My Convicted Wife is My Mate (Bella and Kane) novel Chapter 40

chapter 34
BELLA’S POV

Looking at the twisted expression on Derek’s face, I knew I was in trouble.

My stomach tightened painfully. His eyes were filled with a sick kind of satisfaction as his grip on my arm tightened.

“No!” I screamed, jerking backward. “No!”

Derek laughed, that cruel, low chuckle that used to send chills down my spine even back in the day when he’d come around Damien’s territory looking for trouble.

“You should’ve thought twice before running that pretty mouth of yours,” he hissed, yanking me forward.

He started pulling me toward the pond near the solarium, and I stumbled. My shoes slipped against the marble floor. My heart pounded so loudly I could barely think.

“I’ll press charges!” I shouted. “There are witnesses!”

“Who?” Derek smirked. “Your high school buddies? That one bitch would’ve stuck around to watch if given the chance.”

“People saw me come in here, Derek! You won’t get away with this!”

“You’re an ex-con,” he sneered. “And I own this club. Who do you think they’ll believe?”

My pulse raced. I tried to stay calm, but deep down, I was starting to panic. If he got me outside, into that garden or near the solarium, I knew what would happen. He was stronger, faster, and angrier. I dug my heels in, planting my feet as hard as I could. “Let me go!”

He jerked my hair so hard my neck snapped back. I yelped in pain, but he didn’t loosen his hold. “You really think anyone gives a damn about what happens to a washed-up ex-convict?” he growled, dragging me closer to the pond.

No. No, this couldn’t be happening. Not again. Not after everything I had survived.

My nails dug into his skin as I clawed at his arms. He cursed, “Bitch!” and threw me down beside the pond. My palms scraped against the cold tiles.

He flexed his arm, and fur came out of his skin. He brought out his claws. He shifted partially.

My blood turned to ice. I barely had time to crawl away before he was on me.

His hand slammed against my throat, pinning me down.

“You should’ve kept quiet,” he said.

“Get off me!” I gasped, but he only pressed harder.

Suddenly, he shoved my face into the pond.

Cold water flooded my mouth and nose. I choked, struggled, trying to lift my head, but he was too strong. Panic spread through me. I couldn’t breathe. My lungs burned. My limbs jerked and flailed. I splashed wildly.

No, no, no—!

Black spots blurred my vision. I clawed at his wrists, but he was too strong. He didn’t move an inch. Just when I was about to pass out, he pulled me up. I gasped, coughing.

I choked heavily as I dragged air into my lungs. Water sprayed from my mouth as I gasped, only to be shoved down again before I could take another breath.

He was toying with me. Punishing me.

Through the haze of panic, I realized that Derek was reliving the humiliation Damien had given him years ago. The fight. The beating that left him scarred. The scars that had never fully healed.

And now he was taking it out on me.

I tried to fight, but my limbs were heavy. I couldn’t breathe. Cold water gushed down my throat again. My chest tightened. My mind screamed for air, for help, for someone – anyone.

Then I was yanked up once more. I collapsed on the tile, coughing violently. I tried to suck in huge gulps of air. My whole body was shaking.

“Help!” I choked out. “Someone help me! Please!”

Derek chuckled near my ear.

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