Two…
Three.
We both run at the door shoulder first, but as we get to it, I turn my head, not wanting my face to smash into the wood. Then instead of connecting with it, I’m falling. Hands grab for me, but I still drop to the floor.
“Fuck.”
Shit! I know that voice.
“Get up, Chanel.” Merci is standing over me.
I’m lying on someone, and I can feel every inch of them underneath me. I know who it is before I even look. But when I do, those dark wood-colored eyes lock onto mine, and despite everything—and I mean everything—I sigh in relief at the sight of him.
“Didn’t expect this welcome,” he says, and his voice is sickeningly comforting.
I hate that!
As I push up, I feel his cock between my legs. His nose scrunches, and I know he’s smelling me. When isn’t he? But before he can move, I slam my palm into his nose and jump off him. I see Brody with his arms around Merci, holding her up in his firm grip.
“Fucking hell, Chanel.” Lucas gets up from the floor, his hand on his nose as blood pours from it like a tap has been turned on.
I look to him, then to Brody, and then Merci. “I think it’s best we leave. Now,” I say to them, eyeing the doorway.
Right now, I don’t see any sign of Malik, and for that, I’m more than thankful.
“You…” Lucas points at me with the hand that isn’t holding his nose, “… are coming with me.” Then he really looks at me, his hand dropping away from his nose as he stares at my face. I watch as his eyes scan me from head to toe. Blood continues to leak from his nose and drop to the floor, but he has no care.
Lucas Rossi is mad.
“Merci,” Brody calls out as she collapses onto the floor.
Lucas sighs and turns around, glancing down. “Seems my father didn’t like this one.”
“Sir,” Brody says, but Lucas bends down and picks Merci up as if she were a child and starts power walking out with her in his arms. Brody looks back at me, unsure of what to do before he follows him out. “Where are you taking her?” Brody asks as Lucas walks to his car, places Merci in his back seat, then shuts the door.
“To a doctor.” Lucas walks around to his side of the car and addresses both of us. “Get in.”
Brody doesn’t hesitate as he slides in the back with Merci, which leaves me to get in the front seat with Lucas. I bite my inner cheek, not wanting to do that at all. I don’t even want to reach out and touch the door, let alone think about getting inside the car with him. The passenger window slides down, and I hear his voice without seeing him. “You can stay here and wait for him to come back, or… you can get in. I would suggest you get in.”
Turning away, I look down the street. It’s dark. There’s not a cloud in the sky or anyone to be seen. How come no one came when we screamed?
Taking a deep breath, I turn and walk away from the car and head down the street. I’ve made my choice, and it’s never the better the devil you know. I should know this. My feet are bare, and my clothes are covered in blood, but I don’t care. I keep walking until I hear his car come up next to me. When he parks, I hear the door shut and then his footsteps as he comes to a stop in front of me, blocking me from going any farther.
“Get in the car, Chanel.”
“You are just like your father. Both of you think you can tell me what to do as if I am your property. I don’t belong to either of you. Do you understand?” I scream. “I belong to no one. No one can buy me, sell me, or give me away as you thought you could. I am a person, not a belonging.”
“Mia per sempre.”
“Don’t call me that!” I scream at him.
Lucas doesn’t move away, but his hand reaches out to touch my face. I move back, afraid of his touch and what it will make me feel for him.
“The pain I would inflict on you will always be for your pleasure.” He pauses. “This…” his hand waves around my face, “… I would never do.”
“Ha.” I roll my eyes. “Next, you’re going to tell me you fart unicorns.”
His lip quirks at my words.