Page 105 of The Innocent

“Inez?”

He clenched his jaw, clearly losing his patience. “Your landlord two doors down.”

Imogene had no idea she was living so close to the landlord. In fact, she knew nothing about the woman and hadn’t laid eyes on her. She must be Judy’s friend.

This is quite the pickle.

She clasped her hands, twisting her fingers. “Unfortunately, I can’t.”

His brows shot to his hairline. “Is that what you want me to tell Inez?”

“Well, I mean, I can come meet her, but I can’t bring the cat.”

He stared at her with a complete mask and sharply nodded his head, turning and walking down the hall. She closed the door and glared at Whiskers.

“This is all your fault.” She started toward the kitchen. She needed to come up with a plausible reason for ignoring the rule.

“Maybe if I…” Imogene jerked around when someone slammed their hand against her door.

Oh shit!

She rushed back to the door when the banging threatened to knock it down. She grabbed the knob, ripping it open.

Uh-oh.

“When I tell you to come over, you fucking come over.”

You must be Inez.

Imogene held up her hands. “I was going to, but the man said I had to bring the cat.”

“Then bring the fucking cat!”

Oh God. Imogene jumped back, widening her eyes. The aggression coming from this woman didn’t line up with her outward appearance.

“I can’t.”

Inez narrowed her gaze, and Imogene immediately lunged closer. “I just mean I literally can’t. He tries to attack me if I get even a few feet from him.”

Inez dipped her brows and walked into the apartment, forcing Imogene to press her back against the wall. Inez stalked down the hallway, stopping at the kitchen area.

“Where the fuck is he?”

Imogene rushed toward her, leaving a three-foot gap between them. She lifted her arm and pointed to the chair in the corner. My favorite chair. She’d had it for years, and the cushion was finally shaped to feel like it was made just for her. She had a large pillow tucked in the corner and a soft blanket draped over the back. Most nights, she’d even fall asleep in it.

Well, not since the arrival of Whiskers.

“He looks like an angry fucker.”

He is.

Imogene rocked on her heels, staring at the cat. When he shifted his gaze on her, she immediately looked down at the floor.

“The girl at the shelter said his owner died, and the family surrendered him. They didn’t want him. Apparently, he has aggressive tendencies.”

Inez angled her head. “And you still took him?”

“Well…” It’s not one of my better decisions. But in fairness, she felt bad for him. Being abandoned and unwanted was sad. Of course he’d have trust issues. It would take time for him to realize she wasn’t his enemy. Besides, he hadn’t been like this at the shelter. And…