With a rabid look in her eyes, Vanessa redirected her wrath and the knife toward Brigit. “And you, you money-grubbing slut! I had things under control until you got here!”
Charging, Colton kicked Vanessa in the solar plexus. She buckled forward, mouth agape, desperately trying to breathe. He gripped her wrist, spun her into a choke hold and squeezed. “Drop the knife or I’ll fucking kill you,” he growled.
Gasping for air, Vanessa released the weapon. Colton grabbed her forearms, slammed her to the ground, and buried his knee into the small of her back. Brigit quickly kicked the knife out of Vanessa’s reach.
“You’re hurting me!” Vanessa shouted.
“Shut the fuck up,” Colton said through gritted teeth.
Though trembling, Brigit dropped to her knees beside Colton, undid his holiday tie and began binding Vanessa’s wrists.
Vanessa turned her head and spat. “Get away from me, bitch.”
Brigit froze. A silver corded Yurman bracelet clung to Vanessa’s wrist.
“See something familiar,littleBrigit?” Vanessa hissed.
“Oh my God, that’s my bracelet.” Still shaking, Brigit unhooked the jewelry.
Suddenly, she couldn’t breathe. Beads of sweat formed along her brow as terrifying images flashed through her mind. Being hoisted into the passenger seat of her Escalade. Dumped onto the cold, hard ground. Kicked and kicked again. Then tied up and left to die. Alone in the cold, scary darkness.
Clutching her chest, Brigit cried out. “Oh, my God! You!Youtried to kill me.” The room started spinning and she choked back another wail.
The front door banged against the wall. Vonn burst into the living room, gun drawn.
“Get over here!” Colton shouted. “Bind her with my tie.”
Dropping to his knees, Vonn holstered his Glock, then quickly secured Vanessa’s wrists. “Chad told me she’d left without a scene. I knew that wasn’t the end.”
“Make sure she doesn’t move,” Colton said. “She’s been drinking, but she’s strong.”
“I should clear the house,” Vonn said.
“No, the police will do it,” Colton replied. “I need to help Brigit.”
“Fuck Brigit,” Vanessa rasped.
Vonn took Colton’s place, pressing his massive weight on Vanessa.
“I can’t breathe, you idiot,” Vanessa hissed.
“Silence,” Vonn bit out.
Colton pulled Brigit into his arms. “My God, I’m so sorry.”
“Oh, Brigit, oh, Brigit!” screeched Vanessa. “Colton, you’re a pussy-whipped fool!”
“Enough.” Vonn pushed Vanessa’s face into the carpet and held it there.
Unable to catch her breath, Brigit could not stop shaking. Vanessa Ellison had tried to murder her.
“Let’s get you some water.” With a firm grip on her waist, Colton led her into the kitchen, then poured her a glass of water. “She won’t get away with this.”
Feeling numb, Brigit drained the glass.
“Don’t let her see you like this,” he whispered.
Nodding, Brigit said, “I’m okay.” But, she wasn’t. Hand in hand they returned to the living room.
