Page 160 of Guarding Grace

“You want to help your friend?” he asked. “If you make this easy, you might have time for that.”

That was a choice I didn’t expect.

“What will it be? Do you want to help your friend? Submit, and I will tell Goron to stop.” He shook his head. “On second thought, maybe I enjoy the fight.”

“Okay.” Relaxing my stance, I started to unbutton what was left of my shirt. Saving Marci was the only choice available.

“Good choice.” He pulled his own shirt over his head.

With a sigh, I slid my shirt off my shoulders and dropped it to the side.

His lecherous eyes stayed glued to me.

Bile rose in my throat. My skirt was next. After lowering the zipper, I slipped it down my legs, stepped out of it, and kicked it away. I was down to my lacy bra, black thong, and boots. “Hurry up and call him off.”

I could hear Marci sobbing now.

I controlled the reflex to vomit and refused to show him the fear I was sure he craved.He is going down.

He released his belt and unzipped his pants, laughing to himself. “I bet you fuck as good as you look.”

Sickened, I reached behind me to grip the clasp on my bra.

He lowered his pants.

I launched myself at him. Terry had said to never go quietly, to fight with whatever I had at hand. I knew in my gut that with sick fucks like this, submitting wouldn’t save either of us.

With his pants down around his ankles, he couldn’t avoid my kick.

His scream of pain when my boot connected with his groin was music to my ears. I’d put all my strength into it, and my aim had been true.

Marku doubled over in agony.

Quickly, I jumped behind him and got him in the chokehold Pete had drilled into me.

“Hey, asshole.” I heard Terry’s voice outside. He’d come for me.

My eyes went damp with emotion. Straining to hold Marku, I couldn’t pull a breath into my lungs, and my call to Terry came out a weak squeak. “In here.”

Marku clawed at my arms, trying to break my grip.

“Feel lucky?” More words from my man outside, followed by the sounds of a struggle.

My muscles burned as I gripped the monster with all my strength. What if Goron had surprised Terry?

More indistinct words came through the door.

Marku’s nails tore skin from my arm.

I closed my eyes and pulled with all my strength, concentrating on the form Pete had taught me. It shouldn’t be taking this long.

“Where’s Grace?” I heard Terry yell.

Marku let go of my arm, pulled at his pant leg, and out of nowhere, he had a gun in his hand. He fumbled with it, then pointed it back at me.

It was let him go or die.

Bang.