“This is so twisted,” Vincent said. “You’ve been stalking her. That’s how you knew I was coming over here.”
“And you don’t think it’s twisted putting a tracker on my car? Hiring goons to live in the apartment next door. You’re the monster here. What’s sick is how you’re brainwashing Kristen with your charm!”
“Wait,” I said, still reeling. “If you knew where I was, why did you wait two years before showing up at my doorstep?”
Marty’s eyes became tender. “I was afraid. I didn’t feel like I deserved to see you after what I did to you. I thought you’d come back to me on your own when you were ready. I thought I could be a better man by then and we would be a stronger couple. But things didn’t go the way I planned.”
I tossed my hands up in the air. “You’re not making any sense.”
“You were going through a phase. You needed to date other guys and then eventually you’d realize we were meant to be together. That’s fine. I’m patient. You dated a few guys but it never got far. It was just a matter of time before you came back. But you went further with Vincent. I was afraid for you. Can’t you see why I had to step in? Vincent is bad news.”
“You know nothing about me,” Vincent said.
“I know you’re a charmer. You’re a CEO who doesn’t have time for personal relationships, never mind giving Kristen the kind of love she deserves. You’re just like my dad—wealthy, selfish, egotistical; only thinks about his business. He made my mom so miserable she killed herself. I’ll be damned if I let Kristen end up like that.”
“I’m not your dad. I’m nothing like your dad. Or you. What the hell’s the matter with you?”
“Ask yourself. Who beats someone up like this?” Marty pointed at his face.
“Someone who hates men who abuse women,” Vincent growled.
“Don’t call me an abuser. It was one time. I have a disorder for god’s sake, what’s your excuse for what you did?”
“I know guys like you. My sister dated one. You’re a piece of shit abuser who doesn’t deserve sympathy.”
“You know nothing about me! Calling me an abuser is bullshit. I hurt Kristen a little bit one time, and I feel awful about it. You have no right to beat me to a fucking pulp when I try to apologize to her.”
“Marty,” I said softly. “Vincent and I talked about that. But it doesn’t justify you coming into my apartment with a gun.”
“Kristen, I told you, I didn’t want to do this! What else can I do?”
“Take some fucking responsibility for your actions!” Vincent yelled.
“That’s what I’m doing now. I’m protecting her from you.”
“You’re ruining Kristen’s life! If you really care about her, you’d leave her the fuck alone.”
“You think I like doing this? This is all because of you.”
“You’re pathetic,” Vincent spat.
“You want to see who’s pathetic? I’ll show you.” Gun in hand, Marty stood up and stomped toward Vincent.
“Marty, no!” I screamed.
Chapter Eight
Marty stood in front of Vincent menacingly. Vincent looked up at him with defiance.
“Let’s see how you like it,” Marty said. “Kris, turn away. I don’t want you to see this.”
Marty balled up his fist and punched Vincent across the face.
“Stop Marty!” I screamed.
“Not so easy to beat me up when you don’t have your goon squad to hold me down, huh?” he sneered.
Vincent tried to shake off the blow but it was clear he was in pain.
“You don’t really care about her. You don’t love her like I do,” Marty said.
Marty landed another punch to Vincent’s face and I shrieked. Vincent didn’t protest but his nose began to bleed.
“Admit you don’t really care about Kristen.” Marty punched Vincent in the gut, knocking the wind from his lungs. “Show her I’m right.”
I leaped from the couch, my hand around my necklace. “Stop it Marty! You proved your point. You got your revenge. You don’t need to hurt him anymore.”
Marty wrinkled his brows. “What’s that around your neck, Kristen?”
Oh no. I’d planned on macing him but hesitated because he still had the pistol in his hand.
“Don’t touch her!” Vincent shouted hoarsely, straining against his cuffs. He was still trying to catch his breath.
Marty hurried over to me and ripped the necklace off. “He gave you this, didn’t he? To buy your affection.” Marty examined the heart-shaped pendant. He squeezed it between his thumb and forefinger and liquid squirted out from the bottom onto the carpet. “What the hell? What is this thing?”