Sophie’s POV
I watched from across the street as Serena finally left the Blackwood mansion. Perfect timing. The storm of controversy around Holly's death was settling, but I hadn't finished yet. Not by a long shot.
With trembling hands, I applied more concealer to the marks on my neck. The bruises from Kane's "lesson" last night were still fresh, still burning. But I couldn't show weakness now.
"You failed me again," Kane growled, shoving me against the wall of his penthouse. His fingers dug into my throat while his other hand tore at my silk blouse, buttons flying across the marble floor. "Every time you promise results, you deliver nothing."
I begged, pleaded as he bound my wrists to the bedpost with his expensive tie. "Kane, please... I'm trying..."
"Not hard enough." H
