The sudden, searing pain caught him off guard, and he yelped in surprise, his grip on her arm faltering. The momentary lapse was all Mirian needed; she wrenched herself free from his grasp, her chest heaving with ragged breaths as she stumbled backward, eyes blazing with defiance.
Xavier's eyes narrowed, his voice dripping with forced calmness as he stepped closer. "Mirian, don't make me angrier than I already am. Come with me quietly. We need to... discuss some things." He extended a hand, beckoning her to hold his hand.
But Mirian took a step back, unwilling to follow him. She wasn't stupid. He'd beat her up for ruining his plans, rape her again, threaten her with the lives of her family, and then give her another task.
"Mirian!" Xavier's jaw clenched, his teeth gritting in rage as he lunged for her hand once more. "Don't push me. Come with me, now."
