Page 23 of Powerful

‘Hello, pretty,’ he croons, closing the distance between us. ‘You’re even nicer to look at in the daytime.’

My eyes shift nervously, glancing at the passing people. With what may be a false sense of security, I attempt to keep things civil. Professional despite my discomfort.

‘Good morning, sir.’ His responding smirk is unsettling.‘Is there anything in particular you’re looking for? Perhaps there is a missus you are shopping for? Because I have this beautiful blue top that—’

‘I’d like to see it on you,’ he cuts in, voice raspy and blue eyes burning. ‘Well, off of you, actually.’

I take a step back, feeling the grimy wall suddenly against my shoulders. My voice quivers, but I force the words out. ‘I think you should leave now.’

My eyes linger on his blossoming black eye as he runs a hand through oily brown hair. His smile only grows more crazed. ‘Oh, no, I’m not letting you out of my sight again, pretty.’

My lips part, allowing words to stumble out. ‘Please, I—’

‘Did I not take care of you properly the first time?’

That dry voice cuts through my own, full of challenge. My eyes lift to the looming figure now suddenly behind the man closing in on me.

Mak looks relaxed, bored even, as he waits expectantly with arms crossed over a broad chest. Most of his ebony hair is tied back with a strap, though several pieces fall around his face, blowing in the soft breeze. That strand of silver peeks out at me, glinting with familiarity and comfort.

Tears well at the mere sight of him.

The man whips round, eyes widening. ‘Shit.’

I’m not exactly sure how it happened, seeing that I chose quite the inopportune moment to blink. But the man’s face is suddenly shoved against the grimy wall beside me while the length of Mak’s arm presses against the back of his neck.

‘You are a pathetically slow learner,’ Mak says dryly. ‘I figured one black eye would be enough to get my point across. But it seems you’d like a matching one.’

‘I-I didn’t recognize her, I swear!’ The man’s voice is muffled against the brick.

Mak leans in, his voice a murmur. ‘We both know why that’s a lie.’

And then he’s grabbing the man by the collar to roughly turn him round, shoving his back against the wall. He sputters, forcing Mak to speak over him. ‘Dena, I think you should do the honors.’

‘W-What?’ I croak from where I’m gawking beside him.

‘It will be good practice.’ He says this simply, as though I have any idea of what he’s suggesting. ‘I would have let you punch me if it came to it, but this is a far more appealing option.’

‘You… You want me to punch him?’ I shake my head in protest. ‘No, you go ahead. I’m good.’

‘Dena.’

‘Really, I’ll leave this one up to you,’ I assure with an unconvincing smile. ‘This is more your thing.’

With a sigh, he reaches out a hand to close round my arm, dragging me towards him against my will. ‘Come on. This is part of your training.’

He squares my shoulders, positioning me for a punch. ‘Mak, I —’

‘Think of what him and his friends tried to do.’ His voice is a murmur. ‘Think of what he will continue to try with other women in the slums.’

I take a steadying breath, letting his words sink in. But it’s what he says next that has my fist flying towards the man’s face.

‘Think of what he would try to do to Pae.’

The man sputters, spitting blood from his mouth. Pain shoots down my arm, feeling as though my knuckles have been dipped in fire. My shout is strained. ‘Plagues!’

He raises his eyebrows at my exclamation. ‘Come on, tell me how you really feel.’

Hugging my hand, I glance around before quietlyproclaiming what I’d bitten back. ‘Shit! That hurt like… like hell!’

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