“Muffin, let’s get some rest,” I said, stifling a yawn.“We’ve got a big day ahead of us.”
As I tucked myself into bed, my mind raced with thoughts of Mack and the new life waiting for me.Excitement coursed through my veins, but deep down, I couldn’t shake the feeling of uncertainty.Would I fit in?Would I be safe?
But as I drifted off to sleep, those worries started to fade.Tomorrow was the beginning of a new chapter in my life, and I was bound and determined to make the most of it.
I had just started to drift off when a loud pounding on my front door jolted me awake.My heart raced as I sat up, disoriented.
“What the actual fuck?”I said as I glanced at the clock—it was well past midnight.
“Open up, Audrey!I know you’re in there!”
James.My stomach dropped.I scrambled out of bed and rushed to the door, but I knew I didn’t want to face him right now.
“Go away, James!”I shouted, my voice shaky.“I’m not in the mood for this shit!”
“I need to talk to you!I won’t take no for an answer!”He sounded like he was drunker than a skunk.His voice was loud and aggressive, echoing through my small apartment.
The pounding continued, and I felt a wave of panic wash over me.I glanced at Muffin, who had jumped down from her perch and was now hiding beneath the couch.I couldn’t let him in.I couldn’t deal with this right now.
Before I could think, I heard a loud crack—he was trying to break the door down.I gasped, my heart racing as adrenaline surged through me.
“James, stop it!Don’t you dare!”I screamed, backing away from the door.
With a final crash, the door flew open, and he stumbled in, his eyes wild and frantic.“Why are you ignoring me, Audrey?”he demanded, his words slurring together.
“Because I don’t want to talk to you!”I shouted, stepping back as he advanced toward me.My mind raced—this couldn’t be happening.James had well and truly lost his ever-loving fucking mind.
“Just hear me out!”he insisted, the tension in the air palpable.“We need to sort this out.You can’t just leave me like this!”He looked around and saw my suitcases stacked up neatly in the corner.“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?”He sneered at me.
I kept my mouth shut.There was no way I was telling him where the hell I was going.
He took a step closer, his demeanor shifting from anger to something more pleading.“We were good together.You can’t just throw that away!”
My back hit the wall, and I felt a surge of fear.“Get away from me, James!”I yelled, my voice trembling as I tried to push him away from me.
Just then, a low, dangerous growl emanated from the doorway, and I turned to see Mack standing there, his presence commanding and fierce.It was almost as if I could feel the power coming from him.
“Get away from her,” he said, his voice deep and steady, leaving no room for argument.
James turned to face Mack, confusion flashing across his features.“Why the fuck are you here?”James shouted.
Mack didn’t bother with an answer.He grabbed James by his collar and lifted him two feet off the ground.My jaw hit the floor.
“Holy Hell!”I gasped.James was a decent-sized guy, and Mack had just picked him up like he was a five-pound sack of potatoes.
“I don’t tolerate disrespect, especially not toward someone I care about,” Mack said.
James stumbled to the ground as Mack released his hold.James stupidly opened his mouth to argue.I could see the realization dawning on him.“You think you can just come in here and act tough?This is none of your damn business,” he scoffed, but I could see fear creeping into his eyes.
Mack looked dangerous—deadly.I sure as fuck wouldn’t want to square up against him.
“It is my business.She is my business,” Mack replied, his voice muffled and threatening.“I’m not going to say it again.Get the fuck out before I throw you out.”
“Fuck you and fuck that whore,” James snarled.
“You don’t get to talk to her like that.Not now, not ever.”With a swift motion, he shoved James out of the apartment and tossed him on his ass on the pavement outside.
I stood frozen for a moment, stunned by the turn of events.My heart raced as I looked up at Mack, who turned back to me, concern etched on his face.“Are you okay?”
