Loosening my body, I go completely limp to catch him off guard and that’s all I need. One second of confusion. I shove an elbow back into his side and then come up with a fist over my head to meet his face. He shouts out and his hold wavers. I twist and slam into him enough that he stumbles backward. I scream and race toward the door.
“No, you don’t. Little cunt.” He catches me by the waist again and we tumble to the floor.Fuck.The fall knocks the breath out of me and I struggle for air, but this time I don’t stop thrashing, kicking, and screaming. He cusses and tries to hold me still, to get a good grip, but I won’t give up. Pain shoots down my shoulder when he gets an awkward hold on my arm and pulls, but I still don’t stop screaming.
Finally, the door opens and one of our drivers, Ace, races up the steps. “Get off her!” he roars before tackling Eric off my back and to the ground. Ace glances up, assesses my state of undress, and punches Eric square in the face.Holy crap!Ace knocks him out.
“He hurt you?” Ace’s chest heaves with adrenaline and his eyes go back to my bare legs.
“No, not like that. Not yet,” I manage through my gasps. I stumble around them both to grab my pants and pull them on. Eric’s head rolls to the side, and if it weren’t for his low moans I’d think Ace killed him. “Thank you.” My hands go to my throat and it’s only then I realize I’m trembling. I don’t like feeling weak, and usually I don’t, but right now it takes everything I am to not collapse in a flood of tears. The rush of emotion that comes over me, it takes me back to another time and place, threatening my final ounce of control.
“You’re welcome, Miss Marx. I’m sorry. I—”
“It’s okay, Ace. You got here just in time.”
“This should never have happened. Can you step outside the bus? Wave Darren over?”
“Sure.” My heart pounds as I realize I’ll have to recount this entire experience. Will they believe my side of the story? Will I be able to sleep tonight in my bunk? Will I feel safe?AmI safe?
“Miss Marx. Now, please? He’s waking up and I don’t want to hit him again if I don’t have to.”
“Sorry.” I realize I haven’t moved a muscle since pulling on my pants. I shake my head and walk past both men, beyond the spot where Eric grabbed me, where he held my throat. “Sorry,” I say again.
“You don’t need to apologize for anything, okay?” Ace meets my wide eyes, “We’ve got this. We’ve got you. No one’s going to hurt you now.”
“Okay,” I whisper aloud, not quite sure I believe him or agree.
