Page 153 of Exodus

Rain batters the house, washing the new snow away as I keep my gun lowered, padding down the staircase.

Ding. Dong. Ding. Dong.

“Dominic, no!”

I inhale a calming breath as I reach the front door and look out to see headlights shining through sheets of rain. I can’t make out the car.

I scream out as the bang sounds again, and he hears me.

“Open the fucking door, Cecelia.”

I flip on the porch light as the hairs on my neck rise. He pounds once again, and I open it to see Tobias drenched from the rain, his eyes glossy, his expression stone. He’s dressed in the suit he was wearing at dinner, the tie around his neck pulled loose and hanging, his glossy dark locks drenched.

His eyes drink me in, pausing on the gown he bought me years ago before he takes an aggressive step forward, and then another, until I’m backed against the foyer table, my hand outstretched behind me for support.

He glances down at the gun in my hand and, in one swift move, slaps it out of my grip. It slides across the floor and lands with the barrel pointed against the wall.

“You idiot! The safety was off!”

“You’re unarmed now, and that’s what you’re worried about?” He staggers forward, his posture searing with intimidation. He’s been drinking, and he’s furious.

“You won’t hurt me.”

“Won’t I?”

“What’s wrong? What happened?”

“You happened. Why haven’t you left?”

“Why does it matter? I’m not doing anything to you. I’m not bothering you.”

“Your presence bothers me!”

He’s soaked through, the water dripping down his profile. I lift my chin.

“Tough shit.”

He glares down at me as the sky lights up behind him, and thunder rolls in the distance.

“You won’t hurt me.”

“Think again.” He grips my face so tight I know I’ll have faint bruises tomorrow. “I told you to leave it alone. But you just couldn’t. When are you going to understand we were nothing but a weak moment?”

“So much of nothing you’ve been at the bar rehearsing this speech for how long?”

He jerks my robe open, and I slap at his hands.

“Go take your shit out on your girlfriend. I’m not dealing with this.”

“Not dealing with this?” he hisses, sliding a thick finger down the strap of my nightgown before jerking it free and exposing one of my breasts.

“Think of Alicia, Tobias. This isn’t right.” I push at his chest to no avail. “You aren’t that man.”

“No, I’m not. You made sure of that.”

“What in the hell are you talking about?”

“She was a good woman who deserved all the attention I could give her.”

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