I thread my arms beneath his outstretched ones. My fingers shake as I aim for the button, but I’m still a few inches short. I lay my cheek against his chest, subtly pulling us in a quarter turn. Iforce my arm further from my socket until the button isachinglyclose.
Tanner’s head snaps to the side. “Wait—what are you?—”
He doesn’t bother to finish that riveting sentence before body checking me away from the button. I fly backward, tripping over the small train of my dress. My shoulder blades crash into the metal handrail before I thud to the floor. A fresh wave of tears smart as I cry out.
Something akin to horror skids across Tanner’s expression that I might be in pain.
What a psychopath.
He hovers stupidly over me, as if he can’t decide between helping me up or pushing me back down. Terror fills me with both prospects.
Brandon’s name forms on my lips, but I don’t dare cry out. I wish from the marrow of my bones that he was here right now.
I squeeze my eyes shut, blocking Tanner’s awkward hovering.
What would Brandon say if he could see me now? The memory of him pinning me inside the boxing ring thrums in my ears.“Oh, love. I’ve been fighting for you this whole damn time. But I needed you to fight for me, too.”
Fight.
I need tofight.
Oxygen saturates my lungs for the first time since I stepped in this elevator. I might not have my pepper spray, but I have my fists. Man alive, am I going to kiss the crap out of Brandon for teaching me to box.
Once I get out of this elevator.
IfI get out of this elevator.
My eyes dip over my opponent. Yeah, Tanner is huge, but his awkward movements don’t exactly imply any type of fighting prowess.
But I’d be stupid to underestimate him.
Maybe if I maintain the element of surprise, I might be able to play this off.
Arranging my face into a mask of pain, I let out a cry I’ve been holding back. It’s raw, guttural, and I don’t even have to pretend.
The trick is paltry, but it’s enough for Tanner to choose sympathy. His brawny arms encircle my beaded waist before lifting me up.
“Beautiful, I’m so, so sorry. I didn’t mean to… Are you hurt?”
I force myself to stay slumped against his chest, biting the inside of my cheek until I taste blood.
“M-my shoulder. I think I heard a crack.” I’m boldfaced lying. The only crack I want to hear is my fist against his rows of tiny teeth. It wasnoton my New Year’s Resolution list to date a freaking psychopath.
A latent shudder racks my body, and I throw in a moan of pain for good measure.
Tanner gently holds out my body, his face pained. “Turn around, let me check your back.”
“I don’t want?—”
“Please,” he murmurs. “Don’t be scared, Kate. I’ll take care of you. I’llalwaystake care of you.”
I resign my expression, and Tanner slowly withdraws his arms. Keeping my stance concealed within the sheath of my dress, I stagger my feet the way Brandon taught me. Eyeing the distance between us, I make sure that I remain close enough even if he bobs backward.
My pitiful expression hopefully masks the determination in my eyes as I slowly make a quarter turn to my right, pinching my core into a wall of steel.
Tanner doesn’t see my right hook coming before it’s too late.
His eyes blow wide as his jaw snaps to the side, but I’m rushing toward the emergency stop button before he can stop me.
