I dig my keys out of my pocket as I round the corner and run smack into a hard chest. Dominic. “Couldn’t stay away?” I smile as I glance up.
“No, love, I couldn’t.” I gasp as Brock wraps his sweat-covered hand around my neck and squeezes while shoving my back into the brick wall.
His eyes swirl with venom as he digs his fingernails into my flesh and presses his body into me. The bricks cut into my back as I mold myself to the building in an attempt to keep his body from grinding into mine.
“I have a protec–”
“I don’t give a fuck what you have.” The pressure intensifies until I’m only able to let out a rough gasp as I try to suck down a gulp of air. “You’re a fucking bitch. You had no business going to the police on me. Now my dad is pissed, and Tabitha is refusing to take my calls. And all because you fucked with me.”
“I didn’t.” I lurch my head to the side as I shove into him, forcing his fingers off my neck and knocking him backward. The scent of his cologne and the clammy slickness of his skin, makes me want to vomit. “You fucked with me. You wouldn’t leave me alone. I did the only thing I could to protect myself.”
“Yeah, you sent your asshole brothers and that pussy boyfriend of yours to my place of business, embarrassed me, had your father fill mine full of lies, got the police involved–”
“You were harassing me. Just like you are now. You’re violating a protection order.” I raise my knee and smack into his balls with the force of my entire body while shoving his chest backward. He stumbles, catching his balance before falling and grabbing my shoulders.
“Fucking bitch!” Spit flies out of his mouth as he slams me back into the wall. “I don’t give a fuck about a restraining order. You fucking cow.”
Tears sting my eyes as the air is knocked out of my lungs.
“You fucking piece of shit.” Dominic’s voice echoes off the bricks as he grabs Brock’s shoulder, spins him around, and punches him in the face. “I told you to leave my girlfriend alone.” Blood splatters from Brock’s nose as his head jerks sideways from the force of Dominic’s punch.
“Fuck.”
“You’re a fucking freak.” Dominic continues to pummel him, causing Brock’s head to smack against the brick like a melon splattering on the sidewalk.
I rub my hands up and down my arms as my heart pounds erratically in my chest. Why is Dominic here? Shit. What would’ve happened if he hadn’t shown up when he did?
“Kiss my ass.” Brock bounces off the wall and bullrushes Dominic. But he doesn’t move.
“Bella, call the police.” Dominic wraps his huge bicep around Brock’s neck as he twists him toward the building and places him in a headlock.
“Right.” I blink as I dig my cell phone out of my pocket and make the call.
“911. What’s your emergency?”
“My ex-boyfriend violated a protection order.”
“Where are you, and is he still there with you?” The woman’s voice is smooth and calming. Is that Clarabelle Johnson?
Dominic’s eyes are as wild as Brock’s as they continue to scuffle, with each of them landing body punches. Or at least Brock attempts to hit Dominic while receiving punches to the side and gut.
“I’m at the corner of Main and 1stStreet. And yes, he’s still with me.”
Brock sags against Dominic as they both gasp for air. I straighten my shoulders as I scan Dominic for injuries. The man is gorgeous. If he didn’t have this asshole in his arms, I’d climb him like a tree.
“Bella…,” Dominic growls. “Listen to the nice police officer and stop eye fucking me. You’re distracting me.”
“Yes, Sir.” I fight back a giggle as I focus on the call. How does he do that?
“That’s not helping.” He bites his bottom lip as his eyes rove over me, and then he frowns. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
“Your neck is red.” He straightens and punches Brock in the kidneys.
“Stop it, asshole.”
“Never.” Dominic glares at Brock. “You caused my girl to get a bruise on her neck.”