Page 72 of Primal

Fuck.

Chapter 37

Fiora

That fucking hurt.

My head throbs, and my vision is still blurry from Marco’s sudden attack. I cling to the handle of the car door, desperately trying to pop it open to no avail. Marco has the door locked, leaving me with no way to escape.

Why did he suddenly attack me? It hurts to think, but it’s better than focusing on the rush-hour traffic on the I-5. All the lights make the headache even worse.

Come on, Fiora. What did Marco say just before he fucking slammed your head against the top of the car? It is all such a whirlwind. He complimented me, asked me to go somewhere quieter to talk. I refused because it was his idea to go to that Denny’s in the first place. It was our late-night haunt when we went to university. It was our place. I wanted to leave him and those memories behind there.

Only Marco had different ideas.

“Quit playing, Fiora,” Marco spits. He drums his fingers against the steering wheel when he gets stuck behind a semi, the sound like a jackhammer in my rattled brain. “I didn’t hit you that hard.”

I don’t answer him. I’m still trying to figure out what the hell he said to me.

“Cat got your tongue, sweetheart?” He laughs so bitterly it makes me cringe. “Or maybe that tongue is busy doing other things? Congrats on the engagement.”

“You already knew. When you called me a whore, remember?” I spit back.

My mouth tastes like iron. Did I crack a tooth? Cut my lip? I glance in the side mirror and see a small gash just below my nose. The top of his car must have busted something.

I need to gain my bearings. Papa always said things like this could happen, and I needed to be ready for anything. Kidnappings, beatings, rape, murder. Everything is possible when the Godwin family makes enemies. And in my father’s line of work, there are plenty of enemies and traitors where that came from.

I just never expected the enemy to beMarco. He’s been by my side for years now. Has always been a gentleman. Hopped at the chance to help the Godwin family and get in Papa’s good graces. Treated me with respect until I became a taken woman. Is that the reason for this whole bullshit? Jealousy? Pride? It can’t be. There must be something more. Something I’m missing.

“Truth hurts,” he cuts in. I wince when he lays on the horn to make the semi move. “I just call it like I see it.”

“Then let me call it like I see it. You’re a jealous pissant with a small dick who?—”

Marco shoots out his hand and wraps his fingers so tightly around my throat I can’t breathe. He looks like a wild animal, eyes wide and bloodshot, black hair messy and sticking up, teeth bared. I punch and claw at his hands but it’s no use. He keeps hold on me until I’m light-headed, my vision going blurry.

I’m going to die here. Marco is going to kill me and dump my body in the Sound. All because I didn’t fucking choose him. Before she died, Mama always told me to trust my intuition. She said it is a girl’s best weapon in all the darkness.

How could my intuition have been so fucking wrong?

“Marco,” I beg, the word half-whisper, half-cough.

Behind us, three people lay on their horns. The stretch of highway in front of us is open. It’s the only reason Marco lets go. I crumple against the cool glass of the passenger’s seat door, my entire body shaking with my coughs. I try to suck in a few breaths, but it’s too painful. No more stoking his anger. Rule number one is keeping him calm so I can find an escape route. At least until I can get to rule number two: run like hell.

“All those years I wasted trying to get in your graces and your pants,” he mocks. “And for what? You’re a traitorous bitch, Fiora. Throwing yourself at the first rich man who gives you the time of day. How’s his dick taste, huh? Rich and bougie?”

I stay silent. Think, Fiora, think. Back to Denny’s. Marco pleaded to go elsewhere. I said no. Someone slammed a car door. Marco looked over. I saw stars. And then…

“Have your bitch on our tail, huh? Get in, Fiora.”

I intake a sharp breath.

Braken.

I scan the side view mirror. Is he following us? Was he there the whole time? I can’t make out his car in the traffic behind us, but there are so many cars. It’s rush hour now, and we are barely inching along. He and Jasper could be somewhere back there, coming for me.

But what if they’re not? What if it’s too late? What if I’m left to fend for myself because of Friday night traffic?

I must search for Braken for a moment too long, because Marco swings out a hand and manages to backhand my temple. I yelp in surprise, shrinking away from him.