Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

Tessa had been locked up for days, not a single glimpse of Andrew, and it was driving her insane.

When she finally managed to escape, she hopped into a cab and headed straight to Alivia's place. She had no clue about the chaos that had hit the Barnes family, so Alivia was the only ally she could think of. Alivia opened the door to find Tessa looking like a complete mess. Annoyance flickered across her face. But to Tessa, Alivia was a lifeline, and she looked ready to drop to her knees and beg. "Alivia, you have to help me this time."

Alivia, barely keeping it together herself, was about to refuse when she saw the fierce determination in Tessa's eyes.

"I'm going to make Aubree pay. That witch must've filled Andrew's head with lies. I'll see her dead!"

A serious look crossed Alivia's face. Aubree's death would hit Brielle hard too. Maybe there was a way to use Tessa one more time. After all, she'd walked right into her hands. Once inside, Tessa hugged her knees tight, her whole body shaking. She had this gut feeling that if she hadn't escaped, Andrew might've locked her away forever-all for Aubree!

Alivia had gotten all dolled up for the night, a spritz of perfume here, a glamorous outfit there. She scribbled an address on a piece of paper and handed it to Tessa.

"Wait for me here. I've got something to do tonight. I'll tell you the plan when I'm done."

Tessa took the address, her eyes pleading. "Promise you'll come for me, Alivia. You're my best friend."

Alivia rolled her eyes. If Tessa knew Alivia was down to her last dime, she'd probably bolt faster than anyone. This world was brutally real, and Alivia had learned that the hard way in just a few days.

man-Jaired. Her eyes widened in

earlier, had decided on a whim to drop by for some fun. He hadn't expected to see Tessa-wasn't she supposed

when Alivia pulled him inside. She kissed him, her perfume wrapping around them

choice. Jaired's words from their last encounter still echoed in her mind.

pushed her away, his gaze a bit hazy but far from lost. His good looks gave off the air of a well-bred gentleman, but a

exuded an intimidating presence. Propping his head

seen him like this, and her cheeks flushed as she shed her coat, revealing an outfit designed to make any

eyebrow and pulled something silver from his jacket pocket, tossing it

"Put it on yourself."

when she recognized the object-a dog collar. Her

been like a puppy trailing behind her, but she'd only had eyes for Max, relegating Jaired to a spare tire. Now, she was ready to offer herself to him for leverage, but Jaired was playing hard to

to let go of her pride to get back at Brielle and Max. Trembling, she cursed Brielle silently a thousand times before reluctantly reaching

with a sharp

I've dug up