Chapter 145

Latisha stared, her eyes wide, as the man walked in. She took in the long legs, the lean waist, and finally, the faint, knowing smile playing on his lips.

Santino Pearce.

She never could have imagined that the person who had tied her up would be him. A fresh wave of panic sent her struggling against her restraints again, but it was useless. The ropes held her fast, and with her voice gone, she had lost every means of communication.

He stopped in front of her and leaned down, meeting her terrified gaze.

"You look surprised, Latisha." His voice was soft, melodic. "Then again, I suppose no one would have suspected me. I wonder... will Clifford be able to figure it out?"

He spoke so gently that if she weren't bound to a chair, she might have thought they were just having a casual chat.

Santino's smile deepened. “You want to ask why I brought you here, don't you? Why I kidnapped you?"

She pressed her lips together, saying nothing, but it was exactly what she was thinking.

He reached out, his ice-cold fingers gently touching her cheek. The chill made her skin crawl, and she instinctively tried to pull away.

"Do you really," he murmured, his eyes glazing over for a second, "not remember anything at all?"

Latisha froze, a look of bewilderment crossing her face.

His fingers slid down to her jaw, and he suddenly tightened his grip, forcing her to look up at him.

"It seems you need a little help.”

She had no idea what he was planning, but the smile on his face sent a shiver of pure dread through her. The pressure on her jaw intensified, as if he meant to crush the bone. A sharp pain shot brough her, and she squeezed her eyes shut as tears welled up and spilled onto his hand. He was smiling, but his eyes were devoid of warmth, a chilling contrast to his handsome face.

Before she could recover, he twisted his wrist, and the chair tipped over, sending her crashing to the floor Her head slammed against the hard ground and the world exploded in a silent, buzzing roar. A high-pitched ringing filled her ears.

She lay there, eyes squeezed shut, unable to even cry out in pain, her mouth open

in a silent gasp for air.

Suddenly, a sharp tug on her scalp. Santino grabbed a handful of her hair and hauled her head up.

"It's okay if you've forgotten," he whispered, his gentle voice a demonic chant in her ear. "I'll help you remember."

A coldness seeped into her from all directions, freezing her blood, leaving her limbs

icy and numb. She finally managed to force her eyes open and stared up at the man before her.

Her instincts had been right all along. He was a wolf in sheep's clothing.

For two years, everyone in the Lambert family had seen him as the modest, gentle, and approachable man. But now, he had dropped the mask, revealing the monster underneath.

Latisha tried to move her hands, but they were bound too tightly. She couldn't communicate with him, not that he seemed to want to. He was here to torture her.

Still gripping her hair, he dragged her into a sitting position. The strain on her scalp was excruciating, and pull on her neck made it hard to

breathe. When he finally letto met

several strands of her hair remained

tangled in his fingers.