Chapter 166. Do Not Push Me

My heart hammered in terror. I felt small and helpless, yet I refused to look away.

Suddenly, I lashed out—an instinctive, spiteful slap to his cheek. My hand stung as if I’d hit a wall, but it barely left a mark on his hard jaw. He thought barely registered the blow; his expression barely flickered. Instead, that cold, smug grin spread across his face.

“Mark,” he called as though the fight had been a mere annoyance.

The guard reappeared at the door. Kaden waved him forward. “Take her back to the cells.”

I stood there, chest heaving. If anger pleased him, I would become an icicle—unyielding, unbreakable. I gave him one last hard look before I let the guard lead me away.

***

The staircase to the basement was as dark and narrow as a tomb corridor. My hands were unbound,