Page 55 of Temporary Vows

I hit him again, this time across the cheek. “And that’s for her eye.”

“Fucking stop.”

“Fuck you. That was for threatening her.” I throw more punches, hitting him in his chest and stomach. “That’s for making her life hell and making me leave in the middle of an important meeting.”

“Stop. I didn’t know she was under anyone’s protection.”

“Break them.”

Behind me, the guys beat the shit out of Scarface. Soon, the sound of knuckles meeting bone fills the room.

I land a series of punches in Marcus’ face, and I don’t stop until Marcus looks a hundred times worse than Elodie.

I let go suddenly, and he stumbles to the ground in a bloody heap, barely conscious. Scarface is completely knocked out.

I lean down to Marcus, grinding my knuckles into his sternum. Sweat beads on his forehead.

“Here’s what’s going to happen.” I press harder. “I’m going to be generous and allow you to stand by the terms of the original loan agreement.”

Motherfucker. He shouldn’t get shit. Not a cent more. But I don’t want this coming back on Elodie.

“By my records, you’re owed a hundred and twenty thousand.” I checked it out on the way here. “Does that sound right to you?”

Marcus nods, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

“I’ll pay the balance. So, consider this loan gone. You will never contact Elodie Harper again. No calls. No messages. Nothing. You will forget she exists. Do you hear me?”

“Yes,” he rasps. “I understand.”

“Good.” I pat his cheek lightly, right over the massive bruise blooming there. He flinches.

“You sure that’s all you want?” Salvatore asks. “You still have the option to make them disappear.”

I glance at Salvatore then gaze down at Marcus. “This is enough for now. Now this motherfucker knows who she belongsto and what will happen to him if he steps out of line again.” I let a smile ghost over my lips. “Let him live in fear.”

* * *

“That was eventful,” Knox says as I pull back onto the road. “Been a while since I had to fight.”

I grip the wheel a little harder and cut him a sideways glance. “Same. Thanks for having my back.”

“Anytime. Besides, it’s not every day I get to ride in with the cavalry.” His mouth tips toward the rearview mirror, and I know he’s talking about Salvatore.

“I guess not.”

“So… Elodie Harper.” He gives me a sharp stare.

I was expecting this conversation. After what just happened, it was imminent. But I still don’t know what I’m supposed to say.

“Is that Jack Harper’s little sister?” Knox raises his brows.

“Yeah, that’s her.” I look away and fix my gaze on the road ahead.

“Didn’t know you were still in touch.”

“I’m not. I ran into her last week. I didn’t know she was in this kind of trouble.”

Until I saw her standing on an auction block ready to sell her body to the highest bidder. And I just happened to put a stop to it by buying her.