I was about to run, but his hand shot out and yanked me back hard.Before I could scream, his lips crashed against mine, trapping me in a forceful, bruising kiss. "Hm—mm! No… no… mmmh!" I struggled, pushing at his chest, but my strength was nothing compared to his iron grip.His arms locked around me like a vice, keeping me caged. My lips were in his possession, stolen and devoured, and all I could do was squirm helplessly. "Haa… haa…" I gasped for air when he finally tore his mouth from mine only for his lips to trail hotly down my neck.
"Please… no… M-Mark!" I shouted in panic.
"You're really beautiful, Miss," he murmured, his voice a husky whisper that made my skin crawl. "I only took a contract to do this to you… but now—" his eyes darkened, "—now I'm going to savour every second."
With brutal force, he shoved me onto the bed. I thrashed against him, but he was stronger. He stripped off his shirt, and in that split second, I made a desperate dash for the door
but he was faster. His hand tangled in my hair, yanking me back so sharply I cried out in pain.
"Come back here. You're not going anywhere." I felt the air leave my lungs when he ripped my dress apart with one violent motion. "No! No, please! Stop, I beg you!" My voice trembled, my pleas falling on deaf ears.
"Shut up. Your voice is irritating." The words hit me first then his hands. A sharp slap landed across both cheeks, the sting blinding. My lips quivered, but I kept silent, fear rooting me in place.Hot tears streamed down my face as his mouth descended again kissing, biting, abusing moving from my neck down to my chest."Please… stop…" My voice broke.
Every brush of his lips made my skin crawl. Disgust coiled in my stomach like venom.
He unzipped his trousers. My eyes widened in horror."No… no… I won't let you! Please stop!" Every time I tried to push him away, his fists met my resistance. My body was sore, my spirit weakening under the weight of what this vile man was doing to me.
He was about to strip off my last layer when—
BANG! The door slammed open."What the fuck—?!" he spat, startled.Relief crashed into me like a wave when I saw Mark standing there, his face thunderous.The man scrambled off me, only to be seized instantly by Mark's guards.Mark tore off his suit jacket and wrapped it around my exposed body, his eyes burning."Scorpion!" he barked.
"Yes, sir?"
"You know what to do. But keep him alive."
"Yes, sir." The guards dragged the man out, leaving me trembling and half-broken in Mark's arms. I clung to him, my body shaking violently as sobs tore through me."Hush now… it's okay. He's gone. No one will hurt you while I'm here." His hand rubbed slow circles on my back, his voice low but steady.
"Why… why does this always happen to me?" I choked out.
Mark leaned back slightly, cupping my cheeks making me flinch at the sharp pain."I'm sorry… does it hurt?" he asked softly.I nodded.At that moment, Angel and Maxwell burst in, Tiwa close behind."What the heck happened here?!" Angel's voice was sharp, but her eyes filled with worry. She came to me immediately, pulling me into her arms. She tucked me gently under the sheets, then tended to my swollen cheeks. A pill pressed into my palm; I swallowed it without thinking.
Minutes later, the heaviness in my body dragged me into darkness.When I was gone, the room exhaled in unison.
"I think I know what happened…" Angel's voice was grim. "She was assaulted… right?"
Mark nodded once, his jaw tight."What?!" Tiwa's eyes flew wide."Damn it… not again," Angel muttered. "If I'm right… this is the fifth attempt on Aurora. "What?!" Mark and Tiwa exclaimed together, their voices a mix of shock and fury.