Page 197 of Stanton Unconditional

I have never seen Joshua so crazy. He’s going ballistic and throwing Jesten around like a rag doll. I think he’s going to kill him.

“This is the fucking guy?” Joshua screams at me.

I shake my head as I burst into tears. He thinks I slept with Jesten. I can’t believe I even contemplated it. What in the hell is the matter with me?

“You know I hate him. How could you?” Joshua is so mad that he looks like the incredible hulk and is scaring even me.

“No, no, no.” I shake my head violently. What the hell have I done?

“She loved every minute of it,” Jesten baits. My eyes widen in horror. Not now Jesten, you are going to get yourself killed.

Joshua punches him violently again three times in succession. “Joshua!” I scream. “Stop it!”

Jesten fights back and kicks Joshua in the stomach and they roll until the lounge tips over. Oh shit, this is really bad. I run to the front door and open it in a rush.

“Get in here,” I scream to the guards who are all standing around listening, obviously letting Joshua kill Jesten on purpose.

“Max,” I scream as I turn to see Joshua throw Jesten over his shoulder. “Joshua no. Stop it!” Oh my God, he’s going to kill him. “I will get a knife and cut your fucking throat,” Joshua screams as he smashes Jesten’s head on the ground.

Ok, he’s getting unstable and the stupid bodyguards are just standing around watching. I run down the hall and bang on Max’s door. Max opens the door in a rush. His eyes widen when he sees me. “What’s wrong?” A smash comes from the apartment and he frowns and runs past me into my apartment.

“Jesus,” he yells. “What are you idiots doing? Stop this immediately.”

The guards finally step in and break them up and start to drag Jesten from the apartment.

“I’m not leaving her here with this psychopath,” Jesten yells at Max.

Max’s nervous eyes flick to me and I think he agrees with Jesten. “I’m ok. He won’t hurt me,” I whisper.

“Tash, come with me,” Jesten pleads.

My terrified eyes meet Joshua’s. “It’s ok, Josh, calm down, baby.” I walk slowly over to him as he sucks precious air into his lungs. He’s furious. He thinks I slept with Jesten. I slowly slide my hand up his perspiration clad arm as his dark eyes meet mine.

“Sshhh,” I whisper to try and calm him. “Goodbye, Jesten,” I snap, “Max show him out.”

The guards leave the room, and I am left with my broken wild animal.

“Sshhh, it’s ok, baby,” I whisper. “He’s gone.”