Chapter 56: Taste And See How Cruel A Man Can Be
1024 Words
Matt glared at Jane. "Have you done everything that you were told to do?" he demanded.
Jane looked terrified. "G-Give m-me one m-more w-week," she stammered. "I p-promise I'll g-get it d-done."
Matt scowled and said, "Our boss has a limited amount of patience. If Ken isn't divorced by the end of the week, there will be repercussions."
Jane nodded but said nothing.
"Alright." Matt stretched, and as he left the room, he said, "You'll be hearing from me soon."
Once Jane and Jason were alone, he wrapped his arms around her and offered her what comfort he could. He rubbed her back and said, "Everything will be fine. You'll see. There's no need to worry. I will protect you."
Jane sighed and said, "And I will protect you, too. We will look out for each other, okay?"
Jason smiled, and he gently lifted her face so that he could kiss her. It was a gentle kiss, but it quickly became passionate. Jason brought his right hand to her left breast, and as she began to fumble with his belt, he –
***
Brian pressed the button on the top of her phone, and the screen went blank. Joanna gave him a queer, questioning look, and he said, "You don't need to see that. And besides, I think we both know what happens next."
Joanna nodded. He was right, and she had better things to do than watch amateur porn. She wouldn't have guessed that Jared and Jane were in cahoots, but it wasn't surprising. The thought of them being aligned frustrated Joanna, though, because she knew that they would be harder to deal with together than they would have been as individuals. That being said, forewarned is forearmed, and Joanna was glad that their timing had worked out perfectly. After all, what were the chances of their conversation taking place at the same moment that she and Brian were eavesdropping on them?
So – thought Joanna – Jane wants Ken to get divorced. But what is her End Game? Does she want to marry Ken? If so, does she plan to help Jared deal with the green family?
In her previous life, Joanna had discovered that the Gross family planned to go against the Green family. This was why she'd wanted 10% of Ken's shares. That way, when all was said and done, she could return them to him, and he wouldn't be ruined.
Joanna turned to Brian and said, "You're right. Let's get out of here."
Brian nodded and led her out of the private room. Once they were in the bar, he tried to take her hand, but she pushed his hand away. Brian frowned and asked her what was wrong. Joanna scowled and said, "It's none of your business."
Brian's ire began to rise. "Then what is my business?" he demanded.
Joanna had just seen Matt Grey, and she wasn't thinking straight. She didn't know how to verbalize her feelings, which was why she'd pushed him away. "What I mean is that it doesn't concern you," she explained. "It is my problem, and I will solve it myself."
Joanna picked up her pace so that she wouldn't have to see the angry look on Brian's face. He would not be put off that easily, though. He caught up to her quickly and picked her up. "Brian," she cried. "What are you doing? Put me down!"
Brian didn't answer her. He carried her to his car, strapped her into the back seat, climbed in behind the wheel, started the engine, and drove away.
"Brian, stop!" Joanna shouted, but Brian paid her no attention. He drove directly to his home, and as he pulled into his driveway, she demanded to know why he'd taken her there. But he said nothing.
Brian got out of the car, opened the door to the back seat, and hauled Joanna out. All the while, she kicked and screamed and demanded to know what he was doing. But he said nothing. He took her inside, and as soon as the door was closed behind them, he pressed her against the wall and began to kiss her.
For the first time, Joanna was getting a taste of how cruel Brian could be. He tore her clothes away as he kissed her. She tried to push him away, but no matter how hard she tried, he would not budge. "Why are you doing this to me?"
"Why?" Brian sneered. "What a stupid question. How would you like it if I did what you did and told you that it's none of your business? Do you see what I'm getting at here?"
Joanna was surprised by his words. Her face turned white, and her mouth dropped open, but no words came out.
"When we were in the private room, I saw how upset you got over what you saw," Brian continued. "Did you save the video on your phone to show Ken? Are you hoping to ruin his relationship with Jane and get back together with him? Is that what you were thinking about? Is that why you tried to get away from me? Tell me!"
Joanna was stunned. Brian's misunderstanding was so enormous as to be nearly unfathomable, and she didn't know where to start explaining or how best to discredit his theory. She began to sweat, and her hands began to shake. She felt dizzy, and she wondered if he'd catch her if she fainted. She took a deep breath, held it for a ten count, and let it out slowly.
"Well?" Brian glared at Joanna. "What do you have to say for yourself?" When she didn't answer, he put a hand on each of her shoulders. He was about to shake her, but before he could, she lost consciousness, and her body went limp. Brian tried to catch her, but due to the placement of his hands, it was impossible.
Joanna fell to the floor, and her head smacked hard against the floor.
"Oh, my God!" Brian cried as he hunkered down beside her. He held her in his arms, and he began to cry when he noticed that her head was bleeding. "What have I done?"
He had let his jealous temper get the best of him. Again.
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