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My innocent act must have worked. I couldn’t believe he let me leave the room, but I hurried into the kitchen, hoping my purse was still sitting on the counter. It wasn’t.

I was contemplating my bare feet when a massive arm swept me off the ground by my waist. A hand clamped tight over my mouth to keep me from screaming, and I was held tightly against a solid chest.

“It’s me,” Derek’s voice was barely audible, right beside my ear. “I’m here to help you.”

My heart hammered against my ribs as he gently lowered me to my feet again. I was shaking all over as I turned to face him, relief coursing through me.

As always, I noticed how the black tee he wore was stretched tight over his chest, but tonight, my attention was on his biceps straining at the sleeves, his hands clenched in fists. I almost burst into tears at the sight, and just as fast, all I could think was I wanted him to beat the shit out of Sloan.

“Mel?” I heard Sloan’s voice from the living room. “You okay in there?”

Derek held a finger over his lips and then circled two fingers around each other as if to indicate “keep it going.” He held up a digital recorder, and I bit my lip nodding.

“Yeah,” I said, swallowing the knot in my throat. “No clean wine glasses.”

“I can help with that,” he answered.

“No!” I said quickly. “It’s okay. In fact…” I went to the doorway and back into the living room. “I’ve changed my mind. You’re not staying here. In fact, it’s time for you to go. Now. I don’t want you here anymore.”

If Derek was doing what I thought he was, I needed to make this count.

“What?” Sloan said, turning to face me, his expression of surprise turning into anger and thinly veiled arousal. He made me sick. “I thought we’d moved past the rough stuff. But I’m happy to revisit it. Whatever you want.”

“I don’t want any of your stuff,” I said, wondering if I should speak louder. “Take your shit and get out of my house. We’re not married anymore.”

His smile was tight over his gritted teeth, and he crossed the room to me quickly, grabbing my arm and bending it back behind me. “You little bitch,” he hissed. “You’ll take whatever I give you and like it. As much money as I spent on you.”

“Ouch!” I tried to jerk my arm away, but he pulled it higher up my back. “You’re hurting me,” I said loudly.

I was in real pain, but more importantly, I wanted this on the record. This time, I wanted him to pay.

“Then stop fighting,” he said, pulling me against his pelvis by the front of my jeans and flicking my top button loose with his fingers.

“Or what?” My voice was still loud. “You’ll rape me? Beat me again?”

“It’s not rape if you like it,” he said, moving in for a kiss.

“I said no, Sloan!” I said his name loud and clear, bracing to have to fight him, to do whatever it took for Derek to get the evidence he needed.

I was just closing my eyes when I felt the swish of air from a fast-moving body followed by a loud crack! My eyes blinked open, and Sloan was on the floor. My piece of shit ex-husband moved once before he passed out completely.

It took me a second to register what had happened. Derek stood over him looking down, breathing hard. His jaw was clenched as were his fists, and it looked like he might do more, like one punch wasn’t enough to satisfy him. And while I’d have been happy for him to beat Sloan beyond recognition, I didn’t want anything to ruin our chances of putting that loser away.

I quickly stepped in front of Derek, placing my hands on his arms. “I’m okay,” I said, pulling him gently. My whole body was trembling. I couldn’t seem to stop it, but I had to get him to look at me and not Sloan lying on the floor. “I’m okay, Derek.”

As if waking, Derek blinked to me and then took a deep breath. His worried eyes traveled over my face briefly before he leaned down to wrap his arms around my waist, pulling me tight against his body. My insides melted, and tears flooded my eyes. I wasn’t sure if it was from the close-call, or post-traumatic stress, or if it was just holding him again this way. Maybe it was a combination of all three, but I gripped my arms around his neck and held him as my body shook with sobs.

“It’s okay,” he whispered, stroking my hair. “It’s over. I will never let him hurt you again.”

I nodded against his chest, and he held me several long moments. His hands stroked my back gently until I could finally breathe again without jerking out a sob.

Derek straightened up and lifted my chin with his finger, looking into my eyes. “Okay?” he

said, sliding his thumbs gently over my damp cheeks.

I sniffed and nodded, wiping my nose with my hand. “Why were you here?” I asked, as he released me to pull out his phone.

“I never stopped watching him.” He was touching the phone quickly as he spoke. “Ever since that day you came to my office, I’ve been keeping tabs on him.”