Page 51 (1/2)

“You’re welcome,” he replied in a soft tone “Take care of yourself”

“I will Goodbye” Ella hung up the phone, nearly sagging against the kitchen counter It eird how soative could be turned into a positive Rory co that had happened, because he’d violated the reement Yet it was hard to see any of this as a positive She wanted to be far away from all the hell that had clouded her life

She wanted Rory gone from her life … forever

Blowing out a long breath, she placed her cell phone in her purse Not wanting to be late for work, she took the stairs in her condo and was out of breath by the ti lot

She approached her cherry-red Volkswagen Beetle, appreciating the clouds covering the Vegas sun Her heart ha down the stairs, and she wiped the sweat from her forehead

As she reached her car a sudden sense of fear engulfed her and she stopped by the driver’s-side door Feeling watched, her hand shook as she reached into her purse and took out her keys, atte to unlock the door

Goose bulanced behind her, the sense of fear now real and warranted Rory approached with long strides, his gait someobbly, and his eyes were bloodshot

“You fucking bitch,” he snarled, closing in on her “I told you to coht You did this to yourself”

His words were slurred as he staggered toward her Ella gasped, hurrying to unlock the door, but her shaky fingers couldn’t land on the button Then he was there, grasping her arm, and she cried out in pain

He spun her around, and his eyes ild, lost in rage A screa it silent As he slaainst the car, the beer on his breath brushed across her face, and she et away, she kicked his shin, and he stumbled back

“Dirty slut!” he roared, reaching for her

Ella gave hihtened woain Not now Not ever He fell back on his ass, and in that moment, Ella opened the car door

She nearly dropped into the seat when his ared to scream, “Help!”

Terror sent ice in her veins and her heart haet away, that no one was there to help her, she elbowed Rory, hard His groan echoed around her, as she broke free and dropped into the seat with a gasp

With eyes so dark and full of rage, Rory reached in through the door, but she grabbed the handle, and, using all her strength, she sla bitch!” he roared