The Prologue by Kassandra Kush Read Free Book Online Page A

to myself as I hear a terrified panting. Then there’s a low, feminine voice, filled with fear and tears. It sounds familiar, but I can’t immediately place it.
    “I’m sorry. I’ll do better, I swear. Just, please don’t-”
    The words are cut off by the unmistakable sound of a slap, and a sharp cry of pain. Damn. I edge toward the corner of the building and peer around. My eyes about pop out of my head.
    Anthony Stull has Evangeline Parker up against the side of the building, an arm at her throat, pinning her down. Her cheeks are wet with tears, and Tony is practically vibrating with rage.
    “You said you would do better last time. You said you would do better yesterday,” Tony is saying, his face right up against Evie’s, practically spitting in her face as he speaks.
    She turns her face to look him in the eye and deadpans, “And you said yesterday it would never happen again.”
    “Guess we’re both liars then, aren’t we?” Tony growls, and grabs her right side with his free hand.
    Evie’s body jerks in pain, and her chest is suddenly heaving as she struggles against Tony’s arm. Her head rolls from side to side, and then it rolls fully to the right, and she catches sight of me. Her body instantly goes deathly, frighteningly still. There’s a long, heavy moment as our eyes meet, hers wide with fear and shock.
    Then she’s turned back to Tony, and her voice is low and soothing. “I’m sorry, baby. I’m really sorry. I deserved it. I’m so sorry I don’t treat you how I should. Please forgive me.”
    I’m startled by the sudden change in Tony. His arm falls from Evie’s throat, and he gathers her against him, pulling her face to his shoulder as she takes giant, shuddering breaths, no doubt trying to catch her breath after his pressure on her throat. He strokes her hair, and I get a sick feeling as he rocks her slightly, murmuring to her.
    “I love you, Evie. I hate when you make me do that to you. Why can’t you just do better? I swear, I won’t do it again. Don’t make me do it again.”
    “I won’t,” Evie sniffles against him, and I can’t believe she is actually allowing him to touch her, to comfort her, after what he’s just done. A sick, tingly feeling is creeping all over my body, and I know I should back away. But I can’t. It’s magnetizing, watching the psychotic workings of Tony’s head, and I realize with a chill that he’s one crazy motherfucker.
    Finally, he pulls away and puts a hand under her chin. “Go wash your face, babe. I’ll wait for you in the car, okay?”
    Evie nods, taking a step back and wiping at her cheeks. Even from this distance, I can tell both of them are red from Tony’s hand. I’m filled with a disgust and rage so strong, it’s foreign to me. I can’t imagine ever hitting a girl, especially one as small and fragile looking as Evie.
    “Go on. Love you, baby,” Tony says, and sends Evie on her way with a pat on the ass.
    Disgusting.
    I pull around the corner and hesitate for just a moment, and then I’m off, sprinting back through the doors and into the club once again, running down the halls so I can make it around to the hallway I know Evie just entered. I get there just in time to see the door of the bathroom close behind her. I hesitate again, and then I burst inside. I walk straight up to the handicap stall and easily jimmy the door open.
    Evie is standing in front of the mirror, dress pulled up to display a pair of black underwear that I don’t even notice. She gasps when she sees me and lets the dress fall.
    “What the, what are you doing, Zeke?” she cries, but I don’t pay attention.
    I walk straight up to her and grab the hem of her dress, trying to pull it up once more. She grapples against me, trying to fight, but she’s no match for me. I get the dress up and stare at the monster bruise covering her right side.
    “What the fuck, Evie!” I cry, suddenly remembering her ginger movements at the dance studio, the way her body