Page 44 of Ronny

Christopher looks at our joined hands then moves closer to Ronny’s side until we are almost completely hidden.

That pisses Elliot off more. “Why the fuck are you hiding her?” he yells at Ronny and Christopher, causing me to flinch at his tone. I press my face to Ronny’s back, the smell of his leather cut soothing me, and I gather myself.

“You never answered me, Elliot. What is this about?” I ask, peeking out from behind Ronny so I can look at him. Though it seems to just piss him off more.

His whole body is trembling like he is filled with rage. “You can’t quit.” His hand fists his beer bottle.

I blink once, twice, confused once again. “Yes, I can and I will,” I tell him bluntly, not letting him intimidate me even though I’m unsteady on the inside.

Ronny puts his hand on my hip to stop me from moving forward anymore. He is completely silent and it’s eerie. His body is taut and ready to attack.

How is Elliot not shitting his pants? He is surrounded by cuts and even the mountain man has Tiana hidden behind him.

The guys make a circle, Elliot right in the middle, blocking him from view of the other clubgoers.

Elliot leans to the side to get a better look at me, his voice pleading. “You can’t leave me. I have loved you from the second I saw you! You won’t even answer my texts.” His voice gets louder with every word until he is yelling at me.

“Elliot, where is this coming from?” I ask him, trying not to raise my voice in return. I can tell he is close to breaking and I don’t want any violence.

He runs his hands over his face, almost dropping his beer bottle on the ground. Then he smacks the bottle against his forehead once, twice, three times.

Is he having a psychotic breakdown? That’s the only thing I can think to explain why he is doing all this. “Are you okay? Do you need me to call someone?” I ask him, keeping my voice soothing or as much as it can be in this club with its thundering music.

I’m actually concerned about him. I don’t care about the guy, but no one deserves to have a mental breakdown and not get help.

He changes moods in the blink of an eye, directing his glare to me, and it takes my breath away to see the hatred on his face.

Ronny pushes me behind him once more and my eyes widen in shock.

Elliot screams, throwing his head back like he is the Hulk. “I don’t need you to call shit! I love you! Then this fucker came along and you’ve left me!” he yells. He throws his beer bottle toward me and I flinch back, waiting for it to hit me.

Ronny catches it before it can touch anyone, beer splashing all over us.

Everything happens in slow motion.

Ronny snaps before grabbing Elliot by his throat and lifting him off the ground.

Elliot screams, spit flying from his mouth, and I cringe at the sight.

Ronny tightens his hand around Elliot throat, you can see the strength in his arms as he squeezes harder and harder until Elliot’s eyes roll back in his head.

Ronny is furious. I see several of his brothers step back because holy hell, he looks terrifying right now.

“She is mine, you have no claim to her,” Ronny declares, jerking Elliot, his head flopping back and forth, but Ronny doesn’t let go of his throat.

Ronny’s jaw is clenched, nostrils flared, and I know he is trying to hold back and not kill him. “You are nothing to her. She is my woman, and she is the mother of my daughter.” Elliot looks like he is seconds away from passing out before Ronny drops him to the ground.

Elliot stops moving, his face turning completely blue from the lack of oxygen. Ronny opens his hand and gives Elliot a disgusted look. Elliot hits the ground hard. His head smacks against the concrete floor with a sickening thud that turns my stomach.

Elliot groans in pain, holding his throat, and opens his eyes to look up at us. Ronny takes ahold of my hand as Elliot pushes himself to his feet. He is unsteady, almost toppling to the side.

Elliot is still holding his throat, glaring at me, and I duck my head behind Ronny at the heat of his gaze. I’m in shock that this is all happening. “I loved you, I waited for you, and you’re leaving me.” He sobs, his voice cracking.

Why is this happening to me? I swear, I’m the only that attracts weirdos like this. I was doing my job. Why do some men not accept no for an answer? It pisses me off that some guys think they’re above women. It’s sick and I’m over it.

Tiffany comes up to us, standing to my other side.

I take ahold of her hand tightly.

---