Page 103 of Wild Blades

I don’t want to.

Not after he greeted Wade earlier by calling himfuckface,which was rather crass given the elitist company and five-star venue we are in this evening. Not one to judge, I only know Zane from the things I’ve been told. He’s nothing like his father, who is a gentleman in every sense of the word.

When I sent him a message the other night asking for a photo of him as a child in his hockey gear, he instantly replied a yes and then proceeded to ask me out on a date.

Declining, I kept that one to myself. The last thing Wade needs is another reason to break his nose again.

Looking at him now, the surgeons did a good job.

Helps when Daddy has lots of money to make all your problems disappear.

Hands in his pockets, Zane moves in my direction. Face twisted, he’s annoyed and obviously drunk. Not a good combination.

“You think you’re so fucking clever, don’t you?” Slurring words, I can tell he’s had more than a couple of drinks.

“I don’tthinkI am. IknowI am.”

It all happens so fast. He grabs me by the throat, shoving me against the nearest wall, restricting my breathing.

Panicked, struggling to fill my lungs, I drop my clutch to the floor as my fingers clawing at his hands in a desperate attempt to get him to release me.

I try to scream for help, but his grip is too tight, stealing my voice. Black spots dance around the edge of my vision as I fight to get him off me.

“What the fuck do you see in him?” He sprays spit in my face, his breath stinking of liquor.

My pulse takes on a life of its own, adrenaline thrumming through my body.

Wade, please help me.

“I could make you come better than him.” He presses himself against me, his hard cock digging into my hip has bile rising in my throat.

I feel like I’m going to pass out, or be sick, as he tries to crush my larynx.

Knowing I’m all alone and have to be my own savior, self-doubt slides in, but I know I have to fight back.

“You think you’re so smart but you’re not,” he sneers. “You might have everyone fooled, but I think you’d like to be Wade’s little whore. Am I right?”

I try to shake my head but his grip is too tight.

“I know who you are and what you want.” In a moment of insanity, he smashes his lips against my mouth, and I take my shot.

I pull his bottom lip between my teeth and bite down. Hard. I pierce his flesh, the metallic taste of blood flooding my mouth, and he roars out in pain as I hold him there, refusing to let go until he releases his tight grip.

Finally, as he unclenches his hand from around my throat, I let go of his lip, spitting his blood in his face. “I’ll tell you who I am.” My voice is scratchy, my neck throbbing.

“I am Kali…” I bend my leg and knee him in the balls, making him fold in two. “… Fucking…” I hit under his nose using the palm of my hand and hear a crunch, making him roar out in pain again, howling. “… Roth.” I push him over and he falls in a heap to the ground.

“You motherfucking piece of shit.” Wade’s voice pierces the air as he races over to me, his heavy steps thundering through the corridor.

Wrapping my hand around my tender neck, which I know will be bruised tomorrow, I push out my words to Wade. “You’re late. That was six minutes.”

“What the hell happened?” Cupping my cheeks with his big hands, his wild eyes roaming my face. “What did he do to you?”

“He made a pass… and he… tried to kiss me… and… he attacked me… my neck.” Gasping for air, I’m sobbing now. It’s too painful to talk and I crash from the adrenaline rush. I feel vulnerable.

“Where’s the blood coming from? Are you hurt?” He thumbs my bottom lip gently, while his nostrils flare, telling me that he’s seething.

“It’s not mine.”

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