Control Me(59)

I saw Zane run past me and open the passenger’s door to his car for me. “Hurry up and get the fuck in the car, Max.” He drove like a madman as we headed toward the Sinclair Winery.

I had to save her.

Please, God, let me save her.





CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR


JADA

“Max, is that you?” I called out as I made my way down the stairs. “I’m so sorry I’m running late,” I said as I walked into the living room. “I got the most bizarre text on my phone—” I froze.

“Well, if it isn’t the top model looking all glamorous again. I see you have prettied yourself up for me, Jada. It’s good to see you’ve gone to such an effort. I gather you have missed me?” That ice-cold voice sent chills down my spine.

I started to run back up the stairs, but he came after me and I lost my footing and fell, bumping my head on the railing. Shit, that hurt! I could deal with the pain. I have to try get away. I scooted back up the next lot of steps and made it to the landing. My heart was beating so fast I could feel the blood literally pumping through my veins.

How did he get in? And how did he know I was here alone? He’d found me. I need to be careful how I speak to him so I don’t make him so angry this time. “What do you want, Tate?”

“You know what I want, bitch.” He pushed me into the closest room and closed the door, stalking toward me with a deadly look in his eyes. “I want those fucking shares, pretty girl. If you don’t give them to me, you may not be so pretty for very long.”

I tried to talk, but my mouth was completely dry. I licked my lips and tried to think. If only I could get to the kitchen and grab the knife. There was no way in hell I’d make it to the kitchen without him grabbing me. I finally managed to get my words out, “You need to leave. My fiancée will be here any minute to pick me up.”

“Ooohh, I’m scared, Jada; real scared.” He laughed wickedly. No longer smiling, his eyes filled with pure rage.

He started coming toward me, but he backed me up against the edge of the bed. I suddenly had the urge to vomit. I breathed, hoping it would calm me down and the nausea would go away; it didn’t.

Tate raked his gaze over my body. He made my skin crawl. Oh, God, this was my worst nightmare, confronting my attacker again. He was evil and everything about him was slimy. “Well, you should be.” I stiffened my back and tried to look confident. “I’m not joking; Max will be here soon.”

“I doubt that, Top Model; I sent lover-boy a text telling him you will be late.” I gasped at his admission. God, how stupid am I? It was Tate who sent that text to Max. How long has he been in the house? My mind was going crazy. Did he see me in the shower and getting dressed?



“Oh, yes, the playboy, Max Brunetti?” He arched his brow and took a few more steps toward me. “And I thought all this time you were saving that pussy for me. I didn’t get to have fun with you last time, did I, Top Model? Maybe I wasn’t very clear on who you can and can’t fuck. Only. Me. I am the only man you need to satisfy. You. Are. Mine.” His jaw clenched as he paused after every word.

“You are even more nuts now than before. I was never yours, Tate, and I never will be!”

So much for trying to be clever about the way I speak to him.

“Oh, yes, you are. You will be mine and only mine.” He grabbed my hands and put them up above my head, pushing me down on the bed. I had to get away from him; I could not go through this again. I never saw it coming, but I sure felt it. He backhanded me across the face so hard I could taste blood. Tears stung my eyes, and I prayed to God, he’d stop at that one hit; he didn’t. His hand made contact with the other side of my face. “Please, stop; don’t do this again. Please,” I begged, crying uncontrollably.

He stood over me, and I distinctly smelt the alcohol on his breath when he leaned in and kissed me on the lips. I dry-retched, whimpered and turned away from him. This only angered him more, so he grabbed me by my chin and thrust my face toward him. “You are nothing but a whore. Show me what a whore can do.” He started to unbutton his pants.

“Please, don’t, please…” The only thing I could think of was Max. God, please don’t let him kill me.

“Please, stop, don’t…” he mocked me. “Don’t you understand I love it when you beg, bitch.” He spat at me. “Now, I want you to take off my pants and suck my fat cock until you gag.”

I was trembling with fear but also with anger. “There is no way I’m sticking that thing in my mouth. You fucking try, and I’ll bite the fucker off.” I shoved at him with my legs, pushing against his stomach, screaming and pushing with all my might. “Get the fuck off me, you fucking psychopath.” I was so angry with this deranged lunatic. I’ve had enough! I will not let him win. I am strong. I can fight him. Think, Jada, think.