Page 53 of Rescuing Sophia

“Miss him?”Malfor’s laugh is cold and mirthless.“How touching. Let me give you some motivation. The sooner you complete your mission, the sooner you can come home. Then we may discuss whether you will or will not see your son.”

I gasp, the air catching painfully in my throat. A sob escapes before I can stop it, tears streaming down my face.

“And, Sophia? I have plans for when you return. Big plans.”

A chill runs down my spine at his words. I think of Jonathan Greaves, of the life I escaped, and horror grips me—there might be worse fates waiting for me.

“Do you understand?”His voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts.

“Yes, sir.” I choke on the words.

“Good. Now stop your sniveling and pull yourself together. You have work to do.”

“I understand.” I hang my head in defeat.

“Excellent. I’ll be waiting for your call. Don’t disappoint me.”

“I won’t.”

“Good girl.”The mockery drips from his voice like venom. “Until your mission is finished, you will not see Luke. You will not talk to him. You will do nothing but what I tell you. Is that clear?”

“Yes, sir,” I choke out the words.

“Don’t forget what’s at stake. One wrong move, one hint of betrayal, and Luke will pay the price. It seems as if you’ve forgotten who you belong to?”

“Forgive my impertinence, sir,” I whisper, hating how weak I sound. “I overstepped.”

“Oh, you’ll be forgiven, my dear. Forgiven at the end of my whip.”

“Your whip?” I choke at his words.

“Why yes, my dear. You’ll serve me directly upon your return. Aren’t you excited?”

The world tilts beneath me. Serve Malfor? My mind races with the implications, each possibility worse than the last. I struggle to find my voice, knowing he expects a response. Not returning to Jonathan Greaves should be a relief, but how Malfor speaks fills me with dread.

“You should be grateful.”His voice cuts like a blade, laced with sadistic glee.

“I-I’m honored, sir.” The words taste like ash in my mouth.

“Good girl.”The smirk in his voice is unmistakable, dripping with satisfaction.

“Thank you, sir.” I swallow hard, fighting back tears.

“With all this freedom you’ve enjoyed these past weeks, you’ll need… reeducation upon your return.”

A chill runs down my spine at his words. I think of Jonathan Greaves, the life I escaped, and realize with horror that a worse fate awaits me.

“Thank you for your graciousness in helping me to serve you better. I will atone for everything.”

“Everything?”His voice drips with disdain.“We’ll see about that. Your real test is just beginning. Don’t disappoint me, Sophia. You know what happens when you disappoint me.”

“I won’t disappoint you, sir. I promise.” Fear claws at my throat.

“Excellent, because failure is not an option.” His voice drips with venom.“I’ll be waiting for your call.”

The line goes dead, leaving me with the weight of his threats and the magnitude of what I must do. I sink to my knees, overwhelmed by fear and despair. Sobs wrack my body as the full extent of my captivity reveals itself; even in this place I’ve come to think of as home, I am still not free.

Luke’s face swims before my eyes—his trusting gaze, his infectious laugh. Then Blake’s face joins it—his warm smile, the love in his eyes when he looks at me. Two worlds, impossibly far apart, both dependent on my subsequent actions.

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