The next morning Brayden barged into my room throwing a designer bag on the floor. “Wear that, it’s work appropriate. We leave for the office in twenty minutes.” Then he turned and left.

My wrists still carried faint marks from his belt. I hadn’t slept much after overhearing what Alessia’s said yesterday. His childhood. His aunt. His brother. A part of me couldn’t help but feel pity for him.

I dressed quickly and by the time I stepped into the living room, my heart was ...