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A lash of fear rolled over her. She hugged herself over her middle. “Just take me home.”

“No. You don’t get to say when this is over.” He jabbed his index finger at her nose. “I fucking waited forever for you. Coddled you. Let you tease and toy with me. You don’t get to turn around and do this now.”

Shock blistered through her, and she took a faltering step backward, still hugging herself. “I’m sorry, Patrick. I really am. You’ve been so nice to me, and I really wanted to feel something, but I don’t think I can.”

She was too wrapped up in Trevan, and it wasn’t fair to either Patrick or herself.

She started to turn on her heel to head down the trail, but he grabbed her wrist.

Hard.

Squeezing as he whirled her back toward him. “You bitch. You don’t get to play with me. This is over when I say it’s over.”

She couldn’t believe his venom. The rage.

She jerked her hand away. “Don’t ever touch me again.”

She turned again, but this time, he grabbed her by the hair. Pain splintered across her scalp as he yanked so hard she was sure he tore out a fistful of it. “I’ve only started with you.”

Horror skidded through her spirit, and her fight or flight kicked in.

Run was all she could think.

She broke free and started to, only a gasp bolted out of her when he knocked her to the ground from behind.

She cried out, and he curled his arms around her as she sank her fingers into the rocks and sticks and dried, arid dirt.

Thrashing and fighting.

Pain cut into her knees as she tried to get away.

She screamed and threw back her arm. Her elbow connected with his jaw.

He roared, and she was on her feet, running. Not even sure where she thought she was going. They were miles outside the city.

Alone.

He was on her in a flash. “You really gonna pretend like you’re not mine? Like you don’t want it? So fucking sick of you putting me off.”

He shoved her back to the ground. Her back hit the hard dirt. Spikes of pain and a torrent of agony.

He dropped to his knees and ripped the front of her dress before he shoved down his jeans again.

She gasped, her hand frantic as it skimmed over the ground.

She fisted a rock and didn’t think about it before she hurled it through the air and bashed it against the side of his head.

He roared as he was knocked off her, rolling away, and he slowly climbed back to his feet. “You fucking bitch.”

Blood poured down the side of his head, rage filling him full, the lights of the city behind him.

Fight.

She knew it was the only thing she could do.

She was on her feet and flying toward him before he could process what she was doing.

Her hands were out in front of her as she shoved him in the chest.