“Jade!” My father’s voice sounded behind me, but I was already out in the dark night, my stomach churning with anxiety.
This wasn’t just a simple dinner, was it? This was some kind of ruse. A trick.
My heels clicked fast as I rushed down the driveway, but a strong hand yanked on my upper arm, startling me into a stupor.
I yelped loudly and whirled around, only to face the monster himself. Xavier held my arm in his clutches, his smile cold like never before. He tilted his head and chuckled. “Don't run away so fast,mon petit ange. The night just started.”
I jerked back, but he held on tighter. He held on…just like before. He was strong, he was shameless, but he was also at a disadvantage—my father was still close by.
"Fuck off," I seethed in his face. "Don't fucking touch me."
But instead, Xavier grabbed my other arm and pulled me to him, crashing my body against his chest.
“No,” he spat back, his voice stone cold. I writhed in his grasp, all the memories of that fateful night taking on color again. “You’remine,bitch,” he gritted, digging his fingers into my arm. “And I will find you no matter how far you run.”
My legs lost all feeling when I looked into his eyes—it was just like that one time. That one time when he almostkilled me.I shoved and pushed against him, fruitlessly trying to escape his grasp. “Yeah, baby. I love it when you strug—”
But Xavier suddenly went quiet, his eyes jumping to something behind me.
A dark shadow loomed, and before I could blink, the black figure was in front of me, swinging something into Xavier’s face and ripping his hands off my arms.
The crunch wasloud,and Xavier stumbled back, dark blood gushing from his nose. The man dressed in black took a fast step toward Xavier again, pulling his elbow back and driving his fist into Xavier’s face once more.
It was sofast.In a haze, I recognized the silhouette and those broad shoulders. Alex.
He swung again.
And again.
Andagain.Until Xavier fell onto his knees and hands, groaning and moaning.
“You fucking touch her again—” Alex grabbed a handful of Xavier’s hair and pulled his head up, giving me a front row seat to Xavier’s mangled face. “And I’ll cut your fucking balls off.”
Alex’s leg swung back, and his entire body swayed when he kicked Xavier in the face, knocking him unconscious and letting him drop onto the sidewalk.
As quick as lightning, Alex turned and reached for my hands, his knuckles all bloodied. “Let's go, baby. We have to leave, now!”
“Jade?!”
Both our heads snapped toward the house where my father appeared on the porch, all of it dawning on him.
“Now, baby! Come!” Alex pulled on my hand and dragged me down the sidewalk, away from bloody Xavier and the electrifying events of the last few minutes.
I panted, understanding nothing.
“Jade! Come back here right now!”My father’s voice sounded behind us, and I moved my legs faster, holding onto Alex’s hand like he was a life raft.
Together, hand in hand, we barreled down the dark street—
“Jade!”The voice sounded closer. Louder. Darker.“You’re making a huge mistake!”
“Come on, baby! I got you!”
We rounded a corner, never slowing down until Alex stopped abruptly in front of a motorcycle, quickly swinging something over my shoulders. I looked down, recognizing his leather jacket. His helmet was already on, and he shoved one over my head too.
“Stop! Jade! Stop!”
"Hold on to my waist,” Alex spoke urgently, and I focused on his voice while he fastened the helmet under my chin. “Remember: sway when I sway. If you're scared, close your eyes and never let go!"
