Page 33 of Protecting What Is Mine

“But he started right back in on you. He wanted to know if you listened to him and broke it off with Hank.”

I shake my head. “Really?”

“I know, right? I told him it was none of his damn business, but he didn’t drop it. He just kept asking questions about Hank, and the Wildes, and what kind of relationship you have with them. It was all so weird.”

“What did you tell him?”

“Nothing. Not really. It’s none of his business. Hell, it’s none of my business, so it has to be even less than none of his, you know?”

I look around the room. “Is that what caused him to do all of this? Because you wouldn’t tell him what he wanted to know?”

“Not exactly.” Sam pulls her hand from mine and begins rubbing her shoulder again. “I was so mad at him. For being back, for showing up the way he did before and frightening Vanessa. The fact that he was here—again—and still wasn’t showing any concern for her. His own daughter. I guess it set me off. So…” Sam looks down at the table. “I might have changed the subject and started yelling at him about it.”

My eyes go wide. “You didn’t?”

“I did. And, in hindsight, I probably shouldn’t have hit him.”

“You hit him?”

“Yeah. I mean, it’s not like I could hurt him. But I was furious, and when I brought up his daughter he just rolled his eyes. And I snapped a little bit.”

“How did you snap…a little bit?”

“Well, I never could stand the way he rolls his eyes. You know what I’m talking about—so dismissively—like everything you’re saying is stupid.”

I nod, all too familiar with the look.

“And to see him do that about Nessa. I couldn’t take it. So, without realizing, I sort of hit him in his chest.”

I motion to her hand on her shoulder. “And that’s how he responded?”

“Well, that’s definitely when he lost the calm, rational demeanor. Next thing I knew, we were both yelling at the top of our lungs. But still, the only thing he had any interest in was the status of your dating life. I guess It spiraled out of control from there. Before I knew what happened he grabbed me by the arm and pinned me against the bookshelf.”

“Oh my God!”

“You should’ve seen the look in his eye. It wasn’t his typical, cocky asshole smirk. He seemed…I don’t know, desperate. Like knowing what was going on between you two really mattered. Why, I have no idea.” Sam pauses to fight back tears. “Why, Mol? Why would he care so much about you? Again, I mean no offense, but you know what I’m saying.”

“I do,” I say with a nod. “So, then what happened?”

“Well, I mean. I didn’t really tell him anything important, but I was scared, ya know? He’s never been violent. Not like that. I didn’t know what he might do next. So, I told him you and Hank were still seeing each other and that things were really good. And maybe he should worry more about his own life and less about yours.”

“And then?”

Sam looks up. “And then he left.”

“Just like that?”

She nods. “Pretty much. He left a number for you to call him. It’s there on the end table. And then he went. No more drama, just gone.”

“Have you called the cops yet? I mean, we have to file a police report.”

Sam’s head drops. “I can’t. It’s my word against his. And you know as well as I do, he’s got some buddy who’d be willing to say he was with him all afternoon.”

“You can’t just let him get away with this.”

“Believe me girl, I don’t want to. But he’s on parole and if I get him jammed up, but not enough to send him back to prison for good, we both know I’ll end up paying for it later.”

Even if what she’s saying is true, it’s completely unsatisfying. “Well, we have to do something.”

Sam shakes her head. “I don’t know. It’s almost time to pick up Nessa from the sitter. Do you mind helping me clean up a little before I go? I don’t want her to come home and see this.”

“Sure. Of course.”

Just as I get up from the table there’s another frantic knock at the door.

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