Right in the middle of stringing beads between several colorful religious icons, she heard her front door creak open.What the fuck?Her heartbeat raced as the hair on her nape and arms lifted. Quietly she laid down the necklace and rose from the chair. She tiptoed from the room and pressed her back flat against the wall, craning her neck to see into the small living room. She gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. Muerto stood in the middle of the room.What the hell?
She rushed into the room, sparks flashing in her eyes. “What in the hell are you doing in my house?”
His eyes widened, then a small smirk played on his lips as he shoved one hand in his jeans pocket, leaned back on his heels, and looked at her. His stare washed over her from head to toe, dripping steadily.
Self-conscious, she crossed her arms over her chest as she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. All she could hear was the pounding of her heart. Fear ricocheted across her skin as a clammy sweat ran down her back. She inhaled deeply. “Well? You haven’t told me why you’re in my house.” Her voice was calm and collected, but her insides were exploding.
With his gaze fixed on her crossed arms, he clucked his tongue. “You said you had water on the floor. I came to check it out.”
Shuffling back a couple of steps, she said, “You’rethe owner? That figures.”
He shook his head and raised his eyes to hers. “Well, you’re not exactly the kind of tenant I’d choose.” He started to walk to the kitchen.
“What does that mean?” She followed him.
“You figure it out.” Stopping by the sink, he looked around the kitchen. “What the fuck did you do in here?”
“What is it with you and your management company asking me that fuckin’ question? I didn’t do anything except come in here and step into a puddle of water. Why is that so hard to understand? Am I missing something here?”
His gaze traveled up from her bare feet to her face. He pressed his lips together. “You got a real mouth on you.” She rolled her eyes. “I’m not sure what’s gonna get you in the most trouble—your sass, attitude, or hustling.” He bent down and opened the cupboard under the sink. He felt around the pipes, then straightened up. “You need a plumber.” He brushed past her.
“Are you for real?”
He looked over his shoulder, his eyes dancing with amusement. “You know I am. And earlier, I was asking you what the fuck you did to the kitchen walls. You painted them yellow without my permission.”
“They were white and boring.” She scratched her arm as his gaze bored into her. “What? Do you want me to repaint them?”
“I want you to ask permission next time you want to change shit around here. You’re lucky I like women with round asses and nice tits.”
Her hand flew to her chest as her eyes widened. “How rude. Who do you think you are?”
“Your landlord.” He pointed to Sooty, who was rubbing against her legs. “I also don’t allow pets. Didn’t Deanna tell you?”
“No, and it’s not in the lease.”
His lip curled. “When renewal comes along, I’ll have to fix that.”
“Don’t bother. I highly doubt I’ll be renewing.” Her chest rose up and down. “And next time ring the fuckin’ doorbell. You don’t have a right to just come in here when you want.”
He stiffened visibly and she saw him clench his fist. “I do whatever the fuck I want, sweetheart. Just remember that.” A tense silence filled the space between them as they stared at each other until his phone pinged. Glancing at it, he said, “I’ll send the plumber out.” He strode out of the house and down the walkway.
She went over and slammed the door, hoping she’d break the amber glass in it, but she wasn’t having much luck that day—the window didn’t even shake. She looked out and saw him on his Harley. He turned to her and flashed a cocky smile, then revved his engine and sped away. As she watched him ride off, she noticed how broad his shoulders were.Ugh! I can’t believe that jerk is my landlord.Clenching her teeth, she stalked to the kitchen and pulled out one of the drawers. Flipping through numerous business cards, she smiled widely when she found the one she’d been looking for—Dave’s Lock & Key. She dialed the number.
“I need someone to come out here and rekey my locks.”
By the time she’d hung up the phone, she had it all set up to change the locks on her front and back door. She picked up Sooty and ran her hands over the cat’s soft fur. “He’s not the only one who does what the fuck he wants.” Sooty purred as Raven stroked her, satisfaction coursing through her veins.
