Chapter 6

"Getting this worked up over a woman? Is she really worth it?"

David Brown turned to glare at the man stopping him, ready to unleash a torrent of curses. But the moment he recognized the face, his bravado deflated. "Cousin, you have no idea how disgusting this bitch is. I spent a whole year sweet-talking her, didn't even get a kiss, and now she's here serving other men."

James Wilson scoffed. "Sounds like a you problem."

"You're right. That's why I'm going to make her pay today."

David yanked Emily Smith's hair, dragging her toward the exit.

Pain exploded behind Emily's eyes as she stumbled forward, forced to keep up.

In that moment, she finally understood—the gentle, caring David she'd known was nothing but an act.

The real him was a monster through and through.

At least she'd never let him cross the line.

"Take it easy. Don't kill her," James called after them.

"Don't worry, cousin!"

As David hauled Emily out, they collided with Susan Miller emerging from a private room.

"Sir, if our Emily has offended you in any way—"

"Get lost!"

David shoved Susan aside.

Her high heels twisted, sending her crashing to the floor.

Emily seized David's arm and sank her teeth into his flesh.

"Ah—!"

David howled, face contorted in agony.

"You bitch!" He released her hair and drove his foot into her abdomen.

The brutal kick sent Emily reeling backward until her spine slammed against the wall with a sickening thud.

White-hot pain forced her to crumple to the floor, face drained of color.

Seeing the blood gushing from his arm, David snapped completely.

"I'm ending you today!"

He lunged forward, raising his foot again—

"Thud!"

A long leg shot out, sending him flying.

David hit the ground hard, struggling to get up.

William Johnson took one look at Emily curled in pain and scooped her into his arms without a word.

"Motherfucker! Put her down!"

David scrambled up and grabbed William's leg. "She's mine—"

"Get lost."

William kicked him into the private room door.

Security guards arriving on the scene exchanged uneasy glances, hesitant to intervene.

The commotion finally drew the attention of the private room's occupants, who stepped out to investigate.

David crawled toward James, whimpering, "Cousin... that bastard stole my girl... help me..."

James followed his pointing finger and paled instantly.

He hurried forward with an ingratiating smile. "Uncle William, we didn't know you were coming..."

The crowd gaped.

Uncle William?

William's icy gaze swept over them. "Control your dog. If he bites someone again, I'll put him down myself."