Page 161 of Jay Bird

“Don’t get too comfortable. We’re leaving shortly.”

Her hope immediately faltered.

“For Morocco?”

Chen actually laughed. “Morocco is finished. Your friends made certain of that when they raided my property.”

“So where are you taking me?”

“Italy. I think you’ll like it. Beautiful coastline, wonderful weather, and enough privacy that nobody will ever find you.”

Willow pulled against the restraints again, ignoring the pain shooting through her shoulders. When she shifted her legs, soreness spread through her hips and ribs, and she couldn’t stop the grimace that crossed her face.

“You really shouldn’t have fought my men. You know how much I dislike seeing bruises and cuts on your body.”

“Then maybe you shouldn’t have people attack me.”

His eyes narrowed.

Willow knew she should stop, but something inside her wouldn’t let her.

Chen shook his head slowly. “Unfortunately, you have no one to blame but yourself. Everything that happened today was a consequence of your actions, just as what happens when we arrive in Italy will be.”

A familiar dread crawled through her.

“What are you talking about?”

“You’ll begin training again.”

The words slammed into her harder than any fist ever could.

Images she had spent months trying to bury exploded through her mind: locked doors, punishments, being told when she could eat, sleep, speak, and bathe. The endless lessons designed to teach her obedience until she had learned that sometimes survival meant disappearing somewhere inside herself.

“No!” Willow screamed as she twisted violently against the restraints. “I’m never doing that again!”

She managed to push herself upright, but Chen moved faster. The back of his hand struck her across the face.

Willow fell sideways onto the mattress as pain exploded through her cheek.

For several seconds, she didn’t move. Her ears rang, and suddenly she could almost hear his voice from three years ago telling her what happened when she disobeyed. The old Willow would have gone quiet. She would have lowered her eyes, apologized, and tried desperately to figure out what she needed to do to keep him from hitting her again.

However, she wasn’t that woman anymore. Sure, she was scared. She would be an idiot not to be. But fear didn’t mean she had to surrender.

The door opened before Chen could say anything else, and Liu entered.

“We need to move. The pilots just confirmed the plane is fueled and ready. Everything around the airport looks clear.”

Chen nodded before looking down at Willow. “Perfect timing.”

He reached for her ankles and began removing the restraints.

Willow remained still. Not because she had surrendered, but because she was thinking.

Chen left her wrists bound and hauled her to her feet. Her knees nearly buckled as another wave of dizziness hit, forcing her to steady herself against the edge of the bed. His hand closed around her arm.

“Don't make this difficult, Willow. If you cooperate, I’ll reconsider some of your punishment. But fight me again, and I’ll remind you exactly what happens to women who forget their place.”

Willow said nothing as he pushed her toward the bedroom door.