“The damage you’ve done.” His face was red, and he took a step closer. “What your fucking watchdog did to my father.” Spittle flew out of his mouth as he stalked closer.
I moved back then, but he was corralling me, moving me to where he wanted, and that was with the wall at my back and the only way out through him.
I wouldn’t show him I was afraid. “If you mean you and your corrupt asshole father got what you deserved and you can’t hurt people anymore because the spotlight is on you…” I shrugged, my fingers curling around the sheath of the knife. I had to maneuver it so I could grab the hilt and get to the weapon.
His nostrils flared, and I could see how tightly his hands were clenched into fists. I hoped my words hurt. I hoped they cut deep.
I still had my hand tightly around the hilt of the knife. I didn’t want to use it. But I would. I would not be a victim again. I wouldn’t allow someone to overpower me.
“You fucked everything up. My father nearly died. And you shit on my fucking reputation, and I’ve had a lot of time to think about this, you bitch.”
Faster than I could anticipate, he was charging at me. I opened my mouth to scream, but he slapped his hand over my lips viciously, his body pressing me forcibly to the wall.
My head cracked back against the cinderblock, and I groaned as the pain sliced through my skull. The sound was muffled as stars danced in front of my vision.
My bag slipped off my shoulder, but he shifted, pressing further into me, securing the strap between our bodies.
His mouth was right by my ear as he hissed, “I’m going to fuck you up the same way you fucked up my life. I’m gonna make you bleed in the worst way possible, rip away all that fucking innocence that you cling to. And when I’m done with you, you’ll be crying and shivering in the corner, wanting the fucking psychopath you live with.” He bit my earlobe hard enough I screamed behind his hand. “And then I’m going after him. No amount of time will heal the wounds I give you.”
As my vision cleared and the sting in my head faded, his words sank in. I could see myself exactly how he described, pictured the destruction caused within me.
I wasn’t weak. I was strong. He was about to find out just how much.
He leaned back and snapped his teeth at me, the bruising on his face seeming far more intense the closer he was.
“First, I’m gonna break your nose like that fucking prick did to me. Then I’m going to snap every one of your fingers.” He dropped his voice low. “And when you’ve finally had enough—or thought you had—I’m going to gorge myself between your thighs until the blood runs down your legs.”
He didn’t even get that last word out before I was pulling out the knife. I had the blade pressed to his throat, and felt sadistic satisfaction as his eyes slowly widened. And I let my grin spread as I leaned into him, the blade so sharp and precise, it cut into his flesh smoothly.
“It looks like the only one who’s going to have their blood spilled is you, you son of a bitch. Now get your fucking hands off me.” He loosened his hold on me, but I kept pushing forward, digging that knife further into his neck.
It wouldn’t take much more for me to cut into his jugular. I’d be covered in his blood. It would be messy and inconvenient, but a very dark feeling surged through me.
“Here’s what’s going to happen.” I moved forward, and he took one step back, trying to take the pressure off of where the knife was pressed to his neck, but I wasn’t going to let him.
I was too high on the power right now, too drunk off the control I had.
“All your secrets are going to burst open. You’re nothing but an infection. Every single one of those girls you assaulted is going to look you in the face and tell the world what a piece of shit you are.”
His eyes narrowed and his hands lifted.
“Now, now. Don’t even think about it.” More blood dripped down his neck, and I was riveted to the sight. “You’re gonna bemybitch now, Trevor.” I dug the knife in harder and he gasped, his skin opening up. I didn’t cut him deep enough to nick anything vital, but it would leave a scar.
“You fucking crazy bitch.”
I felt a grin spread across my face as a hysterical laugh spilled out. “I’m not crazy and I’m not a bitch. I’m tired of taking people’s shit, especially yours.”
With that, I pushed him away with the blade and he stumbled back, his hand flying to the side of his neck.
“If you come near me again, if I hear you went near another girl again without her consent…” I stepped forward and held up the bloody blade. “I’ll cut your balls off and stuff them down your throat.”
He muttered, “Crazy bitch,” under his breath before turning and leaving. I stood there for a long time. I felt myself starting to slowly unravel. And this heaviness settled over me.
I shoved the knife in my bag and braced a hand on the wall, stumbling into the bathroom, thankful no one was around. I was about to freak out, scream, tear at my clothes to get the stench of Trevor’s blood off me.
Thankfully, the bathroom was empty, and I went to the sink and stared at my hands. They had his blood on them, and I sucked in a sharp breath.
I washed for so long and so hard. By the time I shut the water off, my hands were raw and red but blissfully clean.