Free A Fresh Start for Two by Keira Montclair Page A

she was to his hands. “Did you follow me?”
    He gripped her elbow and encouraged her to go outside by pinching her tender skin. She wanted to fight him, but then she decided maybe this was just the opportunity she needed. He wouldn’t beat her in public, would he? Witnesses could guarantee jail-time if she decided to press charges. He wouldn’t be foolish enough to take that risk. She decided to go with him, but she would not get into his car.
    As soon as they stepped outside, she stopped. “This is as far as I go, Vincent. What is it?”
    “Julia, look. I know you’re going to make me say it, so I will. I’m sorry. I don’t know what made me lose my temper, but I shouldn’t have hit you.”
    “Vincent, lately you have a temper about everything. I no longer feel safe with you.”
    He wiped his brow with his arm. “Please, Julia. I know you’re upset, but I promise this will never happen again. You know I love you. You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met. We’re getting married. I want you in my home every night when I finish working, in my bed when I go to sleep. I know you’ll take good care of me, and I promise to take care of your mother. Please. Can’t we just forget this ever happened and start over?” He whispered so low, she could barely hear him, but she knew why. He didn’t want anyone else to hear him apologize.
    This was it. The time had come. She was on the street. She noticed Jake’s police car hadn’t moved yet from its spot down the street, though she couldn’t tell if he was in it or not. She hoped he hadn’t gone far.
    “Vincent.” She reached for her engagement ring. “This just isn’t working for me. I can’t marry someone who would hit me. I’m giving this back.” She grabbed his hand and placed the ring in his palm.
    Fury lit his eyes. “I make one mistake and you crucify me for it, huh? I told you it would never happen again. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?” His words sputtered through clenched teeth, while his one hand kneaded the engagement ring, his other hand in a white-knuckled fist at his side.
    “It happened once, and that was too much for me, but then you hurt me again.” She pulled her sleeve back to show him the bruise on her wrist. “Look what you did to me this morning. Maybe you don’t always realize you’re hurting me, but you’re so much stronger than I am.”
    He grabbed her arm above the elbow and tugged her close. “You will not break up with me,” he snarled in her ear so no one else could hear him.
    The pain in her arm made her want to scream, and she tried to stand on her tiptoes to get some relief. Out of the corner of her eye, she managed to see Jake climb out of his police car with his partner. Oh how she hoped he was watching. If not, she might have to yell for his assistance, despite the fact that Vincent would probably put a fist into her jaw if she tried.
    She closed her eyes as Vincent twisted her arm and the pain darkened her vision, threatening to pull her under.

 
    Chapter Seven
     
    Jake and his partner rushed across the street, stopping traffic.
    Before they crossed, Bill grabbed his arm and said, “You under control, Ramsay?” He stared into his eyes as he said, as if he were a human lie detector.
    “Yep.” It was true…barely.
    As they reached the other side of the street, Bill shouted, “Problem, Miss?”
    “Take your hands off the lady, Sir,” Jake warned. Julia looked as if she was on the verge of passing out and it took every ounce of control he had not to wale on the man in front of him. He stood to one side of Nye, while Bill stood on the other. Though his attention was purely focused on Julia, a part of his mind registered the shop door opening and Lucia creeping out of it. She stood to the side, sensing the danger of the moment.
    Vincent dropped his grip from Julia as he turned toward them. Her eyes opened, and the fear on her face punched Jake right in his gut.
    “There’s no problem, officers.