”

I stand up abruptly, forgetting I’m still weak and need to move slowly. My knees give out, and I grasp for the post at the end of the bed, hoping it will keep me upright. I miss. I prepare for impact, my arms outstretched to catch myself. I don’t hit the floor though; Matteo’s arms snatch my wrists, holding me up.

He searches my eyes. “Why do I do this?”

I swallow down whatever emotions are creeping up in my throat. Matteo doesn’t have to explain himself. I know what he means. Why does he keep protecting me? Why doesn’t he let me fall to the floor? Why does he care at all? I don’t know the answer, but I have a feeling it’s the same reason I haven’t stolen a knife from the kitchen and jabbed it into his throat while he sleeps. Something unexplainable stops me.

He lifts my body up into his arms, carrying me like a baby. My head instinctually rests against his firm chest. I breathe in, and the chills all over my arms cause all the tiny hairs on my arms to stick up straight.

He notices the goosebumps on my arms and carries me to his closet, before pulling a sweatshirt off one of the hangers. He gently places me down on the bench on one end and holds the sweatshirt above my head. I lift my arms up, and he places it over my arms and head, pulling it down to my waist. He walks back over and pulls a pair of yoga pants off the shelf and bends down in front of my leg. He puts one foot into the pants, then the other, and helps me shimmy them up my bare legs until the pants are on.

I feel much better now that I’m clothed. I don’t know why Matteo always has me sleep in my underwear and one of his t-shirts.

“Why?” I ask, confused why he dressed me.

He stands up, seeming taller somehow, and lifts me back into his arms. “You look like Nina, and I like taking care of people. It’s a curse.”

I frown. He could have fooled me about the taking care of people. He only takes care of me after he drugs me and I literally can’t function without him. Dierk is twisted if he thinks Matteo is warmhearted.

He carries me down the hallway to the dining room where two plates of food are already sitting in front of our usual seats.

He leisurely drops me into my seat. None of his men are seated at the table. I glance out the window behind him and realize it’s the middle of the day, not morning.

“How long have I been out for?” I ask.

“A few hours. I gave you a much smaller dose.”

I exhale. Only a few hours. I’m not sure if I believe him, but I need to if I’m going to keep my sanity.

I start shoveling the eggs and toast into my body without waiting for him to permit me. Despite having at least one hearty meal a day for the past couple of weeks, I’m still starving, especially after not having eaten for however long I was out.

Matteo stares at me, not touching anything but his coffee.

I try to ignore him, but it’s impossible to ignore his presence. He’s just sitting there, but I can’t enjoy the eggs I’m putting in my mouth because all I can think about is him. What he wants, what he’s thinking.

“What are you doing?” I ask, my mouth jammed full with toast.

He shakes his head, ignoring my question.

I keep eating. I’ll need it to regain strength for whatever ridiculous plan he is scheming next. I watch him out of the corner of my eye, and I can’t help but notice he’s different. Tired. Worn down.

His eyes are bloodshot like he hasn’t slept in a week or is high. His clothes are ragged like he hasn’t showered or changed in days. I notice the spots of dirt and blood scattered over his shirt and jeans. It’s not a lot, but enough to make him look like he’s been through hell and back.

“What happened?” I ask, staring at the blood. I don’t know if it is his or someone else’s.

He doesn’t answer. Instead, he glances past me like I’m not here.

Strange. He usually answers all of my questions. Today though, all I get is silence.

I don’t like silence. I know from experience when the men I prosecute become quiet and stop talking, that’s when things start happening. They make one last desperate attempt to get what they want. And it’s never pretty. Someone ends up hurt or dead.

I need to keep Matteo talking. I need him to go back to the old Matteo, who was solely focused on Nina. He requires focus to keep him going. And I need him to keep his sights on getting Nina back to stay alive long enough to escape.

I eat the last drop of runny eggs with the last piece of bread, sopping up every last drop. I lean back in my chair trying to remain relaxed. Food in my stomach makes me calmer. But it won’t last, not with this Matteo.

The old Matteo was predictable, this man sitting at the table next to me is erratic. He’s dangerous. A flip has been switched, and I’m not sure how to turn the switch back off.

I have to change my plan. I have to do something daring for a chance to get out of here.

“I’ll tell you where Nina is, but I have some things I need in return.”

He doesn’t move. He doesn’t react. This is the one thing he claims he wants above everything else. The thing he kidnapped me for, but he doesn’t care.

“She’s in Monterey Bay, Jamaica.”

I wait for him to answer. For his eyes to grow big or him to grin so widely he can’t contain it. Or for him to smirk and let me know he realizes it isn’t true. He doesn’t do any of these things. He sits in his chair like I don’t exist.

