Page 163 of Brutal Knight

"Your favorite," he said, holding it out to me.

"Actually, it's not." It was Manuel's, always had been, even though he'ddeclaredit to be mine, like everything else in our life. I tried to grab it from him, but he snatched it away at the last second, stepping closer.

"Pucker up." Staring into my eyes, he applied the lipstick, then ran his finger over my lip, brushing off the excess. He pulled the band from my hair, tugging it until it was loose around my shoulders. Leaning in, he whispered in my ear, "Maybe you and I'll have some fun later on tonight."

I tilted my face towards him, whispering back, "You must have a death wish." Then I bit into his cheek.

Roaring, he jerked backwards and the other guards howled in laughter. Eyes filled with rage, and he slapped me.

Pain ricocheted through me but I refused to let him see it. Instead, I stared into his eyes, a small smile twisting my lips, even though tears burned the back of my eyes. "That all you got soldier?"

His jaw set, but before he could respond, the door slammed open, revealing Antonio.

For some stupid reason, relief flooded through me.

Antonio might not be the best guy but he always made sure no one hurt me.

"You must have a fucking death wish," he growled from the doorway, quoting my own words back to onion man. I blinked in surprise.Had he heard me?

Taking hold of my elbow, Antonio led me from the room, down the maze of hallways until we were inside a large room, complete with several guards, a table dressed with food, and two chairs.

And in one of the chairs, was Manuel Rodrigo, my ex-husband, the man I'dthoughtI'd killed when I slit his throat.

At the sight of him, alive, I froze. My feet wouldn't allow me to go further.

"No, no, no," I wasn't thinking, only reacting as my feet began to move backwards until I hit the wall of men behind me.

Antonio stepped in front of me, blocking my vision. "Tatiana, look at me."

My eyes met his dark brown ones. I was still shaking my head. "I can't," I said, "I can't."

"You can," he growled, "You have to."

"No, no, no, don't make me." I panicked, shoving him away, punching and kicking, unable to stop myself, my heart pounding, my whole body screaming toget away, get away, get away.

Strong arms wrapped around me, a wall of muscle keeping me from moving, Antonio's low voice was all I could focus on. It was quiet, meant only for my ears. "You can do this, Tatiana. You're strong enough."

"No," I wailed against his chest, "I can't."

Gripping my chin, he forced my face upwards to meet his hard look. "You are." A low growl, "You are, okay?"

I could only stare up at him, my heart still pounding so hard, a suffocating feeling climbing up my chest and throat.

"You can," he continued. "You're strong. That's the only way you're going to get through this. You know that. Be brave, for yourself. For Honey."

At the sound of her name, I stilled.

He was right. I had to be strong. For her.

"Okay?" he asked, his voice softer.

When I didn't answer, his hand on my chin gripped me tighter. "Say you understand, Tatiana."

I nodded, my voice wobbling as I answered, "I understand." He was right, he was right. I had to be good. I had to be strong,for her.

He gave me a minute to calm myself before glancing over to Manuel, giving him a nod.

"Show her to her seat," the cold, familiar voice responded.

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