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I walked away when he blocked my path in the grocery store and whispered that he could make my life much easier if I learned to be friendly.

I walked away every time his son asked me on a date, even after Joe stopped asking and started telling me where he expected me to meet him.

I’m done walking away.

Bo pushes his chair back and stands.

He is taller than I am and almost twice my weight. His gray hair is perfectly styled, and his expensive suit probably costs more than I earn in three months.

None of that makes him a king.

“Apologize,” he orders.

“No.”

His eyes narrow. “What did you say?”

“I said no. You touched me. I defended myself. If anyone should apologize, it’s you.”

The punch comes so quickly I don’t see it.

Pain explodes across the left side of my face.

My feet leave the floor.

The tray flies from my hand as I crash into the table behind me. Dishes shatter. Someone screams.

Then everything goes black.

When I open my eyes, I’m lying on the floor.

My cheek throbs with every beat of my heart. The metallic taste of blood fills my mouth, and unfamiliar faces hover above me.

“Don’t move,” Tonya says. “The ambulance is coming.”

I blink until her face comes into focus.

“What happened?”

“That bastard punched you.”

The memory crashes back.

Bo.

His hand.

My slap.

His fist.

I try to sit up, but the room tilts.

“Stay down,” Tonya says.

“Where is he?”

“Right where he always is.”