Chapter 9

The man clutched his bruised mouth and leaned against the car, pulling out his phone. "It's done. What's next?" A woman's voice came through the line. "Do whatever you want, just don't forget the photos afterward." He gave a lewd chuckle, "I want all ten grand. Not a penny less." "I'll give you twenty once it's over." Just as he hung up and bent down to drag Louise into the car, rhythmic footsteps echoed toward him. Step by step, slow but chilling, they stopped right in front of him. The man looked up, barely had time to react before he was kicked clear off the ground and slammed hard onto the pavement. Dominic didn't say a word-just sent him flying with a brutal kick. When his eyes landed on Louise's face, his rage exploded even further. "Who... who the hell are you?" Dominic glanced up, eyes cold as ice. In the dim light of the parking lot, his expression looked terrifying, a far cry from his usual calm demeanor in front of Louise. "I'm the last person you'll ever see." With long strides, he walked forward and stomped down on the man's face. As a painful groan escaped, Dominic turned away without a flicker of emotion. He crouched down, his handsome face tight with restraint, then scooped Louise up in his arms. If he hadn't felt uneasy and turned back to check the lot, he'd rather not imagine what might've happened. In the bedroom, Dominic stood holding her. Her white dress was dirty and torn. He hesitated for a moment, then calmly pulled her zipper down. Within seconds, only her undergarments were left. Her skin was pale, almost glowing under the light. His breathing hitched, a frustration crawling up from his gut. Brow furrowed, he gently laid her on the bed-but stopped suddenly. His eyes locked onto a scar across her smooth stomach-jagged and deep. Just one glance told him how much she'd suffered. He looked up at her; Louise's eyes were shut tight, but her lips were pressed together like she was fighting something. Dominic reached out and ran his fingers softly across the scar. "What did you go through?" Maybe his touch tickled, because she twitched slightly. The drug wasn't that strong then. He studied her face. Brushing her hair from her cheek, his voice softened. "Louise... it's really been forever." He started to get up, but then her hand clutched his arm. She mumbled, "Don't leave..." "You're awake?" She didn't open her eyes, shifting restlessly. "So hot... I'm burning..." Hot? Sure, it's summer, but the AC was on. Unless the drug did something else? Lost in thought, suddenly she flipped over and pinned him beneath her, eyes groggy but open. "Who... are you?" He gave her a faint smile, rubbing her soft hair. "Your husband." "I feel... burning up," she whined cutely. "I'll turn the AC lower." "No, you're wearing too much... take it off..." In a daze, she started unbuttoning his shirt, her body squirming against his. He grabbed her wrists, tension sharp in his gaze. "Don't play with fire." "Fire? It's too hot-I need to cool off!" With that, she leaned down and kissed him hard.