Page 43 of Mercy

"You meanyourfamily!" I scream in his face, no longer caring about the scene we're making in the parking lot. "I am no longer part of your fucking family!"

Something in his eyes changes, a dangerous glint appearing. "You ungrateful little bitch," he snarls.

Before I can react, his hand shoots out, grabbing my throat.

I gasp, clawing at his fingers as he slams me against my car.

The impact knocks the wind out of me, and I struggle to breathe.

"You think you can just walk away?" he growls, his face inches from mine. "Everything you are is because of me."

I try to speak, but his grip tightens.

Black spots dance in my vision as panic sets in.

This isn't happening.

Not again.

I can't let him control me anymore.

With all the strength I can muster, I bring my knee up hard between his legs.

He grunts in pain, loosening his grip just enough for me to break free.

I gasp for air, stumbling away from him.

"You're wrong," I rasp, my throat burning. "I am who I am in spite of you, not because of you."

His face contorts with fury, and he lunges at me.

I try to dodge, but I'm not fast enough.

His fist connects with my jaw, sending me sprawling onto the asphalt.

Pain explodes through my head as it bounces off the ground.

I taste blood in my mouth as I struggle to get up.

But he's on me in an instant, raining down blows.

I curl into a ball, trying to protect myself, but it's useless.

Each impact sends waves of agony through my body.

As consciousness starts to slip away, a single thought echoes in my mind: I can't die here.

Not like this.

Not by his hand.

But the darkness is encroaching, and I feel myself fading.

The last thing I see is his face, twisted with rage, as everything goes black.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Tor

---