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My eyes flare in panic, my body spiking with adrenaline and Giggs straightens, taking a step back into the shadows. His features are tense and he nods at me to turn off the light in the living room and I do so quickly. Light is still flaring from the opened bathroom and I bite my lip. Whoever’s at the door will be able to see it, know that someone’s home.
I stay stiff while Giggs looks like he’s shut down. He’s so unnaturally still that he resembles a statue even more than I do.
“What do we do?” I mime and he slowly shakes his head, as if telling me not to react. There are big windows in the living room and whoever the visitor is, I hope they better not come around and look inside...
“Porsha, it’s the Lakers,” Halle screeches. “Open up, girly. We know you’re home.”
Dang it...now I have to do something. They won’t just leave and if I don’t make myself known, they could think something’s happened to me and call law enforcement. Rubbing my hands, I nod at Giggs, letting him now that I’ll have to go to them and his jaw clenches. Finally he agrees, putting his finger to his mouth to let me know we’ll have to be quiet and without turning on the light, I walk down the dark hallway.
I flinch when I notice Giggs walking behind me and I do not like this. My eyes flare and I whisper at him to go hide instead. Or maybe even better yet, open up one of the windows and sneak over to my car and wait for me there. But he firmly shakes his head, his shoulders already brimming with protection and oh, why can’t he just let me do this on my own!
What does he think the Lakers will do? Beat me in the head or something? Apparently so because Giggs reaches for the umbrella, I keep by the door and I swallow. Nothing better happen. And inwardly I curse that the Lakers chose this time to show up.
Turning the knob, I carefully open up, making sure to keep the door half closed so they won’t notice Giggs and I flash a smile. “Hey neighbors. What a surprise...” My smile turns questioning when I notice what they’re wearing. Halle’s in cargo pants and a hoodie and Hank is wearing a balaclava that he pulls down his face and he grins.
“Did you recognize me?”
“Not at all. You’re a master of disguises.” My smile starts feeling stiff when I notice the rifle behind Hank’s back. “So what’s with the outfits? And therifle?”
I say the last word a little too loudly but I want Giggs to be aware they have a weapon. I throw a quick glance at Giggs whose fists clench, his body going on alert. The only comforting thought is knowing that Hank probably doesn’t have a clue on how to use firearms.
“We’re gonna stay on guard the whole night,” Halle says, “I’ll watch our house and Hank’s gonna patrol the area.”
Patrol? That’s far from ideal but at least now we know about it and will be able to avoid him.
“And...um, how come you’re here?” I ask, my voice tinged with anxiety and my nerves are shuddering but they both grin as if this is their lifetime achievement. Halle jerks her chin.
“We were thinking you should come stay with us. Just until they’ve caught him and he’s behind bars. Hank and I don’t think it’s safe for you to be out here all on your own.”
“Yeah, you’re a lone, young woman. That monster could break into your house while you’re sleeping, crawl into bed with you and commit more crimes.” Hanks’s face floods with importance. “Despoilment is what I’m talking about...”
“We got that, Hank,” Halle interrupts, before looking at me again and she holds out her hand for me to take it, like I’m some lost pet she needs to give shelter.
“Please, no trouble for me,” I plead, adding a little sharper, “I mean it.”
“There’s no trouble at all,” Halle insists. “Now come on before I think you actually want to get into the hands of that convict...,” she laughs and I flood with mortification.
“Don’t be silly, Halle. And I appreciate the concern but I don’t need any help...”
“Hey, can I use your restroom?” Hank blurts, cutting me off. “My bladder’s killing me.”
“Um...,” I begin, needing to think fast now, “I’m sorry, you can’t. There’s a leak...”
“A leak? No worries. I’ll fix it.”
Oh, come on...!
“That won’t be necessary. I’ll do it myself,” I snap. “Bye now.” They give me strange looks. They better not be onto me and I bite my lip from worry when Halle says,
“Look, at this moment I don’t think you know what’s best for you. Just go with the flow and come with us.”
I shake my head, tensing when Hank wraps his hand around my arm, trying to pull me out. Dammit they’re pushy! I almost panic, not knowing what to do when I feel Giggs pull me back and he slams the door shut and Hank lets out a wail in pain.
“Ouww...my fingers!”
Breathlessly I look at Giggs who simmers with fury. “He touched you,” he whispers, looking like he’s about to go rogue again. “No one’s allowed to touch you.”
His eyes have stopped blinking and worried that he’ll just bust through the door and tackle Hank on my porch, I put myself in between Giggs and the exit. Nodding quickly I squeeze his shoulder to let him know I’m right here and that nobody but him touches me. He wraps his arms around me, his skin hotter than usual as if he broke out into cold sweat when another man’s hand was on me and in my ear he lets out low, purring growls as if he’s ready to attack if needed. I hush him, stroking him wherever I can before he finally eases. I’m so focused on Giggs that I forget about the Lakers until Halle snarls,
