“Don’t even think about giving up. I mean it.” Sabine’s voice carried a frustrated edge. “We are going to outsmart him and turn this around.”

“And how do you suggest I do that, Sabine? Seriously, how am I supposed to fight him? The man is massive—practically four times my size. He could toss me around like a doll if he wanted to. I can’t just force him away physically. And even if I did try involving the police, it wouldn’t work. He’s manipulated things to ...