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M alice held the man against the wall by the throat, his feet touching the ground, but not comfortably. Malice fought the urge to strangle the asshole and be done with him. His gut told him it would save them all a bunch of difficulty and trouble. The trouble was, he had no reason other than what he’d witnessed inside the restaurant and what he’d come across out here to think that. That wouldn’t be enough justification for the cops, or for his president. The only one likely to understand would be Ghost. That wasn’t enough.
“I know I heard the lady tell you she was through with you. I know she also asked you to leave her alone.” Malice kept his voice low. He’d learned long ago it was more menacing that way and that was exactly how he wanted this shit stain to feel — menaced.
“Lady? Man has she got you snowed. You her latest screw?” The stranger sneered despite his precarious position.
The desire to get rid of the man now, permanently, grew stronger, but Malice restrained himself. “You aren’t real bright, are you?” He tightened his grip on the other man’s throat, and dropped his voice several notches, so anyone would have had to be right beside them to hear what he was saying. “Do you know how easily I could end your life right now? I’m betting no one would miss an asshole like you. All it would take is placing my fingers in just the right place.” He flexed his fingers slightly, letting the man feel the strength in his hand and arm, and letting him know Malice wasn’t bluffing. “You’d be out in seconds, dead in a few more. Then all I’d have to do is get rid of the body.” He let one corner of his mouth tip up in a wry smile. “That’s easier than most people think.”
He didn’t tell the fuckwad he wasn’t sure where would be best from here. Not yet. But Malice was sure that should he need to find a place, he could.
“I suggest you forget the lady’s name, forget you ever knew her or I may find you again and show you exactly how easy it would be for me to get rid of you for her. Then you won’t have to worry about whether or not I get caught or if I know how to get rid of your worthless body.”
A sound behind him told him the woman was close enough to hear what he’d said, and she didn’t like it, but she didn’t stop him, and Malice didn’t let her overhearing stop him from finishing this.
“I’m going to let you go. If you have half the brains of a snail, you’ll get the hell out of here and never look back. Never approach her again. If you walk into a place where she is, leave. If you see her walking down the street, go the other way. Do you understand me?” He loosened his hold on the man’s throat enough for him to nod.
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.