Bound by the Past, Locked by the Heart novel Chapter 183

"Willa," he panted against her ear, his voice gentle yet dripping with a dark possessiveness. "You're mine... you always will be."

The sharp physical sensation fully jolted her from the edges of her dream. Her scream caught in her throat, morphing into a broken sob.

Tears spilled instantly. She couldn't tell if it was from the physical ache or the overwhelming despair of waking up to her reality.

The metallic clinking of the chain intertwined with heavy, suppressed breathing.

The night stretched on endlessly, and she wished she hadn't woken up at all.

The next morning, Willa was startled awake by the ringing of the doorbell.

As she shifted, the fine silver chain slid against the bed frame, producing a sharp, grating sound.

The dark, scattered bruises painted across her skin served as a glaring reminder of everything that had transpired in the middle of the night.

She hadn't exactly been forced, but she certainly hadn't been a willing participant either.

A wave of profound bitterness and humiliation swelled in her chest.

Footsteps echoed in the living room, followed by the sound of the front door opening.

"What are you doing here?" Randal's tone was as cold as ice.

"Looking for Willa," the other man replied, his voice equally unyielding.

Willa's heart tightened. She recognized that voice.

Corbin Sommers.

Why was he here?

"She's sleeping. It's not a good time," Randal said, his patience already wearing thin.

Corbin's tone remained flat. "Sophie said she couldn't reach her, so she asked me to come check. I'm not leaving until I see her."

Randal scoffed. "Is your sister the one who's worried, or did you just want an excuse to see her yourself?"

"Are you out of your mind, Randal?" Corbin's composure wavered slightly.

"Yeah, I am. Isn't that public knowledge by now?" Randal's voice hardened. "Mr. Sommers, mind your own business. Willa doesn't need your concern."

The door slammed shut with a bang, followed by approaching footsteps.

He let out a sharp laugh. "Nothing going on? If there's nothing going on, why did he show up at my house demanding to see you? Do you think I'm an idiot?"

Willa instantly lost all desire to explain. No matter what she said, he wouldn't believe her anyway.

He stood up, pacing agitatedly beside the bed before turning back to her, the darkness in his eyes threatening to spill over.

"Get up and get dressed. We're moving somewhere else, so these death-wish idiots stop knocking on my door."

Willa's heart plummeted. "Where?"

"To The Ridgeback Estate. It's quiet there." His tone was almost gentle, yet it sent a chilling shiver down her spine.

"It's a bit far from the city, and the cell service might be spotty, but that's fine. Whatever you need, I'll have someone buy it and bring it over."

He stepped closer to the bed, raising a hand to cup her face, his voice dropping into a coaxing whisper. "Willa, it'll just be the two of us. No one will ever bother us again."

"Be a good girl. Once we move far away, no one will be able to take you from me."

Willa saw the unhinged madness swirling in his eyes and instinctively shrank back deeper into the blankets.