Page 50 of Rayne

I roll my eyes, folding my arms, which is difficult with his grip on me. "No."

"Two," he says, tone somehow getting darker as he snatches the glass from my hand, downing the drink in one go and putting the empty tumbler on a nearby desk.

Behind me, Elijah shifts awkwardly, obviously not used to having to face off with a psychopath. What does that say about me though? Calling his bluff…

"No," I repeat louder.

Hawk's head twists slightly as he looks at me, a glint that screams danger.

"Three."

I stand confidently, knowing he won't try anything. To everyone else in the world, he's always charming. He surely wouldn't dare threaten that.

Or at least that's what I thought.

His hands dig into my arms tighter, making me whine. Suddenly, I'm hoisted up, swung over his shoulder like a ragdoll.

Turning around, he starts walking towards the elevator, only holding onto me with one hand—which is conveniently placed firmly over my ass.

"Hawk!" I yell, hitting his back with my fists. When he doesn't flinch or reply, I lift my head, giving Elijah an apologetic look.

I mouth sorry, before yelling out. "See you tomorrow, I guess."

Elijah just stands there, in front of my office door with his drink still in hand, staring bewildered, shocked and worried. He doesn't react and as soon as we're inside the elevator and Hawk puts me on my feet, I do the unthinkable.

SLAP.

Chapter 17

Hawk's head snaps to the side as my palm connects with his face, but his expression remains the same.

Slowly, he turns his head back to glower at me, eyes hard and dark.

"Are you done now?" he asks angrily.

I gawk at him. "You seriously have the nerve to be angry at me?" I yell.

He just glares at me, making me even more frustrated.

I'm completely overwhelmed with emotion—mainly burning rage. And the longer the silence passes between us, the more it builds.

Finally, I snap. I raise my hand without thinking, ready to hit him again.

It grabs his attention, Hawk reacting swiftly as he snatches my wrist in his tight grab, slamming me into the wall of the elevator.

The air rushes out of me, my body aching from the impact, but it just fuels me on more.

"You're despicable!" I snap.

Hawk grabs my throat, pinning me against the wall. I let out a gasp as I try to breathe but his fingers just clench around my neck more firmly. He leans forward, pressing our foreheads together.

"Is that so?" he says threateningly.

I nod the best I can against his grip, ignoring the burn, crushing feeling in my chest as my lungs scream for air.

Resisting the urge to claw his face, I leave my arms dangling by my side, determined to not give in. We're battling for power, and this time, I'm motivated by wrath.

"Too. Fucking. Bad," he hisses, letting his hand back slightly.

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