Chapter 3

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the cracks in the curtains.

Dust swirled in the shafts of light, drifting across the floor.

The bedroom door opened. Christian stepped out in his robe, stretching lazily.

He walked into the kitchen and poured himself a glass of water.

Passing the freezer, he stopped and shot it a quick look. The padlock was still hanging there, locked tight.

"That idiot didn't come back all night?" Christian said it offhand, with no intention of actually looking for me.

Instead, he picked up his phone and dialed my mom, Avery Ramirez.

The phone rang for…