In a crumbling warehouse on the outskirts of town, Rafael, Mosby, and Black Viper stood grinning as if they had already won. Tied up tightly in front of them, Aspen was bound hand and foot, unable to move an inch.

Black Viper sneered. "She's got some fight in her. Almost landed a hit on me when we caught her."

As he spoke, he hooked a finger under Aspen's chin and lifted her face in a vulgar gesture.

Aspen tried to turn her head away, but his grip tightened, making her jaw turn red from th