CHAPTER TWENTY

Aric whispered, "I'm sorry," and drew me into the darkness, holding her face in his hands. "I was helpless to stop it.

With a swish of his hand, he cleared his hair from his face and said, "You know who I am; you know the position I hold. You can't talk to me like that in front of others."

Liberty, fighting back the tears, was silent.

"Is that what you mean?

"He let go of her face with a hiss and shook her by the shoulders.

She shook with anxiety and said, "Yes."

Aric groaned, grabbed her arm, and dragged her to his car, saying, "Fine."

Aric opened the door and waited anxiously for her to enter; once she did, he slammed the door and leaned against it, attempting to calm himself.

A knot formed in his chest despite his understanding that he had been forced to punish her for publicly criticizing him in such a public forum.

Aric whipped out his phone and typed a hasty text before jogging over to his vehicle and slipping the key inside.

Aric started his car and drove out of the parking lot