Benjamin clamped his hand over Cherry's mouth, slamming her back against the wall.
"Shut up!" he hissed, his grip iron-tight as she struggled against him.
He'd waited all night for her. Waited for her to crawl back, begging, but morning came, and she never showed.
He tried calling Ursula. Nothing. The old woman wasn't easy to reach, but she never passed up a chance for money.
So, how had Cherry gotten away? His sharp eyes darted to her neck. A poor job of hiding something.
Benjamin yanked up the sleeve of her shirt, revealing faint bruises beneath. His eyes narrowed.
"Who gave you these?" His voice was low, angry.
Cherry glared, clutching his collar with both hands. "You don't have a right to ask!"
Benjamin's lip curled. "I bought you from your mother. That means you're mine." He shoved her harder into the wall.
Cherry didn't flinch. She'd expected that.
