“I’m going to kill you,” I whisper so only he can hear, breaking free just long enough to grab my mask.
My fingers tremble around the flimsy plastic, chest tightening like it’s caving in on itself. Shame hits me harder than any punch ever could. The bastard broke it! My only piece of protection is now in two pieces, leaving me vulnerable and unprotected.
Slowly, I turn to face her, bracing myself for the flinch, and her blood-curdling scream. Waiting for the look of disgust I’ve seen a hundred times before.
But it doesn’t come.
Instead, Mindy steps forward.
One soft step… followed by another.
Her gaze softens as she gets closer; the fear never appears like it should. She doesn’t look at me like I’m a monster that should be hidden. No. Mindy looks at me like I’m just another man on the street. Someone worth being close to.
It distracted long enough for the bastard to make his move. He grabs my arm, twisting me so my mauled face slams against the concrete wall.
“I’ll fucking kill you for crossing me,” he snaps, his tone murderous and final.
“Get away from him,” Mindy orders, her voice shaky but strong.
The man laughs. “You sure about that, sweetheart?”
She doesn’t take her eyes off me. “I said, get away from him.”
For a split second, he looks unsure.
That’s all I need.
Sirens wail in the distance. Someone must’ve called it in when the gun went off. The sound drains the color from his face, and he backs up, hands raised, rage twisting his features like a kaleidoscope.
“This isn’t over,” he spits at me. “You hear me? You’re dead the next time I see you.”
He bolts for the door, disappearing into the cold morning just as police lights flash across the windows.
Silence crashes down around us.
My legs finally give out as I sink onto the closest chair, hands shaking, my breath coming out hard and uneven. I can’t look ather right now. I don’t want to see whatever expression is waiting for me when I lift my eyes.
“Well, this is rather unfortunate,” Moseley exclaims, coming into view. “We don’t want any problems, do we, Ms. St. John?”
She shakes her head. “No, Mr. Moseley.”
“Good. I’m glad our little talk has done what it needed to. Get this place cleaned up, and I’ll expect any damages to come out of your pocket.”
“But—”
His eyes snap to hers cruelly. “Unless you want me to tell those cops out there that your little monster was the one who fired off the shots, I suggest you cooperate.”
“Mindy, it’s okay. I can take the fall—”
She shakes her head, eyes meeting mine without question. “No, he’s right, Rich. I can pay for any damages. It’s not that big of a deal.”
His mustache turns menacingly. “Always a pleasure, Ms. St. John. Always a pleasure.”
The door slams like the end of a sentence, only this sentence feels like one marked with death. The mask shakes in my hands as I take in the pieces, my shield split in two, the worst parts of me visible for everyone to see.
But then she’s there, kneeling before me so I have no choice but to look into those hazel eyes and let her see me up close, ogling the parts of me no one else gets to see. She gently lifts my chin, and instead of disgust, I’m met with a radiant smile and a warmth I can’t quite explain.
“You came here to protect me,” she remarks quietly. “That’s why you’ve refused to leave, isn’t it?”
