Page 104 of My Favorite Secret
“I thought we could do this the nice way, Harper. Go on a few dates. I’d wine and dine you. But you’ve left me no other choice. You’re mine, and I’m taking what was promised to me.”
“Promised to you? What the hell are you talking about?”
His lips curl into something grotesque. “My father almost lost me to suicide. He’s very intent on making me happy. I told him you’re the only thing that will stop me from cutting again. He made a proposition to your father. If I get your hand in marriage, your father gets that shiny promotion he’s been working so hard for.”
No. My father wouldn’t agree to that. “You’re drunk. Get away from me,” I order as he steps closer.
Paul laughs. “Don’t worry. I’m not interested in marrying you anymore. You’ve let those brothers taint you. Now you’re nothing to me but a disgusting slut.”
Enough. I make a break for it, lunging past Paul, but his hand snaps around my wrist. I barely have time to cry out before he shoves me onto the bed, the impact knocking air from my lungs.
He’s on me, heavy and suffocating. I kick at his chest, but he pins my legs down with both knees. He’s clamping my wrists, trapping my movements.
“I may not want to marry you anymore,” Paul mutters, his voice thick with something dark and vile. “But I’m going to feel how good your cunt is. You don’t care what men do to your body. You’re a whore who lets men take turns with you. Now, it’s my turn.”
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
HARPER
I thrash beneath Paul, terrified and desperate to break free. “Stop! Get off me!”
“You’re going to give me what I deserve.” Paul grasps both of my wrists in one hand, unbuckling his pants with the other.
I scream, praying someone at the party will hear. With his free hand, Paul slaps his palm over my mouth, muffling my cries.
This can’t be happening. Tears burn my eyes. My mind races, my thoughts spiraling out of control. I have to fight back. I have to get away from him. But he’s bigger and stronger, fueled by drunken rage. No matter how hard I try to buck him off, it’s no use.
The door opens. A sob catches in my throat when I see Felix.
He’s staring down at his phone. “She should be in here.”
Tyler is right behind him. The moment they see me struggling beneath Paul, their faces shift into murderous rage. Before Paul can react, they’re across the room, rippinghim off me with a ferocity I’ve never seen from either of them.
“You piece of shit!” Felix punches Paul in the head, then shoves him against the wall. “Howdareyou fucking touch her.”
Tyler rushes to me, leaving Paul for Felix to deal with. He holds my shoulders while studying my body, vibrating with anger. “Did he hurt you?”
I shake my head, unable to speak, my breath hitching in jagged sobs. Tyler gathers me in his arms. I cling to him, burying my face against his neck as tears stream down my cheeks.
Somewhere in the background, I hear Felix’s fist meet Paul’s face again, along with the words, “You won’teverfucking touch her again.”
“You’re safe now. We’re here,” Tyler whispers against my forehead, stroking my hair and rocking me. His voice trembles, fearful of what could have happened if he arrived any later. “I’m so sorry, Harper. I knew there was something wrong with him. I should have tried harder to protect you. I’ll do better by you. I promise I’ll keep you safe.”
Over his shoulder, I watch in shock, flinching as Felix slams his fist into Paul’s face again and again. Blood splatters from Paul’s nose and mouth. He tries to fight back but is no match for Felix’s rage.
Beyond the doorway, a girl watches with stunned fear as Felix beats Paul.
Tyler glances at his brother, seeing the damage. “Stop. You’re killing him.”
Felix doesn’t seem to hear. His fists keep flying.
“Felix!” Tyler shouts.
Finally, he steps back from Paul, letting him crumple to the floor. Felix’s hands flex, bloody andshaking. “Get Harper to the carnow.” His voice is so dark and furious, I don’t recognize a thing about him.
The party continues raging around us as Tyler carries me from the room, but I don’t pay attention to any of it, trembling and unable to stop the tears. The next thing I know, I’m in the back seat of Felix’s Jeep with Tyler. The tires screech as we pull away from the curb, speeding down the road. Tyler is cradling me in his lap. The two of us haven’t even had a chance to buckle our seatbelts.
“Fuck!” Felix shouts from the driver’s seat, slamming his fist onto the steering wheel. “I should have killed him. I should have beat him until there was nothing left. Where the fuck was Cindy during all of this? I’m never trusting that girl with you ever again.”