I glance around. No one is in the dining room. Most of Matteo’s men are gone or are hanging around in their offices or the living room. If I got up and walked out, would anyone stop me?

I consider it for a second before I realize it’s a stupid idea. Far too risky. If Matteo were to snap to and realize I ran off, he would probably kill me when he found me.

“Did you hear me? I told you where to find your precious Nina.”

Nothing.

“Matteo!” I slap him on the cheek. It feels good to have my hand hit his rough face, even though my arms are weak and the hit was more of a light slap. So light that it didn’t even make a satisfying sound when our skin touched.

It does earn me a growl and a glare.

I smirk. “Glad to bring you back to the living. Did you hear me?”

“Yes. I’m not deaf.”

“You could have fooled me.”

“I heard you, but it wasn’t worth responding to. It was a lie. We both know it. You want some of your control back. You want to know what’s going on so you can try to get one step in front of me. Well, guess what sweetheart? Not everything revolves around you and Nina. Sometimes, I have more important things to worry about.”

I wrinkle my brow. “Like what?”

“Nothing that concerns you. You need to shut up. I need to be alone right now, and even though I can’t be alone because I have to babysit you, I can at least pretend in the silence.”

“You could let me go if you want to be alone.”

“I said, shut up!” His voice beams, bouncing off the high ceilings and walls so loudly I’m sure anyone in the house could hear him.

“No.”

The anger rolls off his body, but there’s something else mixed with it too. I’m playing with fire, but maybe figuring out what is going on is the key to gaining my freedom. I need to know everything I can about Matteo. It’s the only way I can be free.

Matteo shoves his uneaten plate of food in front of me.

“Eat. I know you are still hungry and if your mouth is full, maybe you’ll stop fucking talking.”

Damn it. My stomach aches at the sight of more food. I could use more nourishment. Who knows when my next meal will be.

But it’s a distraction. I know that. But it’s a diversion that is going to work.

I dig in, filling my belly. It will only work temporarily, and then I’ll be back to questioning Matteo every second until he starts speaking.

“Matteo Carini, it’s been a long time,” a deep voice bellows through the dining room.

I keep shoveling in food as I turn in the direction of the man who has entered. It’s not a man I recognize, but I haven’t met all of the men who work for Matteo.

“Not long enough,” Matteo answers.

The man chuckles and walks over and takes a seat opposite me and next to Matteo. He leans back in his chair, ignoring me completely as he stares at Matteo.

It gives me a chance to study him. He’s well dressed in dress pants and a buttoned-down shirt. It fits his body perfectly, like it was handmade for him. His hair is gelled and his face cleanly shaven. He doesn’t look like the rest of the men who are employed by Matteo. They wear clothes to make them look as menacing as possible. Dark jeans, shirts, and jackets. Items they can quickly move in and store weapons in. Not suits meant for an office.

“Your sister is ridiculous,” the man says, leaning back in his chair.

Matteo glares at the man. “Careful,” he warns.

“What? We’re friends. And you know how your sister can be. I came by to ask her to go with me to the ball my family is throwing.”

“Just because we are friends doesn’t mean you can say anything bad about my sister because she turned you down.”

“I didn’t say anything mean. I could have called Gia a bitch or cunt or something.”

Matteo is going to kill him. They don’t appear to be friends to me.

“What do you want Armas?” Matteo growls.

Armas grins at Matteo’s foul mood. “You know what I want. The same thing I’ve wanted for the past couple of years.”

“Gia will never go out with you.”

“Why not? She should. I’m handsome, charming, have almost as much money as this family. I’m your best friend, so we already have your blessing to date.”

“You don’t have my permission to date my sister. Not that it matters, because she will never date you.”

“Not without some help. Come on Matteo, put in a good word for me.”

“And why would I do that?”

“Because we are friends and I have saved your butt plenty of times.”

Matteo narrows his eyes. “When? Because all I ever remember you doing was running when I needed your help.”

Armas laughs. “They were shooting at us. What was I supposed to do?”

“Stay and fight like a real man.”

“And get killed? No, thank you. Where is your brother anyway? He’s the one who usually saves your ass.”

“None of your business.”

Armas cracks his neck side to side. “Why won’t Gia go out with me? She is going to my family’s ball anyway. You all are. So why won’t she go with me?”

Matteo shakes his head. “You are clueless. She won’t go out with you because she’s in love with another man.”

Armas laughs like it’s the most ridiculous thing he’s ever heard. “You can’t be serious. She doesn’t fall in love. She’s a Carini. Carinis are ruthless, uncaring, and controlling. They don’t deal with things as simple as love.”

