Epilogue

HARPER

Icurl up on the cold concrete—tears won't come anymore. I cried for hours, but now there's nothing left in me. My entire body hurts, aches yet the cold floor helps the pain. Dried blood covers my fingers and arms. I think it's mine. Kyle did this to me. He wanted revenge on me for turning him down, but when they took turns earlier, I didn't see him.

I swallow hard, not wanting to relive that memory, trying as hard as I can to block out those hours. Each one of them laughed at me, and their faces will be burned into my mind forever.

It doesn't make sense.

Why would Kyle bring me here for these guys if he didn't want to watch and that's when I remember?

A man—bald-headed, with a tattoo on his face, a snake. He stank of smoke and whispered in my ear before he, before he…

He said I could thank Asher for this.

I'm shaking, and I don't know if it's from the cold or from what…

I hear a noise, and I pull myself up, pushing myself into the corner of the cage I am in. I was knocked out and drugged, then I woke up here a couple of hours ago. I have no idea where I am or why I'm here. It's been days since I was taken, I think, maybe weeks, passed around between guys. I have no concept of time anymore. All I know is I've been moved three times now. Each time I've been knocked out, and then I wake up somewhere different. But each time, it's like hell has taken on a new form.

A man appears, grinning at me.

"You really are a pretty one. Deacon was right. I'm going to have fun with you." He unlocks the cage, and I push myself against the bars, trying to get away, but I'm trapped.

"Please don't," I cry out as the tears come again.

"Oh, I like it, pretty girl. Keep the tears for me."

He suddenly falls to the floor; I stare into his open, dead eyes, blood pooling around his head. I look up and see bright blue eyes staring back at me. Eyes I know, eyes I never thought I would see again.

"It's okay, Harper. I'm going to get you out of here."

He crouches down in front of me, offering me his hand, but I just push myself further against the bars. My mind is playing tricks on me—I know it. The room is spinning, and before I know it, darkness takes me.