Chapter 21

LORETTA

A shocked gasp left my lips at Elion's words

I stepped back, rolling my eyes over his tall, big frame. Would it be possible to tackle this man to near death physically?

“Free of my infuriating presence" I echoed, scoffing as I did. I wasn't surprised that he would say such hurtful words to me, but I sure as hell was pissed.

Elion's jaw cracked once, and with the way he kept flexing his muscles and rolling his neck, he was obviously trying to

restrain himself from lashing out

"Then go ahead and be free of me" I shot back, looking him dead in the eyes.

Elion's brows furrowed a moment, before a dry, abrasive laugh worked its way out of his chest “It's morning Rea, don't push me” His words landed with a low growl that made me flinch

Yes, I was still scared of Elion. Yes, a part of me understands that I'm trapped with this Devil of a man, I thought I would be able to handle it, to handle him until I'm free, but every single second I spend with Elion Fitzpatrick has me feeling deep rage I have never experienced in my entire life

No one has ever made me so helpless and opposed and angry as much as he does

Elion drives me Insane with each push, and I swear to God I hate him with everything in me

“Go ahead” I hissed out even though my heart was racing behind my chest, my shaking fingers gave away the fear coursing through me

His eyes slid from my face to my trembling body and back up again. “Rea” he called roughly, so low and deep that I didn't know if I was shaking due to fear alone

Or if the shadow in his face was because I was challenging him

Still, I didn't back down. I didn't want to.

Elion had been the one with the upper hand since we signed that contract, I've been pushing his buttons too, but it seems like I don't do it hard enough

“Go ahead" I screamed loud enough for the staff inside the penthouse to hear. One of the security guards rushed to the garage when he heard my scream, but on seeing that it was just Elion and me, he left as quickly as he had come

Elion took a step towards me, the space between us was barely an inch. I could feel the annoyance rolling off him in waves. Worse than that, I could feel him, his...body and his... presence

“Call off the wedding." I dared him. “You want to be free of my presence, call of the wedding then!"

He ran a hand over his face, almost baring his teeth as he seethed. “And hand you a free life?" His gaze blazed “After you took away mine for three long years. Not a chance in hell”

“Then what do you want from me?” My voice cracked on the last word and I hated it. I hated that he could so easily make me weak and vulnerable.

“What is it, Elion? What exactly is your plan here? To keep me beside you all the days of our lives so we can make each other miserable?!” Because you hate me and I hate you and sooner or later, one of us is going to kill the other”

“So be it" he growled without hesitation. “You made my life hell Loretta" His words were darker now, more layered and frightening “I suffered because of you, so If I have to marry you so you could be by my side each day, if I have to go through with a fake, stupid wedding just so I can have you for the rest of my life and see you in pains, I would gladly do so”

My heart stumbled in my chest, I could not breathe at the devilish smirk on Elion's face. A tear slid down my cheek

No. I refuse a life with this monster. I refuse to live out my life as his wife, in pure hell and suffering. I won't survive him, I can barely even stand his jabs and hateful words, being Elion's wife would be the end of my life

And I'm not ready to die yet

“I did what I had to do" I choked out, another tear rushing down my face. “I shouldn't have lied against you in court but I did what I had to do. I had no option Elion"

Something flashed across his face, but it was gone quickly before I could tell what it was. “Your apology means nothing to me Rea, nothing" he spat, jaw ticking widely. “Get in the car”

My feet remained rooted to the spot, my chest was so goddamned tight I couldn't breathe well.

How long till I found of his 'Elite plans' and be free of his shackles, which would happen first, the wedding or my freedom?

“Get in the car Lorreta!" Elion warned sharply, his entire body tightening with restraint. The pulse in his neck spiked

“No" my voice was barely a whisper. How far could Elion go? Just how far could he? Did he really want to marry me to make me suffer, or is there something else to it

“Kill me Elion" I dared.

His eyes flared wide for a second “What did you say?”

“If you hate me this much" I challenged, balling my finger into a fist. “Go ahead and strangle me to death here and now. Kill me and be done with it”

He didn't move, I wasn't even sure Elion was breathing with how still he stood.

“What is stopping you?" My voice was louer now, more controlled. “Go ahead and kill me, no one will ask. Nobody cares, just be done with it. Take your petty revenge and be free. Isn't that what you want?”

The air between us went very still, His eyes dropped to my throat, then came back up to my face.

The side of my lips curved upward “Or you're too much of a coward to actually do so"

That made him snap, Elion moved, so fast I didn't realize what was happening until I felt my back hit his parked SUV and the breath whooshing out of me

I blinked to find Elion gritting his teeth with his hand wrapped around my throat. “I told you not to push me Rea”

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