Page 61 of Twisted Knight

“Work on your son and make him a mommy’s boy.”

She winked at me. “Oh, don’t you worry, that’s my plan.”

I watched her go to the second floor before going into my bedroom. I changed quickly from my nirvana t-shirt to a dress shirt, grabbed my glasses, and sat at my computer just in time for my new client to sign in.

Glen Franklin, 31, banker,suffering from social anxiety. Not the easiest for someone in that type of job.

I launched the session and froze when I met hazel eyes I used to find friendly but were nothing but hateful now.

“Did you really think you could escape me, India?” Jake cocked his head to the side, a sadistic smile on his face.

Cold sweat ran down my spine at his perfect face, his brown hair styled to perfection. He looked so nice, so acceptable in the eyes of society—the kind of man you wanted to date, the kind of man other women envied you for… If only they’d known the monster lurking beneath the surface.

I quickly looked up at the screen and the bleeping red light, the scene was recorded.

“India, I’m talking to you.”

“Who’s Glen?” The server was secured, identities were checked; he couldn’t just…

He laughed. It was a laugh I used to like before I realized it lacked warmth, humanity. It was the laugh he used to give me when I was not doing what he wanted, the laugh that he gave me before striking.

“Glen is a loyal friend who is helping me track down my elusive girlfriend. Where are you, India?”

Girlfriend?The man was overly delusional. How could he ever think there’d be a turning back after the last time.

“I’m not your girlfriend,” I replied, trying to remain cool and keep my voice from shaking. He didn’t deserve my fear; he didn’t deserve any type of feelings except my contempt.

He waved his hand dismissively on the screen. “That’s something we need to discuss; you didn’t even give me a chance to do so.”

“What was there to discuss? You left me unconscious and bloody on the floor with a broken eye socket.”

“Only because you didn’t listen.” He shook his head. “Itoldyou, you couldn’t go out with your friend. You chose to not listen. You know better now.”

I shook my head. How did I ever put up with a man like him? How did I ever think it was what I deserved?

But now I knew better; now I had Dom, no matter for how long. I knew what it was like to be cherished and treated how I deserved. I could never go back to the hell I lived through with him.

“Come home, India. Don’t make me come looking for you. You won’t like it if you do.”

I had to laugh at that. I could just imagine him walking into this Mafia compound… I didn’t give him five minutes.

“Don’t mock me, India!” he roared, slamming his hand on his desk. “I’ll find you!”

“You can try,” I shouted back, slamming my laptop shut and throwing it against the wall before I could think better of it.

I rested a trembling hand against my lips, letting out a tearless sob.

The door of my room opened briskly. Dom stood in the doorway, his eyes scanning the room, murder written all over his face.

“Dolcetta?” His deep voice made me feel safe in an instant. How was that possible?

I looked up and met his eyes, shaking my head mutely.

He crossed the room, pulled me up from my chair, and I was in his arms before I could take a breath.

He kissed the top of my head. “Talk to me, Dolcetta,” he whispered against my ear, tightening his hold on me.

“Jake,” I replied, burying my face in Dom’s neck, taking in his woodsy cologne and faint cigar smell. The cigar was unusual, and I suspected he’d been with smokers. “He found a way to me,” I added, closing my eyes and just letting Dom's unadulterated strength surround me.

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