Love or Money - Elizabeth Roderick Page 0,25

out of his grasp. “No fucking way, Isaias. And you leave Laina alone. Stop being a dick.”

He gave her a cruel grin. “Oh, not this bullshit again. This act is getting so old, Riel.”

Fury consumed her until she could barely see. “I can’t stand you! I’d rather die than fuck you! And I won’t work in this goddamn place! I won’t!”

The silence rang loud as her words died away. Riel felt sick. The look on Isaias’ face made her anger turn abruptly into fear.

His hand came up so quickly she didn’t even have time to duck. His fist caught the side of her head, knocking her sideways into a rack of clothing. Her cheek hit the metal bar, and she went down hard on her hip.

“Stop it, Isaias!” Laina shrieked. She jumped from her chair and grabbed his thick arm, but he flung her off, sending her reeling. She stumbled on her heels and fell on her ass, her forehead smacking against the wall.

Then Isaias turned back to Riel, who sat in a pile of stripper costumes. Lights flashed behind her eyes as the sharp pain in her head slowly subsided. Her mouth tasted like puke and every beat of her heart felt like a small explosion.

Isaias stepped toward her, his lips pulled back in a sneer. “Get up, Riel. Get your fucking cunt ass off the goddamn floor.”

Riel scooted back from him, but she hit the clothes rack and couldn’t get far. She sat frozen as he took another step toward her. Her eyes met Laina’s, who sat against the far wall holding her head. In those blue eyes was mirrored the fury and helplessness that Riel herself felt.

Then the door came open again, and Isaias turned sharply.

It was Robert. His eyes took in the scene quickly, his face going stony and blank. “Isaias, Luis is here. He’s waiting in your office.”

Isaias stood frozen for a moment, then spat a curse. He glanced briefly at Riel and Laina, and then pushed past Robert, stalking out.

Robert came in and shut the door. He helped Laina up, then rushed over to Riel, bending down to look at her. “Are you guys okay?” he asked.

“I’m okay,” Riel said. “Is your head okay, Laina?”

“I’m fine, it’s nothing.” Her face contorted in fury. “That man is a fucking piece of shit, Robert! He hit Riel, and pushed me down!”

“Shhhh!” Robert said, glancing anxiously at the door. He gently helped Riel to her feet. “Listen, Riel,” he muttered. “Evan is waiting for you out back in his car. You’ve got to go quick before Isaias gets wise.”

It took a couple of moments for his words to hit home. Her heart took off galloping. “Evan?” She could hardly let herself believe it. How did he even know she was here?

Robert nodded, grasping her shoulder. “Come on, you’ve got to get out of here quick.” He tugged her toward the door, but Riel stopped him.

“Laina’s coming with me,” she said.

Laina and Robert exchanged a glance. “I can’t, Riel,” Laina said.

“You can’t stay here with that monster!” Riel said.

“I’ve got a son at home,” she said quietly. “I’ll be okay. You go. I’ll get my chance later.”

Riel looked at Laina. Her hair was messed up, and a lump was rising on her forehead where it had hit the wall, but those blue eyes didn’t show any pain or anguish. Her defenses had gone back up. Riel’s throat tightened. “Laina…”

“I’ll take care of her,” Robert said. “I promise.”

“He always has,” Laina said. “I’ll be okay. Go, Riel!”

Before Riel could say anything else, Robert put his arm around her shoulders and guided her out the door, into the hallway. There was an exit at the back end of it, and he took her through it quickly.

Outside, a blue Mustang sat in the pouring rain, its engine idling. The driver’s tinted window rolled down, and her heart swelled as she saw Evan behind the wheel. His full lips curled into a smile that was almost shy, and he looked at her hopefully.

Tears sprung hot into Riel’s eyes. Robert pulled her through the chill rain toward the passenger side and opened the door for her. He squeezed her shoulder as she got in. “You take care, Riel,” he said. “Run far and fast, and never come back.”

“Take care of Laina,” she said, her voice thick.

Robert smiled. “I will.”

He shut the door, and Evan hit the gas, tearing out of the parking lot and onto the road, leaving Robert to watch after them