Page 20 of Mercy & Malice

He chuckles, taking a calculated step in my direction as I walk backwards toward my car. “Oh, come on. It looks like you could use a little help.”

“This is your last warning. Back the fuck up.”

To my surprise, his skulking halts and his face grows serious. I clock that he’s not looking at me, his vision is fixed on something behind me. I’m terrified to let Julian out of my sight. So slightly turning, I pivot until my back turns away from my car and I’m able to keep watch on jerk face while I find whatever has his attention.

Micah is propped against my hood, arms folded over his chest, ankles crossed.

“Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t break your neck.”

“Hey, man. I don’t want any trouble.” Julian holds his palms up.

Shoving off the car, Micah takes slow, deliberate steps towards Julian, reminding me of a predator who’s stalking their prey.

“Look, she was smarting off, and I lost it. She called the fucking cops on me, Micah.”

“Still waiting on that good reason,” Micah states.

“Whatever, dude.” Julian starts backing away.

“Did I say you could leave? You seemed eager to keep her here when you slashed her fucking tire.”

He shrugs. “I shouldn’t have. My mistake.”

Micah stops a few feet in front of him. “You sure as fuck shouldn’t have.”

“I didn’t realize you two were back together. I thought you were still gone. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.” Julian is all but crying.

Micah is too calm as he states, “You’re right. It won’t.”

Once the last word leaves his lips, he surges forward, swinging as his fist connects with Julian’s jaw. Micah lands every hit with a full connection while Julian doesn’t fight back.

After a minute, I say, “Micah, please stop.” I think Julian definitely needs some sense and manners knocked into him, but I worry the beating won’t halt until he’s dead.

“You’re lucky she’s nicer than me. Next time, no one will be able to save you.” Micah hauls him to his feet. “Get your fucking knife out.”

Okay. Maybe that’s still his objective. “Micah.”

Julian takes it out as Micah motions towards his vehicle. “It’s eye for an eye tonight. I’ll let you pick which one you’re stabbing.”

He falls back to the pavement when Micah releases him with a shove. Coughing and wheezing, Julian climbs back to his feet and without hesitation goes to his car and plunges the knife into his tire.

Micah tells him, “Whether I’m around or not, she’s mine. If you come near her again, you’re dead.”

Julian gives a quick nod, clutching his stomach.

Casually, Micah walks past me. “I’ll give you a ride home.”

All I can do is watch him. I have so many questions. But most of all, I’m thankful he’s here.

When he realizes I’m not behind him, he turns back to me. “Get in.”

There are a whole lot of things I question in my life, following him isn’t one of them. So, I listen and go with him. Because if there’s anyone I know I’m safe with, it’s Micah … even when he hates me.

11

MICAH

What the fuck was I thinking? I wasn’t. I only wanted to watch her. But that motherfucker changed my plans. And I couldn’t sit back after I witnessed what he did. I had to put a stop to it before he dared to touch her. Because then, he wouldn’t be alive.