Chapter 39

"Help..." Denise could barely get the word out. Ryan yanked the zipper down and shoved one foot on her to keep her pinned. She was just a petite girl—dealing with someone like Samantha was one thing, but going up against a tall, athletic guy like Ryan, who was into basketball? Total mismatch. Tears slipped slowly from the corners of Denise's eyes. Why her? Why did life keep throwing her into such nightmares? "Stop!" A male voice suddenly cut through the tension. Ryan froze. The second he turned, he took a punch straight to the face. Smack! Blood trickled from the corner of Ryan’s mouth, and his cheek swelled instantly. He looked up, stunned. It was that guy from earlier—the one who had been with Denise today. "You... you shouldn't butt into this. You’ve got... got a fiancée," Ryan stammered. The cockiness from before? Gone. The panic in his eyes betrayed how intimidated he was by Jason. Maybe it was the Range Rover Jason rolled up in that screamed power and money. Or maybe it was just