31. STORM

KATERINA

It was a miracle that I had not died of cold by the time we got to his house. My sundress clung to my body like second skin at this point.. not that I cared about that too much. The main thing on my mind was how to freshen up and change into a new set of clothes.

I had rejected Vincent's clothes back then, yes, but it was mostly because I loathed the man. Accepting a ride from him was already a step too far, and I would not have done it if I was not convinced that I would actually die if they left me alone there.

Some boys had come up to me right after Vincent and his assistant left, and they dragged my purse off my hands before I could even fully grasp what was happening. It took a while before I could get over my shock and run to Vincent's car before they came back for me when they realized they had stolen an empty purse, and to top it all off—an inexpensive one.

I was simply thankful the attack had not gone beyond that and I was at a shelter for the night, even if it was a