Aliyah’s POV

They threw me like I was a bag of potatoes. My butt hit the cold floor and the pain of last night shot through my body. I winced and tried to stand in vain.

Then I felt someone touch me. I flinched, screaming.

“It’s me,” I heard him groan.

The cell was dark but I recognised his voice.

“Silas?” I asked.

“Yes.”

Tears streamed and I moved closer, groping to find him. When I felt his bare chest, I fell on it, sobbing.

“Did he hurt you again?” Silas asked.

I bit my lips and shook my head. “I tried to negotiate your release,” I told him. “I...