The addictive sweetness hits my taste buds, and my mood immediately improves.
But then, I start hallucinating.
“Meow.”
The chocolates are laced. That has to be what’s happening.
There’s no way the cold mobster has this adorable little creature who just wandered out of my walk-in closet like it was waiting for me.
A beautiful calico cat—brown, orange, and black patches. Soft white fur.
“Meow.”
I crouch and offer my hand. It rubs its graceful body against my fingers.
“What are you doing here with the devil?”
Oh!I recall the animal noises I heard in the car. They mustbe from the cat.
“You know, I saw a cat just like you the other—”
A gasp tumbles out of me. I pick up the feline, looking at her right side, her left, at the very familiar red collar around her neck.
It’s the same cat from the café! The place that burned down.
The cat purrs, knocking me out of my thoughts. How does Elias have the cat?
Confusion bubbles in my chest. I snuggle the cat, relishing its warmth.
And slowly, the tightness in my chest eases. Cat, scissors, chocolates. Things are off to a better start than I originally thought.
First, contact my family.
Then I’ll figure out a plan—a plan thatdefinitelyinvolves the off-limits third floor.
Chapter 18: DETECTIVE WIFE
The bastardbarricadedthe staircase to the third floor.
“Ugh.” I grunt as I try—and fail for the third time this past week since we moved here—to dislodge the wood planks he installed in front of the landing.
There’s a temporary door, but it’s dead bolted.
I need a Plan B. Maybe I can convince Hannah to help me? I know she won’t tell me anything because I’ve tried prying her for info on the Shadow King. But maybe she can buy me a hacksaw or something.
I growl.Like that isn’t suspicious. At all.
Someone snorts behind me.
I whirl around, finding Ren leaning against the wall, twirling his cell phone.
He moves silently too, just like a certain someone.
Cece,mycat, rubs her lithe body against my jailer like she likes him.
Traitor.
Tail lifted gracefully, Cece prances away, but not before looking at me and giving me an “I’m innocent” meow.
