She tried to move away from him, but he grabbed hold of her upper arm and pulled her closer to him.
‘What do you want from me, Mark?’
He almost growled at her. ‘I’d have thought that was perfectly obvious.’
His grip on her arm tightened when she tried to shake him off. ‘Mark, you’re hurting me.’
‘I don’t mean to hurt you.’ He loosened his grip on her slightly but didn’t let her go. ‘But I need you to understand how I feel. Why don’t you come into my office so we can talk privately?’
‘Because I don’t want to. I have nothing left to say to you. So I suggest you let go of my arm and let me get tonight over and done with, then we’ll never have to see each other again.’
‘Don’t be like that. I’m sorry about what happened with Jemima, but I couldn’t help it. It felt as though I lost my mind for a little while. It’s different now, though.’
‘Yes, it is different,’ she said, trying to free herself from him once again. ‘Because I don’t want anything to do with you.’
* * *
Coming back into the gallery after seeing Anna’s father and brother into a taxi, Daniel automatically looked around to see where she was. Not finding her at first, he began to search for her. Eventually he spotted her standing in a dark corner, as close as she could possibly be to her ex-boyfriend, Mark. His heart plummeted into his stomach as he watched them. He knew from their conversations that Anna had been in love with Mark and that his betrayal had hurt her deeply. Daniel’s first instinct was to get her away from him, so he couldn’t hurt her any more, but what if she didn’t want to be interrupted? What if she still had feelings for him? Daniel stayed where he was, watching them from a distance, trying to work out what was going on. It didn’t take long.
Mark had a grip on her arm and he saw Anna trying to shake him off. Without thinking, Daniel headed straight towards them.
‘Anna, this is where you are. I’ve been looking for you everywhere,’ he said as he strode towards them. Mark glared at him, the look of hatred clear in his eyes, and Daniel knew he had been right to act upon his instinct.
‘Do you mind? We were having a private conversation.’
‘I think our conversation is over.’ Anna tried to prise his hand from her arm. ‘And if you don’t mind, I’d like you to let go of me.’
‘I’d do as the lady says,’ Daniel said.
Mark laughed derisively. ‘Oh, believe me, this one’s no lady, but maybe you already know that.’
Daniel took a step closer, his fists balled by his side. Mark dropped his grip on Anna and she moved to stand beside Daniel.
‘Don’t, Daniel, he’s not worth it. Let’s go and enjoy the rest of the evening.’
Even though it belied his every instinct — he very much wanted to smash one of his fists into Mark’s face — Daniel knew she was right. It would ruin her exhibition if he did anything, so instead he steered her silently away. Despite her upright demeanour, he could feel her trembling as they returned to the centre of the room.
‘Are you okay?’ he asked as she rubbed her arm. ‘Did he hurt you?’
‘No.’ She shook her head. ‘He was just trying to be intimidating.’
‘It looks like he succeeded.’
She gave a shaky laugh. ‘I suppose you could say he did. Thanks for rescuing me.’
‘I didn’t really do anything. But I’m glad you’re okay.’
She nodded her head. ‘I am. Although, I have to admit, it’s taken the shine off tonight.’
‘Perhaps it was a mistake to have the exhibition here after all,’ he said. ‘But it’s certainly been a success. That’s probably what’s rattled him.’
She nodded. ‘He said it was humiliating.’
‘And what he did to you wasn’t humiliating?’
She nodded. ‘Yes, but I’m not after revenge, I just want to move on with my life.’
And that’s what was so special about her, Daniel thought. She was a good and kind person who deserved the best in life, not snakes like Mark.
