Page 145 of Unseen Danger

Her fear would warn her when he was going to go from chatty to violent. She just needed to listen to it. Be ready to react. And not do anything to fuel his anger.

Because she could see it in his eyes. Above the fake smile he was trying for, his dark eyes held the same look she’d never forget. Hatred. A hatred that had flamed in those eyes as he beat the life out of her.

She’d wait. Not make a move until he did. She’d trained for this.

Yes. Like practicing with Branson. She forced herself to see his face above her instead of Walter’s. Branson closing in to help her train her ground techniques.

If Walter tried to attack her down here, she had the advantage. Phoenix had trained her for years for this moment. To be safe even on the ground, even in the worst-case scenario.

It didn’t matter that Walter was bigger and stronger. She’d been able to escape Branson’s holds and submit him during training. She could do it again. For real this time.

“Hey. I’m talking to you. Think you’re too good for me now you sent me up for six years?” Walter lowered his massive frame into a squat beside her.

Her pulse raced as panic torqued her insides. Breathe. She tried to think. Ran through the response to a side mount attack. She’d practiced with Branson. With Phoenix hundreds of times before that. It was muscle memory. She was ready.

“I never forgot you.” Walter’s voice turned into a snarl. “Then what happens soon as I get out? You get in my way again.” He lurched forward and grabbed her neck with both hands.

He pressed her head into the hard floor as he squeezed.

Terror burned through her.

“Ain’t nobody here to save you this time.” Walter’s growl pushed through his smile as his fingers tightened more.

But Branson would save her. He’d come to her rescue. Like last time.

She just had to hang on until he came. The memory of him kicking in the door at the warehouse, her handsome rescuer, fueled strength into her limbs. She quickly rotated her lower body toward Walter, positioning to—

His grip suddenly released, and a hammer-sized fist slammed into her cheek, smacking her head against the concrete.

Pain seared her bones, her skin, her skull. The same pain she’d tried to forget.

He laughed. That horrible laugh.

“I been lookin’ forward to this. I’m gonna finish you slower this time. And you’re gonna beg again. Beg me.” His massive hands gripped her arms, and he lifted her off the floor like she was a doll. He chucked her in the air.

She landed hard, her shoulder and hip slamming against the concrete.

His laugh, higher pitched, more hysterical, followed her from behind. Then his footsteps. Loud. Heavy.

He was so strong, so big, she couldn’t—

A blow struck her back, making her lurch. A bone-crushing kick.

He laughed again.

The cackle had grown more hysterical with each kick, every punch.

No. Nevaeh tried to will the terror away. She couldn’t have an episode now. Couldn’t give in. She’d be helpless.

She had tried to block her head, protect it with her arms.

But he yanked her arm away.

Tossed her onto the ground. Kicked from behind.

Her head, shoulder, ribs. Didn’t matter.

He just wanted to hurt her. Kill her.

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