Page 263 of Trick or Stalk

Presley

The house is dark when Callie pulls away.

I stand on the porch and watch the taillights disappear between the trees.

For several seconds, I don't move.

I don't unlock the door.

I don't even breathe properly.

I just stand there in my Morticia dress with my stupidly perfect hair beginning to frizz around my face and wonder how the hell I left this house tonight believing I understood my life.

My thoughts keep alternating between two concepts: Hades and the Masked Man.

My brain keeps separating them even though I know better now.

Because that's how I've thought of them for weeks.

Two men.

Two completely different reactions.

One made my pulse race because I wanted him.

The other made my pulse race because I was afraid of him.

Except that isn't even fucking true.

My eyes burn from the tears I refuse to let fall. “Goddammit.”

I shove the key into the lock harder than necessary, turn it, and push the door open.

Penny comes barreling toward me. Her little orange bat sweater is gone, replaced by nothing but an enthusiastic whole-body wiggle as she skids across the floor.

And I almost laugh.

Until she races past me, straight onto the porch, and looks toward the woods. Waiting.

My chest caves in. “No.”

Penny looks back at me. Her ears lower.

Instant guilt joins every other emotion currently clawing through me. “Come here.”

She trots back inside, and I scoop her up. “I'm sorry.”

She licks my chin and stares at me like she knows I’m upset.

I hug her against my chest. Unlike every man in my life, Penny has never lied to me.

Although her judgment regarding strange men is currently under investigation.

I shut and lock the door behind me. Then I double-check it.

My hand remains wrapped around the knob.

Immediately, my thoughts go to Hades telling me to check it.