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“No. I swear it.”
“If you’re lying to me, I will find out.” His hand slowly began to tighten until my airway was cut off and I couldn’t help my reaction, clutching at his grip. Stars danced in front of my eyes as he squeezed so tightly that I thought he might crush my windpipe. “Let this serve as a reminder. No one fucks with me or makes a fool out of Maxwell Forman. Am I understood?”
I was going to pass out. Darkness crept in from the edges of my vision. I managed to answer as he laughed and backed away, releasing me as I fell to my knees and gasped for breath.
“Seven on Saturday, dearest. Be ready.”
Max whistled as he spun and walked back to his limo, climbing inside and pulling away as I lay on my side unable to fight the tears that filled my eyes and spilled over as my throat burned. I heard the door open and Charlotte’s shocked screech as she pulled me into her arms.
“Cara!”
“I’m okay,” I lied.
“No, you aren’t. We need to call the police. He assaulted you.”
“It won’t help. He’s too powerful. I’ve tried before, remember?”
Charlotte didn’t care. She pulled the phone from her pocket and I had to swat it away. “Why aren’t you fighting him?”
“I am. I will,” I promised, my voice hoarse. “I’m getting help. It has to be the right time when I’m not alone.”
She shook her head. “He almost killed you.”
“I’m breaking off the engagement at the gala. A public announcement so he can’t deny it or hurt me. I’ll be free from him soon.”
“Why don’t you ask R.J. for help?”
“He’s coming Saturday. Everything will be settled. You’ll see.”
She looked skeptical. I didn’t feel as convinced as I sounded either.
“I’m scared for you, Cara.”
“I can’t say anything before Saturday. R.J. will get hurt. We need to plan this right so Maxwell can’t retaliate.”
“It’s too dangerous,” she argued.
I didn’t care. Protecting the ones that I loved and cared about meant I made sacrifices. Today was one of them. Maxwell Forman wouldn’t be able to come after me or my family after Saturday. He would have to admit it was over and I would have dozens of witnesses.
Just a few more days.
I could do this.
R.J. and I couldn’t meet until the gala. It was obvious Max had someone watching me. I had to be careful. If Max caught us together, he’d become violent. And it wasn’t worth anyone else becoming hurt in the process.
“YOU’RE JUST THE PERSON I wanted to see,” Rae announced, walking up to the front office inside the school the following afternoon. “Do you have a few minutes, Cara?”
I glanced at the clock and nodded. “Sure.” Jean and I finished our caseload a few minutes prior. I was almost done for the day. “What’s up?”
It seemed odd that I would get a visit from both R.J. and Rae within the same week, but I shrugged it off, following her outside as she suggested a walk.
“I can’t do confined spaces right now. Makes me feel anxious. The baby is messing with my head,” she laughed, her hair whipping around her face in the wind. “Fresh air helps.”
We walked to a set of benches on the edge of the playground. The breeze and slightly cool air relaxed my tense shoulders. I sat down next to Rae as she tilted her head, her big brown eyes concerned.
“What are those marks around your neck, Cara?” Her voice was gentle but firm. She wanted the truth.
Reaching up, I realized the wind had blown my scarf askew and she could see the bruises and discoloration I’d been hiding all day. In truth, since last night and Max’s visit.
