PART TWO: THE BREAKING (Continued)
Day Twenty.
Novalee woke to Atlas already in the room.
Not the evening. Not after Dante had used her. Morning.
He stood by the window, looking out. His shoulders tense. His hands clenched at his sides.
"Atlas?" Her voice was hoarse. The collar still tight around her throat.
He turned. His eyes were red. He hadn't slept.
"Today's the day," he said. Flat. Emotionless.
She sat up slowly. Her body had healed. Mostly. The scars remained but the worst damage had mended.
"I know."
"He'll be here tonight. Eight o'clock." Atlas moved to the bed. Started his morning examination. Clinical. Professional. "I need to make sure you're—that you're ready."
"Ready to be raped."
He flinched. "Yes."
She let him examine her. Check the healing tears. The scars on
