He yanks again, and I feel pinpoints of pain, hairs ripping from my scalp.
But even as I grimace, an idea flashes. I see a light at the end of this tunnel of death. And, as Lyam said, a possible way out.
I might be restrained, but I can still fight.
“Tell her what you did.” I force the words through gritted teeth.
Dora looks confused. “You mean killing Luci’s lover? I approved that. I was not going to lose my granddaughter to Rose. That Britishgoudou.”
“No. Not that. I mean the pictures. Of Luci.” My gaze locks with Dora’s. “The ones Lyam took.”
49
Lyam shoves a knife under my chin. The point slices, and a warm trickle runs down my skin.
He knows what I’m about to tell Dora, so he presses the blade harder. As if he can cut the words from my throat.
“What pictures?” Dora slaps at his arm. “Stop now. I want to hear.”
With a snarl, Lyam releases me. He retreats a few feet to stand behind Dora. But his eyes hold mine, furious, filled with warning.
I refuse to be scared into silence. “When she was a child, just a young girl. Lyam—” I jerk when he lunges forward, but then rattle out the words. “Lyam abused her.”
Dora gapes at me, saying nothing.
I draw a deep, painful breath. “He abused her. Sexually.”
Dora’s eyes go wide, and she slams her hands on the arms of her wheelchair. “Lies!”
“No, I swear.”
Lyam reaches for me.
“I have proof,” I say quickly, trying to sway Dora before Lyam can get his hands on me.
Choke me or bleed me. Silence me forever.
Dora lifts a hand, and Lyam stops in his tracks. But his jaw grinds, and his veins bulge. Barely contained fury.
“There are photos,” I tell Dora, my words spilling out in an urgent rush. “Polaroids. But I hid them. Somewhere you’ll never find them. Not without my help.”
Expression blank, Dora watches me.
Time stretches, the only sound the throb of my pulse in my ears. One heartbeat. Two. Three. F?—
“Untie her.” She doesn’t make a move, but her tone holds authority.
“Grandmother,” Lyam says, “she’s obviously lying. Trying to pit us against each other.”
I shake my head. “I’m not lying.” But I am trying to manipulate them. If I can get out of these straps, at least I’ll have a chance.
“Do it, Lyam.” Dora whips her chair toward him. “Do it now. If you want to inherit, you’ll do as I say.”
Lyam moves to the table and unties my feet. “I don’t know why you’re listening to her. You know how desperate they become once they’re on the table.”
“Because this is my Luci, and if you’ve . . .” She can’t finish, her hands and eyes clenching at the same time. “I told you to stop, what you did with those girls. It’s improper. A disgrace to the legacy. A dishonor to our heritage.”
“I did stop.” Lyam whips the strap free from my right wrist, leaving a friction burn.
