The Billionaire’s Hidden Heiress
[Book 2] Chapter 40

Lorelai

POV

I know that I was being foolish leaving so early in the morning, but as the sun's rays had first begun to peak through the window, I had woken with a start, my body pressed against Knox and fear had flooded through me, causing me to scramble wildly out of bed. What had I been thinking? That Knox was going to fall head over heels in love with me and we were going to have a happily ever after? I had felt nothing but disgust at myself as I hurried back into my clothes, eager to escape before Knox stirred or Hunter had made a sound on the monitor. Last night had been a dream and like something out of a fairytale. But this was reality, I scolded myself as I hurried from the room, so intent on getting out of there, that I'd avoided looking lan in the face as I bid him a hasty goodbye and rushed out to my car. The reality was that I was not good enough for the likes of Knox Grant. Not with a background like mine. He was a billionaire for heaven's sake. I should never have let last night happen. I should never have dreamed that we could have a future together. But I'd been so lost in the moment, so desperate to believe that anything was possible, I'd let my guard down and now I was paying the price.

My hair was mussed, my lips were swollen from his kisses and my clothes were rumpled. I smelt like s*x. There was no doubt what I had been up to. I found myself desperately opening the door to the apartment and rushing inside only to stop short as a furious- looking Jackson came walking out of the bedroom, fully dressed and with a strange glint in his eyes. My mouth went dry as I watched him walk deliberately to the door and shut it, the lock clicking loudly as he then turned back to me, folding his arms and narrowing his eyes. I felt a terrible sense of foreboding. Why hadn't I been more careful entering the apartment?

"Where the f**k have you been all night, you little whore."

s**t. His voice was soft, dangerous. I could read his temper and right now my mind was screaming that I needed to get out but it was too late. He was between me and the door. I swallowed hard hoping I might be able to appease him.

"I spent the night babysitting the Grant's nephew."

It wasn't a complete lie. He snorts. "You think I can't tell what you've been up to" he snarls, his arms uncrossing as he strides over to me, grabbing hold of my arm as I gaze up at him helplessly, "you think I can't tell just by looking at you, you f*****g slut❞ he spits, slapping me fiercely across the face and making me cry out "you reek of him. You goddamn w***e" he sneers, slapping me again and then shoving me hard so that I stumble backward. It hurts.

I gaze at him helplessly. "Jackson" I begin to plead hoping he might be merciful and instinctively knowing that it would do me no good.

He punches, me hard, right in the stomach. I double over choking and spluttering. He grips my hair and begins to yell right in my face.

"You think you can cheat on me. You think I didn't see that transaction where you moved the million dollars" he spits out and my heart sinks.

I had forgotten all about that. He grabs my hand and twists it as I scream out in anguish. "I want that money" he grits out, "I want you to transfer it back to me now" he roars.

"Stop, I'll do it" I begin but he's not finished. He flings me to the ground. I hit it with a thud. He goes over and grabs my bag rifles through it for my phone and drops it next to me. He steps on me, "Do it now."

My hand trembles as I quickly transfer the money, certain if I don't he'll kill me. He watches intently. He checks when I'm finished and puts my phone on the counter. I'm not naive enough to believe that he's done with me. Not by a long shot. Why hadn't I just stayed at the mansion and been adult enough to discuss what happened with Knox? It would have been far preferable to this. How could I have been so stupid and forgotten about Jackson?

I feel a swift kick in the ribs, fling my head back, and let out a bloodcurdling scream. It won't matter how much noise I make, nobody will call the authorities, nobody will knock on the door. Not in this part of town. Everybody knew to keep to themselves. It was safer that way.

"You think you can just f**k some other guy and I'll just forgive you" he grunts as I sob, gripping my side.

"It's not like that" I try to plead with him, my lips quivering as he kneels next to me, his eyes sharp and glinting "Please Jackson, don't."

"You're no better than your crack w***e mother" he snaps, as I attempt to roll over, "you'll do anything for money, including selling your f*****g body. Christ."

"I didn't" I wheeze.

