Page 89 of Mortala
Uneven strands of hair dip to her shoulder when she tilts her head in that too cute way cats do—definitely got that from Bruce.Damn animal.
"No one asked you to stay.That's your problem—like gum on the sidewalk, you don't let go.Instead, you make a fucking mess of my shoes."
Yep, appetite gone.
Just one day, that's all I want.Is that too much to ask for?One where she's not fire and brimstone, and appreciates the fact I'm here with her instead of two thousand miles away while she carves more of herself into shreds.
The last bite of food is tasteless as I swallow and set my plate to the side, balancing it on the armrest of the couch I haven’t left.
Like the feral thing she is, she returns to eating as if she didn't pop off at the mouth—again.Somewhere out in the world, Sadie is putting a starving mountain lion to shame with how she's ripping bacon to pieces with her canines.If her comment hadn't killed my mood, I might smirk at the way she's inhaling food, but that jab stabbed beneath my skin.
Yeah, I could start a fight, draw it out, lay her over my left leg with her ass under my right hand.Hasn’t done much good in the past, wouldn’t be any different now.She can get her lick in for the day.I just hope she remembers this, because I will.I'm old, grumpy, and her smart remarks rub the wrong nerves sometimes.
Reaching one arm over the back of the couch, the other hand rests on my thigh where my irritation works its way out as my fingers constrict and straighten, over, and over.Worn denim barely contains the scrape of my short nails.Sadly, it's the only act of stress relief appropriate for a public setting.
When we get home, I'll be sure to remind her just howstuckI can become when I'm all over that ass of hers.
Little mercies though, she hasn't started smacking her food.At least she has that going for her; the rest of her manners died a horrible death some time ago.
A bit later, dietary came by to grab her empty tray and my abandoned plate.Being the clingy, sticky, chewable candy she's claimed me to be, I went ahead and put in our orders for lunch.If she makes it there.I may end up locking the door and spanking her ass red before then.
Luckily, she fell asleep before they came in.Made it much easier to pick a protein packed meal versus junk food—she's in dire need of the protein.She will never get better if she doesn’t eat well too.
Ever since she fell asleep, she's been active.Turning her head side to side frequently, arms jerking the restraints, even her lips form silent words between the low grind of gritting teeth.
"P...please," I hear her whine breathlessly.
Whatever plague's coiling inside her pretty head is only a dream—she’s safe.Nightmares we can handle.
Another email pops into my inbox, its bold letters draw my attention immediately.
Cases are piling up left and right, most on the western seaboard where I won't be anytime soon.The guys have to manage them on their own.If they knew what the hell I'm dealing with, they would have stopped sending me new jobs days ago.
I need the normality though, the distraction.It gets me through days like this, where there's a mound of weight crushing me along with dreadful silence.
The track pad makes a low click when I press it—hate this damn thing—and bring up the new email.It fills the screen as I snag a bottle of water off the armrest.Unscrewing the top, I take a drink despite the condensation slicking my hand.Cool water rushes down my throat, my Adam’s apple working the gulps down as I read the pertinent details inside.Mainly the pay, location, timeframe, and complaint.
Easy work.I can hit traffic cams and what not from here.Research possible suspects and dig up what they're after, then send everything I find back to Mav.
One drink shy of emptying the entire bottle, I replace the cap, sit it on the armrest, and get to work.
This part's a cake walk.
Case : Erhart, Talia
Age : 24
Location : San Antonio, TX
Description : Caucasian female.Blonde hair, golden eyes, medium-toned skin with freckles.Five foot six, 175 lbs.Tattoo on left shoulder blade, no other identifiable marks.
Occupation : Military
Complaint : Received death threats via social media following father's company merger
Detail request : Full-service escort and armed security
Timeframe : Two weeks, 24/7
