Page 38 of Toxic

Since that night.

I swallow the lump crawling up my throat then finish the rest of my drink. I get up and grab Michelotto's shoulder when my balance falters. He rises. "Whoa. You okay?"

"Yeah." I straighten up and smile. "Just need another drink."

"Follow me." He escorts me to the bar, and the entire time, I can't stop the voice in my head.

I need to get past that night.

Michelotto motions to the bartender then leans into the bar. "So, what do you do for fun?"

A tiny laugh escapes me. "Nothing."

He traces my jawline.

I attempt to ignore the way my skin crawls.

Get past it, get past it, get past it.

My heart races, and he chuckles, stating, "I find that hard to believe."

The bartender sets the whiskey down. I pick it up, drink some, then turn so my back is against the bar. I survey the room, which is a bad idea. There only seems to be more sexual energy in the room. I stiffen and down half my glass, feeling dizzier. I'm no more comfortable in this place now than when I got here.

Michelotto wraps his arm around my waist and leans into my ear. "You want to get out of here?"

I glance at him in question. "I'm not leaving without Cara."

"I meant to go to another room. Maybe dance a little. Somewhere things aren't so"—he glances at the woman who's only in her bra and panties then arches his eyebrows at me—"risque."

I breathe in relief. "Yes. Sounds good."

His face lights up. He guides me out of the room, down the hall, and into another suite. This one feels more comfortable. There's a small dance floor along with couches, but everyone is fully dressed. No one is doing anything sexual.

"Finish your drink," he instructs.

I do it, downing the whiskey in a few swallows. He grabs my tumbler, sets it down then pulls me out to the dance floor. Within minutes, I'm swaying to the music, which hasn't happened since before Sean's murder.

Since Michelotto doesn't drag me close to him, I start to relax with him.

As the night progresses, we drink more. I forget about all my problems. We naturally move closer, and I don’t resist. It feels good to be dancing with a man, and not worrying about protecting my kids or having them fight with me. At some point, Michelotto pulls me over to a couch. He tugs me onto his lap.

Then he kisses me. At first, I don't think about it. It feels good to have someone want me again. I kiss him back until I feel his hand on my thigh. It gives me a flashback of Shamus's hand on my thigh the night of Sean's murder.

I try to push his hand off me, but he keeps it there. He kisses me deeper and holds my head so tight I can't move, inching his hand higher on my leg.

"Stop," I say between his lips, but it's garbled.

"Don't be a tease, Bridget," he replies then shoves his tongue down my throat and yanks me closer.

I swat his hand, trying to get it off me, but he's too strong. So I keep slapping, and pushing, but he spins me on my ass and cages his body over mine.

I try to stand, but I'm too drunk to find my balance. He pins my hands in the air. When his eyes meet mine, everything from the past flashes before me.

All I want to do is die. I scream, but his lips and tongue choke me.

And then, suddenly, he's being yanked off me. Things become blurrier. Punches are thrown and guns are drawn. I hide my head in my hands, cowering on the couch, unable to move. The scents of sweat, garlic, stale alcohol, and lavender flare in my nostrils. No one is touching me, but I feel like I'm being choked.

Someone pulls me off the couch. I'm still in a trance, not sure who it is. I get thrown over a man's shoulder.

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