Page 44 of What the Doctor Ordered
Kramer blinked once as he processed my words and then he grinned wickedly.
“You clearly don’t see your appeal,” he said. “And that means that Simon isn’t doing his job. If you come to my bed, sweetheart, I can show you just how appealing you are.”
He sauntered closer and I took a few quick steps back, my panic rising back up. “I am not interested in you, Kramer,” I said firmly. “So don’t even think about touching me.”
Kramer completely disregarded my warning and snatched my wrist in a painful grip. “If you would stop fighting me, then everyone could be happy,” he seethed, clearly growing impatient. “Perhaps Alcott was right about you…”
I froze, looking up at him with widening eyes. “Alcott as in Sicily Alcott?” I demanded.
Kramer’s eyebrows rose, his eyes lighting up with amusement. “Yes,” he confirmed. “She noticed that I was attracted to you and pulled me aside to work out a deal. She wants Simon, and I want you, so we decided to work together so we could both get what we want.”
Fury seemed to set a flame inside of me and I shoved Kramer hard in the chest, successfully forcing him to release his hold on my wrist. “I care about Simon and no one else!” I yelled. “You and Sicily are sick for trying to break us up for your own gains!”
Kramer stumbled backward, his eyes wide with shock before they hardened with rage. He was quicker this time when hereached out to grab me, this time with a bruising grip around my upper arm. I cried out when his fingers dug painfully into my muscle.
“Maybe I need to show you just how well I can love you,” he snarled, his voice deep and chilling.
I sucked in a breath as he started to drag me down the road. Before I could even think about screaming, his hand came up and clamped over my mouth as he hauled me against his chest. I tried to fight but I was suddenly stunned with fear as the situation I had placed myself in became clear. I looked frantically around but there was no one in sight. Sheer terror turned my blood to water and my muscles to putty.
Kramer’s hands were punishing as they gripped me tightly. He glanced around as well before pulling me down the road and toward the opening of a dark alley. I started to get dizzy as fear gripped me. I pulled feebly but Kramer was much larger and stronger than I was.
I was trapped.
CHAPTER 20
Simon
I landed hard on my ass before glaring up at Theo.
“Get your head out of your ass,” he snapped at me, his hands curling into fists at his sides.
I had stormed off from the two people I had cared most about and had been about to call a taxi to take me home, when Theo appeared out of nowhere. He grabbed my shoulder, spun me around, and slugged me in the jaw. Through my stun, I could hear him yelling at me for leaving Kiley behind without giving her a chance to explain.
I had heard enough though. I had hopes that Kiley was different, but it seemed like she was just like all the other girls who just wanted me for my money.
“Back off, Theo,” I yelled, struggling to get to my feet. I might not have been drunk but the bit of alcohol I did have was still messing with me.
Though Theo and I were about the same height he seemed to tower over me just at this moment. Maybe that was because he was currently furious, his eyes glinting dangerously beneath the dim lighting of the nearby streetlamp.
“I told you back in college that I wouldn’t hesitate to beat you up if I thought you needed it,” he growled, his voice rough with anger. He glowered at me. “And you desperately need an ass-whooping now, buddy.”
“I don’t know why you’re defending her,” I said. “She betrayed me, just like all the others.”
Theo got right in my face, snarling, before shoving me hard in the chest. I cursed as I once again fell on my ass, my buzz making me off balance. Staying down here seemed like a good idea at the moment, with Theo seething over me.
“I am the one who asked her to get coffee with me,” Theo stated, coldly. “I saw her walking down the sidewalk and recognized her. She looked scared to death when I approached her and thought I was coming on to her. She wasn’t going to even get coffee with me because she didn’t want to be disloyal to you! I had to explain that I was curious about her because you are clearlyhappynow that she is in your life. I am not going to let you throw that away because of your fucking insecurities. Stop being a dumbass.”
I froze, staring up at him in horror as the gravity of the situation settled.
Theo smirked as he watched the war raging across my face. “Go get her, you idiot. She’s waiting for you back at the cafe.”
This time, it was much easier to rise to my feet. I clapped Theo on the shoulder in thanks before taking off at a sprint down the road.
I was nearly breathless as I neared the cafe. I had been so focused on getting there, on getting back to Kiley, that I almost missed the scuffle that was happening down a quiet side street.
I wasn’t sure what made me turn my head at just the right moment. There were so many versions where I didn’t or where the angle was just wrong and I missed it entirely.
I was so thankful I did notice, and I did turn to look.
