Dare to Love me

wling up my spine. I froze on the steps of my house, staring at the

nd assessing. He wasn't the type you said no to-not with h

is voice calm but laced

nded, trying to mask

der, and even more menacing. "Don't make this harder than it has to

I screamed, the neighbours might hear, but what then? Th

," I stalled, stepping

humourless smile. "No need. You won'

bruising. My heart thundered in my chest as he guided me to the c

ested, my voice breaking. "I don't

r-view mirror once I was shoved into the

-

yes on the city streets, memorizing every tu

eak, their silence more unnerving

outskirts of the city. The air here was different-thick

step out. My legs felt like jelly, but I forced myse

lit, shadows pooling in every corner. Men

conversations ceased,

ind me ordered, his tone le

sence was commanding, his tailored suit fitting him like a second skin. Dark hair, s

de

. His name had been whispered in the darkest cor

rred man said, his vo

the air seemed to leave the room. He took a step

s, any type. Even grief makes them shine wit

as dark, if I wasn't staring at him I'd proba

red

ster,

undivided attention, as if created for the purpos

ot pe

r

er ?" his voice smooth but carryin

sing to let him see my fear.

f his lips, but it didn't reach his

with this," I said, though th

ound. "You have no idea, do you? H

g against my ribs. "If this is about m

used him. He stepped closer, his presence

about l

And now"... He trailed off, his gaze linger

with me?" I demanded, my vo

studying me like I wa

ryth

rt. Your father values yo

in, his voice dropping to a whis

-

ght of his words threatening to crush me.

ck-deep in it. And I wasn'

ne," I said, my voice trembling, "bu

t vanishing like smoke. "Oh, he's exactly the

in. My father was many things, but a

I said, though m

e. "Believe what you want. But you're staying

-

nished; a cot, a chair, and a single window too high to reach. The door locked

was a hostage, a pawn in a game I didn't understand. And the m

t me: If my father was guilty,

oices reached my ears. Straining to listen, I caught Hades' n

father is the reason