My lips parted as I saw fear grip my mother. Her eyes widened, and she turned to me. I was obviously her very last hope. Lord only knows what had happened to Ronan down there.

I started to work to free myself, and she made her way to me, her eye bloodshot.

"Tell him to stop!" Her voice was a loud shriek now, and I honestly started too fear for my life too.

"Why?" I asked, despite the turbulence in my mind. "Ronan did all of those dirty things to Florian's cousin! Why in hell's name would I tell him to stop?"

She slapped my cheek hard, causing my face...