Los Angeles, California – June 2, 2025
Nina managed one ear-piercing scream and a violent kick before a large hand covered her mouth and nose, cutting off her air supply.
In her panic, she forgot the knife in her hand. She struggled, kicking out violently, but when he tore at her pants with his free hand, ripping the button and forcing the zipper down, her panic turned cold. And when he touched her, his fingers pushing inside of her, she knew she’d rather die than live through the rest.
Nina didn’t think. She gripped her hands, preparing to claw and tear at him, and belatedly remembered the knife. She drove it backwards, into his leg, felt the moment flesh gave to blade.
He roared with equal parts fury and pain, spat, ‘Fuck!’ as she pulled the knife out, preparing to strike again.
But he plucked it from her fingers as if she were a child holding a toy.
She was dragged backwards, kicking and clawing, through her own house. Nina was distinctly aware of several things.
Though she would not make it outside, the front door was wide open. And it wassucha beautiful day.
Though she could not breathe, she could smell the liquor and cologne on him, and it terrified her.
Though her phone was not on speaker, she could hear Markus screaming her name over the line.
Though she desperately wanted to live, she was probably going to die.
And when he threw her onto the floor and she saw him for the first time, only a second before Alex’s fist connected with her face and pain bloomed through her skull, she thought that dying might be better after all.
Hunt Ranch, Santa Barbara County – Present Day
Nina saw the moment that Maverick’s eyes flooded with recognition, but she couldn’t speak, couldn’t open her mouth and voice the words.
God, she couldsmellAlex’s cologne, the same one he’d worn that night. And with the smell came the memories. His arm around her throat, his fingers tearing at her pants and pushing inside of her, and when she’d stabbed him with the knife, his rage. Her back ached where she’d landed on the hard floor. Her ribs, still injured, throbbed from where he’d kicked her. And that was nothing compared to the memory of that first stunning blow to the face.
She saw Alexander casually inching closer, his hands in his pockets, his green eyes taking in the kitchen. ‘Nice place.’
Nina didn’t understand how somebody so beautiful, somebody who had everything – a successful career, money, looks – could be so twisted. So cruel. ‘What do you want, Alex?’
He held both arms out at his sides. ‘I wanted to check in. Make sure you were okay.’ His words were so friendly, his threat so clear.
Beneath her hands, Poppy shifted to look up at her and Nina’s heart broke under the weight of her own shame.
‘Hey, Poppy …’ Nina said.
Poppy’s big eyes were clouded with confusion, but she whispered, ‘Yeah?’
‘Why don’t you go ask Markus to braid your hair? He knows a bunch of fancy braids.’ Her voice was clear and strong, and she wondered how she could sound so normal when she was falling apart inside.
‘But—’
‘Poppy.’ Maverick cut off her argument, using a tone that brooked no argument. ‘Listen to Nina, please.’
Poppy seemed to want to argue. She looked back and forth between them for a moment.
Nina, remembering the promise she’d made, said, ‘We’ll ask him later, together.’
‘Promise?’
‘I promise.’
Seemingly appeased, Poppy said, ‘’Kay!’ and ran out of the room in search of Markus.
The moment she was gone, Nina felt that first trickle of relief, and when Maverick walked around Alex and came to stand beside her, facing the threat, she felt herself calm completely. She was safe here. Today. Absolutely.
