But Bethany was just a step too late.
Before anyone could stop her, she charged straight at Joseph—only to be caught midair.
Joseph grabbed her wrist, twisted hard, and yanked her into his arms.
“Agh! Let me go!” Bethany cried out, struggling desperately, but his grip was iron.
A woman’s strength was no match for a man’s brute force.
“Oh, throwing yourself at me now?” Joseph sneered, his breath foul. “If you’re this eager, maybe I should give you what you want.”
He puckered his thick lips and leaned in toward her face.
“You bastard!” Lily shouted, her rage boiling over. She snatched up her machete and lunged forward.
“I wouldn’t move if I were you,” Joseph hissed, pressing the knife to Bethany’s throat. “One slip, and this pretty little face gets a new scar.”
“Damn you, let her go
