He lands another punch to my side, forcing a groan from my lips as it makes all the air leave my lungs. Shoving me to the side, as my legs wobble. I reach forward, despite the pain radiating through my body, grabbing his arm. He tries to tug free, but I dig my nails in.
“I’m going to fucking kill you,” he snaps at me. “But first I’m going to show little Prue here what happens when she doesn’t behave.”
“I’ll marry you,” she says quickly. “I’ll behave. do whatever you say, just stop. Please,” she pleads. And I hate it. I don’t want her to beg for my safety. Don’t want her to offer herself up to try to save me.
“Shut up,” he snaps at her. “You’re going to do that regardless.”
He breaks free of my grip, marching toward her. In a moment, he is pushing her against the wall, raising his fist in the air.
And I see red.
NINETEEN
One second,I’m bracing myself for Charles’ fist to hit me, the next he is being pulled backwards.
Ben’s arm wraps around Charles’ neck, yanking him back. His fist connects with Charles’s rib, over and over until Michael, Charles’ friend, springs to action. He grabs Ben, making him wince, but he doesn’t let go of his hold on Charles. I can’t see much from where I stand frozen, but Michael yells out in pain suddenly.
“I have no beef with you, other than having shitty taste in friends, so consider that a warning,” Ben snaps at Michael. “Stay out of this.”
Charles is gasping for air, struggling to break free of Ben’s hold. Michael slinks away from them both, like a coward.
“Charles,” Ben says his name likes its pure evil. “I need you to listen to me very carefully.”
“Fuck you,” Charles chokes out.
“That’s not listening,” Ben says, landing another punch to his gut. “You see that beautiful girl right in front of you?” he asks,gripping Charles’ face, making him stare at me. “Take a good long look, because you’re never going to see her again, okay? If I ever hear that you even came close to her, I will fucking kill you, and it won’t be quick. Do you understand?”
“Fuck you,” Charles spits out again.
“Wrong. Fucking. Answer.” Ben drops Charles’ face and next thing I know he has a pocketknife in his hands. He unfolds it. “Let’s try this one more time.” He holds the knife in front of Charles’ face. That gets his attention. “If you ever come near Prue again, I will gut you like the fucking pig you are. Understand?”
“I’ll press charges. That’s a threat. I have a witness.”
“And I have money,” Ben counters. “If you think a jail cell will keep me from finding a way to kill you, think again.”
“Fine,” Charles says. “Have her. It’s not like I can’t find another cheap slut anyways.”
Ben doesn’t release him, instead he forces him to turn toward the door. His hand still wrapped around his chest, while the other holds the knife at his neck. He motions for Michael to exit first. He does, keeping his head low. Charles isn’t going to be very happy with him.
Ben shoves Charles out the front door, slamming it shut behind him and doing up the lock. He folds the knife back up, slipping it into his pocket, before resting his head against the door.
“Are you okay?” I ask after a moment of silence. I find myself unable to move from the wall. Everything that just happened bounces around my head. It’s too much to make sense of right now, so I try to keep myself grounded, focusing on Ben instead of the onslaught of emotions that threaten to break me apart.
“Are you?”
“Yes,” I whisper, though I’m not so sure that’s true. I don’t feel any pain, but I don’t feel much of anything right now.
“Liar,” he says, turning his head toward me. His cheek is busted and bloody. I think I’m broken beyond repair because part of me finds it sexy while the other part wants to magically erase the damage my ex caused.
“At least I answered.” He laughs, pulling away from the door. Taking a step toward me, he pauses, wincing in pain. “We should get you to the hospital,” I say, pushing myself from the wall to move toward him.
“I’m fine. I’ve taken worse.” He grins. Hugging his side, I can tell he is barely keeping himself upright. Memories of the way I felt after Charles beat me surface, but I shove them away. Now is not the time to dwell on that.
“I’ve been on the other side of his rage. I know the damage he can inflict.”
“Don’t remind me,” he groans. “I’m this close to going after him and ending his sad existence as it is.”
“Please don’t,” I say. “Just sit.” He nods, sliding to his knees on the ground. Groaning as he leans forward pressing his head to the wooden floor. “I meant on the couch,” I whisper, dropping to my knees beside him.
