A Family Affair

Is it over?

- Excuse me?

- You heard me.

His eyes make a slow sweep from head to toe.

- I always though you were a smoke show, Ella. Let mess what's hiding underneath all that sass, and I'll keep your secret.

He takes a small step forward, and I take a big step back, but this only seems to excite him.

- Get away from me!

His smirk grows at the sound of my high – pitched voice.

- Do you like to be chased, is that it?

He backs me into the corner, my spine pressed against the cold wall, Tristan's tall frame looming over me.

- Come here.

He leans down searching my lips, but I jerk my head away. He lets out a frustrated sigh.

- There's no point in fighting me, Ella. You know you'll give in sooner or later.

- Never!

I push him as hard as I can, and the surprise propels him back, straight into a lamppost.

- You'll pay for that.

He grabs my arm and pull me forward, and I have to use my other hand to stop our bodies from colliding.

- Let me go, Tristan!

- Why? So you can go back to being Elijah Hirst's slut?

I yank my arm back, but his grip is like a vice. I can't help but yelp in pain.

- Miss, are you okay? A stranger asks.

At the sight ofi the stranger, Tristan quickly lets go of my arm and plasters on a fake smile.

- All good here, sir.

- Miss?

- He tried to assault me.

At the sound of my shaky voice, the man steps closer.

- Do you want me to call the police?

- I just want to leave. Do you mind walking me to my car, Sir? It's just across the road.

- Of course I don't mind.

Tristan looks at me with raw anger, but the stranger's presence keeps him from touching me again. I'll use this chance to get the hell away from Tristan Baron. I pretend to walk past Tristan, and the last moment, I twist toward him. I register the surprise in his gaze, but I don't give him a chance to react. I get into a fighting stance, drive my knee forward, and let my leg unfold right up to his groin. He covers his genitals with his hands and doubles over, his face contorted with pain.

- Ow! You b...

- I wouldn't finish that if I were you, or I'd make sure you lose a testicle for good.

He clenches his teeth, jerking his gaze from me to the stranger who's witnessing this new development with a small smile.

- This isn't over, Ella.

I look down at the man who's currently bent over, his face flushed, his whining words sounding like empty threats.

- You're just a pathetic man hiding behind Daddy's money. I can't believe I ever gave you the time of day.

The blood pounds in my veins as I start walking away.

- You'll never get rid of me, Ella. I'll make you regret this!