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“The only thing I want right now is to put a bullet in your head, Konflict.”

I heard him chuckle under his breath. He didn’t let go, just leaned in and whispered in my ear, again.

“Because the world’s too small to hold us both, isn’t it? Good thing in two days it won’t be a problem anymore.”

My whole body went rigid at the mention of what was coming in two days. I knew he was just playing with me. This whole new attitude was just a game to make me lose my footing, to feed his ego before he finally took my life. A cold anger swept through me.

“You’re a pathetic excuse for a man, Konflict Korven. I regret ever marrying you.”

He pulled back just enough to flash me a look, then hauled me even closer.

“Sweetheart, who would you rather be married to? That escort? Would you feel better if it was him holding you right now? It’s a damn shame things are different… and they’ll be even more different soon.”

Every nerve in my body went on high alert when he hinted at what would happen to Knox. That was when I realized he was really in danger. Shit, I had to get him out of town. Konflict had eyes everywhere, and I knew there was almost nowhere to hide, but I had to try.

“Dance, Serenity,” he said, when I stood frozen after his words. “Don’t act like I can’t touch that escort of yours right fucking now…” he growled at my ear.

His thinly veiled threat set fire blazing through me. I shoved him away with both hands, desperate to put some distancebetween us. I couldn’t stand being pressed against him any longer, couldn’t stand the way he tried to own me, as if this stupid dance could save Knox. I needed to get away, to figure out a plan.

“Go to hell, asshole!” I spat, anger burning in every word, especially when I caught that smug smile on his lips.

I broke free from his hold and stormed back through the party, out of the reception hall, and down to the pool, desperate for solitude. I needed to think, and think fast, because there wasn’t much time left to act. I paced along the edge, lost in my thoughts. I had to find a way out for Knox. I had enough money to make him disappear, to send him far away. If he could cross the border into the U.S. and go even farther, he’d be safe. I had to figure out how to slip away from this party to meet him. It would probably be the last time I’d ever see him, but before I died, I wanted to fight for someone who was worth it.

As I spiraled deeper into my own head, a wave of sudden dizziness hit me. It was so violent, the world started spinning right under my feet. I tried to sit down so I wouldn’t lose my balance, but things didn’t go as planned and I felt myself falling into the pool.Did someone push me?I didn’t think so. I hadn’t seen or felt anyone, and the dizziness was too strong. But there was no time to figure out how it happened. I had to fight to stay alive.

In a blink I was gasping for air, then sinking, lungs filling with water. Panic tore through my chest—I never learned to swim even after the incident nineteen years ago. I’d always been too afraid, too haunted by the memory of almost drowning, and now it was happening again. I fought to reach the surface, but I couldn’t. My body was too heavy, my fear too strong, and the pool was so deep I felt myself sinking all the way to the bottom.

This was the end. I was supposed to die in two days, but fate had other plans. And this time, I couldn’t hope the man I hadloved, the man I still loved, would save me again. That love had only ever been an illusion, a fantasy I kept hidden inside. I wished we could have been something different. Just once, I wished I could have told him I loved him, that I always had. But my last memory of him would be another fight, another insult, more anger—everything opposite of what I really felt.

As I closed my eyes, unable to fight any longer, my thoughts flew to Knox.God, please, protect him.

Then everything went black.

I didn’t know where I was. Darkness wrapped around me, the world silent and empty. Then a halo of light broke through from above, shining on a single distant point. I rose from the ground and started walking toward the light, because that’s what you’re supposed to do, right? When you die, you follow the light.

The closer I got, a silhouette I would know anywhere became clearer. My heart pounded wildly in my chest. My eyes filled with tears—tears of joy because I was no longer alone. She was there.

“Mama Kate,” I sobbed, finally reaching her.

“My daughter, it’s so good to see you again,” she said, arms wide.

I threw myself into her embrace, tears streaming down my face. I didn’t have words for the happiness burning through me, for seeing the woman I called mother, the one who’d been ripped away from me so brutally.

“Let me look at you, my girl. You’re so beautiful,” she said, cupping my face in her hands. That simple touch filled me with warmth. I felt good for the first time since she left. I’d been surviving, not living, since then.

“You only think I’m beautiful because I’m wearing your jewelry. Look how your favorite set fits me,” I said, smiling through my tears.

She kept smiling, fingers never leaving my skin. I didn’t want her to stop touching me, ever.

“You’re stunning even without those jewels, Serenity. You are a wonderful woman. Strong. Capable of anything. I am so proud of you.”

My throat tightened at her words, encouraging me the way she always used to. You never realize how much you need a mother’s love until it’s gone. I never had the chance to live these moments with my own mother, but this woman gave me that gift. Seeing her again, feeling her kindness, I understood even more why Konflict’s grief had turned to rage, why he would want to kill me.

“I couldn’t wait to see you again. I was supposed to join you in two days, but I’m here early,” I told her.

She looked at me with a sad smile.

“It’s not time for you to stay with me yet, my girl. You still have so much to do. You must go back. I’ll wait for you here when your time comes.”