Page 64 of Vetted for Vengeance
Through the dining-room window, I can see the edge of the car park lights beyond the trees.
My parents are probably still out there. Sitting in their car. Waiting for me to come running after them like I always used to.
I set the empty glass down.
For the first time in my life, I don’t feel the need to go.
Rhys appears in the doorway, leaning casually against the frame.
“You coming?”
I nod, pushing away from the table.
“Yes.” I’m not, and I follow him anyway.
Chapter thirty-one
Rhys
Waking next to Noah again is nice, in a way.
The way an octopus climbs into the middle of my bed and stretches.
But also in a warmer, cozier way, where I can wrap my arms around him just before the alarm sounds.
It keeps him right where I can see him all the time. He sleeps as if he trusts the world.
Like nothing will touch him while he’s here.
That’s a dangerous assumption.
I also like the fact that he makes tea before his morning shower, which means I find a perfect steaming cup waiting for me in the kitchen.
Life is perfect. For a few minutes, I almost believe it.
Except for the fact that Noah’s parents are camped outside the practice waiting to tell the world how much they love the idea of their son more than they love him.
Except for the kennels full of mothers and pups.
Except for the strange man who dared to look at Noah after our meal out.
But I can resolve one of them before Noah finds both his shoes.
I head to the practice and corner Stan for a quiet word.
“Noah’s parents are likely to turn up today.”
“Don't even ask,” Stan stops me in my tracks. “I don't care if you're asking me to feature them or not, the answer is no. I saw everything I needed yesterday.”
“Thank you.” It's good to know I wasn't the only one who noticed how off the vibe was between them and their son.
I'm probably the only one who considered the logistics of killing them, though. Not that they fit my half-hearted attempt at a moral code.
Next, I check outside where their car had been parked. Nothing there. Nothing but a big open void across the car park. The grass beyond that which costs me a grand per month to keep it as picture worthy grass.
I need to do something with it so it can earn its keep.
Not that I'll mention it to Noah. He'll suggest a herd of mini goats or something equally ridiculous. I'm sure I can manage to do that myself. Some kind of outdoor dog run for the growing amount of routine operations we've been doing.
