door.”
“I didn’t realize it was you.” And never, ever again would she assume it was someone else and just throw open the door without checking the peephole.
Clearly, Curt was in no hurry to leave now, as he walked past her and glanced around the house as if checking if someone else was here.
Crap, she wished she weren’t alone. Her only phone—her cell—was on the counter in the kitchen, charging. Maybe if she could get past him and grab it she could call the police.
Her stomach sank as if the weight of a bowling ball were in it. If she called the police one or two patrols would show up outside her house, and all her new neighbors would know. Would talk. They’d assume what people always did. That she was trouble. That she was trash. That she ran in bad circles.
The gossip would start all over again. She just wanted things to be normal for the short time she had in this quiet neighborhood.
“Nobody with you, baby girl?”
“You can’t be here.” She refused to confirm his suspicion. The heaviness in her stomach grew and the fear humming through her veins was betrayed by the shaking in her hands.
His grin widened as he obviously concluded she was here alone.
“You didn’t replace me yet, huh?”
What had she ever seen in him? Forget the fact that he was kind of scary looking—stocky, shaved head, intimidating scowl—he was a complete asshole.
Unfortunately for her, he’d just hid it so well at first. He’d duped her and damn well. She’d been quick to defend him, to tell people to see beyond the intimidating appearance and to find the sweet and supportive guy she’d thought she was dating. She’d told herself not to by a hypocrite and judge a book by its cover, but fuck she should’ve. Because this cover clearly screamed “run the hell away”.
She’d realized the truth when the shiny veneer he’d kept on to charm her began to chip. She’d seen the anger. The threats. Not always directed at her, though often enough to shock her into awareness. The growing possessiveness had made her way too uncomfortable. What had finally broken her was finding out all the shady people he was involved with. The illegal activity.
The vibe was all too close to her old life, so she’d ended it immediately.
Unfortunately, breaking up with Curt had only provoked his anger. He hadn’t left her alone, and the threats on what he’d do if she didn’t come back had escalated. So she’d finally sought help by filing for a restraining order.
She’d thought he’d moved on, had finally let her go—because it had been almost a half a year—but now here he was again.
“What is it you want?”
He turned around and ran a narrowed glance over her from head to toe.
“Oh, baby girl, I want lots of things.”
“Well if I’m one of them, cross me off the list.”
“Now I just don’t think I can do that. You almost look like you were expecting me tonight.” He took a step toward her, literally backing her into a wall. “Nice little robe with a convenient little belt.”
“Get out, Curt.”
He didn’t move. “I hear you’ve reconnected with some of the McLaughlins.”
“W-what?” She blinked. That was just about the last thing she’d expected him to say.
“You heard me. Are you friends with them?”
“Friends? What? No. I’ve just bumped into them a couple times.” Oh God, she just wanted him to leave.
Maybe it was worth being the talk of the neighborhood—having the rumors start again. If he didn’t get the hell out of here in a few minutes she was making a grab for her phone and calling the police.
And then what? You think he’ll react calmly?
Realization sank in. No, she had to diffuse the situation and get him to leave on his own accord. She couldn’t risk getting him angry while they were alone. Sure, maybe she’d have a chance to call 911, only what would happen between her dialing that number and the police arriving? She could wind up with some serious physical
“I didn’t realize it was you.” And never, ever again would she assume it was someone else and just throw open the door without checking the peephole.
Clearly, Curt was in no hurry to leave now, as he walked past her and glanced around the house as if checking if someone else was here.
Crap, she wished she weren’t alone. Her only phone—her cell—was on the counter in the kitchen, charging. Maybe if she could get past him and grab it she could call the police.
Her stomach sank as if the weight of a bowling ball were in it. If she called the police one or two patrols would show up outside her house, and all her new neighbors would know. Would talk. They’d assume what people always did. That she was trouble. That she was trash. That she ran in bad circles.
The gossip would start all over again. She just wanted things to be normal for the short time she had in this quiet neighborhood.
“Nobody with you, baby girl?”
“You can’t be here.” She refused to confirm his suspicion. The heaviness in her stomach grew and the fear humming through her veins was betrayed by the shaking in her hands.
His grin widened as he obviously concluded she was here alone.
“You didn’t replace me yet, huh?”
What had she ever seen in him? Forget the fact that he was kind of scary looking—stocky, shaved head, intimidating scowl—he was a complete asshole.
Unfortunately for her, he’d just hid it so well at first. He’d duped her and damn well. She’d been quick to defend him, to tell people to see beyond the intimidating appearance and to find the sweet and supportive guy she’d thought she was dating. She’d told herself not to by a hypocrite and judge a book by its cover, but fuck she should’ve. Because this cover clearly screamed “run the hell away”.
She’d realized the truth when the shiny veneer he’d kept on to charm her began to chip. She’d seen the anger. The threats. Not always directed at her, though often enough to shock her into awareness. The growing possessiveness had made her way too uncomfortable. What had finally broken her was finding out all the shady people he was involved with. The illegal activity.
The vibe was all too close to her old life, so she’d ended it immediately.
Unfortunately, breaking up with Curt had only provoked his anger. He hadn’t left her alone, and the threats on what he’d do if she didn’t come back had escalated. So she’d finally sought help by filing for a restraining order.
She’d thought he’d moved on, had finally let her go—because it had been almost a half a year—but now here he was again.
“What is it you want?”
He turned around and ran a narrowed glance over her from head to toe.
“Oh, baby girl, I want lots of things.”
“Well if I’m one of them, cross me off the list.”
“Now I just don’t think I can do that. You almost look like you were expecting me tonight.” He took a step toward her, literally backing her into a wall. “Nice little robe with a convenient little belt.”
“Get out, Curt.”
He didn’t move. “I hear you’ve reconnected with some of the McLaughlins.”
“W-what?” She blinked. That was just about the last thing she’d expected him to say.
“You heard me. Are you friends with them?”
“Friends? What? No. I’ve just bumped into them a couple times.” Oh God, she just wanted him to leave.
Maybe it was worth being the talk of the neighborhood—having the rumors start again. If he didn’t get the hell out of here in a few minutes she was making a grab for her phone and calling the police.
And then what? You think he’ll react calmly?
Realization sank in. No, she had to diffuse the situation and get him to leave on his own accord. She couldn’t risk getting him angry while they were alone. Sure, maybe she’d have a chance to call 911, only what would happen between her dialing that number and the police arriving? She could wind up with some serious physical
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