Page 251 of Mountain Boss

“Shut the fuck up,” he hisses.

I try not to shiver with disgust at having him this close to me. At feeling his hot, disgusting breath on my neck.

Ben is barking now.

Standing a few feet ahead of us, hair on end.

Tears I didn’t realize I was crying flow from my eyes.

It’s okay,I want to tell Ben.

I’ll be okay,I want to promise him.

Please don’t come closer,I beg of him.

I’m shaking so hard I feel another sting of metal across my skin.

“Walk forward.” His command is followed by a shove to my back.

My eyes dart to the shower building.

I was trying to get there so I could lock myself inside. But I plant my feet.

I won’t go inthere.

Not with him.

“Bitch, move.” Rage laces his words.

“I don’t understand. Why?—”

The knife shifts so it’s pressed tight against the underside of my jaw.

“Your fucking boyfriend fucked up my hands so bad, I lost my fucking job,” he spits out. “They’re still so bad I might just slice your throat on accident. Sowalk.” He shoves me harder.

The blade breaks skin.

Ben lunges forward, and the creepy man tries to kick past me at Ben.

“Stop,” I cry.

He shoves my back again.

I squeeze my eyes shut.

My neck hurts so bad.

I can feel the warm stickiness of my blood trailing down my skin.

Lifting my shaking hands, I hold them palms out and shush Ben.

I need to think.

I can’t go into the bathroom with this man.

I won’t.

My body—my hands and elbows and knees—is the only weapon I have.

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