“Margaux.”
“That’s the one.”
“Yeah… she’s going through something and I’m trying to figure out what to do about it.”
“How so?”
“Dating some douchebag who’s no good to her. He’s smacking her around physically, but to be honest, I’m as worried about the mental damage.”
“Narc tendencies?” Jordan quirks a brow.
“Absolutely,” I nod and frown. “Very controlling and jealous. But also demeaning, and mixes it up with splashes of kindness. Just to fuck her all the way up.”
“Good luck, man,” he shakes his head. “It’s really hard for people to realize they’re in that situation. And then it’s even harder for them to get out. My sister dated someone a lot like that for about eight months. That was three years ago and her mind’s still all fucked up over the guy. Left her with a shattered sense of self-worth. She still cries over him at family dinners.”
“Jesus. Yeah, that’s what I’m worried about.” My brow furrows, and I press my lips into a firm line. “I know she’s going to wise up and get this guy out of her life. But I’m worried about the damage he’ll do in the meantime. It looks like he’s already pushed her friends away, and she has a tiny family. He’s become like her entire world, and it’s a dangerous world.”
“That’s how guys like him operate,” says Jordan. “My sister’s narc had her living in another town. Said they needed to move for—in his words—a fresh start. Promised her the world. But in reality, it was just his way of isolating her, and of moving her away from her support system.”
“Wow, these guys are textbook shitheads aren’t they?” I scowl. “This guy’s done the same thing to Margaux. A real predator. Sunk his claws in on day one when she moved to a new location, and then got her kicked out of her place. Then suggested they move to this really remote part of the island where she can’t even walk around because it’s surrounded by tweakers. And then he leaves her alone for hours at a time after berating her.”
Jordan lets out a low whistle. “Fuck, that’s no way to live.”
“I know, right? He’s really dimming her glow. I hate to see it.”
“So… what are you going to do about it?”
“I’m figuring it out,” I sigh. “I don’t want to risk pushing her away. Obviously, I want to go running in there to rescue her, butI have a feeling it’d just have the opposite effect. So I’m gathering all the information I can, and I’m waiting for the right time. I just hope I don’t leave it until it’s too late.”
“Damn,” he shakes his head. “Good luck man. That’s some heavy shit.”
“Lucky I’m strong.” I flex my bicep and instantly feel stupid.
Jordan rolls his eyes and laughs. “Don’t… ever do that around Margaux.”
I laugh back. “No worries there.”
If I step in now, if I go over there and rip him limb from limb like I want to, she won’t thank me—won’t see me as some kind of gallant white knight. No, she’ll see me as the bad guy, the monster who took her ‘true love’ away from her.
My jaw clenches so hard it feels like my teeth might crack. It’s a sick, twisted fucking reality. He hits her. He manipulates her. He degrades her. But somehow, I’m the one who’d look like the villain if I stopped him. I know how this type of relationship works.
I glance at the corner of my desk where her photo sits. She doesn’t even know I took it. She was laughing, her red hair tousled by the wind, her blue eyes sparkling in the sunlight. That’s the Margaux I fell for. That’s the Margaux I’ll protect with everything I have, even if it means walking this tightrope for a little longer.
I’ll fix it soon enough—this isn’t aboutifI’ll act—it’swhen.Because one thing is certain: Timmy’s days are numbered. He just doesn’t know it yet.
I pull out my phone and open the encrypted app I use to monitor their messages. Yes, I know it’s crossing a line, but fuck it. Desperate times call for desperate measures. If keeping tabs on him gives me an edge, then so be it. I’d rather cross a line than stand by while she’s being systematically destroyed.
Soon, I’ll have my moment. Soon, Timmy will get what’s coming to him. But not yet. Not until Margaux sees him for what he truly is.
Because the only thing worse than losing her to him would be losing her trust. And without that, I’ll have no way to save her—I’ll lose all access and push her further toward that talking sewage leak.
And Ihaveto save her.
Even if it’s the last thing I do.
CHAPTER 5
THE EROSION OF SELF