Slap!
Abernathy’s hand stung, but Violet had had much worse from lesser men. So she sat where she was, and turned her head back in place. Abernathy raised his hand again. Slap!Again, a sting, but hardly. As Violet turned her head back, she could see rage build up in Abernathy’s face. Fist clenched, he finally punched Violet square in the jaw, jerking her body to one side. It was not enough to knock her down, but she faltered, if only a moment.
“Sir!” The next to speak wasn’t Abernathy, but Hearst. Turned to face him, Violet saw that Hearst was visibly upset with the treatment. He hadn’t put down his gun, but the angle lowered. “Sir, please. No need to hit the lady. Not like there’s much she can do.”