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You so are. I know that now.
Rather than go on to find Piper, she started back to the house. Better to wake Nathan and tell him the truth so he could help his sister. The hair stood at her nape, and her muscles ached feeling like any second Cullen would grab her again. She made it to the back door of Nathan’s house and stepped through into the cooler interior. Just as she breathed a sigh of relief, a hand slammed over her mouth from behind, followed by an arm around her waist. She screamed, but he muffled the noise and hauled her backward.
Alyssa clutched at the doorframe. If he got her outside, her chances of getting away would decrease. She kicked at his legs with no effect and tried biting the hand. He ground harder, and she tasted the metallic flavor of blood. Tears wet her cheeks. Fear closed her throat, and panic made it hard to think.
“Let go, Alyssa,” he whispered in her ear. “We’re going to have fun.”
You’re insane. Nathan, please…
Her fingers, burning with the effort to hold on, lost all strength. Cullen jerked her up into his arms, and she managed to wrench her mouth away. Sucking in a deep breath, she prepared to scream, but the crack across her cheek sent her head knocking into his collarbone.
“You want to try that again?” The ringing in her ears made it hard to hear him. “Now, we’re going for a little ride. You’ll like the boat. It’s not as big as Nathan’s, but I’ve had some extras built in that are much better than anything he has.”
He tangled his hand in her hair and yanked. She whimpered. When they stepped off the patio and onto the path, hope ebbed, but the next thing she knew, she lay on the ground facedown. A scuffle ensued behind her. She rolled over and cried in relief to see Nathan. In slacks, bare chested and barefooted, her lover lifted Cullen to his toes with one hand wrapped around his neck and pounded a fist into the man’s face. When Cullen went down, Nathan followed and drove blow after blow into his jaw. Cullen flailed about and then went still.
Nathan stood and hurried to her side. He took her into his arms. “Are you okay, baby?”
“I-I’m fine.” She did all she could not to cry again, but failed.
He crushed her in his embrace and let her get it out.
“I don’t understand why he obsessed over getting me to go on his yacht. It doesn’t even make sense. Why me? Oh no, I think I’m going to be sick.”
Nathan walked with her in his arms toward the house, and lights came on in several rooms. Aziz appeared in the doorway. She buried her face against Nathan’s neck.
“Call the police,” Nathan barked, “and bring him inside so he doesn’t get away.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Did Felix stay because of the storm?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Wake him. I’m taking Alyssa to the hospital.”
She raised her head. “No, I said I’m fine. I just need to get cleaned up.” The memory of his sister came back. “Piper! She was outside. Someone needs to go get her.”
Nathan paled, but Talia appeared in the exit to the hall. “She’s inside. Miss James found her at the front of the house.”
“She’s not hurt?” Nathan demanded.
“No, sir. Just…” The maid seemed embarrassed.
“Drunk.” Lydia bustled in. “What’s all the noise about down here? Why is everyone awake? Thank goodness I gave Leo his pain medicine. It knocks him out until morning.”
“I apologize, Mom. Cullen attacked Alyssa, and I need to get her to our room so I can be sure she’s okay.”
Lydia’s hand flew to her chest, and she sagged against Talia, who wrapped an arm about her employer. “I can’t believe he would do such a thing. Are you sure? We’ve known him and his family for years. Why would he?”
Nathan’s lips tightened, and Alyssa had the impression he knew a lot more than he chose to say about Cullen’s motives. “We’ll talk later. For now, I need to take care of Alyssa.”
He carried her past the two women, down the hall, and up to their room.
“Put me down. I can walk.”
He ignored her and sat on the bed with her on his lap. His hands explored her body, checking, she assumed, for broken bones or any other injuries. When he touched her cheek, she winced in pain and drew away.
“That asshole will die!” He started to put her aside, but she clung to him.
