She realized her mistake now. She’d let him take control in the hospital because she was in too much pain, both mentally and physically, to cope or process. It was easier to let Elijah take her over. She didn’t have to think about anything. Her mind felt numb most of the time and she just seemed to drift. She thought a lot about her grandfather, and to her shame, she found herself angry at him. Really angry. He’d deceived her her entire life. He’d kept her shifter heritage from her. He’d used her. Antonio had been her only family and he’d betrayed her. He’d promised her to a man like Paolo, and when Paolo beat her, he had condoned it, calling her a whore.

Siena stood, staring in horror up at the huge house, tucked into Elijah’s side, swaying and weak, shaking her head. Her life had been taken out of her hands and now she was surrounded by another army of men, most of whom she didn’t know. She had gone along with everything, staying silent, withdrawn, but not this time. Not over this. No way was she setting one foot in that house.

“I’m not staying here,” she declared.

“Siena.”

Her name. A soft reprimand. So gentle her heart turned over. She tried to pull away. Elijah seemed to control her with his voice, but not this time.

“I mean it. I will not go in there.” Humiliation stained her tone. She knew it. She couldn’t help reliving that moment when he’d looked at her with such contempt, said horrible, brain-searing things to tear down her self-esteem as a woman and then shoved her out of his home as if she were a piece of garbage.

A small sound escaped—a whimper of pain—and that embarrassed her further. Her face flushed red, the color creeping up her neck. She knew he was reliving the same moment right along with her and that made it so much worse. More than she could bear.

Siena tried to pull away from him, but his arm tightened around her waist and he bent his head toward hers.

“Look at me.”

She shook her head and continued to strain against his arm, which had somehow turned into a steel band.

“Siena, look at me. Right. Fucking. Now.” He bit out the last three words between his teeth.

She stilled, her heart fluttering. There was a distinct warning in his voice. Almost of its own volition, her gaze jumped to meet his.

“Stop. I mean it. You’re weak and about to fall down. If you don’t stop, I’ll be carrying you into the house.”