Page 25 of Beautiful Trauma

Mya touched my arm. “Please let him go.”

Slowly, I turned my gaze from Anthony to Mya. “He hurt you tonight. And since he did it so easily, I imagine he’s hurt you many times. Not to mention tormenting you by stalking you.”

“While that might be true, he isn’t worth it.” Squeezing my arm, she pleaded, “Just let him go.”

As I stared into her frightened eyes, I shook my head. “I won’t allow him to hurt you ever again.”

At Anthony’s whimper, I flicked my gaze back to him. With a maniacal smile, I replied, “Don’t worry. I’m not going to kill you.”

After shoving him back, I landed a right hook to his cheek. While he flailed back, I slammed my fist into his abdomen. An agonized grunt erupted from his lips. Whirling around, I pummeled four or five punches into his kidneys.

As he doubled over, I socked him in the nose, sending blood spurting over my knuckles and onto my hands.

“Sir, don’t!” Thomas cautioned me from behind.

Ignoring him, I continued punching Anthony. After Thomas tried grabbing me by the waist, I flung him away.

Undaunted, Thomas stepped between me and Anthony. Grabbing my shoulders, he shouted, “Kellan, stop!”

Somehow his words got through to me, and I froze. I realized then that although the music continued playing, those dancing around us had stopped and were staring at me in both curiosity and horror.

“Get him the fuck out of here.”

“Yes, sir,” Thomas replied.

I realized how shaken he was by my behavior since he’d called me sir. But I didn’t have time to worry about that now.

I whirled around to take in Mya’s cowering form. When I took a step towards her, she jumped back, her eyes wide with fear. “It’s okay.You’reokay.”

As I held up my hands to steady her, I realized they were stained with blood. After tucking them to my side, I asked, “Are you all right?”

Her pale face shone brightly under the club lights. “I…I…”

When her eyes rolled back into her head, I dove forward to catch her before she could pass out. After sweeping her limp body into my arms, I faced the curious crowd surrounding us.

“Let us through!” I bellowed as I started moving forward.

After just seeing me pummel Anthony, people quickly scattered. As I passed the bar, I called, “Bring me some ice water and a pot of tea.”

“You got it, boss,” one of the bartenders replied.

I strode down the hallway to my office. After opening the door, I kicked it shut. Mya remained silent as I went over to the couch. After easing her down onto the black leather, I squatted down beside her.

At the fear reflected in her eyes, I shook my head. “You should know by now I’m not going to hurt you.”

“I do,” she whispered.

“Then why do you appear so scared of me?”

She swallowed hard. “You choked him…and beat him.”

“I did.”

With her voice wavering, she said, “It was scary…you were scary.”

“I’m sorry you had to see that.”

Her brows furrowed. “But you’re not sorry you hurt him.”