Page 260 of The Last Good Man

Losing precious time, not believing that this man isherein my kitchen, wishing me ill.Maybe morethan that.

What can it be more than that?

But this is a well-known man. Some socialite and local celebrity. Yes. And because of that, he could probably get away with a lot of crap.

I look at him frozen, only stretching my hand out.

“Give me my phone. And get out. I’ll pretend I’ve never seen you.”

“What do you think you can do to me, little slut?”

He no longer seems drunk, but he has ingested something. His pupils are enlarged, and I doubt it’s because of me.

My phone lies on the floor, smack in the middle of the kitchen. It seems closer tohimthan me, so my chances to grab it and run are practically null.

I still wear those stupid shoes.

And I still need tomake arun for the door and slide past him.

Now I wish I had a bigger place.

“What do you think you can do to me and get away with? Do you think you can force your way into my body?” I say boldly. “I invite you to try that,” I add, tipping my gaze down, yanking the drawer open, and scooping out thebiggestkitchen knife I can find.

A laugh explodes in his chest.

“Oh, you’re stupid.”

“Says the man who is stupid enough to break into my apartment.”

“I didn’t break in. The door was open.”

“You didn’t know that. And I didn’t invite you in. Why are you here, anyway?” I ask, holding the knife in front of me.

“You played me.”

“Excuse me? Was I the only one who couldn’t fall for your stupid pickup lines?”

“No, obviously. But you said you were looking for a solid man. And then I saw you last night. Is that your solid man?”

I stay quiet.

He chuckles again, stepping closer.

“Stay where you are, or I’ll slash your throat open.”

“You think I’m here to fuck you? No way in hell. I wouldn’t touch your stupid cunt,” he says, and his eyes darken, pure hatred spewing from them. “You’re just a stupid cunt, falling for the first dick with tattoos up to his neck. I should’ve known you were no good. But I indulged you, didn’t I? Had to listen to your stupid reasons for not sleeping with me.”

I can’t believe him.

“You’re unhinged,” I say. “Stupid and unhinged. We went out a few times. And you think I owe you something?”

He makes a sudden move, erases the space between us, and slaps me hard across my face, sending me flying toward the floor.

The knife falls on the counter as I barely catch myself, my nails clawing at the same counter.

“Stupid, fucking dick,” I say, raging, while he looks around to collect my phone.

I notice the direction of his gaze and leap to it, falling to my knees. A fight ensues, and I bite his calves and hands, trying to get my phone.

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