Author's Note

Octavia has been held captive in her boyfriend's apartment for six months.

Victor is an amateur boxer - one of many reasons he is difficult to escape - whose talent for fighting is rivaled only by his delusions of their future together.

Alex is a contract killer of underwhelming skill who was bullied into the family business. He's dispatched on the night of Victor's last fight to escort them to their new home beneath a warehouse in Chicago's south suburbs.

Octavia pursues her freedom relentlessly despite an onslaught of obstacles that include auditioning for an unwanted job, the advances of her boss and the constant menacing presence of Victor.

Then comes the only thing that could makes things worse: Alex falling in love with her.