“Come on,” he said gently. “I’ll help Bandit get settled.”
Axel carriedBandit upstairs while I moved directly to the kitchen to get his food and water dish.
My aunt was standing in front of the island, and she watched me move around the kitchen.
When I moved to walk past her, she gave me an insincere smile. “I thought you’d be putting down that filthy animal. Next time he might not be so lucky with his health.”
I carefully set Bandit’s dishes and food on the island beside her. Then I turned to face her, keeping my expression serene.
Her eyes widened with interest as I took a stand in front of her.
“You hurt my dog.”
She didn’t even try to deny it. “He’s a disgusting animal who should only be outside eating scraps.”
I didn’t think. I didn’t rationalize. I balled up my fist, swung hard and connected with her cheek.
She cried out in pain.
“My god,” she gasped, holding her face, but I could hear the tears in her voice.
I leaned in so my mouth was next to her ear. And I spoke in a harsh, measured whisper. “If you touch my dog again, you’ll regret it.”
“You think you can hit me?”
I moved until my face was uncomfortably close to hers, so close I could see the makeup caked in the pores on her face. “You’d better make sure Bandit stays safe, because if something happens to him, I’m coming for you.”
Her fear was palpable. “Your uncle will hear about this.”
“And I will tell him that you are retaliating because I saw you kissing Sergei.”
“That’s a lie. How dare you!” But she looked at me with terror. My uncle wasn’t a big believer in giving someone the benefit of the doubt. He tended to act on his emotions and ask questions later. And we both knew it.
I gave her a cold smile. “I’m thinking my uncle would be overwhelmed with rage and grief. You never know what could happen.”
I could see real fear in her eyes. As if she had just woken up to the fact that I could and would strike back. “What is wrong with you?”
I pointed at the cameras. “Don’t even look at my dog, or I will find out.”
I picked up his dishes and, without looking at her, swept out of the kitchen. My entire body was trembling with emotion and adrenaline.
Axel was coming down from the stairs as I walked up to our bedroom.
He stopped me, real concern on his face. “What was going on downstairs?”
“What?” I looked up at him with my most innocent expression.
He studied me closer. “I thought I heard something.”
“I was just talking to my aunt.”
His eyebrows shot up. “About Bandit?”
“She’s not going to hurt him again.” I started to move up the stairs.
“I thought I told you I’d handle it.”
“No need,” I said breezily. “It’s been taken care of.”
