Shackled (The Lord Series) by Amy T

209. Olivia - Kiss I

*I don't think that I can take no more.*

Jason didn't always have to beat me to incite fear in me. His favorite way to control me was to lock me up in a closet and leave me there for days. The longest time I was locked up was a few months before he took me to the Celestial Heaven. Celestial Heaven, my ass. I don't even know why it's called that when women are abused there daily. Angels were supposed to be the good guys but the reality is another. Not that the demons are any better, but so far, I have been treated better by Mose and his blood-brothers than any of the Dukes, even if they don't give me drugs or Tyson and Rueben tortured me.

Mose runs his thumb over the bandage that still covers my right arm. "Tomorrow, I'll remove the stitches. Only a few more steps until we get to the kitchen."

I almost forgot about the stitches.

If Ansel had not entered the house that day, what would have happened to me? I would probably not be here today. In a way, Ansel saving my life opened a new chapter in my life. I'm still not sure what that means, but with each passing moment, the bond between him and me grows stronger until it becomes permanent. And now Mose wants to bond with me. I don't think I've been more confused in my entire life. I don't understand what Jasper, Ansel, and Mose want from me. There is nothing left that I can give them.

"Can I take the blind off now?" I don't know why I bother asking since I already know the answer.

"Not unless you want to break our promise."

Not ripping the blind off and letting Mose guide me around the house is a bigger challenge than I expected. I've spent so much time in the darkness, staring at it until it stared back at me. I hate not being able to see. But I have to keep my end of the deal-trust Mose and he won't tell the others what I confessed to him.

I still don't know why I told Mose that I have something evil inside me. When the doctors placed it inside me, inside my uterus, I was numb for days, refusing to accept such a cruel thing was done to me, but now, after years of feeling the darkness spreading inside me, I can no longer ignore it. What will happen to me when it will overpower me?

I can't let such a thing happen.

the only ones ploying against God and his creation. There are others like Carlos. But after he tortured Angelica and she got away from his clutches, he has been hiding. I hope he never returns to Veross City. With a bit of luck—although luck is something subjective he found his end by now. Or maybe he got some incurable STD from Salma. She

this Blight that Wasp told

to fight

left in this world

I knew I had lost everything. But I still hoped

the drugs, my mind is slowly clearing and I can think logically again. Or I'm trying to do so, but there are still many dark thoughts and memories that can have me spiraling at any moment of the

are in the kitchen," Mose lets me know. I tilt my head back, trying to peek from beneath the blindfold, but I can't

to eat with me. "Maybe they went to

walk several steps more

kisses me. "And don't take off the blindfold. I'll

nod. "I

and the backdoor

his men shoot around me. The sound of the guns reminded me of... the night when Camila

kitchen. But I never had a choice. Even when I thought I could build my life the way I wanted, I still didn't have a choice regarding my future.

and

door to the kitchen opens and someone enters. My pulse quickens because I

Mose said that only he, Ansel, and Jasper would be dining with me

found here. A lost Little