Chapter 28 One Minute Late
Grayson’s expression cooled slightly. He narrowed his phoenix eyes at her but said nothing more–only nodded in agreement.
After watching him leave, Sarah took a deep breath and hailed a cab to the Ocean Club.
Despite her best efforts, she arrived one minute late.
She pushed open the private suite door. The blaring music nearly split her cars.
Henry sat on a leather couch, arms sprawled across the backs of two women–both curvy and scantily dressed.
The moment he saw her, his eyes narrowed, then a wide grin cracked across his face.
“One minute.”
He raised his phone mockingly, expression full of malicious delight. “Sarah, you’re late. One whole minute.”
“The traffic was bad. I’ll punish myself with a drink,” Sarah said calmly, picking up a glass of liquor.
“Ah–ah.” Henry waved a finger, smirking. “Didn’t I tell you I’m a very busy man? A drink, and you think that’s enough?”
Her heart began to race.
“What do you mean, Mr. Henry?”
He didn’t answer immediately. His greasy gaze slid over her, sticky and possessive, as if undressing her with his eyes.
Sarah’s skin crawled,
Finally, he spoke–slow, cold, like a snake coiling around her spine. “One minute late. One piece of clothing. Off.”
Sarah’s face went cold.
Even dressed down as she was, he still wouldn’t let her go.
Her expression darkened.
“Come on now, sweetheart. Our Mr. Henry doesn’t repeat himself,” said the sharp–chinned girl lounging beside him. She giggled behind her hand. “You don’t start undressing soon, he’s gonna ask for two.”
Henry stood and walked toward her–his eyes filled with hunger and venomous glee.
“Sarah, my time isn’t free. And last time, when you hit me? I needed three stitches. That’s another piece off.” The air around him recked–cheap cologne, cigarettes, and booze. The stench made her stomach turn. As Sarah wrinkled her nose, Henry lunged forward, grabbing her chin in one clammy hand.
His breath hit her face, thick with alcohol, his voice laced with vile amusement.
“A year ago, when you were drugged… even in that daze, you kept moaning Shane’s name.”
Chapter 28 One Minute Late
“Such longing, so seductive… my heart nearly melted. I wanted to be your Shane.”
He leaned in closer.
+8 Pearls
“But I heard,” he whispered, lips brushing her ear, “your precious Shane has a new girlfriend now. Did he dump you?”
Sarah recoiled, nausea rising, but Henry closed the space between them.
Her fingers, trembling slightly, pressed the emergency call on her phone-
But Henry was faster.
He snatched the phone, eyes glinting. “Calling the cops?”
With a twisted grin, he tossed it into a nearby glass. Liquid spilled across the table.
“Now that you’re here–don’t even think about leaving.”
His hand trailed up her cheek, slimy and bold.
Sarah turned pale. She tried to step back, but he grabbed her wrist again.
“Don’t try to play saint for Shane. He knew you’d end up in my bed when he sent you to me.”
That stung.
Just for a moment, her whole body stiffened.
So Shane had known.
He had sent her anyway.
But if he thought she would take it lying down, he didn’t know her at all.
Sarah’s lips slowly curled into a smile.
Then–bam.
She kneed Henry in the groin, sharp and hard.
A howl ripped through the room–high–pitched, guttural, the sound of agony.
Sarah’s brows furrowed slightly, but her voice remained composed.
“Seems Mr. Henry isn’t in the mood for business after all. Let’s reschedule.”
“You bitch-”
Henry cursed through gritted teeth, dragging himself off the floor. Then, with a snarl, he lunged–grabbing her hair and yanking her head back.
Slap. Slap.
Two blows, fast and brutal.
The taste of blood filled Sarah’s mouth. Her ears rang, drowning out the thumping bass of the club.
3:54 PM
Chapter 28 One Minute Late
Her cheek swelled instantly.
+8 Pearls
Henry stood over her, breathing hard, sneering.
“I was nice to you ‘cause of your face. Thought you were worth the effort. But don’t think you can step all over
me.”
Compared to the women he was used to, he believed he’d shown Sarah “patience.”
He’d just made a very big mistake.
