Page 112 of Unstoppable Love

“Oh, I think you know exactly what I need, Ava-baby.”

I flinched. That stupid name he’d always called me, and I despised it. My flinch cost me, though, because Jimmy was still moving forward, faster than I’d expected he could move since there was a sway in his steps. I skirted around the island, but I was trapped. He was too close to the doorway, and I was too far from the back door.

“How did you get in here?”

He tugged on the sleeves of his long-sleeve shirt. “Back door. You really can’t trust these small towns to be as safe as everyone thinks they are, you know.”

That oily, slick smile. The feel of his hands on me from all those years ago made vomit rise in my throat, and I choked it down.

“Why? Why are you doing this?”

“Because those fucking Kelleys think the world will give them everything they want as soon as they ask for it. Kelley’s already ruined his shot at football, and I’m going to ruin his shot at you.”

He lunged then.

I moved, jumped out of his way, but my elbow slammed down on the corner of the counter, and I cried out.

His hand wrapped around my throat, and a scream tore my throat as he slammed me against the wall. Pain flared at my temple, and then I was spun, and Jimmy was standing in front of me, the heavy, large weight of him pressing against me as his hand wrapped around my throat. I tried to shove my hands into his chest, but he was pressed too tightly against me, his hand wrapping too harshly against my throat.

Swallowing was difficult, and my breaths came in short, heated pants as the scent of the whiskey he’d probably spent all night drinking wafted against my cheek.

“Stop this.”

“Oh. I don’t think I will.” His hand was on my thigh, brushing along my jeans. I jolted, tried to push back, tried to kick, and every time I tried to scream, his hand tightened more until my breaths were gurgles and the pain in my temple from the wall became a thumping, pulsing pain all through my body.

“You’ll feel so good, I bet,” he said, as he shoved his hand to my belt. The button of my jeans flicked open as the first tear dropped off my cheek.

“Don’t cry.” He leaned in, and I cringed, squeezing my eyes closed as his wet, soppy lips pressed against my skin. I gagged from the feel of him. The smell of him as his hand between us continued to work at my zipper.

“I will fucking ruin you,” I rasped. Stars shot into my eyes, and I blinked them away.

A sick, low laugh came from Jimmy. “Not before I ruin you first.”

“Actually,” a familiar voice said, too familiar. And then a click. “I think I’ll be doing the ruining. Back off, Jimmy. You’re under arrest for attempted assault.”

Jimmy turned and then shoved my chin in my brother’s direction, so I met him face-to-face.

I slumped with relief. Thank God. Thank God he was here. I didn’t even give a shit why he’d come back, but I had never been more thankful.

Jimmy’s grip on my throat didn’t loosen as he smiled at my brother. “There’s no assault. Didn’t you know your sister likes it rough? Likes it the way I can give it to her, even better than perfect little Cameron Kelley? She’s been begging me for this for weeks.”

My brother’s gun was raised, both hands curled around the grip. He didn’t tremble. Didn’t flinch for a moment, even at the nastiness Jimmy spewed.

Lies. All lies. I couldn’t say anything though with his sweaty, huge hand wrapped around my throat, pushing in at the sides.

“Three seconds to let her go before I shoot you.”

Another laugh, another rough squeeze at my throat. I wheezed as Jimmy planted my body in front of his. My back to his chest, I choked at the feel of him.

“Ava,” my brother said. “You okay?”

“Good.” I nodded, and Jimmy squeezed tighter. He stepped back, dragging me with him. I tripped over my feet, trying to stay upright, but his fist was squeezing me tighter. Everything was starting to spin and whirl as he stole my breath and kept tugging. Kept pulling.

“Jimmy,” Isaiah warned. “You run, and it’ll only make it worse for you. This isn’t a city you can disappear in, and I’ve got cruisers on the way.”

For a second, Jimmy paused, and the grip on my throat tightened.

And then he chuckled, leaned in, and swiped his tongue along the line of my jaw.

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