CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY SEVEN – TRACKED DOWN

Her turmoil only escalated in the following days after Lance returned home one afternoon looking unusually stormy and tense. "What's happened?" Kayla asked instantly, anxiety resurfacing as she searched his shuttered expression for clues. Without preamble, he grasped her hand and led her across the room to the entrance foyer - where a small ornate box sat on the side table, clearly meant as a delivery for her. "That was just waiting here when I came in," Lance stated in a hard tone. "I haven't opened it yet. Thought you should decide if you want to first." Kayla felt her throat constrict at the mere sight of the unassuming little parcel. It could only be from one depraved source, another twisted token from the delusional man trying to carve his way into her world by any means possible. Her heart raced with trepidation...but also a morbid curiosity simmering. Maybe opening the box, seeing what fresh violation its contents gestured at, would give her some new insight into just what