Eva’s POV

Snake held out his hand. Someone passed him a belt. Snake dragged it slowly across my arm. Pain exploded behind my eyes almost immediately.

“You know how many girls come in here every day,” he said calmly. “All claiming they’re connected to my Don.”

The belt came down again.

“And do you know how many of them I’ve tossed out of this casino?” He smiled. “Dead.”

Another strike…Then another.

Finally, when Snake was satisfied, he tossed the belt aside and picked up a bottle of whiskey. “I don’t want to ruin you too much before my Don sees you,” he said lightly. “So let’s drink. Might lift your mood.”

“No—”

He forced the bottle to my lips. Whiskey burned its way down my throat, choking me.

“If you pull a stunt like that in front of my Don,” he said quietly, “I’ll make you wish you were never born. You hear me? You won’t walk out of my casino in one piece.”

Then he released me.

My throat burned. I tried to speak, but no sound came out.

The bracelet. I had to find it. I couldn’t wait for my brother to come on his own.

Gasping, I scanned the room. Snake had returned to the couch. Miles sat nearby, avoiding my eyes.

I couldn’t stand. I dragged myself across the floor, palms scraping against the carpet.

Where was it?

I searched frantically, panic rising—Nothing.

I crawled closer to the door.

A heavy boot came down on my hand. “Where do you think you’re going?” a man growled.

Pain shot up my arm as I cried out. His boot wasn’t just pinning my hand—it was twisting my fingers under his heel.

“Don’t—”

“Boss,” he said to Snake, “looks like she was trying to run.”

“No, I didn’t—”

The kick hit my stomach hard. I folded instantly. He hauled me up and threw me onto the sofa.

“Don’t move.”

Pain flooded everything—my ankle, my hands, my face. The whiskey churned in my stomach, leaving me dizzy and weak.

…

After what felt like forever, the door finally opened again.

I forced my eyes open and saw my brother, Theo, was walking into the suite.

“Theo…” I tried to say. The word barely left my throat—more breath than sound.

No one heard it.

Theo stepped inside, scanning the room. “What’s going on here?”

Snake smiled, oily and deferential. “Sorry, Don. Just educating a little tiger. Got a bit feisty.”

Brother looked my way. Lying on my side, hair in my face, I knew he didn’t recognize me. I tried to move, but my body wouldn’t listen.

“What’s with the girl?” Theo asked.

Snake gestured for Miles to step forward. “This trash owes the casino money. Brought his girlfriend in to settle—”

“I said don’t bring just any women here,” Brother snapped.

“Don, just take a look,” Snake pressed. “She’s pretty. Your type.”

“Theo…” I mouthed again, still nothing.

I tried to sit up. My hands searched blindly for support—and brushed against something cold.

My bracelet—it had been on the sofa this whole time. It must’ve come loose when Snake’s men first threw me down.

My fingers fumbled, clumsy and shaking, searching for the button.

“I told you,” Theo shouted at Snake sharply, “I hate people throwing women at me. Do it again, and you’re done here.”

He turned, already heading for the door.

“No… brother. Don’t leave.” My thumb finally found the button. I gathered every scrap of strength I had and pressed it.

Next second, Theo’s phone vibrated. He paused, pulling it out, brow furrowing.

I pressed it again. The bracelet beeped at my palm. Theo looked up and our eyes met.

Miles turned and lunged, trying to snatch the bracelet from my hand.

But Theo was faster. He pushed Snake away, crossed the room in seconds and dropped to his knees in front of me. His hands trembled as he brushed my hair aside, revealing my face.

“Eva…” His voice cracked. “Eva? What are you doing here?”