Layla Read Online Free PDF Page A

voice made my heart slow down, almost stopping. I didn’t turn around. “You aren’t going to even say hello to me?”
    I took a deep breath then turned around. “Hello. Now goodbye.”
    “Is that how you treat someone you love?”
    “Loved—past tense,” I said.
    His eyes narrowed as he looked at me. His hands were in his pockets but his wide shoulders and large chest were threatening. Without trying, he was intimidating, frightening.
    “Get away from her, you creep,” Janet said.
    He glared at her, not speaking. Then he turned back to me, ignoring my friends. “I heard you lived in the city.”
    “What are you doing here?” I asked.
    “I live here.”
    “Since when?” I asked with a weak voice.
    “A few months. I got a job working at a firm. I admit I was hoping I would run into you.”
    “Well, you did. Now let’s go our separate ways.” I turned toward the sidewalk but he grabbed my arm, holding me tightly. I felt my knees go weak and my breathing hitch. His hand gripped me like he would never let me go. I hate feeling him touch me. It was frightening, scary. I wanted to push him away but I couldn’t.
    “You aren’t going anywhere,” he said into my face. “We need to talk.”
    Cassie glared at him. “Let her go.” She pushed his shoulder.
    He took the hit but didn’t look at her, his eyes only for me. His green eyes seemed more vibrant. I felt the angry side of him emerge, frustrated with Cassie. John glared at me, only holding me tighter. “Would you excuse us, ladies?” he said politely.
    “Fuck no,” Janet said, giving him a look of loathing. “Let her go, or we’ll scream for help.”
    I held my breath, waiting for him to release me.
    John continued to stare into my face, silently threating me.
    When he didn’t let go, Janet grabbed her phone and dialed 9-1-1.
    John saw her then released me.
    I breathed a sigh of relief, feeling the blood return to my veins. Immediately, I stepped away from him.
    John continued to stand in front of me. “I guess we’ll talk later.”
    “Go fuck yourself!” Cassie said, pushing him.
    He stepped back but his heavy weight wasn’t affected by the miniscule force of her shove. John walked back into the restaurant and disappeared.
    I started to breathe heavily, feeling my heart work in overdrive. I had never been so scared in my life. The blood pounded in my ears, blocking out the sound of the passing cars and pedestrians.
    “Are you okay?” Janet immediately asked, her hand on my waist.
    I nodded. “Thank you so much.”
    “We always have your back,” Cassie said, rubbing my arm.
    I placed my hand over my chest and felt my sporadic heart. “I—I’ll see you guys later.”
    “Are you sure you’re okay?” Janet asked.
    I turned down the street and walked away. “I’ll be fine.”
    “Call me!” Cassie shouted.
    “Okay,” I said back.
    I hurried back to my apartment then locked the deadbolt on the doorframe. After I was in my safe haven, I marched to the bathroom and splashed cold water on my face. When I looked at my face the mirror, I started to cry. I was weak, pathetic. I told myself I would never let someone treat me like that. Now I was in control, not needing anyone or anything. If someone disrespected me, I would put them in their place. I never backed down from a fight, taking care of myself. But that all went to shit when I saw John again. With him, I couldn’t be strong. With him, I was weak, controllable, and pathetic. I hated myself more than ever. I should have decked him in the face, kicked him in the balls, slapped him hard across the face, but no, I didn’t do any of that. I ran all the way to the other side of the country to get away from him, start over, but my past just followed me, never letting me go. Now I was scared all over again. I was the woman I didn’t want to be. If I saw him again, I didn’t know what I would do. I prayed it wouldn’t happen. Because if it did, I knew I would repeat the same