“This is Maxwell.”
“Hey, Max, it’s Olivia. I want to buy the house. Can I move in today?”
Papers started shuffling loudly and chaotically in the background as I kept my hand over my mouth and kept my voice low. I didn’t know if the cameras he installed had audio, but what were the chances they didn’t? I hoped that all of my precautions would get me out from under his radar for a while, but I knew he would eventually find me.
I just hoped I could have some peace of mind before then.
“Um, let me see, let me seeee,” he sang. “Annnnnddddd,” a flutter of paper sounded. “Yes! Yes, you can! Just swing by with a pen, we can finish the paperwork and you’re good to go!”
I nodded. “Perfect, see you in 20.” I hung up and called the movers. “Hey, it’s Liv, we’re moving today. I want my art, my books, my clothes, and all of Lucy’s things, that’s it.”
“Yes ma’am.”
I hung up, grabbed my purse and scarf, leashed Lucy, and headed out the door. Fuck Everett and fuck his stupid debt. He could go eat a curb for all I cared.
And I desperately hoped he would.
~~~
I stood on the sidewalk outside my new house, knowing this should be a good thing. I should be happy.
Instead, I was pulling at the sleeves of my dress, irritated that I had to wear a long-sleeved one in the first place,anda scarf, to cover up the bruises that still dusted my body. Luckily for me, the weather was cooler this morning.
It was a beautiful little one-story cottage-type. It had three bedrooms, white with blue shutters, a nice yard with a tree andflowerbeds, and a nice porch for the size of it.
But I was bitter.
Bitter about my entire life. I didn’t feel pity or ‘woe is me’, I just felt angry now, and it was getting harder to swallow as the days went on.
“Good morning.”
I glanced over, Lucy immediately stepping between me and the man who was walking up to us.
I tightened my grip on the leash, ready to let go if need be. “Guard,” I said under my breath. “Morning,” I greeted, hoping he wouldn’t see the scars on my face under the makeup I had thrown on before leaving.
They were more or less healed now, angry and brick red. The lines were just on the larger side of a 1/16thof an inch. I knew this because I measured them. A 1/16thof an inch wide and almost 4 inches long on both sides. I hoped they would fade with time, but for now, this was what I had to deal with.
Lucy’s ears went back, her head lowering, a warning growl leaving her chops. She had become more protective since I came home smelling of blood and sweat. I wasn’t going to blame her if she lunged without an order, but I had my doubts that she would.
The man chuckled nervously, glancing to the dog and back, his eyes were filled with light. “Just wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood,” he said, stopping a few feet away. “You just bought the Lancaster house. It’s a good place, beautiful interior.”
He had a light accent, but I couldn’t quite place it. I glanced to the house and back, eyeing him warily, but didn’t say a thing. He knew the inside of my house and the previous owners, which was already a little unsettling. What else did he know? Why was he being so friendly?
Was this someone Everett sent? Someguythey thought would butter me up so I’d keep making willing payments? Because thatwas never going to happen. Sorry, Everett, but my nerve is far greater than yours.
His expression shifted to one of uncomfortableness when I didn’t reply. “You’re coming from the city, aren’t you?”
My eyes narrowed.
He nodded, his shoulders relaxing a bit. He slid his hands into his pockets and shrugged. “You city folk are all on edge. It’s to be expected with all of the noise and hustle and bustle. Things are much calmer in the ‘burbs.”
My face twisted. “Nobody actually says that.”
He shrugged, a smile touching his lips. “Got you to talk though.”
I pressed my lips together. It did. Shit.
I eyed him carefully. He looked around Jake’s age, maybe younger. Kind watery green eyes, dark hair, strong jaw. Normal. Just a normal guy in a normal striped shirt and light windbreaker with normal eyes and a normal face.
