Bile rises in my throat. I want to spit it at him. He deserves worse than that. But Jorden’s scream is still echoing in my ears.
My decisions don’t just affect me anymore. If I don’t do what they ask, not only could I die, but I could take Jorden with me. I’d never forgive myself for that.
“Are you going to be a good girl and do as you’re told?” he asks.
In the end, Alexander is right. I don’t have a choice. I never have.
I lower my head and nod slowly.
He presses a kiss to the top of my head. “I always knew you’d come around.”
I stumble out of Alexander’s office on numb legs and move in a stupor down the hallway. As I pass by the front door, I pause. Just a moment. A half-step of hesitation.
There is no escape. Even if the opportunity arises and I can run through an unlocked door o
