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She snuck into the house, quietly shutting the front door behind her and locking it. “Where have you been,” Repo growled from a chair in the corner of the darkroom. She really couldn’t see him but if she could, Cat was pretty sure she’d find one very pissed-off man sitting in that seat. She could almost feel his anger from across the damn room.
“I went for a walk,” she said, defiantly raising her chin. “You did say that this wasn’t a prison.”
“No,” he said, standing from his chair. “I never called it a prison—you did and I just never corrected you. We had a deal, Cat,” he reminded. “You said you would behave and stop running.”
She shrugged, “I guess old habits are hard to break. Besides, I told you I just went for a walk—so technically not running.” Repo was standing so close to her she could smell the whiskey on his breath and it made her stomach revolt. Her step-father used to get drunk before coming into her room at night. His drink of choice was whiskey too and just the stench of it made her want to vomit.
“Have you been drinking?” she asked. Cat sounded more like she was hurling accusations at him. She wasn’t his mother or his girlfriend and he could do whatever he wanted. Still, she knew that most men were mean when they were drunk and she took a step back from him.
“So what?” he asked. “What did you think was going to happen, Cat? You think I’d run after you and pledge my undying love to you?” Cat took another step back from him. His words hurt her but she’d never tell him that. She learned a long time ago that fairytales don’t exist. She didn’t expect him or anyone else to swoop in and save her tonight. She could just save herself.
“Don’t flatter yourself, Repo,” she spat. “I was just trying to be nice to you earlier. You took me in and gave me a place to land. Consider my gesture payback.”
He pointed his finger at her, “I told you the day we met and I’ll say it again—you can’t pay back your debt with me by offering me sex.”
Cat nodded and turned to go back to her room. She wanted to lock herself away and take a hot bath to forget the fact that she had ever met Repo. “Understood,” she said back over her shoulder. “Tonight was the last time you’ll ever hear me make you that offer again, Repo. You want things to be strictly business and I couldn’t agree more. That’s how things will remain from here on out.” She slammed her bedroom door like a child and quickly locked it. She listened for any movement outside her door and when she heard Repo’s heavy boots clomping down the hallway, she held her breath expecting another showdown—but there wasn’t one. He kept on walking straight back to his room and slammed his door just as she had.
“Shit,” she whispered to herself. She swiped at the hot tears that spilled down her face. “What next?” she murmured. The question had a simple answer. What was next for her wasn’t something she could control. Her only options were to avoid Repo at all costs until her court-appointed lawyer called with an update. Then, she’d face her very own judgment day and pray that she came out the other side unscathed.
* * *
Cat sleptin late the next morning and when she finally emerged from her room into the quiet house, she found it empty. She cautiously tiptoed down to the kitchen, not truly believing her good fortune, and found a note from Repo and read it out loud.
Hey,
I got another gig that will pull me away for a few nights. Stay put—the house is yours. Help yourself to the food in the fridge and I’ve left a few take out menus just in case. I’ve also left the number for my attorney. He’s good and can probably help you get a reduced sentence. Just call him and set something up.
Sorry about last night.
Repo
That was it? Just one line about being sorry about last night? Did he expect her to forgive and forget the way he talked to her as if she was an object and not a fucking person? He could just forget it because that wouldn’t be happening any time soon. She found the business card he left with his lawyer’s contact information and turned it over in her hands. Did she want to be more in debt to Repo? Using his lawyer would only make her feel like she owed him more and that was the last thing she needed right now. She tossed the card up onto the countertop and decided to make herself some scrambled eggs and toast. After last night’s little fiasco at dinner, she didn’t get much to eat. Walking for miles didn’t help her protesting tummy and by the time she had her showdown with Repo, she was starving again.
She picked up his note and re-read it one more time. Where had he gone? He wasn’t much on specifics and gave her no clue as to where he’d taken off to. He was probably keeping tabs on her through his security cameras and if she was being truthful, staying at his cabin and having it all to herself wasn’t such a bad deal. She used to dream of living in places like his home and now she could have a piece of that fantasy, even if it was going to be short-lived.
She made breakfast and cleaned up after herself and decided to start a load of her laundry. With just a few outfits to her name, she had to constantly do laundry. When she got back on her feet, the first thing she was going to do was to buy herself a few new outfits. But, that was going to take some time and patience. First, she’d need to find a place to live. That would also depend on if she ended up in prison or not in the next couple of weeks.
Her phone chimed and she almost didn’t want to look to see which client was texting her. She squinted at her phone screen, being a complete chicken and not wanting to look at it when she realized the text was from Repo.
You get my note?
She debated whether or not she wanted to answer him back but she also knew that if she didn’t, he’d go the extra mile and call her. She didn’t want to hear his sexy, gravelly voice. Especially not so soon after he hurt her with the nasty things he said to her.
Yeah.
There, he had his answer. She got his note and she answered his text. Done.
I’m going to be gone a little longer than I originally planned. You good for about a week?
She wanted to text back that she wouldn’t be but he’d probably think she was just being coy. The thought of being completely alone for a full week terrified her. It’s one of the reasons she took on so many clients. Sure, they might be using her body but she at least had some human contact that living alone never afforded her.
Sure.
Yeah, she lied but telling him that she was a giant pussy too afraid to be alone with her own company wasn’t going to happen either.
Later.
Yeah, later.
She sent her last text and turned off her cell, tossing it to her bed. She looked around the room and sighed. A whole week of being alone—just her and the inner dialog that liked to remind her of all her failures. It was going to be one long fucking week, that was for sure.
