“That’s a matter of opinion,” I replied. “My men don’t seem to think so.”
“Is that what they say to your face?” Mila asked. “Because I wouldn’t take them at their word. I don’t think your men feel free enough around you to be honest with you.”
“And you know this because of all the time you’ve spent with my men?” I asked sarcastically.
“I read people pretty well,” she countered.
“Says the woman who’s running from her psychotic ex-boyfriend.”
Mila’s face fell immediately, and I realized that I had struck the nerve that had won this war of words. She looked down for a moment as though to collect herself, and when she looked at me again, I saw that the fight had left her eyes. She just looked sad and tired. I shouldn’t have cared about how I had made her feel…but much to my chagrin, I did.
“You’re right,” Mila said softly.
“It’s your own fault,” I said before I could stop myself.
“Excuse me?”
“You should have known.”
“I should have known?” Mila repeated incredulously.
“Every person…man and woman alike, exhibit signs…telltale signs that tell you exactly who they are,” I said. “You obviously weren’t paying close enough attention.”
“I was paying attention,” she snapped defensively. “But some people—particularly men—are just really good actors.”
“That’s just a lie you repeat to feel better about the mistakes you’ve made,” I said without softening my words in the slightest.
“So what you’re saying is that I should have taken one look at him and just… known that he was an asshole?”
“Yes,” I said shortly.
“How long were you with this guy?” I asked.
Mila paused. “A few months.”
“How many exactly?”
“Three,” she replied.
“There would have been signs at the beginning,” I said with certainty. “Signs that tipped you off about who he was and what he was capable of.”
“I was in too deep at that point,” Mila defended herself. “He was getting more and more possessive.”
“Before that,” I said, shaking my head. “Before he started letting his guard down. There’s a vetting process with these kinds of guys. First, he needs to charm you, and then he needs to reel you in. That’s the first phase.”
“That’s my point… he was charming me. How was I supposed to know?”
“You’re supposed to open your fucking eyes,” I said harshly.
Mila stared me down for a moment. For a woman who didn’t know self-defense, she had a certain amount of confidence that baffled me.
“You don’t know me,” she said at last. “Don’t pretend like you do.”
“Oh… I do know you,” I corrected. “I knew you the moment I laid eyes on you.”
“Really?” Mila asked challengingly.
“Yes.”