“Let me go to the concession stand and grab some napkins,” Delilah said. “I’m turning into a chocolate mess over here.”
Mac made a move to get up. “Don’t worry. I’ll go.”
Delilah was already on her feet. “No, you stay. Intermission is almost over. I don’t want you to miss it. I’ve seen Othello before and I read the book in high school. I’ll be right back.”
She walked as quickly as she could back to the entrance. The concession area was a small, clapboard house lit up with bright lights. The delicious smell of buttery popcorn wafted in the air. Although her intention had been to simply grab some napkins and bring them back, the popcorn was seriously messing with her mind. With a groan she capitulated and moved towards the short line of customers. Just as Delilah stepped into the line, the familiar tilt of a head caused her to stop in her tracks. Instinctively she turned around, fully prepared to beat a fast path out of the area. She moved towards the side exit, praying she could make a fast escape.
“Delilah.” The sound of Tim’s voice was like grating nails on a chalk board. He stepped in front of her, nodding his head at her. Although he was technically a very handsome man, the very sight of him made her sick to her stomach. His physical appearance masked a dark soul. Tim’s good looks were marred by everything else negative about his personality.
“Tim,” she replied in a curt voice. There was no need for her to encourage him with any further conversation. She wanted absolutely nothing to do with him. As far as she was concerned he was dangerous.
“I see you’re hanging out with Mac Donahue. Is he your new man?” he sneered.
“That’s none of your business,” she snapped. Delilah tried to walk past him, but Tim stepped in the way of her path. The smile on his face was mocking. His eyes flashed contempt.
“Do you play games with him too? Twist him up in knots so that he doesn’t know if he’s coming or going?”
She took a step backward. His tone seemed to radiate pure rage. It never failed to amaze her how bitter and angry Tim was about their break-up. He’d been the liar. And the cheat. Yet she was now the object of his everlasting scorn and vengeance because she had walked away from the relationship.
“You really need to let this go, Tim,” she said in a firm voice.
“You’re never going to find what you’re looking for,” he continued. “Do you know why Delilah?”
Her throat felt dry. She hated confrontation. “I don’t care what think,” she said in a shaky voice. “Just leave me alone.”
“You’re the problem. It’s not all the men you’ve dated. It’s you. You’re the poison. There’s something in you that destroys relationships.”
Tim’s words were vicious. Cutting. Although she had severed all ties with him almost two years ago, he still continued this vendetta.
“I feel sorry for Donahue,” he said with a harsh laugh. “He seems like a pretty good guy. He sure doesn’t deserve a mind-trip like you.”
“Apologize.” Mac’s steady, deep voice broke through the haze of Tim’s verbal abuse. She turned her head to see him standing by the door of the veranda. His hands were fisted at his sides. Delilah could see that he was barely reining himself in. There were harsh lines etched on his face. A vein popped on his forehead.
“Mac, it’s okay,” she said in a soothing voice. He moved so that he was standing between her and Tim.
“No, Delilah. This is so far from okay.” Mac took two steps toward Tim. Tim’s cocky expression immediately disappeared.
“I don’t know what you think you heard, but—” Tim began to say.
Mac took the final step that brought him within a hair’s breadth of Tim. “I heard enough to know that you owe Delilah a huge apology.”
Delilah tugged at his arm. “It’s not a big deal. Please. Let’s just go.”
Mac hadn’t taken his eyes off Tim. “No man should ever speak to a woman the way you were addressing Delilah.”
Tim shook his head. “We have a history, Donahue.”
“And Delilah and I have a present and a future. Which means one thing. I will not allow you to disrespect my lady. Not by word or deed or any act your warped mind might conceive. Do we understand each other?”
“What are you going to do? Gather up all of your Donahue brothers and take me down?” Tim sneered.
Mac let out an eerie laugh. “Trust me. I don’t need a single one of my brothers for back up.” Mac’s gaze never wavered from Tim’s face. “You would do well to remember that.”