Page 63 of The Family Guest

I pounded harder. Faster. “And you think you haven’t hurt me?”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Alexa!”

“Shit.”

With that one word, I knew he was guilty as sin. He’d fucked my best friend! For a split second, my rage gave way to anguish, and in that brief moment of weakness, he broke free of me with a shove. Losing my footing, I landed with a thud on the hardwood floor. Smack on my ass.

He adjusted his jacket. “I’m going for a drive. I may not come back.”

“Like hell you are.” Before he could pivot on his heel, I grabbed one of his ankles with both hands, clasping it like a manacle.

“Let go of me!”

As he tried to shake his foot free, I bit into it. The metallic taste of blood filled my mouth.

He cursed. “You’re crazy!”

“That’s right!” My rage surging, I dug my teeth into him again. I’d turned into a rabid dog. I could even feel myself foaming at the mouth.

I didn’t see his next move coming. My mouth latched onto his leg, he kicked me with his other foot in the face. So hard I almost saw stars. More blood flooded my palate. This time mine. We’d both become savage animals. I looked up and spat at him. A crimson spray flew out of my mouth. And a blood-coated tooth. With a plink, it landed on the floor between his feet. Tears seared my bruised cheek.

Matt met my gaze. I was expecting him to break into a contemptuous, triumphant smile, but his expression was forlorn, his eyes weary.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered.

Sor-ry. The word reverberated in my ears. Sorry for what? Sorry for cheating on me? Sorry for abusing me? Sorry for marrying me? The only thing he should be sorry for was being born.

“Let me help you up.” He extended a hand toward me.

I scooted back, away from him. Breathing like a dragon in and out of my flaring nostrils. “Don’t! You! Dare! Touch! Me!”

“Nat—”

“Don’t Nat me.”

Still breathing heavily, I anchored my hands on the floor and pushed myself up to standing. I wobbled and felt blood trickling from the corners of my mouth. Keeping our distance, we stared at each other in deadly silence. Until he broke it.

“What happened with Alexa was a mistake. I only love you.”

I only love you.

His four bogus words sent me over the edge. A second wind, as strong as a hurricane, blew through me. Rage flooded every cell of my body.

“I! Hate! You!” The words were so thunderous they bounced off the walls. On my next heated breath, I tackled him, wrapping my iron-strong legs around his waist like a vise. Yanking at his hair and clawing him with my nails, I was a savage beast again. Determined to rip my prey apart.

I clung to him as he winced and swore. Blood streaked down his face, spotting the collar of his white shirt. A cacophony of shrieks, moans, and groans clogged my ears. Along with a string of expletives that ping-ponged between us.

We were dangerously close to the edge of the landing when another voice broke through the madness.

“Mom, Dad! What’s going on?”

Oh my God! Anabel! Running toward us, clad in her heart-print pajamas. A mix of shock and fear was writ deep on her face. What was she doing home? I thought she had cheerleading practice until six thirty. Later I’d find out she’d texted me to tell me she’d felt ill at school and was coming home early. In my drunken stupor, I hadn’t checked my messages. It was too late. Fate had already made up her mind.

“Go back to your room!” I ordered. But it was as if she didn’t hear me.

“What are you doing, Mom?”