When We Fall (Take the Fall, #2)(52)

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The evening goes rather smoothly. While I’m surprised that Mother and Father did not attend, I’m actually grateful. My nerves were frayed during the auction because I got roped into modeling the jewelry that had been donated. Every eye in the place was on me as I walked from table to table to allow bidders to inspect the necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.

Mark Williams was there, and after my conversation with Jase, the sight of him makes my skin crawl now.

There were things I noticed about him that I hadn’t before. Like the way he leered at his seatmate or casually touched the server’s breast while supposedly helping her pick up a napkin he dropped by accident.

His faux gentlemanly ways were wearing thin on me since the dinner portion of the charity event. Unfortunately, I was seated at his table. Thankfully, I was not his dinner companion and didn’t have to make small talk with him.

After signing in the last pair of earrings, I say good night and head downstairs. The valets are busy running back and forth, and there is a crowd of people waiting.

Opening the box, I grab my keys and stuff some dollar bills in their tip jar. If anyone thinks I’m odd for doing this, they don’t say anything and I don’t care anymore.

I don’t care what anyone thinks beyond Jase and Rowan’s opinion. And Seth’s—I can’t forget him.

I smile a little at the thought of my best friend getting married. Honestly, I always thought I’d get married before she did, but that’s what I get for thinking.

“That’s a gorgeous smile. You should do it more often,” Mark says as he appears out of nowhere. “Need an escort to your car?”

I swallow as a sliver of dread rolls down my back. “I don’t, actually, but thank you.”

“My car is parked near yours,” he says. “You can escort me instead.”

In the past, I would have found him endearing, even with his bonehead move of sleeping with Giselle, but now, all I see is a man who won’t take no for an answer.

“Where’s that boyfriend of yours? I can’t help but think if you were mine that—”

“Have a good night, Mark.” I pick up my pace. Almost there.

Suddenly, I’m grabbed from behind.

“I was talking to you, Piper. You’re such a rude girl.” He shakes me so hard, my teeth click against one another. “Why do you have to be like that?”

“Let go of me.” I do a donkey kick, something I learned in one of the fitness programs Mother signed me up for and never thought I’d use. It connects with something soft and he groans in pain.

“You f*cking stabbed me with the heel of your shoe. Little bitch.” He fists his hand in my hair and licks my neck. “Should have known a good girl like you likes it rough.”

I struggle wildly against him, but it only seems to excite him. Tears of frustration pour down my cheeks and I start to beg him to let me go. “Please, Mark. Just let me go. I promise not to be rude anymore.”

“Promises, promises,” he says. “I know you’re good for it, Piper, but I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.”

I throw my head back, connecting with his face, and this time he howls and lets me go. I break into a run. Behind me I hear footsteps and then the roar of a motorcycle.

Mark grabs me again, digging his nails into my arm and pulling me around. I spit at him and scream for help. He slaps me viciously across the face and I cry out at the pain radiating from my cheek.

Even at their worst, my parents never hit me.

Suddenly, the roar of the motorcycle is gone, replaced by the roar of a man. Mark stops shaking me long enough so that we both get a look at…Jase?

I blink at the vision of him wearing a tux or suit. The tears blur my vision too much for me to tell.

“Take your hands off her,” he growls, but Mark doesn’t do as he is asked.

Jase tackles Mark and they roll to the ground, with Jase quickly gaining the upper hand. He grabs Mark by the collar and shakes him, then slaps his face so hard that Mark screams in pain. He punches him in the gut, over and over again, then shoves his knee between Mark’s legs. Mark screeches and I’m torn between wanting to get Jase away and reveling in the sound. I want Mark to hurt for hurting me.

“That feel good? Feel like a man for hitting a woman like that?”

“You’re just pissed I had her first and she was coming back for more. Like your last girlfriend.” Mark spits out some blood. “You are so f*cked, dude. Once my dad learns about this, I’m sending your ass back to jail where it belongs.”

“Well, if I’m going to go, then I’ll make it worth it.” Jase pulls back his arm, balling up his fist at the same time. The look on his face is chilling. He’s going to kill Mark and then I’ll lose him all over again.

Determination propels me into action. “No,” I scream, running to them and grabbing Jase’s arm. “Don’t do it. Please don’t do it.”

He lowers his arm, then curses into the night air before leveling me with a look. “He deserves it, Piper.”

Breathing heavily, I tug on him. “I know he does. But let’s go. Please, Jase. Please.”

With a snarl, he stands up and gathers me to him.

Mark scrambles to his feet and limps off into the dark.

“Wish like hell you didn’t stop me.” He inspects me, turning my face into the light. My entire body hurts but all I can think about is keeping Jase safe. “Fuck, Piper. Fuck.” His sexy lips flatten and he cranes his head around, clearly torn between staying with me and going after Mark.