Page 56 of Senator

To hell with it. The bastard would never have power over me again. I’d worked too hard for the past years to let him even get a hint of how uncomfortable I was feeling.

“I did you a favor. If it weren’t for me, you’d never have gotten the balls to make it to Congress. You should be thanking me.”

My temper flared, making me stand to face him, and the fear I’d had disappeared, replaced by ruthless anger. “You’re an asshole. You tried to rape me. Do you have any idea what that does to a woman?”

“You’re a drama queen.” He rolled his eyes. “It’s not like my dick gave you what your hoity toity ass was begging for.”

The thought of his dick anywhere near me made me want to vomit.

“I suggest you leave, Grey. You have stayed past my limit for your presence. Besides, there are reporters hiding around every corner, and one of them is bound to hear you.”

I glanced around and cringed inside. Of course, when I wanted people to snoop into my interactions, there wasn’t a single soul to be seen.

“Good. I hope they record this. I think they need to know what a conniving bitch you are. They’d agree that you asked for it. You kept it quiet because you wanted to hold it over our heads.”

“Oh, come off it. The reason you can’t get a job where you don’t have to work is because you spend most of your days high or drunk.”

“I’m not a drug addict.” His face contorted to one of rage. “You and your family put that shit out to the public.”

“You are as delusional as ever.” That was the moment I noticed his appearance. His eyes were bloodshot, and he wasn’t in a tux as the rest of tonight’s gala attendees. He wore a rumpled navy button-down and jeans. He also reeked of alcohol.

Fuck, he was high. Why hadn’t I seen this earlier? He’d had a similar look on his face when he’d cornered me years ago. I couldn’t believe I’d just wasted the last few minutes of my life talking to a man who more than likely wouldn’t remember anything he said or did.

“I’m not crazy. Stop looking at me like I’m a bug under a microscope.” He moved toward me, making me retreat.

“Stay away from me. You’re already violating the restraining order. Don’t make it worse by getting arrested for assault.”

“Might as well make it worth it.” He advanced until my back hit the glass wall behind me.

I grimaced as he gripped my jaw in a painful hold. I tried to look around, but he tightened his hold on my face.

I dug my nails into the back of his hand, drawing blood. This fucker was going to learn I wasn’t going to take his shit. I hadn’t in the past and the hell if I would now.

“Get your fucking hands off her.” Veer’s face was a mask of fury as he strode toward us.

He grabbed Grey by the neck and slammed him against the wall.

“Don’t ever touch her. I will kill you if you ever touch her again.”

“What are you going to do, George? Someone is bound to see us. You lay one hand on me, and they will ruin your career. Forget about becoming vice president—you’ll wind up in jail.” Grey lifted his face. “Go ahead, hit me and see what happens.”

“Your threats mean nothing to me. Just like all those women that you didn’t care about when you put your hands on them, I don’t care.” Veer’s grip on Grey’s collar tightened.

I had to stop this.

“Veer,” I said softly. “Look at me.”

His gaze turned to me. “Jacinta, he would have raped you seven years ago if you hadn’t broken his nose. Who knows how many women he’s succeeded in assaulting? He would have hurt you tonight. He’s garbage.”

“Well, this garbage was about to have a dick in her cunt.”

At that moment, Veer threw Grey to the floor, with him on top of Grey.

“You motherfucker. I will kill you for even thinking to lay a hand on her.” Veer slammed his fist into Grey’s jaw and then followed it with one to his abdomen. “You will never.” Punch. “Hurt another.” Punch. “Woman.” Punch. “Ever again.”

Oscar ran up to us, followed by a group of Secret Service agents. They jumped in, pulling Veer off Grey.

“Let me, goddammit. That bastard deserves to die. That piece of shit was hurting her.”

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