Chapter Thirteen #2
“Get off the floor and sit in one of those chairs.” He’s calmer than before, but I know his temper is simmering just below the surface. He was hot and cold throughout our marriage. His moods change instantly like flipping a switch.
Recapping the water, I struggle to stand, dizzy from my head injury. He grabs my arm roughly, leading me to one of the chairs. He lets go abruptly, and I fall onto the metal seat.
Wincing in pain, I shift my body to meet his gaze. “You won’t get away with this, Brian. Just let me go, and I’ll forget this ever happened.” Fat chance, but I’ll play any angle to get out of this mess.
He startles me with a sinister laugh. He turns the other chair towards me and sits down. “Stupid girl. You’re not going anywhere. My uncle is the only reason why you’re even breathing. I’ve been waiting two years for the opportunity to cause you pain.”
My lips part, somehow shocked by his callous words. “You’re a narcissist. You made me miserable our entire marriage. The only reason you hate me is because I left you. It’s not because you loved me. It’s because I moved on with my life and didn’t need you.”
He stands swiftly, flipping the chair behind him. He backhands me across the face, and I tumble to the floor. “You fucking bitch!” Bending down, he grips me by the throat, lifting me, dropping me onto the chair. Unable to stop myself, I cry out in pain.
He lifts his chair upright, pulling it closer.
Sitting down once again, he adjusts himself where our knees touch as he leans into my space.
“I could’ve made you stay, Brooke. You’re right, I never loved you.
You were an extra income, a maid and a warm pussy in my bed.
Your leaving was inconvenient, if anything.
I spun a tale as to why you left so I wouldn’t look like a fool.
I couldn’t have you damage my reputation. ”
His words hurt. I loved him once, and being told I was nothing more than a tool is degrading. I wasted years on this man, and it was all for nothing.
Fire ignites my blood, and I can’t stop what I say next. “Fuck you! You’re not half the man Gabriel is on your best day!” Expecting another blow to my face, I hold onto my pride, lifting my chin defiantly.
He chuckles darkly, leaning against the back of his chair. “Oh, Brooke. If you’d had this fire before, our union might’ve gone differently.”
Glaring at him for a few moments, I rest my head on the back of the chair, staring at the beams in the ceiling. My head is pounding, and my face is throbbing. “Why did you never talk about William? What’s your grand plan, Brian?”
“Oh, good. Story time. William is my dad’s brother.
I never knew him until about a year ago.
Dad died, and we met at his funeral. Neither one of us gave a damn about the piece of shit, but we had a part to play.
He introduced himself and invited me to dinner.
We got to know each other, and he filled me in on the collapse of his company, and the role Gabriel played in it.
I kept tabs on you after you left, mostly for fun.
I knew you moved here, but I never thought my luck would be this good.
My ex-wife dating the man I’m about to destroy.
It’s like fate had the perfect plan for us all.
” He smiles smugly, crossing his arms across his chest.
The mention of destroying Gabe has fury flaring in my veins.
Self-preservation goes out the window as I open my mouth.
“You’re a fucking coward and so is William.
You can’t make a successful life for yourselves, so you try to steal it from someone else.
Gabriel will see through your bullshit, and you’ll both spend the rest of your lives in jail.
Both of you are disgusting, and I hope Gabe rips you apart. ”
It happens so fast; I don’t have time to react. He grabs the bottom of my chair, flipping it backwards. I hit the ground, the metal seat driving into my back. He climbs on top of me, both hands wrapped around my throat, cutting off my air. Fear grips me, realizing he’s going to kill me.
He squeezes tighter, nothing but hate in his eyes. “Keep it up, you fucking cunt. You just might die today.”
After the years I wasted on him, and his malicious words, I refuse to go down without a fight. “Go ahead you fucking pussy. You think your man enough? Do it!” My voice is hoarse from the pressure on my throat, but he hears me loud and clear.
Roaring with rage, he rears back, punching me in the face.
One after another until all I feel is pain and blood.
With a little space between us, I conjure the energy to knee him in the balls.
He tumbles backwards, groaning in agony as he cups himself.
I roll onto my stomach, struggling to my hands and knees.
A harsh blow connects with my ribs, and I fall to the floor on my side.
He’s back on his feet, delivering kick after kick to my stomach, back and legs.
The door bursts open and William storms inside. “Stop! What the fuck are you doing?”
Brian pauses his assault, red faced and panting, facing his uncle. “New plan. Take a picture of this bitch, bloody and bruised. Send it to that motherfucker, and tell him if he doesn’t pay, she’s dead.”
“This is not the way to handle this, Brian. We had a plan.” William bends down to help me up, reaching for my arm. He lets go when I scream in pain.
“Fuck it. She ruined the plan when she wouldn’t stop running her mouth. Do what I said if you want the money.” Brian stares at me with dead eyes, smirking.
Rolling onto my back, I moan as shooting pains fire to every nerve ending throughout my body.
Fuck, this shit hurts.
Warm blood and saliva leak from my mouth, trickling down my chin. There’s no doubt my face is already swelling. Turning my head, I look at the two men that have turned my world upside down.
How the hell am I going to get out of this?
Will Gabe find me before Brian kills me?
Gabriel.
His face fills my vision as I imagine being wrapped in his embrace, his warm lips pressed against mine. I just got him back last night, and I’m afraid I’ll never see him again.
Never feel him again.
There’s no way to warn him of what is coming, and my only hope is they don’t kill me in front of him.
He’ll never recover from that.
There’s no doubt, they’re going to kill me.
I should be pleading for my life, right?
I should be crying, begging, and trembling with fear.
That would’ve been the case before I met Gabe.
Not only did he give me love and happiness, he showed me what you will do for someone you truly love.
Even if you hurt yourself in the process, you will always put them first.
I choose him.
With my full heart and steel backbone, I will always choose him.
I choose not to die in front of him.
I choose not to participate in this trap.
They’ll take his money and put a bullet in my head.
Glancing at the two dead men staring at me, I smile the best I can through blood and grit. “Fuck you.”
Brian’s boot connects with my temple, and the laughter in my mind fades as I’m plunged into darkness once again.