That son of a bitch. Alex had forgotten, probably on purpose, just how much his words could hurt. Sure, they'd been bad over the internet, but in person, oh in person it was so much worse. With that mocking tone and sneering look and making her hurt. Poking at her fears for her Hal and what he might have done, and digging, just digging at her own insecurities and how really even her Hal might want Katherine more. Sexy, gorgeous Katherine.
It was ridiculous really, how the tight grip on her wrists could actually cause pain to someone already dead. Even though Alex did everything she could to hide that reaction.
"I believe in him." Her voice was low, angry, and her gaze defiant. "I keep telling you, he'll win against you. And believe me, I won't shed a tear over losing you. Not a one." Even if it was his face, his voice, it wasn't him. Even if he was as close as Alex could get to the man she loved right then. "I will end you, you son of a bitch, I swear to god, I'll do it."
And his words did make her shiver, and she had to fight to suppress a whimper because how fucking dare him, saying things that Hal himself had said to her. Whispers in the night of all the ways he wanted to make her feel, all that experience being put to good use, words that had made her almost feel alive again. And now here he was, saying those same lines, reminding her of all of it, that same low tone that made her gaze flick to his lips without even realizing it.
"I'm far far too stubborn to fade away, or have you not grasped that fact yet?"