Chapter 3

3

I went to a church to ask a priest to perform a mass for the child I was going to lose.

I wasn't religious, but I hoped my baby would find a way to heaven.

When I pushed the doors open, Elowen was accompanying the children's choir.

The last chord was a jarring, wrong note.

Driven by an old instinct, I walked up and pressed the correct keys.

"It should be played like this."

Our first face-to-face meeting was much calmer than I imagined.

Elowen's eyes lit up instantly.

"You know the piano? I've practiced this part so many times and I always mess it up."

I gave a cold smile, but she chatted with me like we were old friends.

When she learned I was there for a lost child.

She actually knelt before the Virgin Mary and prayed fervently for my baby.

"Lord, please take this pure soul back to Your kingdom and comfort the grieving mother."

I dazed for a moment. She looked so much like my younger self that it blurred my vision.

I even felt a flicker of pity.

I felt an urge to save the girl I used to be.

To tell her to leave Alaric.

That getting close to him only brought tragedy.

But I stared at Elowen's belly and chose to keep my mouth shut.

If Elowen found out about my relationship with Alaric, she would surely break down and leave him.

And then, Alaric would hunt me down and destroy me in a fit of rage.

Bloody memories of the future flooded my brain.

I used confession as an excuse and ducked into a confessional booth.

I pulled up the security feed for my brother's new facility. Seeing him painting quietly, I finally calmed down.

Since our parents died, he was my only family.

This time, I would never let him be dragged into Alaric's world.

When I finally composed myself and stepped out.

The cold muzzle of a gun was pressed against my forehead.

My nerves went taut. I glanced toward Elowen.

She was already slumped on the ground, unconscious.

I cursed my luck. The next second, a heavy blow to the head sent me into darkness.

When I woke up again, I was in a derelict warehouse, tied back-to-back with Elowen.

Elowen was sobbing.

"The debt was paid! What else do you want? Alaric warned you…"

A sharp slap silenced her.

A man with a scar on his face grabbed her hair.

"The money was paid, but he broke three of our boss's ribs. We don't just let that slide."

"He treasures you, doesn't he? Today, I'm going to torture you to death, inch by inch!"

They were just low-level loan sharks. No wonder they didn't recognize me.

I took a few steady breaths and used a blade hidden in my ring to start sawing at the ropes.

Being kidnapped wasn't new to me. I had experience.

Seeing me awake, Scarface flipped through my Hermes wallet.

"Miss Thorne, looks like it's your unlucky day. Three million. Have your family wire the money now."

"Big sister, I'm so sorry. I dragged you into this. But don't be afraid, my boyfriend is very powerful. He'll come save us."

She looked at me with eyes full of worship, treating Alaric like a god.

I paused, not answering her.

Suddenly, Scarface cursed. He held his phone, looking murderous.

"Damn it, he doesn't believe me? Looks like I need to send him a little gift."

He tossed a knife in front of us.

"Someone, cut the brat out of her stomach and send it to him."

My pupils shrunken.

If Elowen died here today, Alaric would tear me apart in his grief.

Elowen was terrified, sobbing and trying to shrink back.

"Please don't do this! Don't hurt my baby!"