Her eyes widen. Eyebrows lift. Lips part. She looks absolutely shocked.
“Are you really such a fucking asshole,” she snarls, “that you’d try to take control of my life again? Take my choices away?”
I smile, catching that fire in her eyes.
“I’m not taking anything from you. But I’m done hiding. And I’ll make sure you know exactly what I want, every step of the way. I’ll be fighting for my last chance. But in the end? It’ll be your choice. Only yours.”
Before she can start cursing me out, I turn and walk away.
“I’ll find you a temporary litter box,” I toss over my shoulder.
It’s my time to plot now.
26. Gary
Adora
“Asshole. Such a fucking asshole,” I mutter to myself, scrubbing at my teeth like I’m trying to sandblast him out of my head.
The most beautiful meow ever interrupts my thoughts, spreading a toothpasty grin onto my face before I can stop it.
“Thank you for agreeing with me, little Gary,” I mumble, scratching behind the tiny void’s bat-like ears.
He’d been howling his little lungs out like a mini-wolf until I scooped him up and dropped him on the counter. Tried to jump up himself, but he’s still too small. For now. Won’t be long before he’s wreaking havoc with his antics.
He’s the cutest thing ever. He slept all night curled up in the space where my neck and shoulder meet. Woke up with him licking my hair, then my cheek. Best morning ever, soured only by the memory of last night.
“Get ready, adorable. I’m coming for you,” I mock Ghost’s voice, making faces at myself in the mirror.
“Oh, fuck off, asshole. Who the hell do you think you are?” I growl, spitting a mouthful of foam into the sink. Little Gary meows in agreement.
There’s a tiny flicker of panic in my chest, though. Did he see it? Did he realize somehow? That I didn’t manage to kill all the love I had for him? That I still reach for him at night? That I still dream of our time together? All these months later?
Fuck, it doesn’t matter. I’m not letting him back in, no matter what tricks he pulls.
I dress quickly. I had another “surprise” waiting for Ghost last night in his en suite. I can’t wait to see the results.
I still can’t believe how many of his brothers were willing to help me with my crazy plans. Grown men. Outlaws. And Ireallycan’t believe I’m doing this at my age — playing pranks! But I can’t deny it, it’s so much fucking fun.
Maybe it’s because I didn’t have a normal childhood. Had to grow up fast. Maybe it’s because I was never allowed to be silly. But this? This is entertaining as hell. It makes me giggle like a schoolgirl.
I grab little Gary and tuck him close to my chest. He goes limp instantly, like he always belonged here. With me.
I don’t think about the fact that Ghost is the one who found him. That’s irrelevant. This baby is mine now, and it doesn’t matter how he came to me. What matters is that he’s here. I’m taking him to the vet today, then I’ll need to shop for supplies. Gotta get this little monster ready for his new life.
I leave my room and head down to the kitchen for breakfast and coffee.
Everyone’s surprisingly friendly. I was so afraid to be back here, thinking I’d be met with outright hostility. But after that party last week, it’s like the dam broke. Looking around now, I think maybe I wasn’t as alone back then as I thought. Maybe I had friends. Real ones. I just couldn’t see it.
It sounds cliché, but I feel him before I see him. Like some twisted sixth sense. Like my body’s hardwired to his presence.
My eyes snap to the kitchen door. The moment he steps through, everyone freezes. Conversations die mid-sentence. Silence takes over.
He stops in the doorway, eyes locked on me. Glaring. Accusing.
A snort slips out of me, but I recover fast.
“Morning, smurfie,” I say casually, and sip my coffee.
