I didn’t think, just reacted, slapping him hard across the face. A crescendo of anxious whispers crashed around us the same time the sting of my palm awakened me to what I’d just done.
Crap.
Slowly, his head turned back to me. Jaw clenched, his glacial eyes burned into me, promising pain. “You’re going to pay for that too, little fox,” he growled in a voice roughened by desire. Then he swiveled sharply on his heels and walked away, the harsh set of his body an ominous warning of his fury.
Immediately, I was surrounded by a wealth of concern and well-wishers from doctors and nurses that witnessed the entire debacle.
“I’m fine,” I forced a smile, pretending my insides weren’t somersaulting from Remo’s threat and what it implied.
“Seems like you’ve tangled with death twice in the space of two days and lived to tell the tale,” Maria commented after everyone walked away.
“Embarrassed, yes. Lived, no,” I mumbled, sure I was going to die soon.
“God, girl, I said get some sleep, not slap Remo Rossi.” Brandi came up behind me, swinging me around to face her as Maria left us. “Do you have death wish?”
“He asked for it,” I muttered, annoyed with her for no apparent reason.
She shook her head, her expression softening. “Not only have you drawn the attention of one oftheRossi brothers, you attract the psychotic one.”
“Maybe I need a bodyguard.”
“Remo has been known to kill men with his bare hands, I doubt a bodyguard is going to stop him from staking his claim.”
“Staking his claim, my ass.”
“Yes, your ass is exactly what he wants.”
We stared at each other for a moment then burst out laughing, mine more from tiredness and hers to probably calm me.
“What you need.” She rubbed my arm after we quietened down and guided me toward the cafeteria. “Is a nice warm meal, some sleep and only then can you give this situation the clarity it needs.”
I side-eyed her. “Is that a subtle way of telling me to run?”
She shrugged, smiling.
No way was I giving him the satisfaction of running. Coward, I was not.
An hour later, after a filling beef lasagna and a relaxed chat with several colleagues who thankfully refrained from discussing Remo, I felt better. The yawns, however, descended in full force until my eyes watered and I was close to faceplanting my empty plate. A quick goodbye to them and a promise from Brandi to wake me, saw me heading to the fifth floor.
By the time I stepped off the elevator, my legs were battling to keep me upright. “That’s what you get for finishing two servings of lasagna,” I scolded, feeling the heaviness of the meal in my stomach. “Comfort food.” I laughed, opening the door to the third room fitted with a magnificent double bed and all the trimmings for a mother and child stay.
The next few seconds happened so fast, it barely registered. Strong hands clamped over my mouth and seized my throat from behind me, sealing my scream and cutting off my airflow. Adrenaline infused fear had me wrestling the hold, clawing at the hands, and twisting my body to gain some leverage. The grip tightened, squeezing.
“Missed me?” Remo’s cold words penetrated my daze as he moved his hand on my mouth to circle my abdomen, his grip vice-like.
Rage overtook my panic, and I thrashed harder. “Let me go, you sick pervert.” I croaked, not quite as firm as I intended.
“Oh, little fox, I’m going to have so much fun with you.” He licked my cheek, his hand on my throat, squeezing. “Teaching you to obey me.” He nibbled my ear. “Respect me–”
“Never!” I hissed, the lack of oxygen making my head swim, my heart a harsh thump in my ears.
The room began to blur, his sinister laugh spearing the darkness stealing my sight. Just as I felt myself succumbing, he released me, and I crumpled to the ground. Lungs burning, I gulped air desperately, angry tears I couldn’t control streaked down my cheek.
Disorientated, I had no idea of his intention until he picked me up, tossed me on the bed and quickly straddled me.
“What…what are you doing?” I choked out.
Hysterical, I bucked under him, trying to throw him off me. The more I fought the harder he held me down. Kicking out my legs, my knee caught him in the back. He merely grunted, pressing his full weight down on me until I couldn’t breathe, my weakened state no match for him.
