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She wouldn’t dare.
Forcing my legs to take short calm strides, I make my way to the lounge and find my three girls tucked together on the couch. The heavy feeling in my chest tightens. “Hey, I’m going to go out around the neighbourhood for a bit and see if I can find Luna. Maybe she’s hiding in some bushes...”
Savannah nods, and her reddened eyes grow wide with hope. Annie mumbles something at me, but I am already halfway to the door, grabbing my keys and heading to my car.
* * *
Iknow I should slow down. I know I shouldn’t even be doing this, but my tyres screech as I come to a halt outside her apartment building and buzz the intercom frantically.
“Hello?”
“Let me in, now!” The door buzzes, and I smash it violently against the inner wall as I push through it and take the steps two at a time to the second floor. I bang at her door, anger licking at my skin like fire, my heart like a time bomb in my chest, threatening to explode.
The door opens a fraction, and I shove it open. I think it hits her head as it does, but my sanity has trickled out of me on the way over.
“Joe, what the—” She has a hand to her forehead and her eyes are large and wild.
“Did you take it?”
“Take what?” She is playing innocent again, and my nails dig into my palms as I try to rein in my violent thoughts.
“The cat, Amy, where is the fucking cat?” Even as I ask the question, movement catches my eye and my head jerks to her window where Luna is swishing her tail, staring out into the dark street.
A small smile creeps along Amy’s face. “She’s beautiful, and very friendly.”
“Jesus fucking Christ.” I run a hand through my hair and my eyes flicker from the cat to Amy. “You broke into my house and took my daughter’s cat?”
Amy takes a few steps towards the window and starts scratching Luna’s head. The stupid cat purrs. “But she’s safe and happy. Look how well I’ve taken care of her. Of course, you can take her back. I know Savannah would be so happy to see her and you’d be her hero. I basically did you a favour.”
“A favour? By breaking in? By stalking my family?” I grit through clenched teeth, trying to put together the words I need to make this girl understand that nothing she did is okay. “How the fuck do you know where I live, Amy?”
I search my memories. I’ve been careful; always taking the train, never leaving my wallet unattended or where she could find it, a burner phone not attached to any address. She followed me and Annie to the hotel. When the fuck did she follow me home? I think about her shopping cart haphazardly filled with random items.
“You’re overreacting, Joe.” She takes a few steps towards me. “What you need is to relax.” She reaches up to my shoulders and tries to massage my muscles.
“Get your fucking hands off me.” I grab her wrists and rip her hands away then lock them in a tight grip. I drive her into the wall, shoving her hard. A garbled huff leaks from her mouth as her back connects. I pin her wrists high over her head, pulling at her shoulders, forcing her to stand on her tiptoes so that I can look into her eyes.
“You’re hurting me, Joe.” I ignore her, this girl that had me wrapped around her finger, this creature of my desire that is transforming into something dark and all-consuming. “If you don’t let me go, I’m going to go to the cops,” she whines at me.
I dip my head lower so that my lips are by her ear and my breath warms her skin. “Iamthe cops, Amy.”
I pull away and look deep into her eyes, watching them grow with panic.
I push harder still on her wrists, hardening my grip till she winces. “I’mnotgoing to tell you again, Amy. You need to stay away frommeandmy family.”
Tears well in her beautiful green eyes and her voice quivers as she speaks, defeat soaking her words. “Fine. Whatever you want, Joe.”
I keep her there a few beats longer, staring into her eyes, searching her face. I release her and pick up the cat. As always, the damn thing hisses at me. I have no idea how the hell I’m going to get it back home in the car without a box.
Reaching for the door I take a final look back. “Goodbye, Amy.”
I don’t get a reply.
* * *
When I get home, Savannah runs into my arms and snatches the poor cat which scrambles away from her and goes to hide in a small dark spot. Savannah doesn’t care, and I get showered with hugs and kisses. At least Amy was right about one thing. I get to be my kid’s hero tonight and my heart melts for her sweet kisses.
Annie gives me a relieved smile. Maybe I can be her hero tonight too. I pocket the thought for later as Savannah asks me to put her to bed. I take her upstairs. It’s another thirty minutes by the time we finish the story about the lost cat that made it home and lights out.
