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Once back at the hotel, I helped Konstantine to the lift and then down the hallway to our room where I poured him another drink.
Rather than take it, he pushed me up against the wall, sending the glass of liquor flying across the room. Using both hands, he ripped the bodice of my dress.
“Konstantine! What in the bloody hell?” I shouted, trying to get away from where he had me pinned.
“You’re a fucking tease, Kenzie, and I’m sick of it. Enough games. By tomorrow evening, you’ll be my wife and mine to do with as I please.”
His wife? Was he as mad as he was drunk? I pushed him with all my might, and he stumbled into the sofa. I tried to get to the door, but he grabbed my arm and dug his fingers into my flesh. When I screamed for help, he spun me around with one arm and backhanded me with the other.
“You goddamn bitch,” he seethed. “Shut your fucking mouth.” He tried to kiss me again, and I bit his lip as hard as I could, tasting the metallic tang of blood. “You like it rough, princess? No problem.”
He grabbed my throat and squeezed. I fought for air, knowing that, within seconds, I would lose consciousness and he’d either continue strangling me until I was dead, or he’d rape me.
I closed my eyes when dizziness overcame me, and felt my body giving way. “Gran Bea, help me,” I muttered with what little voice I had left.
The door burst open, and two men rushed in. “Let her go!” one yelled. I slid down the wall, gasping for air as the other man tackled and restrained Konstantine.
The man who’d yelled, picked me up and rushed out of the room with me in his arms.
“He…he tried to rape me,” I stuttered.
“Shh,” he murmured, racing down the hallway with me still in his arms. “I’ve got you. You’re safe.”
By the time the door to the lift opened, the other man had joined us. “Here,” he said, covering me with a blanket. “How is she?” he asked.
The man holding me didn’t respond.
We took the lift, and when the doors opened, he went in the opposite direction of the lobby, to a back exit where I saw an SUV just outside. Someone opened the passenger door, and the man holding me set me on the seat, made sure the blanket covered me, and then climbed in. He put his arm around my shoulders and held me close when I started to cry. “You’re safe now.”
The vehicle sped off and then slowed a few minutes later when we pulled into the driveway of another hotel.
“Come,” the man said once it stopped by the entrance. He lifted me from the seat and into his arms. There was something about him so familiar, but given my mental state, I may not have recognized my own mother.
“Who are you?” I whispered as we waited for the lift.
He looked over at a couple waiting. “I’ll explain everything once we’re upstairs.”
I squirmed out of his arms, and he set me on my feet. There was no way I was going up to a hotel room with a man I didn’t know. It was bad enough I’d gotten into a car with him. Where was my head? Konstantine had just tried to rape me, and here I was, allowing a man to just carry me about without me giving another thought for my own safety—it didn’t matter that he was charming, handsome, or that he smelled bloody fantastic. Lots of criminals did.
I turned my back and wrapped the blanket around me so I could hold it closed.
He didn’t say anything until the couple got on the lift and the door closed behind them. “My name is Cortez DeLéon. Someone who knew your grandmother, was concerned for your safety and asked me to find you.”
The name sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place it. “Who are you?” I repeated.
“I have experience with locating missing persons.”
I liked that he didn’t repeat his name, but instead, understood I’d meant something different. “Was it the Queen?”
He didn’t answer, but I knew it was. Who else could snap their fingers and have someone look for me? Not that I’d been lost.
“How did you know…” My voice trailed off when the other man joined us.
“Hi,” he said, holding out his hand. “No time to introduce myself earlier.” He smiled. “I’m Grinder.”
“Kensington.” I shook his hand.
The lift chimed, the doors opened, and a group of people got out before we got in. The man who’d introduced himself as Cortez hit the button to close the door before anyone else could get on.
