‘Sometimes I need to get out,’ she said. ‘It’s like a prison here. You lock me in like an animal.’

His fingers gouged deeper. ‘To stop you behaving like one.’ He loomed over her, his breath on her ear as his hands encircled her neck. ‘What have you been up to with that red-headed bastard? Did you let him shove his dick in you?’

‘No.’ Miki was truly frightened now. If Kurt thought Leon had stolen her purity, there would be serious trouble. Father had taught that it was the most precious thing, and Kurt considered it his role to defend her honour.

‘I can’t believe this,’ he snarled. ‘I saved you from the fire, and this is what I get in return!’ He released her and she almost tipped off the chair. ‘I’m going to find him and I’m going to smash him into next week.’ He flung a chair aside and strode to the back door.

‘No!’ Miki raced after him, reaching for his arm. She’d overheard Leon telling Kurt he was going to the big tree. She must not let Kurt leave. ‘Where are you going?’ she cried. ‘I haven’t done anything. He hasn’t touched me.’

Kurt flicked her off, slamming her into the wall. ‘I’ve always trusted you, and you’ve betrayed me. It ends right here.’

He grabbed her shoulders and pushed her against the wall, then let go so suddenly she staggered. Then he hit her twice: a hard backhander to the cheek and a fist in the eye. She crunched backwards, stunned, a rusty taste in her mouth. When she touched her lips, there was blood on her fingers. He snatched up his coat and keys, and she reached for him once more, still trying to prevent him from going after Leon.

He shook her off and hit her in the face again, hissing, ‘You belong here with me.’ He left her hunched on the floor. She heard the lock ram home.

Her face was afire with pain, but adrenaline drove her to her feet. She ran to the window and saw Kurt go under the house and come out with his rifle, which he shoved in the back of the ute. From the driver’s seat, he glared at her through the windscreen, so angry she could almost see sparks flying from his skin. His lips formed words: I’m going to kill him. She had no doubt that he would. In a spray of gravel, he revved the ute and roared from the yard, spitting stones at the fence.

For a moment Miki was paralysed, but she knew she had to move fast to get help. First, though, she had to cover the damage Kurt had inflicted.