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I watched in horror as my arms wrapped around his shoulders against my will. Suddenly, I fell to the floor, and he slammed into the wall behind him. My heart all but stopped when I saw an enraged Anton holding the Sarenian by the throat. I scrambled to my feet and lowered the skirt of my dress. Tears flowed down my face. Anton took in the state I was in. The look on his face spelled murder. I wilted under his stare, fear choking the breath out of me.
He moved so fast, his fist blurred as he smashed it into the Sarenian’s shoulder. The Sarenian’s bellow of agony didn’t cover the sickening crunch of his bones shattering. I covered my mouth, my gorge rising. This Anton sent deadly chills creeping into my bones, turning my blood to ice. He breathed heavily, veins bulging on his temple and forehead.
“Did he hurt you?” he asked through gritted teeth, while the Sarenian whimpered in pain, struggling against Anton’s immovable hold.
I shook my head. The Sarenian’s command still bound me to remain silent.
“Did he hurt you?” Anton shouted this time.
Startled, my body jerked in fear. I pressed myself further against the wall, wishing it would swallow me whole and take me away to some place safe. My mouth refused to open. Shaking my head, I tapped the tip of my fingers on my throat, hoping he would understand. His eyes narrowed and his face twisted with blind fury as the message sank in.
“You little vermin,” he whispered, his face inches from the Sarenian. “You dare to mesmerize a woman,mywoman, onmystation?”
“I didn’t know she was your woman,” the Sarenian said, groaning with pain. “They said she was your slave. Braxians don’t value slaves.”
“Does she look like a slave to you?” Anton shouted, spit flying. “How dare you disrespect my woman and me? Release her before I smash your brains against the wall.”
A small crowd gathered to observe the scene. Among them, three security guards hurried forward. They didn’t interfere but stood at the ready. But right now, one thought haunted me; what would Anton do to me?
“Look at me,” the Sarenian man croaked. My head snapped towards him. With a will of their own, my eyes locked with his. “I release you… from all… commands.”
The vise squeezing my brain relaxed its choking hold. I looked at Anton.
“Anton, I… I didn’t…” Words failed me. I was so scared, I wished oblivion would claim me.
Anton lifted the Sarenian man by the neck and tossed him towards the guards. The crowd parted as he landed with a meaty thud at their feet. He croaked a strangled cry of pain.
“Lock him up. I will deal with him in the morning.”
The guards nodded and dragged him roughly out of the Viaggo, not caring about the excruciating pain of his shattered shoulder.
Anton prowled towards me, anger oozing out of him. I shook so violently, my teeth chattered. He towered over me. I placed trembling hands on his chest.
“Anton, please…” I begged. “I didn’t want this… I…”
“Shhh,” he said, rubbing his thumb over my lips, “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
A choked sob escaped my throat as relief flooded through me. I collapsed against his chest and into his embrace.
“I am furious right now, but not with you, Grace,” Anton said. While his voice was as tense as his body, his hands around me felt gentle. “I just need a moment to get my temper under control.”
I nodded against his chest, the soft fabric of his shirt rubbing against my cheek. Behind him, I heard the last fading steps of the crowd scattering. We held each other in silence, regaining our composure.
“How did you know?” I whispered.
“I saw the way he watched you. A pureblood would have challenged him for that alone. I was going to let it slide not to ruin our evening. After you left, I noticed he was gone too and knew he was up to no good. Unfortunately, it took me longer to untangle myself from those fucking leeches.” He kissed my forehead. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there sooner. He will pay for this. You have my word.”
I didn’t care about the Sarenian. Relief, sweet, blessed relief soaked me through. My brain was stuck on a joyous loop: I wouldn’t be punished. Closing my eyes, I sighed into his chest.
This wasn’t an uncommon occurrence where Sarenians were concerned, despite their government’s efforts to control its people. It was in their nature and their main method of reproduction. They preyed on compatible females and impregnated them against their will. In case their seed took root, the Sarenians planted a command preventing the woman from terminating the pregnancy or harming the child. The more the female resisted, the more it excited the Sarenians’ predatory instincts. They were, therefore, persona non grata in many circles.
In this instance, the Sarenian had not only broken the rule, but he had also targeted the big boss’ girl, disrespecting a Braxian in the process. Anton would make an example of him, and I couldn’t raise an ounce of pity for the bastard.
A chiming sound indicated the beginning of the show. Anton released me and looked at my face.
“Do you want to stay, or would you prefer to return home?”
I loved him for his solicitude. My instincts pushed me to go home, away from the curious stares of the crowd. However, going home would grant my aggressor another victory. He wouldn’t ruin the rest of my evening. Although, leaving could avoid anotherincident. Maybe this was my cue to run while things were still good between Anton and me. But is that what I wanted? Would that be our future? Hiding in the penthouse? Plus, I wanted to see all those sexy tattooed guys in ballet tights do their thing.
