The descent into the bowels of Ronan Thorne’s empire was a journey through descending circles of hell, masked by velvet and gold.

The guards dragged Sienna down a spiral staircase carved from black marble, past reinforced steel doors and armed sentries whose eyes lingered on her with cold, predato

*Crack.*

The braided leather whip tore through the fabric of Sienna Sterling’s blouse, biting into the flesh of her back with the ferocity of a wild animal. The sheer force of the blow sent a shockwave of white-hot agony radiating down her spine, stealing the breath from her lungs.

Her jaw clenche

The heavy iron door of the cell groaned open, spilling harsh, blinding yellow light into the pitch-black room.

Sienna instinctively raised a hand to shield her eyes, her back screaming in protest at the sudden movement. Two massive silhouettes stood in the doorway, their tactical gear imposing in