HAZEL
The word echoed in my skull.
Pauline's mouth curved into something that might have been a smile if it had contained any warmth. "Big boobs or a palatable face will not be enough then. Then the murder charge will stick. After all, there are no consequences coming."
I swallowed hard. My throat felt tight, like someone had wrapped a hand around it and squeezed. "You have been saying a lot of words. But not how I get out of this unscathed."
Her smile widened. It was worse than her frown.
"The worst thing you could have done," she said slowly, "is involve yourself with that man. You have no idea the fresh hell that has just befallen you."
My stomach twisted.
"But I also am a slave of his. For the time being at least." She said it like it meant nothing. Like admitting to being controlled by someone was no different than commenting on the weather. "So I will tell you how we save you. Because with me here, there will always be consequences."
