Gideon's hands went in his pockets. "You embarrassed me publicly and now privately, you conspire with outsiders."
"I did not conspire!"
"You invited her into my house without permission."
"She is my friend!"
"She is a liability."
I stepped forward, desperation clawing at my chest. "Please. I am begging you. Do not humiliate me further."
For a flicker of a second, I thought I saw hesitation. Then he turned to Marisol.
"Slap her," he commanded.
The words fell into the room like a stone into still water. My mind refused to process them. Gideon said what?
"What?" I breathed.
"As many times as you feel necessary," he added.
Nyla went silent. Marisol's eyes widened in excitement. She stood slowly, smoothing her gown as though preparing for a ceremony rather than what was about to happen.
I backed up instinctively until the edge of the vanity pressed against my spine.
"Gideon," I whispered. "Please."
He did not look at me. Marisol stepped closer.
