Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

"Get... get away from me!"

Sylvia's voice shook so badly, it didn't scare anyone-least of all Warren, whose eyes were bloodshot and blazing. Even his neck flushed an ugly red as he yanked a belt from the dresser and tied her hands.

One hand jerked at Sylvia's clothes while the other roamed over her, rough and desperate.

Just as Sylvia was about to give in to despair, she noticed something strange.

Warren wasn't reacting. Not in the way men usually did.

Not even a little.

Her heart skipped. She stared at him in shock.

He noticed, glaring down at her, veins bulging in his neck like he was furious- and powerless to do anything about it.

Her first thought was-he'd taken something. Some kind of pill.

And it hadn't worked.

Warren rolled off her and sat on the edge of the bed, laughing coldly. "Think you're too good for me? This is all Rupert's fault! When my dad crashed the car, I was in it. I jumped out and survived, but I got hurt. My granddad found out and cut me out of the will-just like that!"

He turned, pinning her with a twisted look.

and cruel. "Took two extra pills tonight, but it's still no

stole everything from me, so now you're going to help me take it

let her go, pulled himself

composure gone, she glanced at the cabinet full of "tools"

Warren is hosting a dinner tonight.

her upright, and together they forced her into

the watchful eyes of Warren's bodyguards, Sylvia made her way slowly downstairs. The laughter of the men in the dining

gaze was predatory, locked on Sylvia like

to her from the stairs, his voice warm and inviting: "Sylvia, come meet our

by

feeling the scrutiny

them raised his whiskey glass to Warren. "I

Gentlemen, make yourselves at

I'll have Sylvia

to your rooms."

knowing grins. No one needed to

from across the

lived through this scene

suddenly slammed her hands on the

bodyguards forced

the head

his