Chapter 4

The guards grabbed Chloe's arms.

Ava moved, fast and direct, but two more guards intercepted her, their hands rough.

Mr. Smith engaged them, a blur of efficient motion, but he was outnumbered by Thorne's immediate security.

"Chloe!" Ava yelled, struggling against her restraints.

Krystal sauntered over to Chloe, who was now being forced to her knees.

"Apologize, dear," Krystal purred, yanking Chloe's hair to force her head up. "Apologize to me and Chad for trying to trap him with your... mistake."

Chloe's tears flowed freely, but she bit her lip, refusing to speak.

Chad smirked. "Not so high and mighty now, are you, Kingman princess?"

Ava felt a surge of fury so intense it almost choked her. Her initial team of bodyguards, the ones Mr. Smith had signaled, were delayed. She could feel it. Interference. Deliberate.

These people were more organized in their cruelty than she'd anticipated.

One of the guards holding Ava twisted her arm. Pain shot up to her shoulder.

"Stay down, lady, whoever you are."

They were all laughing, the wolves closing in.

Ava met Chloe's terrified gaze. *Don't break,* she tried to convey. *I will fix this.*

But right now, she was as helpless as her sister.