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“I have a better idea.” He pushed me to the floor and grabbed a handful of my hair.

I hissed as he dragged me across the room and into the bathroom.

He opened the faucet, the tub rapidly filling with water before he reached down and yanked me up.

“Antonio—” he cut me off by shoving me back into the tub, letting me sink to the bottom.

Right as I was about to float up he wrapped both hands around my neck and pushed me back down.

My legs and arms wailed, splashing water everywhere before he let go and I gripped the edge, resurfacing with a loud gasp.

“How does it feel to have your oxygen supply cut off?” He asked before forcing me back down by my neck and the tub overflowed with water.

A deep burning pain stretched across my chest as I reached up, trying to grab him but couldn’t.

Finally, he pulled me back up and I coughed, heaving as I blinked rapidly.

He grabbed my face and even though my body was still in a pull state of panic, I heard him clearly. “Make sure my heart stops next time.”

With a dismissive force he let go of my face and I clutched the edge of the tub, coughing relentlessly.

He was out of my bedroom in no time, and with a tremor intercepting my body I squeezed my eyes shut. Not only was he never going to let me go… but I could never fight for my freedom. He’d always win.

CHAPTER 17

Nirah

Event number three was ten times more dramatic.

I hadn’t spoken a word to Antonio since last night and played the obedient wife as I stood at his side.

No one could help me. Hell, I couldn’t even help me. It was over, and it was a destined fate I needed to accept.

The night went by painfully slow, and eventually we were all gathered in the ballroom.

I gulped down an entire flute of champagne and handed it off to the waitress as I listened to a long speech I had no interest in.

It was a masquerade ball themed event, and as usual, Antonio was dressed in a suit with a simple black mask that he couldn’t bother to wear but carried around.

I, on the other hand, went all out in an attempt to make myself feel better. Surprise, it didn’t work.

I opted for a gold mask with a skintight silk, black dress and paired it with black, red bottoms. The dress was a halter neck, and of course cinched at my waist.

The room erupted with applause before it was announced that everyone needed to take their positions for the dance. Oh, great.

The men lined one side of the room, whilst the women lined the other. Thankfully Kiryl was across the room and in front of me. Antonio was God knows where, but I didn’t care. I didn’t want to be around him, much less up and personal for a stupid dance.

The instrumental for Bust Your Windows by Jazmine Sullivan drifted through the speakers and I swallowed hard. Oh fuck. Please remember it Nirah.

The men all stepped forward taking the women in their arms. “Just follow me.” Kiryl encouraged me and I swallowed a lump down my throat.

I nodded, trusting him as he pulled me up against his chest, leading me across the dancefloor.

“You got it,” he murmured in my ear before spinning me and pulling me flush up against his chest.

A wide smile overtook my face and he mirrored my expression, leading me with grace and gentle precision.

With distance between us I placed my hand on his chest, walking him backwards before he lifted and spun me around slowly by my waist.