Chapter 6 Exes And Ohs

• Viktor
• I hurry quickly to the bathroom but pause when I hear voices arguing. I listen carefully and make them out to be Anna and Collins's. What the heck? I thought Collins left already...
• "You got what you wanted, Collins," Anna was saying fiercely. "You got together with Diana. She claims I stole you, and I have no answer to that. I wish you two happiness."
• "I don't care about that," Collins brushes off. "Whatever this sham of an engagement is with Salvatore... I hope he's aware that you're a barren bitch? Because it won't be fair to keep on deceiving him, just like you deceived me."
• "I didn't deceive you! And I'm not barren. I just have PCOS, which can be managed. I don't know what Diana's told you, but you shouldn't believe everything she says."
• "Why shouldn't I? She's about to be my wife, and..."
• "And I don't care about that. Leave me and Salvatore alone. Is that too much to ask?"
• "Yes."
• "Huh? Why?"
• "Because I want you to be miserable. You're such a whore. Didn't even wait a year before you went and got another man! I have cause to believe you started sleeping with him while on those trips. You know it's the truth. You harlot!"
• "So you get to cheat with Diana, while I'm meant to stay stupidly faithful? I can't move on, but you can?"
• "Is this you admitting you cheated?"
• "It's whatever you make it out to be, Collins."
• "Don't give me that answer, slut..."
• What follows sounds like a scuffle, and I run into the bathroom to see Collins dragging her by her hair. With a roar, I tackle him down with an uppercut, then proceed to kick his stomach and ribs repeatedly, my vision blood red with rage.
• Anna screams. "Salvatore, please! Let him alone. Leave him be..."
• I don't listen. I'm not done with Collins yet. Grabbing him by the collar of his shirt, I bang his head against the bathroom wall multiple times, till Hermes and Jeremiah arrive to break us up. Blood pours from Collins's head, nose and his bottom lip is cut. I'm so satisfied, I can't help grinning, even while Hermes rages at me.
• "How could you be so irresponsible! Collins is my guest, and he doesn't deserve — "
• "I'm your guest too, Hermes!" I growl. "And Collins attacked Anna first. Ask him! Speak up, you motherfucker."
• "I was just..." Collins splutters, throwing up more blood onto his shirt. "I was...only... trying...to..."
• "Trying to do what?" I glower. "Speak up!"
• "Salvatore, control yourself!" Hermes bellows.
• "He touched her!" I insist. "Pulled her by her hair!"
• Hermes turns to Anna, who is crying now. "Is this true? Did he...did he?"
• Anna nods. "Yes, Sir."
• With a curse, Hermes pats Jeremiah on the shoulder, and the both of them push Collins out of the bathroom. The small crowd that had gathered part to allow me and Anna pass. She presses my left arm as we pass by Diana, who watches us with as much venom as she can muster.
• "I hate my life," Anna sobs. "God, why today? Why is this happening to me?"
• "Don't blame yourself," I whisper, leading her back to the theatre, which is empty.
• She shakes her head, then sniffle. "You don't understand. Today was supposed to be my big day. El Diablo Me Quiere is my big — "
• "I understand. And I want to assure you that it wasn't ruined. Stop crying now." I pinch her chin, making her beam. "I'm so sorry that I didn't come in on time before he touched you."
• "It's fine. I pray I don't lose my job, though."
• "You won't," I say firmly. "If you lose your job, Hermes loses his company." Not like he wouldn't lose it soon anyways. The auction might not happen tonight, but eventually it will. And I will buy Belfast Pictures and the right to every movie he's ever produced. I will buy the rights to El Diablo Me Quiere, and give it to this angel in front of me.
• It's a promise I'm making to myself.
• And I'll see to it.
• Taking her hand, I pull her towards the door. "Come with me, sweetheart. Let's go have fun."