My eyes burn into Matteo. It’s not true. Arlo is definitely in love. He gave up his whole family, his entire life to live a life on the run with Nina.

Matteo doesn’t mention Arlo. Apparently, no one in town knows Arlo is gone or the reason.

“Well, call it lust then, but Gia is still hung up on the last guy that took her out on a date, so forgive her if she isn’t interested in letting you take her out.”

Armas sighs and leans back in his chair until his feet go up on the table. As he does, he notices I’m in the room for the first time. A creepy smile slinks up on his face as he gawks at me.

“And what’s your name, beautiful?”

I shovel in the last bite. “Eden.” I stare at him cautiously, letting him know not to mess with me.

Armas looks to Matteo. “Seriously? You have a slave? I thought the stories were only rumors.”

Matteo shrugs. “When will you learn all of the rumors are true?”

Armas cocks his head to the side. “Well, well, it’s my lucky day then.”

“I don’t know why? You have no luck,” Matteo says.

Armas turns his head toward me. “You can give me some luck by letting me borrow your slave tonight. It will help me get over your sister.”

Matteo crosses his arms across his chest. “And why would I do that? She’s mine.”

I swallow hard, not sure about this exchange at all or what I want to happen. For one, I want both men to stop referring to me as a slave. And two, I don’t know whose side Armas is on. If he takes me, maybe I can convince him to help me escape. But if not, then I want Matteo to win. Matteo, I understand. Matteo, I know what to expect from him. Armas would be like starting all over. And he might have no problem hurting me unlike, Matteo.

“Because you owe me. And I know your little secret.”

“What secret is that?”

“You just told me to trust the rumors. And the rumors are Arlo fell in love with the last slave the family brought home. He’s run off with her.” He cuts his eyes to me. “I have a feeling this new slave has a lot to do with fixing your little problem. But she doesn’t appear too broken to me. Let me have my fun, I might be able to help you, and I’ll promise to keep your secret.”

Matteo growls and grabs Armas by the collar of his shirt. “Don’t threaten me. You know what I’m capable of.”

“Not threatening, simply offering my assistance.”

Paul, one of Matteo’s men, enters the room.

“Sorry to interrupt. There has been another attack,” Paul says.

“I’ll be right there,” Matteo says, dismissing Paul.

He waits until Paul has disappeared before he gets up from the table and jerks Armas back in the chair.

“Babysit her for me, I have to go,” Matteo says, walking away.

I watch him walk away from me, and I’m not sure whether to be happy or terrified. With each step he takes, I think he’s going to stop, turn around, and tell Armas to go to hell. I think he’s going to say I’m his slave and no one else has permission to touch me. Matteo isn’t the kind of man who can share easily. He likes being in control.

But he doesn’t stop. He doesn’t turn around. He doesn’t say another word. He leaves me alone with a man who claims to be his friend, but from the short exchange I witnessed, I know he is anything but his friend.

Matteo’s gone, and I’m left with a man who is a stranger. I don’t know what he wants from me. I don’t know what drives him. I don’t know what his weaknesses are. I don’t know anything about him. I need to tread carefully.

“How long have you known Matteo?” I ask, trying to make light conversation. It might give me some clue to who he is and how to survive until Matteo gets back or better yet, escape.

He smirks. “Since the day I was born. Our families are both rich, old, and know each other well.”

“So you sell weapons too?”

He chuckles. “No, we only meddle with legal things. Our family sells wine.”

“So you aren’t as rich since you don’t do illegal things?”

His eyes narrow. “I guess not.”

“Are you and Matteo truly friends? Because it seems there is more to your friendship than either of you are saying.”

“Does it matter if we are friends or not?”

I shrug. “No reason. I might be able to help you if you are more enemies than friends.”

He leans across the table with a smirk on his face. “Oh, yea? And how could you help me?”

“I’ve been here a month or two now, and I’ve overheard plenty of secrets I’m sure could help you take Matteo down.”

He laughs. “No secrets I don’t already know.”

“I know his weaknesses. It’s how I’ve ensured he hasn’t touched me or hurt me.”

He leans back in his chair again and folds his arms across his chest while he raises an eyebrow. “Really? He has a slave he never uses?”

I nod. “He is using me to get his brother back. Help me escape, and you’ll cause him more pain than you can imagine.”

He stands up and walks around the table to my side and leans against the edge of the table.

“I have a better idea.”

I bite my lip and tuck my matted hair behind my ear. “And what’s that?”

“I’ll fix his problem.”

I narrow my eyes not understanding until I see the gleam in his eyes. His eyes darken, his grin widens, and he licks his bottom lip like he’s about to devour the most delicious meal he’s ever tasted.

“I’m going to rape you.”