Nigel follows Josh to the other side of the car. “She’s mine now. And you’re never to hurt her again. Clear?”
“There goes the other mirror,” I mutter as Nigel saws through it with one upward swipe.
“You can keep her! Just let me go!” Josh screeches.
I let out a noise of disgust. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but I am.
“What?” I hear Shay’s disbelieving shriek.
Hmm. Maybe Iwouldhave liked her.
Nigel turns his head and addresses the petrified couple inside the car. “Sir. Madam. You’re free to go. Give them the keys.” He jerks his head at Josh.
“What? That’s my car! I’m not—”
“It’s fine when you use something Briana paid for—like the lodge she rented with a month’s salary, but not okay to let your friends escape in your car from this bloodthirsty maniac?” Nigel clicks his tongue, then sends the chainsaw whizzing against Josh’s down jacket. White feathers burst out in a cloud. “Give them the keys!” Nigel bellows.
I’m jumping up and down like I’m watching my favorite movie, cheering from inside the house—but quietly.
Josh tosses the keys down. Nigel picks them up and gestures to Shay to open the door and take them.
Sensibly, she doesn’t. I mean, I wouldn’t open the door to a madman with power tools, either.
“Darling? Are you dressed?” Nigel calls towards the lodge, and our eyes meet through the picture window, as if he knew I’d be watching.
I love that this otherwise quiet, unflappable guy would put on a full-on maniacal show for me.
“Just a second,” I shout, and hop into boots and a coat, bare legs on display, but I don’t care. I wouldn’t miss being part of this charade for the world.
Josh’s face is a study in emotions. Shock, confusion, disgust, disbelief, and anger are all swirling around.
But there’s no remorse. No regret.
“Please give the poor saps in the car the keys. They don’t seem to trust me.” Nigel gives me a rather convincing puzzled look, tossing the keys my way with the tip of one hoof.
“Shame. They don’t know you like I do,” I say in a syrupy sweet voice. I saunter over and pick up the keys from whereNigel kicked them. I walk to Kyle’s side and use the clicker to unlock the door.
It opens, and Kyle’s bloodless hand comes out and rips the keys away, slamming and locking the door afterwards.
“Hey, Shay! I don’t want to infringe on your business or anything, but I would dump anyone who considered Josh a good friend. He’s scum.”
Shay nods, wide-eyed. “I see that!” she shouts back through the glass, clambering over Kyle to get to the front seat.
They drive away with a screech of tires and a shower of snow, leaving a sniveling, pleading Josh behind.
“Nigel?” I ask.
“I wanted to make us French toast for breakfast. It’s a bit late now.”
“That’s okay. We can have brunch. Will you be long?”
“Mm? What’s happening?” Josh whimpers. “Bri...”
“Don’t call her that. It sounds like a cheese,” Nigel hisses, his eyes blazing.
Oh my God, I love this man.
“You’re going to walk down the mountain, the same mountain your beautiful girlfriend walked up alone, in the dark, in a blizzard,” Nigel snarls. “If you make it down there before I catch you, I won’t cut you into little pieces. If I catch you, Iwillcut you into little pieces.”
