Hundred Twenty-seven

Arabella scrambled to her feet, her heart pounding in her chest as she tried to escape from Sandro. She stumbled over a stray branch and nearly fell but managed to regain her balance before he could lunge toward her, effectively blocking her path.

In a sudden burst of aggression, Sandro grabbed her by the hair, yanking her back with such force that Arabella felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. Gasping in pain, she staggered backward, her head spinning from the abrupt impact.

Before she could fully gather her senses, Sandro thrust her against a nearby tree, her body colliding with its rough bark. The coarse surface scraped her skin, leaving her feeling vulnerable and exposed.

Sandro's hot breath prickled on Arabella's neck as he snarled. His fingers traced her cheek in a way that made her skin crawl.

"Why did you think you could escape me?" Sandro's voice dripped with cold menace; his eyes narrowed with fury.

Her heart raced as she grasped the grim reality - she was trapped, and San