Chapter 20: Josie

Chapter Twenty

JOSIE

T his can’t be happening again. I watch as the elevator doors close with Mick and Mr. Psycho inside together.

Alone.

That is not good. It’s déjà vu all over again. This time, however, I won't be helpless. I’m not scared that Mick can’t handle the asshole. It’s the exact opposite, which is actually the problem. I think he can more than handle him, and that isn’t good.

This time, Mick isn’t the one cornered. He has someone else cornered. I hit the button for the elevator a second before I see the last sliver of Mick through the crack, squaring off with the man. I know if I don’t do something that the end result of this isn’t going to be good for any of us.

As the elevator doors start to open, I glance around and spot a rock that I’m guessing someone used as a doorstop at some point. I grab it as soon as they fully open. I have no clue what the hell I’m doing, but there’s one thing I do know without a doubt: I have to stop Mick.

"Mick, don't!" I scream, hoping to get through to him.

The man has got himself pressed up into the corner with no escape. There’s no way in hell I’m going to let Mick do this and throw away everything he has worked for. I’m also not going to let this fucker get away with terrorizing me for months and now physically assaulting me.

I swear it all happens in slow motion. Mick turns halfway around in response to my scream. The man abruptly pulls out a weapon.

"Knife!" I scream again, only to find Mick already in motion. Mick snaps his arm out and grabs the man by his wrist. I'm moving too.

I rush into the elevator, a plethora of emotions overwhelming me. I barely get past Mick. He's tightening his hold on the man's wrist, making the knife fall from his hand at the same time that I'm already swinging my own weapon. The rock is hard and sharp in my grasp. I don’t hold back.

The crack is loud as it hits the side of the man's head. His eyes widen, locking on mine for the briefest of seconds but also an eternity. Then he crumbles to the floor right in front of me. I stare down at him as blood pours from his head.

I stumble back, my own knees feeling weak all of a sudden. It feels as though all the anxiety and panic I'd been experiencing has vanished. Now there is nothing.

"I got you, babe," Mick says. His arm wrapping around me, he guides me back a few steps, the elevator doors closing, hiding what I did.

"Oh shit. I'll call the police," I hear someone say.

"I killed him?" The rock I'm holding falls from my hand.

"Shit, you're bleeding." Mick picks up my hand, revealing a gash. It looks deep, but it doesn't hurt. My body is so numb at this point, it’s not surprising.

"Did I kill him?" I choke the words out, my mouth drier than a desert.

"Don't worry about him." Mick tries to soothe me.

"So much blood." I can’t seem to string more than a few words together at a time at the moment.

"The head can bleed a lot."

"Right." I nod. Everything is a blur. The red and blue lights. All the people coming and going. “Do I really need an ambulance?”

“You’re going to need that wound closed up and definitely cleaned.”

“I’m coming with her,” Mick says before I get a chance to ask. Thankfully, they end up letting him but not before some bickering takes place. I think they figured out quickly they weren't going to win a fight against Mick. I don’t think anyone ever does in the end.

“Don’t talk to the police. Not one word unless it’s to ask for your lawyer,” Mick whispers into my ear when we make it to the hospital. A few of them linger outside. I nod.

The nurse comes in and gets started before a doctor quickly follows. Thankfully, they can glue it, and I don’t have to get stitches.

“Pretty badass,” the doctor says when she’s done. “You got him good.” She gives me a wink, and I realize she’s talking about the other guy. “Your teeth all good?”

“What?”

“You bit him.”

Holy crap. How did I forget that?

“All good,” I tell her, running my tongue across them. I’d kicked and scratched at him, doing whatever I could to break free. The nurse comes back in with mouthwash and a small metal pan.

I’m guessing they brought my stalker here as well for treatment. It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask about him, but I’m not sure if I should. The doctor goes over how to care for my hand and not to get the bandage wet before leaving us alone.

“Guess I’m out of commission,” I joke lamely, holding up my bandaged hand. Mick doesn’t laugh at my joke. I can now see how tense he is. “Not just video games, but you know. You’ll have to take care of me.” I wiggle my brows, wanting him to relax. I think the adrenaline has worn off now, and reality is starting to really kick in.

“Josie.” His hand cups my face. I close my eyes, tears beginning to fall.

“I’m sorry,” I whisper.

“Don’t fucking say that.” Mick presses kisses all over my face, stopping the tears in their tracks. “Nothing to be sorry for. The nurse was right. What you did was pretty badass, even if I want to spank your ass over it.” I give him a watery smile.

"All right." A nurse enters, interrupting the moment. “I’ve got your paperwork and prescription for an antibiotic.” Mick takes them from her. “Wait.” Her eyes roam over Mick. “You’re the guy from the TikTok video.” Her eyes swing over to me. “Holy crap, you’re the girl.”

“What?” we both ask.

“He took on three guys outside of some diner.”

“Shit,” Mick mutters. I think the same thing.

“Oh God, Mick. Pedro? He’s going to find out about this.”

How can this day continue to get worse?