Page 84 of Silver Sinner

Someone in this house clearly knows how to bribe a child, and it makes my skin crawl. But she's safe and unharmed and back in my arms.

"I missed you." Gathering her up, I cuddle her tightly and fight the sting of tears at the back of my eyes, kissing her cheek repeatedly. "God, I missed you."

"I missed you too, Mommy. When are we going home?"

Home.

What a concept.

Trik made it clear I won't ever be going back there, and he has me caught. I go wherever Maddie goes, and I'm not strong enough to fight him or anyone he has at his back. My stomach tightens as if caught in a fist and I lean back, tucking some of Maddie's messy hair behind her ear.

"I'm sorry Maddie, we're not going home yet."

"We're not?"

"No, we're going on a trip."

Her face crumples slightly. "But what about school?"

"Do you… do you remember when we went to stay with Pierce for a little bit?"

She nods.

"It's kind of like that. School will be fine. Don't you worry."

"Okay!" She accepts it just like that and huddles into me, betraying that despite her seemingly happy state, she's still just as scared as me.

In the past few months, she's been through so much that I couldn't protect her from. Now, I'll bow to everything and anything Trik asks for until I find a window, no matter how small. Then, I'll take it. I might not be able to fight or know how to handle a gun, but I do know how to bide my time and survive.

"Hurry the fuck up." Trik's voice suddenly rises from the doorway. The guard who brought Maddie has vanished and Trik stands there with one hand slung in his leather jacket pocket. "I don't have all fucking day."

I stand slowly, keeping one hand on Maddie. "We're leaving?"

"Yeah, duh." He rolls his eyes. "Let's go!"

"Where are we going?"

He's in the process of turning away, but turns back with a grunt. "Why the fuck would I tell you?"

My eyes narrow slightly, then I gather Maddie up into my arms. "She gets travel sick sometimes. Would be nice to know if it's a long journey, that's all."

Trik scoffs as if the notion is ridiculous, and he's about to turn away again when something catches his eye as I walk closer. "What's that?"

I tighten my grip on my daughter. "What?"

"That." He points at me with one thin finger crooked slightly downward. I glance down and my heart stops. The pendant. I forgot to tuck it back under the collar of my dress and now the gemstones glitter in the light.

"It's a necklace," I say, fighting to keep my voice steady.

"Like fuck you could afford that."

Every curse from his lips fuels my irritation, but I'm past hiding Maddie's ears from it. "It was a gift."

"From who?"

"Amy." It's the most plausible person I can think of, but Trik doesn't buy it.

"Bullshit."