Page 14 of Veiled Vengeance

His hands go to the front of my dress and grip the neckline at the center of my chest. With a yank, my breasts spill out. My heart flips, and a stab of terror slices through my sternum.

This can’t be happening. Please. Not again. I can’t survive this again.

“Please don’t do this,” I whimper. Black tears roll down my cheeks as saltwater mixes with my mascara.

“Shhh.” He holds a finger up to my mouth. “It’s okay. I know you don’t love him like you love me.”

“No. Please no,” I beg.

“I know you love me.”

Oh my God. He’s delusional.

Fuck this. I’m not going down without a fight.

“No, I don’t!” I shout. Spit flies from my mouth and lands on his face.

Pierce blinks, and his fist goes right into my stomach. “Stop lying! You’re lying”

I wheeze. “I don’t want you. I never wanted you.”

“Yes, you do! Admit it!” Pierce continues to punch my abdomen.

Asher doesn’t let up as he fights to break free. “Stop! Get your filthy hands off her, you piece of shit! You pathetic piece of shit!”

I can barely breathe as Pierce wrenches my thighs apart and pushes up the hem of my dress, so it rests up around my hips. He looks down at my black thong like it’s the most beautiful thing he’s ever seen. “So beautiful,” he praises reverently.

I pull at my wrists as the tape digs into my skin. I twist them back and forth with no progress. My pulse roars in my throat.

Pierce glides his hands up my thighs and grabs at my hips. He leans in and drags his nose up the column of my neck.

“Please, stop.”

I’m helpless. I can’t move. I can’t fight him off.

Pierce has always made me uncomfortable. I didn’t think he’d go this far, but I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s absolutely insane, just like Anthony.

My gaze wanders over his shoulder and connects with Dahlia. My tears don’t blur her face. Her eyes are firm, and her muscles clenched. The stillness of her aura infuses me with the strength I need to endure. There’s literally nothing I can do to stop what’s going to happen. All I can do is accept it and keep going.

Pierce’s hands continue to grope me, and my concentration on Dahlia doesn’t waiver.

“Look away, Asher.” My voice is hollow.

Asher’s furious glower stabs at the side of Pierce’s skill. “I’m going to kill you, you bastard! You hear me?! You’re dead! A fucking dead man!”

I force away the feeling of Pierce’s touch. It’s like Novocain spreads with each stroke Pierce grazes across my skin.

My head turns to Asher. “Big guy.” He stills. “Look away.”

His eyes grow soft, and helplessness leaches into his body. “I’ll never leave you, Princess.” Asher’s warmth seeps into my heart.

I’m not alone this time.

Shots sound from outside. Gunshots.

Pierce pulls away from me. “What the fuck?”

The glass of the windows shatters, and I take advantage of the opportunity. I thrust my head forward, and the crown of my head connects with his nose. He falls backwards as my chair tips towards him. I tumble on top of him and land as an “oomph” is pushed out of my gut.

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