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“Please, Ian,” I whisper, tears pricking at the corners of my eyes. “Just let me go.”
He chuckles darkly, the sound sending chills down my spine. “Not a chance,” he sneers. “You’re mine, Harper. Always have been, always will be.”
“You have no right to touch me, not after everything you’ve done.”
“Harper, don’t cause a scene,” he warns, his tone low and dangerous. “You wouldn’t want to attract unwanted attention, would you?”
The threat in his voice sends a shiver down my spine, and I glance around nervously, praying for someone to intervene. Unwanted attention is exactly what I want if it would help put space between him and me.
“Hey! What’s going on here?” My heart leaps as I spot Antonio striding toward us, concern etched across his handsome face.
Ian’s grip on my wrist doesn’t waver, but the smugness in his gaze falters slightly. A flicker of unease crosses his face as he sizes up Antonio.
“Nothing, just a little disagreement between old friends,” Ian lies smoothly, his voice oozing charm that I know all too well to be fake.
Antonio’s dark eyes narrow, sensing the tension radiating between Ian and me. He steps closer, positioning himself protectively beside me. My heart races at his proximity, his strength and confidence offering a small sense of security in this terrifying moment.
“Harper, are you okay?” Antonio asks, his voice laced with genuine concern.
I swallow hard, desperate to tell him everything but terrified of what Ian might do if I speak out against him. “I…I’m fine now that you’re here,” I whisper, my voice barely audible.
“Let her go,” Antonio demands, his voice firm and unyielding.
For a moment, I hold my breath, unsure if Ian will comply or escalate the situation further. But to my immense relief, he finally releases my wrist, stepping back with a smug grin that makes my stomach churn. Then he walks off without so much as another word.
The sudden disappearance catches me off guard, and it takes me a moment to process what just happened.
“Harper,” Antonio calls out, breaking me from my daze.
My heart races as I turn to him, seeking comfort and safety in his presence. His strong arms are like a shield, protecting me from the storm that seems to follow wherever Ian goes. My breath hitches in my throat as I step closer, drawn to him like a moth to a flame.
“Are you okay?” he asks, genuine concern lacing his words.
A single tear rolls down my cheek as I reach for Antonio, feeling a desperate need for his comfort and safety. I wrap my arms around him tightly, my body shaking uncontrollably as fear and relief mingle together within me.
“Antonio, I was so scared,” I sob, burying my face in his strong chest. “I didn’t know what he was going to do.”
“Did he hurt you?” Antonio’s jaw clenches, and I can see the anger simmering beneath the surface of his usually calm demeanor.
“No, not this time,” I murmur, shuddering at the thought of what could have happened if Antonio hadn’t arrived when he did.
“Fuck, I’m so sorry. I should have came sooner. I was just so mad at Isabella that I?—”
“No, don’t apologize. I’m just happy you came.” Nobody else has ever come for me before.
“Listen, Harper,” he says, his voice softening as he places a comforting hand on my shoulder. “You don’t have to be afraid anymore. We won’t let him hurt you ever again.”
As Antonio’s words wash over me, I feel something inside me shift, like a weight being lifted from my shoulders. It’s been so long since someone cared about me the way Antonio does, and it’s both terrifying and exhilarating all at once.
“Thank you,” I whisper, my eyes finally meeting his. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
“Hey,” he reassures me, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze. “That’s what I’m here for.” And with that simple declaration, a small flicker of hope begins to burn within me, casting a warm glow over the darkness that has shadowed my life for far too long.
“Would it be so bad if I didn’t want to go back to the party?”
“Fuck that party. Let’s go home.”
Home. It wouldn’t be home without him.