The pain in my sides is excruciating. I suspect he's broken a rib or two. He peers down at me, while I bite my lip. Another kick to my side, the opposite one and I'm almost puking from the pain inside of me. I whimper.

"You're mine Lorelai" he growls "You've always been mine. You think this man is going to save you. Do you think this Knox is going to suddenly want you for himself? Don't be so f*****g stupid" he snarls "you're nothing but a f*****g plaything to him. I'm the one who has always stayed with you."

I say nothing. Tears trickle down my cheeks. He reaches down and grips my throat, squeezing it roughly as I struggle to draw in breath. My lungs begin to burn. I can't draw in enough breath.

"After everything I've done for you. After everything we've been through together and this, this is how you repay me" he growls, his eyes glittering "You have no idea how full of rage I am right now. How could you spread your legs for some f*****g wealthy playboy you slut?"

I struggle against him weakly. He tightens his grip. I try to claw at his hands. It's futile. He merely laughs at my efforts. My eyes bulge in horror. He's going to kill me. This is the day he finally snaps. I knew it was going to happen eventually. It was only a matter of time. But I don't want to give up. I don't want to make it easy for him.

I feel him bang my head hard on the ground, my vision swimming. "I gave up everything for you" he shouts as I lay there weakly, my head pounding "I moved for you. I would kill for you" he shouts as I lay there believing him "do you know how lucky you are Lorelai?" I can feel his breath in my ear as I lay there. My heart is pounding. My vision is dimming. I don't have the strength to fight anymore. My body is bruised all over. I'm resigned to my fate. Whatever happens now, I only hope that it makes the pain go away.

He loosens his grip slightly. I cough. Maybe it would be better if he killed me, I think distantly to myself. I wouldn't have to wonder when he was going to snap, I wouldn't have to spend my life feeling like I was walking a tightrope when it came to balancing his mood swings. I wouldn't have to continue to face the man who continually threatened to do the very thing I was now facing. It would be better to die now than to continue living with Jackson and the nightmare existence I was already living. I stared at him defiantly, watching as he looked at me, his lips curled back in a malicious smile.

"Do it" I rasp, watching his eyes narrow further "Kill me. I slept with him and I did it gladly" I provoked him

He let out a low growl. I tensed. He placed both hands around my throat and began to squeeze for all he was worth. I could feel myself becoming lightheaded. Any minute now, I thought to myself, as darkness began to surround me, any minute now and I would no longer have to contend with Jackson or anyone for that matter. My life would be over, but at least I would be ending it on my terms. I hoped the bastard rotted in jail for my murder. It gave me little comfort.

I heard the sound of banging and blinked. Jackson looked uncertain now, his hands removing themselves from my throat. My lungs greedily drew in oxygen as I spluttered and coughed. What the f**k was that sound? The front door suddenly burst open. Jackson was still kneeling over me and I was lying there bruised and battered. My eyes widened in shock. I had never expected to see him. Especially not like this. I had never seen such an expression as I saw now on his face as he took in the scene, his eyes narrowing and pure unadulterated rage coming over him.

Jackson slowly stood, turning to face the new intruder who had another two men with him. His lips curled. I struggled to move.

"It's Prince Charming come to the rescue" he mocked, while Knox stood there, his hands clenched into fists and his body tensed.

"Get the f**k away from her" Knox hissed, as Jackson moved to the side a few steps "It's the sign of an ultimate coward, to raise a hand against a woman."

Jackson laughs "Is that right pretty boy" he mocks as I wince "What are you going to do about it? Have your men teach the big bad man a lesson? We both know you're too cowardly to do it yourself" he sneers.

He's an i***t I think mildly. My vision continues to remain blurred as I stare upwards at the two figures staring at each other as though they are in a showdown. I can make out Knox's handsome features and a small smile appear on his face. Jackson has just thrown down the gauntlet and he doesn't even know it.

"It would be my pleasure to teach you a damn lesson" Knox spits out, as Jackson begins to move "one which will teach you never to lift a hand against anyone again you son of a bitch."