Page 44 of The Reluctant Hero

I’ve just finished the thought when I hear the deadbolt slide into place.

“You dick!” I yell in fury.

“Don’t back down!” Manny calls back happily.

I can hear them muttering to each other as I pace away from the door. I feel like a victim in a scary movie, waiting for the ghost to pop out and scare the hell out of me.

Instead, Loser appears from the stairwell. He’s in his typical suit and tie, with his hair done in a carefree way that seems casual but isn’t. It’s like no time has passed at all for him. My heart gives a sharp, painful, stabbing sensation that I hate. This man should have no effect on my mood. He’snothing.

The thought straightens my spine as my eyes narrow and my arms cross. I feel like a bouncer in the hallway now instead of a weeping damsel. I like it a lot better.

He pauses when he sees me and straightens his jacket. He seems confused that I’m in the middle of the hallway, looking like a frumpy bodyguard.

My brows go down at the thought. Holy shit, is he here to meet up with another damn woman? Half of me hopes that’s true so he can go away. The other half is absolutely enraged. Like he stepped onto my territory without my permission, and now I have to beat him down to get him to leave.

To top it all off, he’s not even out of breath after taking the stairs.

Somehow, that’s the straw that breaks the camel’s back, and I go into rabid honey badger mode.

“Well, well, well,” I start ominously. It sounds stupid, but my mouth has taken over, and I’m not stopping it. Let him get adose of the real thing instead of the doormat. Sorry Mom, being a lady has taken a vacation, and I didn’t get a return ticket.

“Mandy?” His brows go up in surprise.

“I hate that fucking nickname, and you know it,” I snap. “What are you doing in my building?”

I just claimed ownership of an apartment complex like a villain. Like I want that responsibility.

“I just wanted to talk,” he says, bewildered. “I thought it was time. Can we go inside and sit down?”

With mafia guys, Manny, and no chairs? That sounds so comfortable. If only I had a plastic tarp for him to sit on. Less clean up.

Damn it, no.

“Yeah, it’s past time we talked, and you’re not stepping foot in my sanctuary,” I snark back.Sanctuary. What the hell am I thinking?“You better serve me divorce papers before Ireallyget mad. I’m done with this shit.”

His jaw drops, and he starts shaking his head slowly. “No, sweetheart. I want to talk aboutus. We can’t end like this.”

I blink, unable to comprehend what he’s talking about.

“I’m sorry. She meant nothing to me, I swear. As soon as you found out, I cut off all contact with her. I’ve missed you so much, sweetheart.”

“Ack!No!” I shriek and feel bile rise. “You keep your diseases to yourself, fucker! I want a divorce!”

“What?” He has the utter gall to look upset over the news. “But why? We’ve been so good together. I’m here to bring you home. Someplace safe. You don’t have to live like this.”

My eyes bulge in disbelief. I’m stuck on one word and can’t hear anything that came after. “I’m sorry. Did you just ask mewhy?”

I hear Manny start chanting my nickname in an upbeat tone like he’s cheering me on.

“Not helping!” I scream, and he goes silent.

“You’re acting a little crazy right now. Let’s go inside,” he says in a calming voice that amps my fury up even more. No man in his right mind would say that to a pissed-off woman.

“I wonder why,” I deadpan back. My arms have tightened down to my body so hard that my sides are starting to ache. How dare he? Like I’m so stupid I’m going to fall for his bullshit lies after all of this.

“I found your ring,” he says in a tone filled with sorrow. He pulls it out of his pocket to show me as I gape.

“I shouldn’t be surprised at your dumpster diving skills,” I sneer. “I knew I should have melted it down.”

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