Page 11 of Mortify

Then:That little girl with the pigtails is cute. Florencia? Rio's kid? Be a shame if she had an accident too.

No. He wouldn't. He couldn't.

But the photo attached—Florencia playing in the main room, taken through a window—proves he would.

He's watching. He's here.

But I know he would, know he's capable of anything.

I head back inside, forcing myself to smile, to act normal.

Tomorrow I'll go to him.

Wear the dress.

Pay whatever price he demands.

Keep everyone safe by keeping him satisfied.

But something has shifted tonight.

Between Starla's knowing looks and Regnor's bluntness, a tiny spark of defiance has lit in my chest.

I'm still too weak to fan it into a flame.

Still too scared to break free.

But for the first time in months, I can imagine a world where I'm not afraid.

Where bruises don't hide under long sleeves.

Where love doesn't come with threats and violence.

Someday, I tell myself.

Someday I'll be strong enough to trust them with the truth, strong enough to let them protect me.

Tonight, I'm still that frightened woman who'll answer when he calls.

But someday is getting closer.

And Dylan has no idea what he's awakened by threatening the people I love.

CHAPTER ONE

Everly

The red dress hangs in my closet like a threat.

I stare at it from my bed, unable to move, unable to breathe properly.

The silk fabric catches what little morning light filters through my apartment blinds, blood-red and mocking.

Dylan bought it for me three months ago—told me it was the only thing that made my body look "acceptable."

My phone buzzes on the nightstand.

I already know who it is before I look:

---