Chapter 3

Mason stared at my face for half a minute. His expression shifted from scrutiny to something unreadable. "She looks so much like her."

He reached out and brushed his rough fingers across my cheek. "She looks exactly like the woman in the photo."

My whole body went rigid, and I struggled to make a sound. "Are you Mason Donovan? I'm—"

A sharp smack rang out as Mason slapped me across the face, harder than Gabriel had.

My head snapped to the side, and blood trickled from the corner of my mouth.

Mason grabbed my hair and yanked my head back, forcing me to look at him. "Who told you my name? You're here to pay off a debt. You've got some nerve trying to act like you know me."

I said, "No, I really am—"

He clamped his hand around my throat. "Shut up! Say another word, and I'll rip your tongue out."

The pressure crushed my windpipe. I clawed frantically at his hand, but it was useless.

Gabriel and his family stood off to the side, not daring to make a sound. They looked at Mason with ingratiating smiles.

Benjamin spoke tentatively. "Mr. Donovan, about Mr. Kensington…"

Mason let go of me and stood up. "Mr. Kensington is upstairs handling business. He sent me to check first. But this woman doesn't seem very obedient."

He pulled a cigarette from his pocket, lit it, and took a drag. Then he crouched and flicked the ash onto my face. "You're lucky you look like the woman Mr. Kensington likes, but don't think that gives you a free pass to do whatever you want."

He grabbed my chin. "Mr. Kensington hates it when people try to use those close to him as leverage. You'd better know your place."

I coughed violently, tears streaming down my face. "I really am… I'm Sebastian Kensington's niece. Please believe me—"

Mason flew into a rage and kicked me in the stomach. "How dare you keep spouting nonsense!"

I curled up in pain, my stomach twisting in agony.

Mason sneered. "Do you think I don't know if Mr. Kensington has siblings? He doesn't have a niece. You'll really make up any lie just to climb the social ladder."

He gestured to his men. "Bring me the liquor."

One of them immediately handed him a bottle of vodka.

Mason twisted off the cap, grabbed my chin, and poured it straight into my mouth.

The strong liquor burned down my throat, and I choked until my face turned red. The liquid spilled from the corners of my mouth down my neck and clothes.

Mason's face twisted with cruelty. "Finish it! If you dare spit it out when Mr. Kensington gets here, I'll throw you into the underground club and let every man there take turns with you!"

After forcing more than half the bottle down my throat, Mason finally let go. I lay face down on the floor, retching, my throat burning. My vocal cords felt like they had been torn, and I could barely make a sound.

Gabriel sounded uneasy. "Mr. Donovan, if she can't speak when Mr. Kensington arrives—"

Mason glanced at him. "Even better. That saves us from having to listen to her nonsense."

He crouched back down and grabbed my right hand. "Your fingers look nice."

I looked at him in terror.

He smiled wickedly. "What a shame."

Without warning, he bent one of my fingers back until it snapped with a sickening crack.

My shrill scream echoed through the room. My index finger bent at a strange angle, and the intense pain made my vision go dark.

"That's just one," Mason said casually. "If you don't behave, I'll break all ten."

My whole body shook from the pain, and my face was covered in tears and snot.

A subordinate at the door suddenly announced, "Mr. Kensington is here!"

Mason immediately stood up, straightened his suit, and put on a respectful expression. Gabriel and his family quickly lined up, lowering their heads, not daring to look around.

The door opened, and a tall figure walked in. He wore a black coat, his features sharp and stern, with an air that kept everyone at a distance.

That was my uncle, Sebastian Kensington.

He glanced across the room and immediately frowned. "What's going on here? Why is this place a mess?"

Mason hurried forward. "Mr. Kensington, these people are here to settle a debt. They brought a woman—"

Uncle Sebastian's voice was cold. "I've said before—don't bring just anyone here. Get rid of them."

With that, he turned to leave.

"No! Don't go!" I thought.

I used every bit of strength I had left to get up, but my legs buckled, and I collapsed on the floor again. I couldn't make a sound.

Uncle Sebastian didn't slow down.

Desperate, I tore the necklace Mom had left me from my neck. Using my left hand—the only one that still worked—I hurled it toward his feet.

The metal hit the marble floor with a sharp, clear sound.

Uncle Sebastian stopped. He looked down, his gaze moving from the necklace on the floor to my tear-streaked and bruised face. His pupils instantly constricted.