Chapter 2

Dakota pushed the heavy mahogany doors open. The cold morning air hit her face, stinging her cheeks. She took a deep breath, filling her lungs with the sharp scent of pine trees. She stepped off the porch and began walking down the long, private driveway covered in crushed white gravel.

The sound of frantic footsteps crunching against the stones echoed behind her.

Cindy ran down the driveway. Her chest heaved, and her face was red from exertion. She sprinted past Dakota and planted herself directly in the middle of the path, blocking the way.

"Give me the bag," Cindy panted. Her eyes were wild with frustration. "You are not leaving with it."

Dakota stopped. She stared at the spoiled girl in front of her. Her jaw clenched.

Cindy did not wait for an answer. She reached out with both hands, aiming to rip the canvas strap off Dakota's shoulder.

Dakota's left hand shot out. Her fingers clamped down on Cindy's right wrist like a steel vice. Dakota twisted her grip sharply to the left.

A sharp cry tore from Cindy's throat. Pain shot up her arm, forcing her fingers to spring open.

Dakota did not let go. She pulled Cindy's wrist downward, throwing the girl off balance. Dakota raised her right hand high into the air. Her palm sliced through the cold wind.

The slap echoed across the empty driveway. The impact stung Dakota's palm.

Cindy's head snapped to the side. A bright red handprint instantly bloomed across her left cheek. She stumbled backward, her hands flying up to cover her face. Her eyes widened in absolute shock.

"You hit me," Cindy screamed. Her voice cracked. "You worthless piece of trash. You actually hit me."

Dakota flexed her right hand, shaking off the numbness in her fingers.

"That is the penalty for putting your hands on me," Dakota said. Her voice was ice.

Cindy's face twisted with pure hatred. She dropped her hands, a vicious smile forming on her lips.

"You think you are so tough," Cindy sneered. "Euless and I are getting engaged next month."

Dakota heard the name of her former fiancé. Her heart did not skip a beat. Her breathing remained steady.

"He was sick of you," Cindy bragged. She took a step closer, trying to reclaim her power. "He said you were boring. He always wanted me."

Dakota looked at Cindy's triumphant face. She let out a soft, mocking laugh.

"Congratulations," Dakota said. "You picked up the garbage I threw away. Keep it."

The smug look vanished from Cindy's face. Her face turned purple. She let out a scream of rage and lunged forward again, her hands raised to scratch Dakota's face.

Dakota did not step back. She simply stared at Cindy. A heavy, suffocating pressure radiated from Dakota's posture.

Cindy hit that invisible wall of pressure. Her feet stopped moving. Her hands dropped to her sides. She suddenly felt very cold.

"I hope you and that dog are very happy together," Dakota said. She turned her back on Cindy and continued walking down the gravel path.

Cindy stood frozen on the driveway. Her fists shook at her sides.

"You are going to die in the gutter," Cindy screamed at Dakota's back.

Dakota reached the massive wrought-iron gates of the estate. She stepped through the pedestrian opening. The heavy metal clanged shut behind her, cutting off Cindy's voice.

She stood on the edge of the public road. She pulled her phone from her pocket and checked the text message from the transport company.

A terrible, grinding noise shattered the quiet morning. It sounded like metal chewing on metal.

A rusted Ford sedan chugged around the corner. The blue paint was peeling off the hood. Thick black smoke poured out of the tailpipe, leaving a dark cloud in the air.

The car jerked toward the curb. The brakes squealed loudly as the vehicle stopped right in front of Dakota's boots.

The passenger window rolled down with a painful screech. A middle-aged man with a kind, apologetic face leaned over the center console.

"Are you Miss Dakota?" the man asked. He wiped sweat from his forehead.

Dakota stared at the rusted door panel. She raised an eyebrow. She reached out, grabbed the loose door handle, and pulled it open.