Page 3 of A Debt of Darkness

“Don't waste your breath. You don't run, not outdoors. There's a gym downstairs. You've got your bank cards stashed in your leggings. You've been caught, sweets, and you're only digging yourself in deeper.”

My eyes narrow and stare at him, feigning righteous indignation. He's entirely unmoved and there's no point arguing with the man. It'd be futile trying to persuade him to let me go and all it would do is confirm that I am, indeed, trying to run. It would also make me look weak and I refuse to give him an advantage.

“Told you she'd run,” Damon says, marching into the room with his usual aloof attitude. His betrayal stings like a slap across the face. Worse. Like a knife in the gut. He's meant to protect us and instead, he's sold me out, just like my father did.

Ryan smirks as the color drains from my face. “I'll give you a few minutes. A professional courtesy.”

Damon nods and his stare is more intense than usual, almost pleading with me not to do anything fucking stupid. “You'll make good on our bet, yeah?”

The asshole who works for my fiancé grunts as he closes the door, leaving us alone. My fingers curl into fists and my breathing hitches as I prepare to unleash a torrent of rage on Damon.

“For once, shut the fuck up and listen,” he says, pointingto a chair at the kitchen island. I toss my head and he shrugs his shoulders. “Fine. Don't sit. But fucking listen. Your father's in a lot of shit. Worse than he's admitted. This marriage gets him and your sister out of the fucking mess he's created.”

I wince and I turn as white as a goddamn ghost.

“Izzy?” I mumble.

“Yeah. Henry will keep her safe, but you're the price of it. I'm sorry, Ivy, I really am. There's fuck all I can do to stop it, but I can give you some advice. Heed it. For once.”

Our eyes meet and the silent exchange is everything our words will never say. I'm leaving one rat's nest, but wherever I'm going is worse. Much worse. A level of misery even I didn't expect and the knots in my stomach tighten as Damon confirms I'm fucking screwed.

“Don't be stupid. Don't waste your effort. Play it smart. He'll want you to give in and he’ll try to break you. Let him think he's won, but don't make it too easy and don't stop fighting. Plan your escape next time and when the moment comes, don't fucking hesitate. Run hard, run fast, and don't stop. He'll chase you to the ends of the earth, but you're smart enough to escape him.” His eyes haze over and any remaining hope vanishes. “I'm sorry your life has to be this.”

I nod and look away. It's too fucking much and not enough, and my soul screams in despair.

“What about Izzy?”

“He won't come for her if you run,” Damon says. “She'll be safe.”

“What did my father do, Damon?”

He draws a heavy breath and his shoulders fall as his weight slumps forward in defeat. His mouth opens as we're interrupted by a knock on the door and Ryan barges in, refusing to wait for permission.

“Time's up. Let's go.”

My eyes flick back to Damon's and then back to Ryan. “Go where?”

“The car, sweets. You tried to run. You almost succeeded. I'm taking you to Henry and we'll be keeping an eye on you.”

My eyes are wide despite my attempt to remain calm. My heart's pounding against my chest and my head's spinning. I'm dizzy and my vision's blurring as events spiral out of my control.

“The wedding?” I stammer.

Ryan marches towards me without responding. He grabs my hand and drags me behind him and Damon does nothing, watching sadly as I scream and writhe against a man I stand no chance of overpowering.

“What about the fucking wedding?” I screech as we reach the front door.

“It can be rearranged,” Ryan says, as I throw my weight onto the floor. He sighs and grabs my waist, hauling me over his shoulder and rendering every punch and kick completely useless. “Henry can decide if he wants to go ahead tomorrow or if he'd prefer something different.”

“It's not a fucking hairdressing appointment,” I yell as I'm unceremoniously carried to a waiting SUV. Ryan tuts and throws me in the back, shoving me across. I grab the handle and the child lock is on, and I scream and cry and pound the window, doing anything I can to get out of here.

“Drive,” Ryan says, calmly.

The car pulls away as I rail against my abduction and turn my attention to attacking Ryan. It's pointless, it's petty, and he presses his weight against me, incapacitating me in seconds.

“Stop.”

“I don't fucking want to,” I yell back, kicking my heelagainst the car seat.

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