Page 4 of Malice

He wanted to demand that the man answer him out loud, but knew it was just his desire to be an ass back to the dickwad. Instead, he slowly released the man, staying prepared in case the idiot decided to do something stupid like fight instead of leave like he’d been told.

The man wasn’t as stupid as his previous behavior would indicate. As soon as Malice released him, he scurried away, only glancing back at them once before climbing into a car that looked like he’s spent way more than he should have, especially since it should be parked at least half the year around here. It wasn’t designed for the kind of weather northern Wyoming got in the winter.

Malice watched as he started the car, backed onto the street, and sped away. Once the asshole was gone, and he was sure of it, he turned back to the woman. She stood still, as if she’d grown roots, and stared at him with wide eyes.

“Are you okay?” Malice asked, breaking the silence between them.

She continued to stare at him, as if she hadn’t heard him. He took a step closer, trying to see if the asshole had hurt her more than just holding on to her arm and possibly shaking her.

“Ma’am?” he asked.

She blinked several times then shook her head as if coming out of a daze.

“Wh—“ She paused, visibly swallowed, and tried again. “Who are you? What do you want?” Her eyes went even wider, and she looked slightly panicked.

He held up one hand showing her he wouldn’t hurt her.

“I’m not going to hurt you. I heard you inside and was afraid he would be waiting out here for you.” He hesitated to give her his name. It would probably only scare her more. “I sat a couple tables away.” He motioned toward the restaurant and hoped she understood what he meant. “I was about to speak up when the waitress stepped in, and he left. But I’ve seen a few assholes like him before and something told me he wasn’t going to be put off.” He was careful not to get too close. He didn’t want her to feel like he was crowding her. “You’re welcome to go any time you like. I don’t want you to feel like I’m keeping you from leaving. But does he know where you live? Could he wait for you there?”

She blinked and stared at him for a moment. “I-I don’t think so. I think if he knew, he would have shown up at my apartment sooner.”

“Would you feel safer going somewhere else for a while? Maybe he’ll calm down and move on?”

She tilted her head and stared at him. “I don’t know how much good it will do. How long do I have to give him before he gives up and backs off?”

Malice frowned as her words processed through his brain.

“How long has this been going on? You said inside you broke up with him last week. I take it this isn’t the first confrontation with him since then?”

She rolled her lips inward and bit them as if she was trying to keep from saying something. He wondered if she was embarrassed to admit it or scared to tell him. He didn’t like the thought that she might be scared of him.

Malice didn’t know why, but something about this woman made him want to help her. Made him want to make sure she was safe and knew it. Something about her made him want to slay dragons and lay them at her feet.

But no. That was stupid. Especially since he didn’t know her. Before the last three minutes he’d never spoken to her. And before an hour ago he’d never even seen her.

He must be losing his mind.

4

Bonniestaredattheman who had followed her from the diner in time to keep Phillip from forcing her into his car, then who knew where. She’d been surprised, then suspicious at why he might be following them. But the more she talked to him, the more he seemed to be just trying to help.

“Yes, we broke up last week, but we’d only been seeing each other a little over a month.” She shook her head, still not understanding the way Phillip was behaving. “He shouldn’t be this clingy or possessive. Thankfully, I never invited him to my place. I don’t recall him ever even picking me up to go anywhere.”

“That’s good.” He glanced around and looked like he had something more to say, but wasn’t sure if he should say it. Or maybe wasn’t sure if he should say it here.

Was he afraid of insulting her or scaring her? Why didn’t he just say it already?

“I can tell something’s bothering you. What is it?” She couldn’t help but scowl as she watched him.

“Is there any chance he was able to get into your phone? Could he have put something into it so he can track you?”

She frowned. Could he have? She had her phone password protected, but she used facial recognition too, and all he would have had to do was to hold it to her face while she slept, and she had slept over a few times before she’d realized he was more attached than she was. Before he had started creeping her out. That’s when she’d tried to quietly gather her things, but he had caught her and figured out what she’d been doing. Then she’d been forced to come right out and tell him she was done.

“If you have to think about it that hard, I’m guessing he did have a chance. The question is, is he tracking you? How often has he just happened to show up where you are, since you broke up?” the stranger, who still hadn’t given her his name, said.

She tilted her head and watched him for a moment. “I know you’re trying to help, but how do I know I can trust you?” Bonnie knew her judgement hadn’t been the best recently, as exampled by the entire relationship with Phillip. “You haven’t even told me your name.”

He looked down, as if he didn’t want to meet her gaze for some reason. It made her more suspicious of him. He took a deep breath and held it a moment, then let it out in a rush before speaking.

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