ELENA

In the blink of an eye, Dominic’s hand moved to his waist. The sharp clink of metal echoed through the room as he loosened the buckle of his belt. My stomach twisted, and a wave of panic crashed over me as I watched him yank it free in one swift motion.

I couldn’t move.

I was still on the floor, my back aching from the fall, my limbs frozen in place as I stared at the leather strap in his hand. His grip on it was tight, his knuckles turning white, and the look in his eyes sent a ...