“I guess love doesn’t conquer all, huh?” he bit out.
“I can’t be in a relationship with someone who condones murder.”
“Even if it means you don’t get raped again, or another one of my brothers isn’t murdered in return?”
I squeezed my eyes shut. “We need to let the authorities handle it.”
He scoffed. “You’re fuckin’ naïve.”
“At least I can sleep at night.”
“Liar.”
I bit my lip, standing and snatching my purse off the chair. “Do not have me followed.”
“If you’re on anyone’s radar, Waverly, Iwillprotect you.” He glared at me. “You don’t have a fuckin’ choice in the matter.”
“Stalking’s a crime in this country, Gio.”
“Again, don’t give a fuck.”
I made my way to the door. “Please don’t get yourself killed.”
“If you’re bailin’ on me, onus, you don’t have a say in the matter.”
I took a deep, shaky breath, then walked out the door refusing to let him see the tears streaming down my face.
* * *
The next afternoon, I had just opened a bottle of wine and pulled out a bag of Cheetos when my doorbell rang.
I checked my camera and dropped my head with a curse. I took a quiet breath, hoping if I was really, really still, maybe they’d go away.
Katie leaned in, close to the camera. “We know you’re here, Waverly.”
“Goddammit.”
“Darling,” Maisie piled on. “Please just open the door, love. We only want to talk.”
I engaged the microphone with a sigh. “Now’s not a good time.”
“Open the door,” Katie ordered.
“I can’t.”
“Why not?” she asked.
“I’m um, giving myself an enema. It’s impossible for me to come to the door.”
“Squeeze that anus closed, hold your water, and waddle on over to unlock the door,” Katie hissed. “We’ll give you a minute.”
“I have rabies.”
“I have a shot for that.”
“I’m already foaming at the mouth. Too far gone,” I said, then snarled.
Katie smiled. “I will hold you down while you die.”
