Page 114 of Unscripted with Mila

“We’re done, MJ. I won’t let you control me anymore.”

“You think you can hire some two-bit lawyer and get rid of me?” she laughed. “After everything I’ve done for you, you ungrateful little prick?” She shook her head, her gaze ice-cold and her voice furious. “I helped make you. And I can destroy you.”

It was my turn to laugh. “Everything you’ve done for me? Hiding my disorder, letting the world think I’m an addict of some sort? Choosing roles for me you knew would push me toward an episode so you can keep controlling me?” I shouted. Then I went in for the kill. “Changing my meds, MJ? Did you think you’d get away with that forever? Or just until you killed me?”

Her ire turned to panic. “I would never.”

“We have the evidence!” I roared. “It’s finished, MJ. Done. All of it. We. Are. Over.”

She paled. “But I love you, Nick. I’ve always loved you.”

“You loved me?” I replied, incredulous. “You don’t know what love is. All you care about is MJ. That’s all you’ve ever cared about.”

“No, you have it wrong. I love you. I’ve waited for you to stop looking everywhere and see what was in front of you.”

I blinked. She was in love with me? It was never like that for us. We were friends and nothing else. And that friendship had died a painful death a long time ago.

“I don’t love you,” I said quietly, meeting her eyes so she knew I was sincere. “My heart and my life are Mila’s.”

I should have expected the slap. She’d done it before. Her fury returned in the blink of an eye, and she lost control. This one landed with the full force of her wrath. My head snapped back from the power in her swing. I gripped Mila’s hand, refusing to let her out from my protective stance. I heard her gasp of horror, and I squeezed her fingers. I met MJ’s anger with the one thing I knew she would hate. My indifference.

“Get out.”

MJ began to shout obscenities. Cursing me. Mila. She spewed threats. I slid my hand into my pocket. “I’m calling the police,” I said calmly, refusing to let her see the pain radiating through my cheek or how upset I was. I hadn’t wanted it this way. I wanted a clean slate and to walk away, knowing it was for the best but had been handled well. Of course MJ wouldn’t allow that.

She turned and headed to the door. Mila slipped out from behind me, staring in horror at my rapidly swelling cheek. “Oh my God,” she murmured. “She is vile.”

MJ spun on her heel, lunging the short distance.

Mila turned in front of me, calm and steady. As MJ pulled back her arm, I reached to yank Mila out of the way.

But there was no Mila to grab. She bent, avoiding MJ’s attack. She twisted, coming up behind her and taking her down in a move so smooth and lethal I blinked. One moment, MJ was right there; the next, she was facedown on the carpet, Mila bent over her, MJ’s arms held against her back.

“He told you to leave,” Mila seethed. “He gave you the chance, you horrible excuse for a human. He doesn’t love you. He told you that. He doesn’t want you. Now, you have two choices. Wait for the police and the charges that we will both press. Assault. Attempted murder for switching his meds. Or you get up, you walk out, and you never bother him again. You attend that meeting in the morning, and you sign the papers. If you don’t, we will still press charges. Do you understand?”

I blinked at the tone of Mila’s voice. The fury and determination in it. I had never seen her like that. A protective lioness defending her mate. Me.

I was shocked, thrilled, anxious, and, frankly, a little turned on.

“Get off me.”

“Is Nick calling the police?”

I saw MJ’s shoulders drop in defeat. “No. I’ll go.”

Mila got up, keeping her hold on MJ’s arm. She walked her to the door, opening it and pushing her out. “Think before you do something stupid, MJ. Nick is giving you the break of a lifetime. I wouldn’t be so generous.”

“You are such a sanctimonious little bitch,” MJ hissed, rubbing her arm. “You will regret this. I’ll make sure of it.” Then she nodded my way. “He isn’t worth the trouble.”

Mila cocked her head. “Do your worst, MJ. And by the way, he is. And it’s not trouble when you really love someone. It’s called support. Empathy. You should try to learn that.”

She slammed the door, locking it.

We heard MJ’s rants all the way down the hall.

Our gazes locked, and I shook my head in wonder at the incredible woman standing there.

Fearless. Strong. Mine.