Page 82 of Rectify

“You can’t just walk into the ladies’ room,” she protested.

“Why not?”

She gazed over at Miller helplessly.

“Seriously, Caden,” Miller said. “You can’t possibly expect that there’s someone in there waiting to pounce on us. The only thing scary in there is how bitchy women can get when you put them in a tightly enclosed space with mirrors. All they’re doing is peeing, putting on makeup, and checking out whether their ass looks big in their too-tight jeans.”

Caden regarded them both stubbornly.

Natalya folded her arms over her chest.

He grimaced. “Fine. But you go straight in and out. No talking to anyone, no doing your hair, or powdering your nose.”

“Powdering our nose?” Miller asked as they walked into the bathroom. “What century does he come from?”

“Lord only knows.”

“He is a hunk, paranoia notwithstanding. So is Declan. I’d love to be the meat in that man sandwich.”

Natalya stared at her incredulously and then burst into laughter as they entered the bathroom. After exiting the toilet stall, Natalya quickly washed her hands. The bathroom was surprisingly empty, which would please Caden. Then a blonde-haired woman entered and stood at the sink next to hers.

Natalya walked over to the hand dryer, wishing Miller would hurry up. The blonde had a malevolent look in her eyes that made her feel uneasy.

“I’ve been watching you,” the blonde told her.

“Uh, excuse me?” Did she have Natalya confused with someone else?

“You’re not good enough for him. You’re just a phase. My Aedan has better taste than that. Once he stops slumming it, he’ll realize what he wants is class.”

“Slumming it?” Seriously? Blondie wore a tight, sheer top that was so low-cut Natalya was shocked she couldn’t see her belly button. As well as a leather skirt that was so short, her butt cheeks poked out the bottom. And she thought she was classy?

Blondie moved forward and grasped hold of Natalya’s arm, surprisingly strong. “Do yourself a favor, take your little brat, and go back to pedaling your trade on the streets.”

“Did she really just call you a whore?” Miller strode out of the cubicle, glaring at the other woman. “Get your hand off my friend, bitch.”

“This has nothing to do with you,” the other woman said, digging her claws into Natalya.

Oh, hell no.

Natalya swung out with her other arm, pushing the blonde back, making her wobble on her stilettos.

“Careful, Natalya,” Miller said with a smirk. “She looks like the type who doesn’t wear underwear, and that short skirt isn’t covering much. The last thing I need is to be blinded by her muff.”

“How dare you! I wax!” The other woman had the nerve to look offended.

“Is she for real?” Natalya asked Miller.

Miller shook her head sadly. “She’s either stupid or delusional. Or probably both.”

With a screech, Blondie leaped on Natalya, catching her by surprise. Arms flaying, unable to balance herself, Natalya smacked the ground with a loud thump. Air left her lungs in a huge gush as pain slammed through her.

Blondie grasped Natalya’s throat, her hands tightening around her neck. Miller yelled out and tugged at the other woman’s shoulders. But Blondie was strong. Maybe it was a side effect of being bat-shit crazy?

Lungs burning, tears running out of her eyes, Natalya’s vision started to close in.

Oh no. This was not the way things ended. Some whacked-out boob-job was not going to kill her. Natalya brought her hands up and scratched at the other woman’s eyes.

Her pain-filled shriek made Natalya wince, but she wasn’t done yet. Silently thanking Aedan for the self-defense classes he’d forced her to take years ago, Natalya cupped her hands and brought them down on the other woman’s ears. Blondie’s grip loosened, and Natalya took a much-needed breath.

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