Her Cruelty, His Quiet Fury

and my helplessness. They were enjoying it. They saw a little girl's panic and a father's humiliation

ugs holding me grunted. "Pat

neutralize the threat, but they had Lily. I couldn't risk her getting hurt in a strug

ah would never let this happen. She loves

aced by a look of pitying contempt. I

hink sent me here? She's been planning this for weeks. She's the one who told me you w

y fist. Sarah. The woman I had built a life with, the woman I had given up my

ng I had locked away for ten years, awoke. The calculations stopped.

am as he stumbled back, clutching his broken nose. At the same time, I stomped my heel down hard on the instep of the man on my left. He howled and his grip loosened

ss than tw

uch the man holding Lily. I simply moved between him and my daughter, shielding her

buried her face in my neck, her

s here. I've got you. No one is ever going to hurt you again. I promise." I held her tight, tr

sbelief. His bravado was gone, replaced

iend who was now on his knees, blood pouring between his fing

hands reaching

ct, the sliding glass door to the

s dressed in a sharp business suit