He flipped me over, and in an instant, was over me, pinning me to the ground as he let the full weight of his body settle on top of me. Thrashing on the ground, Max’s grip became bruising, his nails digging into my skin as I tried to free myself.
“Help! Someone help me!” I screamed, my hands clawing into the dirt and my body jerking forward, trying to gain any space I could. Slamming my head up, it collided with Max’s nose in a sickening crunch. Blood dripped out of his nose and down his chin, landing in sickening blobs on my face and chest.
“WHY?” he roared. “Why do you always have to fight me? You will come home with me. I’ve had enough of this!” he screamed, spittle flying as he moved a hand to my throat, squeezing. I could no longer breathe. Tears were streaming down my face as I struggled beneath him. Attempting to throw him off me, I lifted my lower body up. He groaned in response, loosening his grip on my throat. I took in a rattling breath. The cold air hurt, but I inhaled it greedily.
My brain was foggy, and it took a minute to focus on what Max was doing. He ground his hips against mine, and used the hand that wasn’t on my throat to pry my legs apart.
“You feel so fucking good. Never been this hard in my life. Never wanted anything as much as you,” he muttered as he rutted against me. I tried to move, to knee him in the balls or something, but he had me covered, his height and weight pressing down on me. There was a determined look on his face as his grip on my throat tightened, and I panicked. The edges of my vision were going dark, the night sky sucking me away, just as I had feared.
A dark shadow landed over me, blanking my view completely. An inhuman sound broke through the air, and suddenly, Max was no longer on top of me. A heaving, raging Linc had tossed him off me like a rag doll, Max landing in the grass several feet away. Linc stalked over to where he was lying in the grass.
Rolling to my side, I curled into the fetal position as I coughed and tried to breathe. I watched as Linc kicked Max square in the ribs. He let out an odd sound—a cross between a gasp and a groan. He curled in on himself, but Linc wasn’t finished. Kneeling down next to Max, he pulled him up by his shirt, dangling his upper body off the ground.
“I will fucking kill you. You hear me? You’re never gonna see them again.” Linc slammed his giant fist into Max’s face.
“Fuck you,” Max spit out, a delirious edge to his voice.
It was so fast I almost missed it, but the force of Linc’s next punch had Max collapsing on the ground, his head lolling from side to side as he groaned in pain.
People started pouring into the courtyard, shrieks and cries coming from every direction. Pops and Abigail ran toward me as Garrett and Mason pulled Linc off Max.
“Sophie! Oh my god. The police are on their way. Oh, my poor girl.” Abigail gathered me into her arms, her hands trembling as she helped me into a sitting position so I wasn’t sprawled in the grass.
“Lou?” I managed to get out. It felt like there was a rock in my throat. The word was a ragged edge, scraping me.
“Safe. She’s inside with Quinn. Has no idea anything is going on. If it’s alright with you, I’ll have Quinn bring Lou to my place for a sleepover. Then Garrett or I will head there to keep her company while you get checked out.” I nodded. She was right, and I trusted them to take care of Lou. I didn’t want her to see any of this.
“Yes. Please, before the cops get here. I don’t want her scared.”
“Of course. Let me call Quinn. I’ll be back in a second. Please don’t worry about anything. We’ll take care of her. She’s safe. You’re safe,” Abigail assured me, tears streaking down her face.
“Sophie.” Pops looked broken as he crouched before me. My heart broke for him. I reached out and grabbed his hand. He squeezed it tightly, using both hands to cup mine.
“I’m okay,” I told him, and he shook his head.
I could only imagine what I looked like, my face smearedwith blood, makeup, and tears. Pops visibly shook himself before standing up.
Helen and Natalia arrived in the courtyard, their gasps and cries increasing as they got closer to Max’s mutilated form.
“Enough!” Pops yelled. Helen stood up, hands on her hips.
“Really, Walter? I can’t check on my son who’s been severely beaten? Who needs to go to the hospital, for heaven sake! And you! We’re pressing charges.”
“Shut up, Helen,” Pops said, his face grim. “I have never in my life been so ashamed and disappointed in you all. Blood or not, you’re no longer my family. Charges will be pressed against Max for assault on Sophie. I’ll be scheduling a meeting with the board first thing Monday, if Max isn’t already in prison by then. Regardless, you no longer factor into my concerns. Just my shame.” Before anyone could answer, Pops walked away as he composed himself.
Linc dropped to his knees next to me, pulling me into his arms as he tried to scan me for my injuries.
“I’m so sorry. So fucking sorry,” he said. I shook my head.
“Lindsey. She set me up.” Linc’s jaw was clenched, and he looked away.
“Mason!” he yelled, and the stern man was crouched near us in an instant.
“Lindsey set her up. Make sure she’s still here and doesn’t sneak off.” Rage flashed over Mason before he masked it.
“On it.” With a determined gait, he was prowling back into the venue, a phone to his ear as more security, police, and paramedics filed into the garden.
“Let me take a look at you,” Linc said softly, cupping my chin as he turned my head from side to side. I wasn’t sure of all my injuries, but I was sure there were more cuts and scratches than I cared to count. His gaze scanned my face and neck before trailing down my arms. His eyes refocused on my throat, and he growled.
