Page 25 of With Spite

But anything was better than watching her struggle to breathe while she worked.

I’d gotten cameras on her place, too.

Outside and inside.

Creed would kill me if he ever found out.

But he wasn’t going to find out.

I just had to make sure she was safe.

Today, she lay in the middle of the bed with her head propped on a pillow, her face aimed my way as she watched the television to the right of the window.

I had another view of her from the video feed that I’d set up in her hallway, aimed at her bed.

She was bundled up in a heating blanket, the only thing visible was her cute little nose and eyes.

I cursed myself for my inability to stay away. To stop watching.

I’d turned into some psycho that couldn’t look away.

And she had no fucking clue.

If I were a better person, I’d stay away.

I really would.

But…

She shivered, and I pulled up her thermostat app on my phone and bumped up her heat.

It was already seventy-five degrees. Eighty, it was.

Week Nine

I listened, trying not to freak out, as Odin offered her a job.

“I’m sorry, but what?”

“You’re a nurse practitioner. I’m in need of some help, and you’re not doing what I know you want to do.”

“How would you know that I want to do it?” she asked. “Maybe I love my job.”

He snorted. “No one would love working there, Bernice. Everyone loves eating there, sure. But working there is hell. Hux has been complaining since I’ve known him about that stupid place.”

Bernice sighed. “Will you quit for me?”

Odin blinked. “Is that what it would take to get you to agree to work with me?”

She nodded.

“Then yes, I’d quit for you.”

She blew out a breath. “I have to give a month’s notice. She needs help, but I’m not just quitting and forcing her kids to pick up my slack. They’re good people.”

My heart felt weird.

Why did her caring so much about us make me feel all warm and gooey inside?