Kisses

Natasha sat on the bed and leveled the rifle at me while I got a pair of jeans and a shirt out of my suitcase. He ripped them from my hand and threw them into the closet. “Where is the dress I sent to you? The one you wore at the fundraiser.”

I snarled, “I threw it in the trash.”

“A shame. Find something else. Something nice!”

I held up a sleeveless black dress and he seemed satisfied. I dressed behind the closed bathroom door then put on a pair of black high heels.

Natasha’s beady eyes followed me like a coyote seeking fresh prey. “Where is your diamond collar?”

I’d left it here the last time I returned to Chicago. The black velvet box sat on top of the dresser still.

Natasha saw where my gaze landed and prodded me with the rifle. “Wear it.”

I clipped the necklace around my throat as Natasha came to my side to examine the jeweled collar. My shoulder. My hair. His touch sickened me.

He clasped his hand around my throat and squeezed. “He marked you with this. He thinks he owns you.