ELEVEN.

Ace ushers me to a quiet corner, his gaze gives me a solid once over as he places his hands on my shoulders.

“Breathe, Little Bird. You are here with me and I won’t let your uncle touch you.” He says in a low and grim voice.

Inhaling deeply, I nod my head as I slowly register everything he is saying.

“I hate that he has this effect on me,” I whisper, fighting back the torrent of tears threatening to escape past my tear ducts. “He’s mad… furious. I can hear it in his voice, and I know that if he can get me alone for even a minute, he will inflict a world of pain onto me.”

Lifting my trembling hand, I place it over my racing heart and I close my eyes, counting to four.

“Flynn won’t get the chance to corner you, Birdene.” He says through gritted teeth and I open my eyes to look up at him, realising that he has used my given name for the very first time since I have known him.

And I can’t help but like the way it rolls off the tip of his tongue.

“I want you to turn around.”

Turnin