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Ariel's heart hammered in her chest at the word rape. Her pulse raced, a cold wave of fear washing over her.
"Don't listen to him, Ariel. You know I would never—ever—do such a thing! You're the bad guy here, Horace, and not me!" Bernard spat, his anger blazing.
Horace, however, ignored Bernard's outburst. His eyes never left Ariel. "No one can know what's truly in another's mind," he said quietly, drawing her attention back to him, his voice calm but firm.
He stepped closer, concern written in every movement. "What if you get injured by the rusty nails and broken metal here?" His gaze softened. "Baby, you shouldn't risk yourself like this. That's why Kai and Kraven accompany you here in St. Vincent—to protect you when I cannot."
