His expression turns dark as he rubs a hand across his jaw and tilts his head. “That wasn’t a very good idea, Eliza.” His free hand slams into my throat as he pushes me roughly against the car door, the other hand still firmly wedged between my thighs. “And here I thought you were broken, but there’s still some fight in you yet.” He sounds delighted by that, which makes me feel sick.
“It would take much more to break me,” I spit, hardly able to form my words as he chokes the life out of me. The dark and helpless part of me begging internally for him to squeeze harder and strangle the life out of me.
His eyes search mine frantically. “I’m not so sure that’s true.” The grip around my throat loosens, and he turns away, looking forward out of the front window as if nothing happened.
I clutch my throat, which feels sore, glaring at him.
“You’ll need to ice that fist.” He glances briefly at it. “The kitchen staff at the gala will help.”
I look at him and can’t help but wonder what bred this darkness inside of him. How did he become so cold and detached?
The car comes to a stop, drawing my eyes to our location. We’ve stopped outside the Ritz in central Chicago, where well-dressed, elegant people flood through the doors.
I swallow hard at the realization that somehow I’ve got to appear polite and happy on my husband’s arm or they’ll be hell to pay.
Adrik is clearly insane to bring me to a party like this. He grabs my wrist and squeezes so hard it hurts. “Remember, behave.” The door to the town car opens, and he slides out first, before turning to offer me his hand.
I ignore it and clamber out the back, knowing I’d rather throw myself under a bus than touch him voluntarily.
Acting is easy.
It seems to come as second nature to this man as he plasters on a false yet convincing smile and slides his hand to the small of my back. He leans toward me. “Act for me.”
I swallow hard and then force myself to smile. Adrik leads me in through the entrance and the sound of classical music carries from the events hall.
The soft chatter of people fills my ears, and it makes everything feel worse. All these people are going about their daily lives happily unaware that there’s a monster among them.
What could Adrik want with the city’s elite?
The politicians, finance brokers and rich of the city have always had their fingers in illegal pies, but my papá conducted his business with them behind closed doors, and never mingled with them at legitimate events.
“Come with me,” Adrik says, yanking me toward a very young server who could hardly be out of high school. He clears his throat. “My wife needs some ice for her hand. She had a fall.”
The server glances nervously between me and Adrik, his eyes widening when he sees my already bruised hand. “Of course, sir. I can take your wife to the kitchen.”
Adrik growls. “She’s not going anywhere. Bring the ice here.”
The boy pales and nods. “Certainly.” He scurries off to find the ice, no doubt scared half to death.
I glare at him. “Was that necessary?”
Adrik’s attention moves to me with disinterest. “I could ask the same of you punching me in the jaw, but yet here we are.” His eyes scan the room for someone and when they stop moving, a dark spark ignites.
I follow his gaze to see he’s found the mayor of the city amongst the crowd. “Why are we here, anyway?” I ask.
“That’s for me to know and you to wonder.” His jaw clenches as the boy returns.
“Will this do, sir?” he asks, holding out an ice-pack.
I take the ice-pack and smile at him. “It’s perfect, thank you.”
The boy nods his appreciation as Adrik glares at him with a look that could chill most hearts, and then he moves away rather swiftly. It’s not surprising he wants to get away from him as fast as possible, as I have the same desire.
Adrik grabs my wrist. “Come on, we’ve got some people to speak with.” I hold the ice-pack and cloth to my free hand as he drags me through the crowd like a dog on a leash.
All I can do is grind my teeth and try not to look too angry by my husband’s side. It may be easy for him to act, but after everything this bastard has done, how can I act like any of this is okay?
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