Elena

Only when Matthews was tied up did I finally dare to believe I was safe.

The ropes cut into his wrists. His mouth was stuffed with cloth. His furious eyes, once burning with arrogance and defiance, could no longer reach me.

Only then did the strength drain from my body.

Cold sweat soaked through my back. My fingers trembled so violently I couldn’t close them into a fist. The room tilted as if the floor had turned liquid beneath my feet, and the air thinned until every breath felt ...