Page 220 of Where We Stay

I’m almost fucking outside.

Then an arm locks around my waist.

“NO!” I scream, kicking as Ben yanks me backward. “HELP ME!”

My throat burns, but I keep screaming. Please, someone hear me.

Ben drags me so hard my feet leave the floor. I twist in his grip and throw my elbow backward until it connects with something.

He grunts.

Good.

I do it again.

“Get the fuck off me!”

“You never fucking learn,” he growls, dragging me away from the open door.

“Neither do you.”

I slam my heel down on his foot and throw my head backward into his face.

Not enough.

His hands close around my neck and squeeze.

Pressure builds inside my head until it feels like it might explode. I claw at his arms as hard as I can, feeling my nails cut through his skin.

I can’t breathe.

This is it.

He’s going to fucking kill me.

I keep fighting, trying to get air, trying to create space, trying to find one fucking second where he isn’t touching me.

Then—

The front door crashes open.

“GET THE FUCK OFF HER.”

Dean.

Forty Four

Dean

He fucking found her.

Jerry’s words won’t stop replaying in my head as I take the corner too fast, tires biting into the road. I call Blair again, gripping the steering wheel while it rings through the truck.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.