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.

stepped out, she nearly bumped into a tall man-Jaired. Her eyes widened

he'd shared with Andrew earlier, had decided on a whim to drop by for some fun. He hadn't expected to see

him inside. She kissed him, her perfume wrapping around them both. She'd even treated herself

words from their last encounter still echoed in her mind. She had to change his opinion, or he might actually make her perform

the air of a well-bred gentleman, but

bother hiding his imposing aura, he exuded an intimidating presence. Propping

and her cheeks flushed as she shed her coat, revealing an outfit designed to

an eyebrow and pulled something silver from his jacket pocket,

"Put it on yourself."

collar. Her chest heaved with

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

deep into her palm, drawing blood. She had to let go of her pride to get back at Brielle and Max. Trembling, she cursed Brielle silently a thousand times before reluctantly reaching for

impatience surfaced with

I've dug up some dirt on