Page 115 of Pretty Thing

I shake my head and drop the pizza down on the table.

“No, I have some things to do quick, but I’ll be back.”

He looks at me.

“But you just got here.”

“I know, I didn’t want the pizza to get cold.”

Matt smiles.

“Such a considerate boyfriend,” he teases, and I snort.

“Fucker, even if I was into guys, I wouldn’t date your sorry ass.”

“Ouch, now that’s just mean, man. Get out, I don’t want to see your face anymore,” he says, being extra dramatic and then laughs. “No, I’m not talking to you,” he says into his headset as he refocuses on the game.

Matt can lose entire days when he gets on this thing, which is perfect for my plans.

Smirking, I head over to my loft and grab the tools I need. It normally takes me thirty minutes to get to Eden’s house. Tonight I do it in less than twenty. I already got the notification from the security cameras that she’s left for the evening.

Parking three streets over, I put my toque on, pull up the hood of my jacket, and grab my duffel bag before getting out and turning on the camera jammer. I got this beauty on the black market a year ago, and it works like a charm.

I’ve already inspected this area with my laptop and the very illegal program that allows me to hack into anyone’s home security system. I don’t like to use it unless necessary since there is a greater risk of being detected, but I really needed to mark down the handful of homes with cameras to avoid.

Keeping an eye out for any neighbors, I march into the night. No one stirs, and I easily slip inside Eden’s house. She can’t stay here. Kyle must have a key or took Kris’, either way she is never spending another night under this roof.

After seeing Kyle jerking off into Eden’s panties, it’s too much of a risk. That fucker has been able to come and go as he pleases without her ever knowing. He can just walk in while she’s asleep and I’m not there or when I’m at work.

But there is no way to prove any of this to Eden without showing her my footage, so…plan B, force her to move out since she won’t come willingly.

Starting on the main level, I remove all my hidden cameras and wiring before going upstairs and doing the same to Eden’s bedroom and the bathroom. During my walkthrough, I grab items that I’ve marked as important and toss them into my black duffel bag. I take photos, jewelry, and any other little tokens I know are special to Eden, including the camera I gave her.

It took me forever to figure out how I’ll explain why I have these, and I finally came up with the perfect plan.

I double-check that I have everything and that all cameras are removed. Once satisfied, my next stop is the basement utility room.

I’ve studied how to do this, and the key is not marking the copper wires when I strip the insulation. That creates a forensic fingerprint, and I can’t afford that. It takes me less than two minutes to strip the needed section of wire on the furnace supply line, using my special little blade that’s sharp enough to cut metal. Glancing around, I smirk.

There are over a dozen boxes stacked up on the far side of the room. I push them up against the furnace and grab a small table and chair, making it look like someone was sorting boxes, stopped, and forgot to finish the job.

The final piece…to make sure it sparks and arcs properly as soon as the furnace turns on, I use a single small square of silver tape to secure the wires to the dry cardboard. It won’t light right away. It can take an hour or more, but it will catch and light the house up like a candle.

Closing the door, I jog upstairs, grab my bag, and get the hell out of the house. As soon as I’m in the car, I take a deep breath.

It’s done. No going back. This is for Eden, and I’ll do anything to keep her safe.

I pull away from the curb and race back to my side of town using the backroads that have no cameras.

Matt is right where I left him when I open the door and peek inside his apartment. I slip in, take off my jacket and boots, and then slowly sit down in the other gaming chair. Matt doesn’t notice me.

Unbelievable. Good thing for him that I’m not here to kill him.

I wait twenty minutes before I say anything.

“Are you ever going to let me play?”

He jumps like I shot him and almost falls off his chair. He blinks rapidly and looks at me.