Page 214 of Red Marked

“You should have done the right thing. You didn’t want to stop it. That’s the bottom line. You wanted the money. It’s always been about the money with you.”

“I can give you anything you want.” He’s moving toward me, and I’m moving back, and the front door feels very far away. “I will give you anything you want. You’ll be happy with me. I’ll make you happy, Star. You need to give me a chance.”

“You’re insane.” It comes out as a snarl. “I’m leaving.”

I turn.

His hand closes around my wrist and yanks me back around to face him.

“You’re not going anywhere.” His eyes are hard now. “I love you. You’re mine.”

“Get your hands off me.”

I twist my arm. His grip tightens. I throw my whole weight back and take one step toward the door.

He pulls me back, and then his fist is flying toward my face.

There’s a crack that I feel more than hear. Then I’m on the floor. I can taste blood.

60

Flint

I miss the turn for the hotel and have to go around the block.

Why do I feel like shit? This is a win. It’s what we came here for. Star is safe. The females are as good as free.

It’s all happening.

All I want to do is turn this car around, drive back to that house, and…

And then what?

Beg Star to drop that prick like a hot potato?

I’d love to. He isn’t her type at all. He’s preppy, handsy, and…too fucking nice for a dickhead. Jett is exactly what I expected. He also isn’t good enough for her.

So what’s the plan? Drag her out of there? Then what? Put her in the car and take her where, exactly?

Maybe keep her for myself?

The problem with that is I’m not good enough for her either.

She’s a grown female. She’s made harder calls than this one. I’m sure she’ll come to her senses.

I fucking hope she does.

It isn’t up to me because she isn’t mine.

That’s all there is to it.

They’ll be at her parents’ place by now. It’ll be beautiful. There was a big part of me that wanted to see it, but it’s not my place.

I leave the car in the underground parking.

I take the elevator, and I’m up in my room in no time. Housekeeping has been in. The bed is made, and the ends of the toilet paper are folded into points.

I pace the room a few times, trying to decide what to do. Where to go.