Page 63 of His Pet

“I spoke to my associate the other day, and my animals will be returned by the end of the week… So we’re square. I no longer hold anything against you.”

“You don’t hold anything againstme?” I blurt out, my voice cracking. “Gee thanks. I’m so relieved.”

“You should be.” Lorenzo’s strong jaw tics. “I had no intention of forgiving you and no intention of letting you go. I owe you, and because of that, you get your life back.”

“I’m not getting my life back!” My voice raises and my fists clench at my sides. “I’m fuckingexiledfrom my home!” I shake my head and back up a few steps. Tears spill onto my cheeks, and this time when I speak my voice is low. “I fucking hate you.”

“Of course you hate me,” Lorenzo says, matter of fact. “You’d be stupid not to.”

Stupid. He’s fucking right about that.

I turn and stomp toward the house. My steps quicken until I’ve broken out into a run. I don’t hear Lorenzo behind me, and I don’t want to.

My heart shatters into a thousand pieces and sobs bubble up my throat. I reach the clearing and stop, bending over with my hands on my knees. It takes me a moment to realize I’m hyperventilating, and I hope Lorenzo is too far behind to hear me.

I expected him to humiliate me. Degrade me. Hurt me physically.

I never expected this.

Several minutes pass and I still don’t hear him behind me. He must’ve carried on into the woods instead of coming back.

Good.

I stand up straight and start toward the drive. I pass the cabin, the car, and walk far enough that gravel turns to dirt. I won’t spend a minute in the car with him. I don’t even want to look at him again.

I don’t pay any attention to my surroundings. I’m stuck in my mind, replaying the last two weeks over and over. Every nasty thing he’s done or said to me plays on a loop, and I feed my anger, my hurt.

I try to summon real hatred. Hatred I felt for him at one time.

It doesn’t come.

My feet hurt and my head pounds. I pause and rub my temples. Something sounds in the distance. An engine. Tires crunching.

I open my eyes and look over my shoulder, but the sound isn’t coming from behind me. It’s in front of me.

I turn my head just in time to see the red coupe coming around a curve.

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