Page 180 of Checkmate
“Erica, I need to talk to you.” Alex took a seat, ignoring their protests. “I’m not leaving until you hear me out.”
“We’ll leave then,” Erica said. “Lottie, get your coat.”
“Just...” Alex slammed his fist down on the table. “Sit the fuck down. Please.”
Erica scoffed, pulling Lottie up by her arm. Grabbing their bags, she practically dragged her sister out of there. Pulling her phone out, she dialled Marcus’ number, ignoring the scrape of the chair as Alex followed them.
“Erica!” His tone was angry and desperate, making her heart leap. She shoved her phone inside her bra and hoped Marcus would answer. Angry men were dangerous men, and she had her younger sister to think about.
“Keep walking,” she commanded, holding Lottie close. “Don’t engage him at all, you hear me?” Lottie nodded, keeping her head held high. She didn’t fool Erica though, she could see the nerves in her eyes.
“Erica, will you stop?”
Grabbing her arm, Alex pulled them to a stop, forcing her to face him. Inches away from his face, Erica released Lottie and, in one clean movement, slapped him with as much force as she could muster. “Get your fucking hands off me!”
“Calm down,” Alex growled, grabbing her wrist. “Christ, I just want to talk.”
“And I’ve told you no.” She tugged on his hold, her heart racing. Please, Marcus. Please hear this.
“Let her go!”
Alex snapped his gaze to Lottie and rolled his eyes, pulling Erica further away from her. “Shut the fuck up, you stupid bitch,” he spat. “God, I never could stand you.”
“Don’t talk to her like that!” Without thinking, Erica raised her leg, aiming straight for Alex’s balls with the point of her heels. Unfortunately for her, he braced himself, moving out of the way just in time.
“You’re acting like I’m a crazy psycho,” he growled. “I’m your fucking husband—”
“Ex-husband.”
“Husband.” He tightened his grip on her wrist. “I didn’t sign the fucking papers. They’re not worth shit.”
Nice try.
Hell, even if someone had forged them, they were good enough for the judge, so they were good enough for her.
“Just let it go, Alex. It’s over.”
“No, it’s not.” Alex tugged her closer, closing his arms around her until it looked as though they were embracing. “It’s not over because you never let me explain. You never gave me a chance.”
“Get off her!” This time, Lottie rushed forward, clawing at Alex’s arm. Their bags littered the surrounding pavement, items from their shopping trip rolling across the ground. “Get off he—”
With a yell, Alex shoved Lottie away, sending her sprawling to the floor. The sight of her sister sprawled across the concrete, the heel on her shoe snapped, sent Erica into a blind rage. She swung for Alex, snarling as he dodged of the way. The second punch didn’t miss, her fist connecting with his nose and making him curse.
“Fucking hell, Erica. Will you calm the fuck down!” He pulled her closer, restraining her against his chest.
“Let me go!” She screeched, fighting him with all her strength, ignoring the way his grip burned her skin. “I swear to God, Alex, Let me—”
“Get your fucking hands off my girl.”
Tires screeched. Then, the booming voice. Like something from a movie, Marcus stepped out of a car that hadn’t fully stopped. Out of the driver’s side came Josh, his face like thunder as he rushed to Lottie’s aid.
“I said, get your hands off her before I break every fucking bone in your body.”
With Alex distracted, his face pale and sweaty, Erica brought her heel down on his foot, slamming down with as much force as she could muster. Her heel snapped, and Alex released her with a yell of pain. She would have fallen if Marcus had not caught her, his powerful arms holding her close to him.
“Are you okay?” He asked, his hands roaming her body, his eyes taking every detail of her dishevelled appearance. “Did he hurt you?” She shook her head, the concern in his voice making tears prickle in her eyes.
“Lottie?” She asked, forcing her gaze from his and searching for her sister. “Josh? Is she okay?”
