Page 172 of Brighter Together

Lee’s hand slips slightly.

Enough.

I open my mouth and bite down as hard as I can.

He screams and jerks away.

Air rushes into my lungs.

“Help!”

The shout barely leaves me before his palm connects with my face.

Pain explodes across my cheek.

My head snaps sideways.

Then his hand closes around my throat.

I claw at his wrist.

“Stupid fucking cunt.”

His fingers tighten.

I can’t get enough air.

The edge of my vision starts to blur.

“Hey!”

A man shouts from behind us.

Lee lets go.

I suck in air and cough.

Footsteps pound across the tarmac.

“What the fuck did I tell you about coming anywhere near her?”

Tommy.

Relief hits so hard my knees almost give way.

He reaches me within seconds.

His hands come to my shoulders first, then my face.

His eyes move over me quickly.

My throat.

My cheek.

My hair.

“Ella?”