Page 41 of Dancing with the Devil

I swallowed a lump of fear down my throat and he grabbed my wrist with forced. “Now.”

I politely smiled, nodding my head. Goosebumps rose on my skin as I lifted my hands to my bra. With trembling fingers, I unclipped the strap behind my back.

Satisfaction sparked in his eyes.

I lifted my hands to the straps on my shoulders, fighting the nausea that crawled up my throat.

Hesitantly,I pulled the straps down my arms.

I froze, hearing the door handle.

Our heads snapped toward the door and it opened.Antonio.

“This is aprivatesession,” Leo irritably growled and I immediately fastened my bra. “So get out.”

“Not withmygirl it’s not,” Antonio slightly shook his head, approaching us. “Go to your dressing room,” he said to me and I didn’t waste a second.

I stepped forward but Leo grabbed my wrist and my stomach dropped.

Within the blink of an eye, Antonio had his hand around Leo’s throat—squeezing so hard his knuckles turned white.

Leo’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head and the vein in his forehead protruded dangerously.

I left the room immediately, not daring to stay in that room any longer.

I entered my dressing room, clutching my throat. The walls were closing in on me again. I reached for my neck—to tug the object suffocating me—but there was nothing.

In panic, I paced up and down the room, trying to steady my breathing. Tears swelled in my eyes and my legs went numb.Why me? Why is it always me?

My head throbbed in pain and I squeezed my eyes shut, curling my fingers into fists at my side.

Breathe, Nirah. Deep, slow breaths.

I threw my head back, blinking away tears as my breathing slowly but surely steadied.

I shook my hands, inhaling. I held my breath then exhaled.You’re okay. You’re. Okay.

After having calmed down, I sipped some water and got comfortable on the sofa. I ran a soothing palm over my heart, feeling it ache.

My door opened and I jumped up in fear but it dissolved when Antonio stepped inside.

“Sit.”

“Not a dog,” I shook my head, and he got comfortable on the sofa.

“I have a proposal,” he explained, and I narrowed my eyes at him. I walked over to the mini fridge and grabbed a bowl of grapes.

“This is going to be interesting,” I smiled, leaning my ass against the vanity. The ache in my chest hadn’t subsided yet, but I’d be dammed if I let him see me afraid.

“Sit, Nirah,” he once again said and I walked over to the couch, sitting down beside him.

He seemed serious so for once, I didn’t want to unnecessarily push his buttons.

“You have a few minutes. Make it count.”

“I have a way that we can both get what we want, in your case being protection from the mother fucker who can’t keep his hands off of you.”

“And in your case…” I trailed off.