If he's always out of the apartment this early, then my plan of avoiding him as much as possible will be easy.
Opening up the cupboards, I search every one until I come across the bowls and plates.
Taking one of the round, porcelain bowls out, I move back to the cupboard that's longer than my body, opening it up and spotting the cereal boxes I'd seen in there during my previous hunt.
Browsing the options, I pick one at random, not knowing whether I'll like it, as I don't think I've seen it back home in America before.
Moving to the island in the middle of the kitchen, I place the bowl and box on the side, and that's when I spot a lined piece of paper in the centre.
Looking over my shoulder towards the doorway, I step around the island and quickly pluck the paper from the side. As my eyes runover the words neatly scrawled along the lines, a bitter taste enters my mouth, and my need for food dissipates.
Stay in the apartment. Busy all day, and don't have time to babysit. Get rid of the rat.
My lips twist, and my brows furrow as I screw the paper into a ball and chuck it back on the side before stomping out of the room and into the living room, whistling for Jellybean to follow me as I storm up the stairs and head straight into my bedroom.
Grabbing a pair of black ankle boots, I shove my feet into them and then collect the lead from the shelf in my wardrobe before picking up my fluff ball and stomping back through the house until I'm at the elevator doors.
Who the fuck does he think he is, trying to dictate what I do?
If I wish to go out, then I will.
Don't get me wrong, before I saw that note, I didn't plan on leaving the apartment today, apart from to walk Jellybean, but now that he's told me to stay here, I don't want to.
I'm a grown woman.
He can't keep me cooped up here.
The doors open, and I walk inside the bleak metal box, gently setting Jellybean on the floor as I clip her light pink lead onto her collar.
The doors close, and I scoff as I stare down at my cute little baby.
A rat.
A fucking rat?
What an arsehole.
Chapter Seventeen
Alicia
The elevator descends, and I realise that in my haste to get out of the apartment, I didn't grab myself a jacket, but with the fury sizzling through my veins from the words written on that paper, I convince myself I'll be warm enough.
A soft chime sounds before the doors open, but as I take a step, a leg shoots out across the doorway, blocking my way.
Grinding my teeth together in frustration, I move to the side as my eyes follow the length of the leg up to the man seated beside the elevator staring down at his phone.
"Not today, princess," he grunts, flicking his gaze to mine for a second before looking back down at his screen.
My eyes trace the side of his face, catching on the gnarly scar that splits through his eye, and I gasp in shock.
His jaw clenches, and his eyes narrow, but he still doesn't look up at me.
My stomach curdles as I unabashedly rake my eyes over him, spotting the tattoos I knew I'd find on his hands.
"Leo," I state, finally garnering his attention as his eyes snap up to meet mine. "Leo Black."
His eyes widen as he finally drops his leg from in front of me, and a mix of uncertainty and fear flashes across his face.
