“Consider it an advance,” she continued, smiling. “You can try negotiating with the kidnappers. Ask if they’ll accept partial payments. And if they won’t…” She tilted her head, voice sugary. “Well, maybe they can send your son back to you piece by piece too.”
Something in me shattered.
“You sick bitch!” I screamed.
I slapped her before I even realized I’d moved. Once. Twice. The impact burned through my palm, up my arm. Marina stumbled back, shrieking as she clutched her face.
“Dominic!” she screamed. “Dominic, help me!”
The door flew open.
Dominic charged in, his presence crushing the air out of the room. He didn’t ask what happened. He didn’t look at me. His boot slammed into my chest, hard enough to knock the breath from my lungs. Pain exploded through my ribs as I hit the floor.
Before I could even gasp, he gathered Marina into his arms, shielding her like she was made of glass. His glare sliced into me.
“Lay a hand on her again,” he said coldly, “and I’ll ruin you so completely you won’t recognize yourself anymore.”
That threat hurt more than the kick.
My phone buzzed.
I barely noticed at first. Then I saw the notification. A new message. My hands trembled violently as I opened it.