Lianna's whereabouts had always been a secret. I was nothing but her scapegoat—how could I possibly know?
Through gritted teeth, I answered, "She's a grown woman with hands and feet of her own. Why would I know where she goes? I'm not her mother!"
Not getting the answer he wanted, Hubert's eyes turned vicious. He released my hair only to strike me hard across the face, the blow leaving my head ringing. Rage flared through me—yet beneath it, an even greater anticipation stirred.
'You're angry already? You've seen nothing yet, Hubert. The worst is still waiting for you,' I muttered internally.
He loomed over me, striking my face again and again with his palm, as he sneered, "You think keeping your mouth shut means I can't deal with you?"
He reached into my pocket, pulled out my phone, and powered it on.
Holding it up to my face, he unlocked it with the facial scan, then scrolled straight into my contacts.
When he spotted my emergency contact, a cruel smile spread across his lips.
He dialed.
"Hello? What's wrong?"
On the other end, my husband, Blake, answered with his usual gentle voice.
I opened my mouth, desperate to speak—but one of the bodyguards clamped a hand over it, suffocating my words.