Chapter 106

His eyes flicked toward the heavy metal door at the far end of the room. It had no handle on this side, only a small, reinforced window too high to reach. “It might be death waiting out there,” he continued, his tone almost thoughtful. “Someone with a gun, maybe, or a knife. Quick and clean. Or it might be something else entirely. A pristine white bridal dress, starched and perfect, carried in on someone else’s arm. A veil, shoes, jewelry... the whole pathetic package. Either way, sweetheart, you are completely fucked. There is no third option.”

The words settled over her like damp concrete, heavy and impossible to shake off. He held her gaze for another long second, letting her see that he meant every syllable. Then, without any change in expression, he opened his fingers and let go.

The sudden release was violent in its own way. Farah’s body, already leaning forward from the pull on her hair, had nothing left to hold it up. She pitched helplessly toward the floor. Her