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Ben had said the same thing to me—that I liked playing games. I thought it had all been in fun. I thought it had been said in the heat of the moment, but obviously I hadn’t changed. I played games to maintain control. It’s what Jade had to do. It’s what I was still doing, despite wanting to leave that life behind.
Scott acknowledged my words with a smile, and I had to swallow down the bile threatening to spew out at him. “I can make you feel real good. And if you don’t want my sister to find out about your extra-curricular activities, you’ll give me what I want.” He grabbed my bicep, his thumb rubbing against my skin.
I was going to puke. All over him. But if I had any hope of keeping my job, I had to play his game. At least until I could figure out a plan B.
“I know you remember. I know you want it again, Jade.”
“Her name is Grace.” I hiccuped then choked back a cry of relief. “And if you don’t take your hands off her in the next five seconds, you won’t be using them to do anything ever again.”
“Tough guy,” Scott snickered. But he did as he was told, finally letting go of me.
I scrambled away as soon as he released his hold. My first instinct was to run into Ben’s arms. To hide. To let him protect me. And it felt good. It felt right to have someone who could take charge. I had been handling everything for so long and all I wanted to do was let someone else take the reins.
“You know she’s a whore, right?” Scott said.
“Watch your mouth.” Ben pointed his finger, getting right in Scott’s face.
“Maybe you get off on knowing a thousand guys have fucked that pussy.”
Ben advanced on him, and for the first time I saw a flash of fear on Scott’s face. God help me, it made me happy. He deserved to feel afraid. He deserved to know how it felt to be bullied.
Is this really who I’ve become?
“I think it’s time for you to leave.” Ben stepped in front of me, protecting me with the width of his body. “And if I ever hear that you’ve bothered Grace or laid a hand on her, I will pummel you into the ground. Got it, little man?”
Scott gave Ben a defiant glare, but he was smart after all. He pushed past him and walked away.
But I didn’t feel relieved. I didn’t feel safe. It had all been too easy.
Before Ben had the chance to turn and watch him walk away, Scott said, “My offer still stands. I’ll consider not telling my sister if you’ll share your girlfriend and—”
Before I even knew what was happening, Ben had lunged, grabbing Scott by the neck. He whirled him around and slammed him against the wall. Cutlery clinked and a wineglass crashed to the floor.
With his fist, Ben smashed Scott’s face. Blood gushed everywhere. It even splattered on the walls and stained the front of his shirt.
Scott wailed, covering his face with shaking hands, cursing Ben.
“What the hell is going on?”
Perfect. Colette was behind me, probably with a crowd of my co-workers, considering we were only hidden by a half wall in the corner of the room.
“Grace?” She registered the state of her brother. “Oh, my goodness.”
By this time, Ben had already stepped away and had scooped me into his arms, whispering soft words against my ear. But I was shaking. I couldn’t stop.
Colette raced over to Scott, placing her arm around his shoulders. “Are you all right?”
“Does it look like I’m all right,” he yelled, blood spittling from between his lips. “He assaulted me.”
“What the hell happened?” She glared at Ben, who still held me in his arms, stroking my back. “Did you do this?”
“Yes. He did.” Scott pointed at both of us. “I caught them in the bathroom and I tried to stop them from exchanging money.”
My hand flew to my mouth, muffling the sound of my wail. Did he just really insinuate…?
“That’s a lie,” Ben yelled.
“Why?” Colette shook her hand between us. “Why would you exchange money?”
