Page 40 of Bewitching Her Monsters

Someone is watching me.

Casually, I glance up and down my street to see if I can spot Rob’s car, Maxum, or his buddies. No one.

My car rumbles to life. I briefly wonder if someone put a tracker on it. My spy slash writer’s mind is hyperactive again.

Yet is it so far out of the realm of possibility? Not really. I received an ominous email from Rob. I had the sense that someone was watching me, even before that.

My first stop is the pet shop. I grab some special food and treats for my little guys. Then I picked out a masculine black leather collar for Beast. It has a bit of a BDSM vibe, which makes me grin and my mind wanders.

Would Arran look hot in this? Duh, he’d look good in anything, I’m sure. Well, if Beast refuses to wear this, maybe I can find a guy who will.

As I head over to the grocery store for some human food, I have that same unnerving sensation of being watched. While at the store, along with some of my own food treats, I buy a long-handled mirror.

After driving off, I find a quiet residential cul-de-sac and wait several minutes to see if someone follows me here. Again, no one shows.

I hop out of my Mustang and use the mirror to check under the car frame to see if there are any tracking devices. Nothing.

I sit back down in my bucket seat. Then I allow my vision to blur, staring into the distance through the windshield. Wistfully, I wonder why I can’t just have a normal life where I dream up fancy peens all day without interruption.

Starting up the engine and driving home, I worry Rob will escalate to violence. Again.

Oh, well, maybe it’s time I sell my house and move. But I can’t really afford the time off to deal with all that—not with my packed book release schedule.

However, if things get any crazier with Rob, I will just have to disappoint fans by pushing back my release dates. Hopefully, they’ll understand.

Driving down my street, I see a man on my porch, facing away from me and waiting.

My heart thumps wildly in my chest, because my first thought is that it could be Rob.

I slide my gun into my pocket for easy access, because I don’t know what’s going on.

But as I get closer, I can see clearer. The man turns, and I quickly recognize my gentleman caller. Now, I’m even more freaked out.

I grab my frozen food bag. It’s the lightest bag for ease of movement if I’m attacked. Besides, I need to bring them inside after my tracking device check detour. This is partially self-defensive and ice cream-melting defense.

I am woman. Watch me multitask.

I glare at the man as I slowly approach. “What do you want?”

The male I’ve dreamed up the name Arran for, stands with his hands in his pockets and his head dipping down, looking timid. “Uh, hi. I heard you had my dog. I’m sorry for showing up unannounced, but I didn’t have a number to call.”

I huff that this guy shows upafterI finally buy Beast treats and a collar. It shouldn’t piss me off, but it does. Not to mention how long it took him to make his appearance.

But honestly, I just don’t want to let the big lug go. We bonded last night. Emotions well up in my chest.

Ugh… donotcry in front of the hot guy. Shove the pesky feelings down, Jade.

He will probably just tell Maxum all about my breakdown.

Stiffening my spine, I brush past the man and eye him the whole time I unlock my door. Fortunately, he is conscientious enough to stand back at the edge of my porch. “Just give me a second to put my food in the fridge, okay?”

“No problem.” He nods. “And thank you for taking him in. That was kind.”

I don’t respond to that. Let’s see if Beast wants to go with him any more than he did with Maxum. I quietly lock the door behind me as soon as I’m inside.

Tossing my food into the freezer, bag and all, I hurry to the back door and expect to see Beast standing right there as he had done every other time. But he’s not there. I step out and scan my small backyard.

“Beast?” I call. But the bushes aren’t big enough to conceal his massive size.

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