Anne seducing Augustine

When Lorie stepped inside the house, a jolt of shock ran through her. Robert sat slumped on the sofa, his face grotesquely swollen, one eye bruised black and nearly shut. For a split second, worry flickered in her — and died just as quickly.

A cold, mocking smile tugged at her lips. "Hmph," she scoffed. "Looks like the mighty Robert isn't so invincible after all. Your time of terrorizing this city is almost up."

Robert's head snapped up. Rage flared in his battered face, more dangerous than any wound he carried. With a roar, he lunged at her, faster than she could react. His hand clamped around her throat with a merciless grip.

"You dare mock me?" he spat. "You think you are safe from me?" He slammed her hard against the wall, his fingers tightening like a vice.

Lorie gasped, her nails digging into his skin as she struggled. Panic clawed at her chest. "I... can't... breathe," she choked out.