Page 49 of Double Obsession
“Scared the shit out of me,” he confessed.
She pulled her shoulders back. “I was so quiet; I came down the stairs without you hearing me.”
Even though the woman was about his age, she dressed in long blue shorts and a floral top, reminding him of something his grandmother wore when scrubbing floors. “You must be my new assistant. I hope it’s okay that I also asked you to manage my household?”
“Of course I will manage the household. I’m quite excellent at things like that. I am very organized.” She took a step toward him.
Every one of his instincts told him to back away from her. Instead, he stood frozen in place as the lightning flashes and useless bulb elongated shadows and distorted his depth perception.
“I didn’t know you were bringing a cat,” he said.
“Since it hurt you, I will get rid of it.” Her smile twisted into a monstrous abomination.
His skin prickled, and he pointed to the steps that seemed ten million miles away. “Let’s go upstairs.”
She clapped. “Yes. I went to the store and got ingredients for our romantic dinner. Plus, I have everything ready for Lizzie’s birthday party. You can open the presents I made for her and Buddy.”
It was as if a dozen spiders crawled up the back of his neck. “What?”
“Don’t you remember? I messaged and told you I made the dogs presents. They are so sweet. Much better behaved than that hideous thing.” She swung her hand toward the animal in hiding. “I will make sure he never hurts you again.”
When she squatted to snarl at the cat, a lightning flash reflected off a knife tucked into the waistband of her shorts.
Hunter backed toward the stairs. “ABCannon?”
She stood and faced him. “Yes. But call me Arkansas. I’m finally here, and now we can plan our wedding. Oh, and that bitchy ex of yours says‘hi’. I hate her so much that if I ever see her, I will probably cut out her heart.”
She grinned,and fear clutched his heart and squeezed.
Hunter swallowed hisWhat the fuck?as he continued to back away. He’d sprint up the stairs, lock her in the basement, and call the cops.
Unfortunately, he hadn’t reached the bottom landing when the cat let out a blood-curdling squeal. The crazy-ass woman had dropped to the floor and was stabbing behind the pipe.
This time his “What the fuck?” echoed off the walls. He charged toward her. “You’re insane. You’re going to hurt it.”
She pushed from her belly to all fours and looked over her shoulder through slitted eyes. A mouth full of rotting teeth growled.
Holy hell! He was in deep shit!
Before he could create distance, she flung herself backward, turned quickly, and headbutted him.
He hit the ground, and blinding pain seared his brain. His world faded far away into the dark.
His senses came back to life one at a time. First, he heard her breathing. Next, he saw her blurry silhouette. Then he felt her thighs around his waist.
While the nutball straddled him, her weight, the booze, and his probable concussion rendered him almost motionless. His eyes moved slowly, scanning the room for a weapon. A loose brick within reach. A nail sticking from a board. Anything!
With wild eyes, she brandished her knife. “Take it back. I am not insane, and you are in love with me because I will be a good mother to your dogs.”
He tried to eliminate the quiver from his voice. “You’re right, baby. You will be such a great momma.”
The knife hovered a few inches above his forehead. “Oh, Hunter. We will be so happy together. I took care of all of those disgusting perverts who are obsessed with you. Now we can pray for forgiveness.”
“Yeah, baby. Let’s pray together. Right now. Put down the knife, and we’ll pray.”
Her tight jaw relaxed. “Dear Jesus, William is ready to repent for his indiscretions. Please forgive him. It wasn’t his fault—”
He lost track of her ramblings as he reached for a nearby brick. Once it was in his grasp, he let out a battle cry. “Get off of me, you fucking bitch!”
