Love Rents A Room
Chapter 94: Suppressed Rage

Chapter 94: Suppressed Rage

Joanne’s chuckle grew louder, defiant despite the agony wracking her body.

She knew what was coming next.

Bracing herself, she tensed as Caruso’s boot slammed down on her thigh.

A sharp, searing pain shot up her leg. Her breath hitched, and for a fleeting moment, she feared her bone had snapped. But it was better than a bullet.

She could endure this.

She had to.

Curling in on herself, she let out a ragged breath—then she heard it.

The thunder of hooves.

Her heart clenched. Was Mr. Darcy coming back?

Then—a second set of hooves.

Hope swelled in her chest.

Help was coming.

-----

Back at the house, Philip and Fiona stood frozen, the suspense unbearable.

Fiona had already called Liam, breathless with urgency.

"She’s in the northeast part of her land," she’d told him.

Without hesitation, Liam had mounted his horse, choosing the faster route through his own property. The rugged terrain was no match for his determination.

He rode hard, a shotgun strapped across his back, loaded and ready.

There was no trusting the system to protect Joanne.

That bastard needed to be put down like the rabid dog he was.

-----

Caruso grabbed Joanne’s arm and rolled her onto her back.

His face twisted with rage as he shoved his gun into the waistband of his jeans. Instead, he curled his fist, lifting it high.

Joanne clenched her teeth.

He was going to punch her.

She had taunted the loss of his masculinity—mocked the very thing that had defined his power.

Now, he would reassert that power the only way he knew how. Through violence.

She squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for impact.

And then...

*BANG*

The gunshot shattered the air.

Caruso let out a strangled grunt as he staggered back, clutching his arm. Blood seeped through his sleeve.

Joanne’s breath caught in her throat.

"Jo! Are you alright?"

That voice.

Familiar. Fierce.

Laced with worry and something deeper.

She turned toward the sound of galloping hooves, her vision swimming.

"Jeffrey...?" Her voice trembled, barely a whisper.

It was him.

His eyes were bloodshot, his hair a disheveled mess, and—

He was here.

Like a knight in shining armor.

To save her.

Joanne’s chest ached—not just from the pain but from the sheer, overwhelming relief flooding her veins.

He had come for her.

Just like before.

Just like when Ian Walsh had tormented her, Jeffrey had been there. Just like when Jonathan’s betrayal had shattered her, Jeffrey had barged into her life, refusing to leave her alone.

And damn, that was exactly what she wanted.

Jeffrey shoved Caruso aside and cupped Joanne’s face with trembling hands. "Jo..." His hazel-green eyes searched her frantically, scanning every inch. His hands patted her down in desperation. "Are you hurt? Are you bleeding?"

"I’m..." Joanne groaned, her hand instinctively reaching for his.

He was shaking. His fingers were ice-cold against her skin.

Her chest tightened, her vision blurred. Does he care that much about me?

Jeffrey was shaking out of fear. She was fine. She was fine. He had to tell himself that, again and again, just to steady his breath. Just to keep himself from losing control.

She was fine.

Alive. Breathing. Here.

That was all that mattered.

Relief crashed over him, something so foreign, so indescribable—it felt like everything.

Without thinking, he pulled her into his arms, holding her like she was the most precious thing in the world.

Joanne’s eyes widened over his shoulder.

Caruso.

He was still moving.

Bloodied but relentless, his fingers curled around the gun, lifting it with deadly intent.

His gaze turned menacing.

No.

Joanne’s body moved before her mind could catch up.

"Careful! He’s got a gun!" she screamed, already pushing Jeffrey out of the way.

It was instinct.

To protect him.

To shield him.

To keep him safe.

Even if it meant putting herself in the line of fire.

But Jeffrey didn’t budge.

He was stronger than her, and there was no way in hell he’d let her shield him.

Instead, he pulled her even closer to his chest, his arm tightening protectively around her. His other hand clenched the gun.

He turned swiftly—

*BANG*

Another shot.

This time, his bullet struck Caruso’s hand—the one gripping the gun.

Caruso let out a strangled scream, the revolver clattering to the ground. His bloodied fingers twitched uselessly, his eyes wide in disbelief.

Oh, Jeffrey wanted him dead.

But not so soon.

Not before he suffered.

Not before he paid for what he had done.

He had dared to use him. He had dared to step foot on Joanne’s land with the intent to hurt her. How could he die easily?

Ensuring Joanne was steady, Jeffrey shoved Caruso to the ground. Then, without hesitation, he climbed on top of him, pinning him down.

Caruso’s eyes flickered with recognition. "You’re..." he rasped, his voice strained in pain. His gaze locked onto Jeffrey’s face, realization dawning. "...the bar..."

Jeffrey didn’t let him finish.

*Crack*

His fist connected with Caruso’s face.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

His knuckles split from the impact, but he didn’t care.

He didn’t want Joanne to hear what Caruso had to say. He didn’t want her to know that he was the reason Caruso had found her. That he had unknowingly revealed the faulty camera, leading this bastard straight to her doorstep.

He was furious. At Caruso. At himself.

And the rage refused to be contained.

Joanne let out a sigh of relief, catching her breath. Caruso’s gun was out of reach. His arms were both bleeding, and he could barely fight back.

It was over.

As Jeffrey struck him again, something shifted.

A memory stirred.

A sharp, throbbing headache pulsed at the back of his skull.

The brittle grass beneath him faded... Replaced by glittering water. Rows of towering oak trees lined the horizon.

And then...

Caruso’s face, twisted in a cruel smirk.

A man.

A girl.

Drowning.

Jeffrey’s grip on Caruso’s collar tightened, his breath hitching.

This wasn’t the first time he had seen this man.

He had seen him before.

Many years ago.

That dream... That girl gasping for air... The hands forcing her down...

It’s him.

It’s this man!