Chapter 37 #2
He releases my chin to grab a hold of my arm, and my body switches into fight-or-flight mode.
I lift my knee and ram him as hard as I can between his legs, knowing I’ve got him good when he doubles over with a strangled groan, his face contorted with shock and pain as his hands fly to his groin.
I freeze, but then knowing this is the only opportunity I’ll have to get away, I shove him back against wall then sprint for my bedroom door.
I’m so fucking scared I can barely breathe.
Adrenaline makes my legs move faster than my mind can process.
I’m moving on instinct alone as I try to get as far from Daniel as possible, and I’m nearly past the threshold with no plan or idea what I’m going to do next when Daniel roars from behind me, “YOU FUCKING BITCH!”
Electricity skitters through my arms as I slam my bedroom door and turn the lock right before Daniel hurls into the other side.
I jump away from the door and wring my hands together so furiously my nails leave marks on my skin. What do I do? What the fuck do I do?
The lock won’t hold. Daniel can smash it open as easily as I can open a bottle. I start to whimper.
“Gia, open this fucking door now!”
The door handle rattles and my gaze darts around the dark room. There’s nowhere to go. If I hide, he’ll find me.
My eyes land on my chest of drawers and I waste no time rushing over and pulling on it, but it’s no use. It’s too heavy.
“Gia, if you don’t open this door right now I’m going to kick it down.”
My heart slams against my ribcage as I back up against my bed like a cornered animal.
“Daniel, please! Just leave me alone,” I cry at the door. Tears stream down my face and my vision blurs as mascara bleeds into my eyes. I try swiping the tears away with my fingers but they just keep coming.“Why are you doing this? Our marriage is over!”
“Open the door now.”
When I don’t, there’s a loud bang. He’s kicked the door. When the second kick comes, I run into the ensuite and lock that door as well.
He’ll get through them both. I’m only delaying the inevitable.
The bangs coming from my bedroom door are muffled now as I flick on the light and start throwing open the cupboards and drawers, desperately searching for something, anything, that can help me.
It’s futile. The only thing that can help me now is my phone, which is locked behind two doors in the hands of a fucking psychopath. I keep searching anyway.
My fingers are trembling so hard it takes me three attempts to unzip my makeup bag. The loudest bang yet comes just as I wrap my fist around a pair of nail scissors and I jump back so violently I slam into the shower screen door.
The handle on the bathroom door rattles; a whimper rips up my throat.
Fuck, fuck, fuck!
I scramble to my feet, my back against the wall.
“You gonna make me break this one down too, Gia?” His voice turns my blood cold. “This is all very dramatic, you know.”
“You fucking psycho!” I half-scream, half-sob. “Leave me alone!”
Bang.
My breathing is so erratic my head spins. I feel like I’m going to crawl out of my skin.
“Please, Daniel,” I plead through tears. It’s no use.
Bang!
“Just leave me alone.” My voice is barely audible over my sobs now.
BANG.
The door flies open. Daniel stands in the frame and rakes his eyes over me.
Assessing for hazards, since I surprised him by kicking him in the balls.
He never would have expected that from me.
I’m hunched forward, my fists resting against my thighs as I eye him with every ounce of loathing I can muster.
Then I draw on that loathing and force myself upright, taking deep breaths to try to force the sobs away.
No matter how terrified I am, I won’t go down without a fight.
I forgive myself for not fighting back the first time.
But not this time, no matter how futile it may be.
“Come on, Gianna.” He coaxes me, signalling toward the exit with a cock of his head. “We’re going now.”
I don’t move an inch.
“Don’t make me come over there and get you.”
I force air into my lungs as I stand my ground.
“Fine.” He sighs. “We’ll do it your way.” He starts moving toward me, but I don’t miss the hand he strategically places over his groin. I brace myself. When he reaches out to grab my arm, I aim for the second place Zayn told me to go for to incapacitate a man.
I lunge and drive my fist into Daniel’s throat. He sees me coming at the last second and tries to dodge my attack, but I still manage to land a hit that has him falling back against the bench.
Then I fucking run. My high heels are slippery against the bathroom tiles, but I don’t let my feet land long enough to have the chance to slip.
“You can’t fucking escape me, bitch.” Daniel’s voice is hoarse from the hit to the throat.
He’s chasing me, but I don’t turn to see how close he is. I sprint back through my bedroom, past the splintered door, and hit full stride when I make it into the hallway, expecting him to catch me at any second.
Blood thumps through my veins so frantically all I can hear is whooshing in my ears. The front door is seconds away. Opening it will cost me time, but I have no other options. If I can just get it open, I’ll scream loud enough for the neighbours to hear.
I reach the door and yank on the handle at the same time Daniel fists the back of my dress. He jerks me back inside, but with my hand still on the door, it only forces it open wider.
Daniel’s palm over my mouth silences me as he slams me back against his chest.
Lucky I don’t have to scream. Because standing on the other side of my door is Zayn.