“No, not about that. Let’s go inside.”
I ignored the way he invited himself into my house. I got the door unlocked and we entered. I dropped my jacket on the coatrack and watched him do the same. “You want a beer—”
“No.” He locked the door behind him even though it was unnecessary. I lived in a great neighborhood. No one was going to break in and loot the place—at least if they weren’t stupid. “Rome doesn’t know I’m here, and I’ve got to make this quick.”
At the mention of her name, he had my full attention. “What’s up?” I hoped he would try to put us back together, to tell me Rome missed me and I just needed to fight harder for her. The longer I went without kissing her or touching her, the more insane I became. I was slowly losing my mind, missing that woman in my bed.
“It’s a fucking nightmare, man. I need your help.”
All my hope deflated. “What is it?”
“You remember that ex-boyfriend of hers?”
I didn’t like where this was going. I was already pissed—instantly. “Yes.”
“She told you what happened with him, right?”
Both of my hands formed fists. “Yes.”
“Well, what she didn’t tell you is he’s been stalking her for a while now.”
Stalking her? What the fuck? “What the hell did you just say?”
“You’re mad now…” He chuckled like this was somehow funny. “The reason why I asked you to give her a job at your office is because Hank went to her office a few months ago and harassed her. Luckily, I was there, so that scared him off, but apparently, he’d done it a few times.”
What. The. Fuck.
I’m gonna kill him.
I don’t need a gun or a knife. My hands would do.
I couldn’t speak because I was too angry. And that was a first.
Christopher continued when I remained silent. “She moved in with me, which I think was a great decision because of Hank. But a few days ago, he broke in to our apartment and ambushed her when she came home. They fought in the hallway. She broke his nose and wrist but took some damage herself. She wasn’t really sick. She was in the hospital.”
Now I couldn’t breathe.
He’d touched her.
He’d placed his hands on her.
Hurt her.
I stepped back slowly until the backs of my legs hit the couch. I fell with a thump onto the cushion, my heart beating so fast it actually hurt. I couldn’t catch my breath. So much adrenaline. So much fucking pain.
Christopher told me about his attempt with the cops and how it didn’t go anywhere. This man was too powerful as the DA for New York City. The guy was pretty much untouchable.
Until now.
Christopher watched me closely. “You haven’t said anything in about five minutes. Are you okay?”
I processed so much shit in minutes, and it took my brain a second to catch up. When I found my strength, I stood up again. “I can’t believe she didn’t tell me…”
“Since you aren’t seeing each other anymore—”
“I was seeing her the first two times he assaulted her.” I was yelling at Christopher even though he hadn’t done anything wrong. “I’ll take care of this.”
“What are you going to do?”
“I don’t know yet. But this problem is officially gone.” I stormed out of my own house and left Christopher behind, not giving a damn if he stayed or went. I didn’t even grab my phone or my keys.
And I ran all the way to Rome.
“Open the fucking door!” I slammed my fists into the wood like I was playing the drums. I kept knocking, bruising my knuckles without feeling even a hint of pain. “Rome, do as I say, or I’m gonna break it down.”
When she finally opened the door, she wore a resigned expression on her face. “I can’t believe he told you…”
I slammed the door so hard behind me the walls shook. “And I can’t believe you didn’t tell me.” I rushed her, forcing her back to hit the kitchen counter. My hands gripped the counter on either side of her as I got in her face, feeling so much anger—most of it directed at her. “You have a lot of fucking nerve, you know that?”
“What?” Clearly, that was the last thing she’d expected me to say.
“You left me because of my skeletons. But you have bigger ones. This asshole has been stalking you for months, and you didn’t run it by me? You didn’t think that was important information that I needed to know?” My nose pressed against hers as I continued to yell. “That my girlfriend could have been raped or taken, and I wouldn’t have had a clue about it. Fuck you, Rome.” I finally stepped back, my hands curling into fists.
Shocked, she stared at me with a pale face.
“Pack your shit. Now.”
“Whoa, what?” She couldn’t keep up with my thoughts.