PROLOGUE – PAST PAINS

MIRA (TWENTY YEARS OLD) – NEW YORK UNDERGROUND BROTHEL

“Whip her.”

I freeze as the master’s harsh voice reverberates around the walls of my cell. Within seconds, one of the brothel’s guards rattles the padlock, sending cold fear through my thumping heart.

I press myself harder against the cell’s dirty walls, praying that he never gets the padlock open.

If wishes were horses…

The sound of the metal doors slamming against the wall snaps me back to the horrible reality of my situation. The tall, thickly muscled guard, I think Cody is his name, advances towards me, his lips curled in a sneer.

“Come on, you little whore. It’s time for your punishment.”

“No! No, please…”

I cry and beg, but the guard grabs my arm and yanks me against him, squashing my aching breasts against his chest.

When his disgusting hands reach behind to grab my arse, I begin to lash out. Panic and fear fight for dominance within me and I struggle in his grip, hitting him over and over.

“Stay still, you bitch!” He growls.

When I continue punching and scratching at his chest, he backhands me, sending me crashing against the floor with a loud shriek. Pain explodes in my head and eyes. For a moment, I cannot see two feet in front of me.

The guard sinks his fingers into my hair and pulls me towards the doors of the cell. My poor, abused body thumps and rolls against the brothel’s uneven floors.

“Please let me go. I will never try to escape again. Let me g-go. Please…” I sob.

They all ignore me. Panic sears my veins when we arrive at the punishment room and the guard tries to hook me to the wooden beam where the brothel’s women are flogged after they violate he rules.

I struggle and scream and fight, but Cody still manages to strap my hands and feet to the beam.

“Master, she’s ready.” Cody says to the silent, empty space.

A loud, booming voice comes from hidden speakers within the room.

“Mira Fernandez, this is the second time you’ve been caught trying to escape my clutches.

You were pardoned the first time, but I hope you understand that the master never gives second chances…”

“Master, please,” I sob. “It will never happen again. Please, have mercy.”

“Cody?” The master calls.

“Yes, master.”

“Whip her.”

“With pleasure.”

My heart sinks as I watch Cody retrieve three long whips from the torture equipment collection, his eyes gleaming with pure evil.

“No! Please, no…”

I hear the “whoosh” of the whip as he swings it in the air and shut my eyes tight, praying the pain will be over soon.

This chapter of my life did not end in death and despair, mind you. I did escape the brothel – I escaped and fell straight into Mason Lachlan’s trap. Now, he tortures me everyday…but in a slightly better way.

Mason is a dark monster, and I’m afraid that I have fallen for him.

But he will hurt me…and this time, I might just never recover.