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As I approached him, he glanced up from his phone and it was clear that he hadn’t seen me. And he didn’t look happy. In fact, he looked damn right angry. I glanced down at my dress and winced when I realized that it was dirty from when I’d hit the ground in the alley. That wasn’t the end of the world, so I squared my shoulders ready to face him.
“What happened?” he drawled, as though I was a naughty child.
“I was attacked, rescued, patched up, and brought home.”
His eyes widened and then narrowed. “Attacked? By whom?”
“Two men, and before you ask I’ve no idea what they wanted as they didn’t tell me.”
He watched me and tried to decide as to whether or not I was telling the truth. It didn’t take long and then he let out a heavy sigh.
“Let’s go inside.” He took my arm and led me to the elevator, ignoring everyone else in the lobby.
I kept my eyes cast downwards, trying to think of a way to get him to leave. My heart sank. I had to remind myself that at the moment he was still my fiancé.
As he led me inside my apartment, I tried to move away, but he held firm to my arm. “You’re pulling away from me, Evie.”
“I’m not the only one,” I snapped, trying to pull free but to no avail.
“You want to fight.” I hadn’t feared him before. But when I felt the hand to the back of my neck as he gently shoved me against the wall, I feared him now.
“Don’t fight me, Evie… You won’t like the consequences,” he breathed into my neck, causing my stomach to roll with nerves.
My knees throbbed against the wall as he pressed into me from behind. Even though I was afraid of what he’d do next, I was relieved when I felt his trousers rub against my leg because it meant that he was still clothed.
I started to shake as silent tears ran down my face. “Please, don’t do anything you’ll regret,” I begged, trying to escape his hold, but knowing I wouldn’t be able to because he was too strong for me. “This isn’t you, Patrick. Please don’t hurt me.”
“Shut the fuck up. You don’t know a damn thing about me, or my life… So shut up,” he yelled, slamming my head into the wall in his agitation.
Pain ricocheted through my skull as my vision dimmed. Tears continued to run down my face, but I refused to break down into sobs.
“Tell me why you’re here,” I spat out, “and go.” I bucked into him. He was too strong and wouldn’t budge, but seconds later his hands flexed in my hair as he grunted from pain when I managed to stomp on his foot.
“Fuck,” he hissed. “You’re a fucking hell cat. I’m only here to tell you that there will be a wedding regardless of your thoughts on the matter… Don’t piss me off again, Evie.”
I didn’t answer, and seconds later the weight of him was removed, and then, silence.
Minutes more went by and then I hissed, “I hate you.”
No response.
I chanced a glance behind me, but he’d gone and then I heard the click of the apartment door as it was closed.
The sob I’d held inside of me rose and I finally let it burst forth as I made my way to the bed. Grabbing a pi
llow, I hugged it close and cried. I wanted Stryker to be here holding me, loving me, keeping me safe. If he’d been here I know that he’d have killed Patrick to keep me safe.
My tears eventually gave way to anger. How dare Patrick come in here and threaten me. I suppose I should be grateful that he hadn’t done a lot more.
That asshole!
Quickly jumping from the bed, I checked the apartment to make sure that I really was alone. Sliding the security bolt into place, I swiped at the tears brimming in my eyes. He wouldn’t make me cry. He didn’t get to do that to me but I knew that he had. I gagged on the nausea threatening to overwhelm me and raced into the bathroom.
Glancing in the mirror, I stared at the dark hollows under my eyes and the haunted woman that was staring back at me as fresh tears brimmed in my eyes.
Turning the shower to scalding hot, I climbed under the spray and collapsed down the wall of it. Tears flowed freely now and I gave into them as I allowed the hot water to wash away every memory of Patrick’s anger, and touch. I was alone and a night that had been almost magical had taken on a horrid twist.
I wasn’t sure how long I’d been in the shower but I stayed there until it ran cold. Sometime during it, I’d pulled myself to my feet and scrubbed my body until my skin was red. And then I’d planned. First I would pack a bag, then I’d move in with Millie while I ended things with Patrick. He didn’t deserve me. He never had and all the guilt I’d been feeling was gone. I hated him enough now to walk away and what he did tonight would give me the leverage I needed to get him to leave me alone. If he thought I wouldn’t carry out a threat of exposing him, he would be so wrong.
