The man dropped to the floor like dead weight , and my breath hitched in my throat . 55 vouchers I stood frozen , heart hammering , staring as Rick straightened from the punch , his chest rising and falling fast . The fury on his face didn't match the control in his stance . He looked like he could kill someone and then he turned to me . His eyes scanned over me like he was trying to memorize every inch , his brows pulled tight in worry . I didn't expect that , not from him . " Are you okay ? " he asked , voice low but heavy , like he couldn't breathe right until I said something . I nodded , slowly . " Yeah , I think so ." He stepped closer , cupping my face gently . His palms were warm against my skin , but there was a tremble in his fingers , like he wasn't as calm as he looked . I stared at him , completely stunned . My pulse thudded in my ears . What the hell just happened ? " What were you thinking ? " he asked , his tone shifting sharp , " why did you leave the room by yourself ? " " I didn't think … " I whispered . I couldn't even finish . I hadn't thought , not clearly and now this ? The last thing I would have expected was for someone to have tried something so foolish at such a high end hotel . He kept his hand on my cheek a moment longer before letting it slide down to my arm . He didn't let go of me as we walked back to the hotel room , not once . His grip was firm , almost possessive , but not rough like he needed to keep me tethered to him just to be sure I was real . Once we got inside , he didn't speak right away . The room was quiet , just the faint hum of the AC . I sat on the edge of the bed while he locked the door , then he turned and looked at me again . " You're hurt , " he said suddenly , moving fast . I looked down and saw it too , my wrist , red and beginning to bruise . I hadn't even noticed it but he had . Rick crouched in front of me , his hand curling around mine so gently it made my chest ache . " I'll kill that bastard ," he muttered , brushing his thumb across my skin . His brows were still furrowed in that intense way , but his touch was careful . His fingers moved up my arm like he was checking for anything else . " Why did you say that ? " I asked , my voice quiet . " Say what ? " " That I was yours . " 1/3 8:43 pm E Chapter 17 He looked at me like it was obvious . " Because you are . " My stomach twisted . " You don't mean that . " 55 vouchers " I do , " he said , standing now . " You signed a marriage contract , you belong to me now , that's how this works . " I stared at him , heart clenching . The way he said it so casually , like it was a business deal and not a human heart involved . " You shouldn't have done that , " he added , grabbing a jacket from the chair . " You shouldn't have left . Next time , tell me if you really need to leave and I'll get someone to be next to you , now get ready , we're heading back . " His tone left no room for argument . I stood and grabbed my things , ready to head back home to Lena above everything . The ride down in the elevator was silent . We barely looked at each other , but I felt his presence beside me like gravity . We exited the hotel and walked toward the waiting car . " Fiona ! " The voice hit me like a jolt . I turned , startled , eyes searching then I saw him . I hadn't seen Andrew in years , but the second I turned around , everything else fell away . He looked like every polished memory I ever had of him had grown up and come to life . His suit clung to his frame like it had been tailored just for him , charcoal grey with the sleeves pushed slightly up , revealing strong , veined forearms . His shirt was unbuttoned at the top , just enough to tease . He looked like the kind of man who'd smile while undoing your zipper and still remember your coffee order the next morning . And he was smiling now , at me . " Oh my God . Andrew ? " He jogged up to me , a grin stretched across his face . " I can't believe it . What are the odds ? " We hugged , and I felt a rush of old familiarity . Andrew had been a friend in college , someone I hadn't seen in years . " You look amazing , " he said . " Wow . I mean it , how are you even here ? " " It's a long story ," I laughed , " I didn't expect to see anyone I knew . " We exchanged numbers quickly , laughing as he told me about the company event he'd come to attend . 2/3 8:43 pm ED Chapter 17 Then , suddenly , Rick was beside me . I barely had time to breathe before I felt it , fingers sliding into mine . E55 vouchers He didn't say a word at first . He just took my hand and then , without breaking stride , he pulled me to his side . My body collided softly with his , his arm brushing against mine . I tilted my head to look up at him , but he didn't meet my eyes . He was staring straight ahead , shoulders tense , jaw locked , the muscle there ticking like he was biting down on every word he wanted to say . I followed his line of sight . Andrew was still standing there , smiling politely , too politely . Rick's thumb moved slightly over my knuckles barely but it was there , a stroke meant more for himself than me like he needed to remind both of us that I was next to him now . When Andrew spoke again , Rick finally turned his head , slow and deliberate . " My wife and I have to leave , " he said , his voice low and final . He emphasized the wife , glaring at Andrew and speaking with a poison laced voice . Andrew blinked , caught off guard . " Oh , yeah , of course ." Rick didn't wait for a response . He steered me away , hand still gripping mine . 3/3 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. 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