Chapter 13

Hattie froze. Rowan's voice was so cold it felt like it could freeze the blood in her veins. Her fingers tightened around the hem of her dress. His footsteps echoed through the marble floors as he stepped closer. Rowan's hand landed gently on her cheek. "Smack!" She screamed. Her head snapped to the side, blood trailing from the corner of her mouth. Rowan seized a fistful of her hair, yanking her head back hard. Images of Joanna being brutalized, broken and left to bleed flashed violently through his mind. The pain in his chest was almost unbearable. It stole his breath and tore at his sanity. "You dared to hire people to hurt Joanna?" His voice was hoarse, cracking with fury. "Smack!" Another slap landed, louder than the last. Hattie's mind went blank. The sting was overwhelming. Suddenly, a figure rushed in, wielding a broom and bringing it crashing down on Rowan's back. Sabrina screamed, "Get your hands off my daughter! Who gave you the right to hit my daughter? You basta