Page 38 of Malice

Once the car was completely out of sight, Malice’s brothers stepped into view. First Ghost then Lurch, Tuck, Jake, and the others. They all approached him. Malice released his grip on the pistol, took a deep breath and forced his muscles to relax from the ready tension he’d held them in for the last few minutes.

“What did he have to say?” Ghost was the first to say something as they got close enough to speak without raising their voices.

“A bunch of macho shit, she is mine, I have to see her that kind of crap.” Malice didn’t bother to resist rolling his eyes. “He tried to wait me out, but as you saw, that didn’t work for him.”

“I saw you reach for your pistol but stop before drawing it,” Lurch put in as he joined them.

“Yeah, he thought he was tough enough to get past me, until he realized I wasn’t unarmed and would do what it took to stop him.”

They talked for a few minute more then split and went back to what they’d been doing, a couple going back to the evening feeding and the rest heading back to their homes.

28

Bonniedidn’tknowhowlong she stood at the window, watching and wondering what was happening. When Corey came walking up the road, looking unhurt and whole, a wave of relief so strong it nearly took her to her knees washed through her.

She stepped back, letting the curtain fall back into place and took a deep breath. She really needed to worry less but she couldn’t help it. Even if it hadn’t been her at risk, it had been Corey and that was enough to make her stomach churn. Now, she hurried to the bedroom to change out of her work clothes, hoping maybe he wouldn’t realize she’d been waiting at the window for him.

By the time she returned to the main room, Corey had come inside. He sat on the sofa, one ankle resting on the other knee and his head dropped back against the sofa, making it look like he stared up at the ceiling. Or would be if his eyes weren’t closed.

She approached him, closing the distance until she stood in front of him, looking down at him and wondering what she should say. Was thank you enough? Had she already said it too much?

“He left, sweetness, have a seat and relax,” Corey said without even lifting his head.

“How did you know I was standing here.”

“I heard you walk up. and I could hear you breathing while you stood there, that’s how I knew you weren’t moving.” He lifted a hand toward her. “Sit down with me for a bit. Then we’ll go up for dinner.”

She tilted her head as she looked at him for a moment, taking in what he wore. He’d already changed out of his work clothes. He’d been waiting for her to get home when she’d called him.

She took his hand and sat, curling against his side as he wrapped his arm around her and tugged her close.

“What happened?” she asked after a moment of struggling with herself. Did she really want to know? Yes. She needed to, if she had any hope of moving on with her life.

“He demanded to see you. Said you were his, same old bull shit. We stood at a stand off for a few minutes and he eventually left.”

“That’s all?”

“That’s all.”

“But what if he’d refused to leave. What would you have done? What if he’d gotten violent or tried to hurt you?”

Corey took a deep breath before speaking. “Sweetness, I wasn’t out there alone. If he’d gotten past me, and that’s a big if, he still wouldn’t have made it here because my brothers wouldn’t let him.”

Bonnie thought about that for a minute. It hadn’t occurred to her that he’d called the others to confront Phillip with him. Knowing he hadn’t been alone made her feel better. If something had happened, at least they would have known and could have taken care of him. Still, she hated putting him at risk like that.

But had he been at risk? She remembered the way Phillip had backed down nearly as soon as Corey had confronted him outside that little diner. Was it only her he didn’t mind getting physical with? Was she the weak one here? Should she be more aggressive and fight back more? Was this her fault? Had she done something to cause Phillip to do this?

“Stop over thinking things, sweetness.” The arm wrapped around her tightened as he dropped a gentle kiss on top of her head.

Had she been so lost in her own thoughts and worries that she’d missed him moving? Missed him lifting his head and watching her?

“Come on, let’s talk about something other than that stupid fucker. How was your day at work?”

She shrugged and told him about her day. After a few minutes, she was able to take a deep breath and push her worries about Phillip from her mind. Not that she forgot about him, but she wasn’t going to let him rule her thoughts every minute. And now that she was here for the evening, and knew she was safe, he didn’t get any more time in her head.

Ahandcoveredhermouth, keeping her from breathing. Bonnie struggled, trying to get free but something wrapped around her chest kept her from moving and made it hard to take more than a shallow breath when she was able to struggle enough to dislodge the hand so she could try to breathe. It felt like she was tied down, but how did she get here? Where was she?

She continued to struggle as her brain tried to reconcile where she was and how she’d gotten here.

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