Page 180 of Mafia and Scars

He shoves her up against the wall. She pushes him. Tries to get away. But he grabs her arm. Yanks her back.

Avelina’s voice, small and strangled. “No…p-please, let me go!”

He’s got her pinned and cornered. Her eyes are wild with fear. She’s cowering beneath him.

He raises his arm. Grabs her skirt. She flinches violently?—

But I don’t see anymore.

My heart pounds. And I move before I can register what the fuck I’m doing. I shove open the SUV’s door and sprint the fastest I’ve ever run. Thirteenth floor. I stab the button. Call the elevator. Wait two seconds.

Then fling open the staircase door.

Hurl myself up the steps. Taking them two at a time. Out of breath. Sweat pouring off me. And the scene that greets me makes my vision burn bright red.

She’s still trying to fight him off as his hand slides beneath her blouse.

I don’t give him a chance to speak. I grab his collar. Drag him away from her. Slam him into the opposite wall. My forearm rams against his throat. “Get your filthy hands off her! Go near her again and your fucking body won’t ever be found!”

Avelina’s hands are shaking. Her makeup smeared. Her mascara streaked down her cheeks.

And my rage goes into overdrive.

He chokes as I press harder. “We were just…she’s been?—”

“Shut the fuck up! Youdon’ttalk to her. Youdon’tlook at her. Youdon’tfucking dare to breathe in her direction.”

It’s the hitch in Avelina’s breathing that shatters my rage.

Panting hard, I turn to look at her. She’s deathly pale, chest heaving with ragged sobs as she stays pressed against the wall.

I press my forearm harder. His face turns a shade of purple.Fucking good!

He splutters.

Tries to beg.

I shove him over to where there’s a pad of paper and pen. “Write out your resignation letter. Effective immediately. Then walk out of that door and never fucking come back unless you want to be dead.”

He doesn’t argue. Doesn’t dare look at Avelina again. His hands shake as he scribbles out a letter.

“Now get the fuck out of here!” I roar once he’s done.

He stumbles out of the room and flees the office without even bothering to collect his stuff.Good fucking riddance.

My eyes flicker to her. “Avelina?” I ask tentatively.

No response.

I try again.

Still nothing

“Avelina?” I murmur, and finally, her gaze lifts to mine.“You’re safe now, my sunshine.”

CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

AVELINA