Page 65 of For Fillies and Monsters

I cling to his arm, my nails biting into his flesh. “Gus, wait—” I thought we had more time.

But Gus strides toward the screen door without a backward glance, taking all the oxygen in the room with him. The silence tightens around me; the sound of the swaying porch swing and ghosts whispering my name fill my head.

Alone—but not—and I’ve never been more afraid.

TWENTY-EIGHT

AUGUSTUS

May 4th, 2024

Being lockedup in a small town is miserable—a larger one would at least have some level of anonymity. But being a small town, especially one full of busybodies like Moztecha, has proven just how little privacy there really is. People—people not related to the justice system whatsoever—have wandered through the small jail looking at me like I’m a zoo animal. And I suppose in a town where nothing happens, I am.

My six days and seven hours behind bars have been full of lousy meals, prying eyes, and uninterrupted time to think—to plot, to plan. Stetson hasn’t come to see me a single time, but it hasn’t been for lack of effort. I hear her at the front desk every morning asking if she can see me, when can my bail be posted, if I am still alive and breathing; all the things that make my blackened heart soften. Maybe this time apart will be good for us; show Stetson she doesn’t want to live without me.

A smile spreads across my lips.

I know what I have to do—one vague yet menacing text message—and I can get back to focusing on my girl. She doesn’t know the lengths I will go to be with her, especially now that Iam so close I can practically taste her, but she will. I just need to get out of this cell.

As any good stalker would do, I’ve done my research on all the potential men in my woman’s life. Nathan was no exception, even though I never expected him to be much of a threat—maybe a passing fancy, a way to explore the local dating pool, but nothing serious. Nathan is far toounseriousfor my girl. I suppose I should have threatened him sooner, showed him just a flash of my hand, but doing so always increases the risk that Stetson may discover my secret.

And as close as we are now to her being well and truly in my grasp, I think I can risk it. I won’t let her go now, even if she does find out and not like what she sees.

Stetson is mine, and she will accept that fact one way or another.

Once I have this stupid mess with Nathan ironed out, I’ll start my plan to tell Stetson. I know it has to be soon; I’m not going to be able to keep my hands off her much longer and I refuse to touch her until she knows all of me.Loves all of me.

“Augustus Dobbs?” I look toward the rounded man, a red stain dribbling down the front of his tightly stretched white shirt. “Your bail has been posted.”

I stand, stretching my aching legs, and stride from the small yellow and white cell. I don’t bother glancing at the man; he’s no threat to me.

I won’t be back.

Stetson walks into the house in front of me, and I can feel the anger rolling off of her in waves. She’s pissed, and I know she wants me to be scared—it would be the kind thing to be considering what I’ve put her through.But fuck, my dick is rock hard and fear is the farthest thing from my mind.

Breaking the silence, she spins on me. “Are you happy?” She’s tugging on the toe of her boot, hopping around on her other, and I try to keep from smiling. I’m unsuccessful, and my smile only fires her up more.

“Yes, actually.” I’m fucking ecstatic, but I know if I say that, she will most likely fly off the handle.

On second thought, maybe that’s what we need to get past this barrier she keeps assembling between us. I open my mouth, but she beats me to it.

“You’re a fucking asshole, you know that?” I roll my eyes at her, and she huffs angrily.It’s fucking adorable.

“Yes, I’ve been told that. That doesn’t mean I wasn’t right to do it, and you know it. Doesn’t mean you didn’t like it.” My tone is flat, unlike the turbulent emotions rolling in my stomach.

Her eyes roam hungrily over my face, small wisps of hair clinging to her sweaty face.

“If I’m such an asshole, why did you come to check on me every day, Little Filly?” Her eyes widen, but she doesn’t respond. “Didn’t think I’d hear you out there asking about me every single morning? How worried you sounded? It’s a small building, Little Filly, and I heard everything.” I prowl closer. “If I’m an asshole, then you have a kink for men who are assholes. Because I turn you on.”

“Ha, whatever.” She’s trying to push me away, act like she doesn’t care. But this tantrum is showing her deck all too clearly.

I can see her pulse hammering in that soft neck of hers and Iwant to sink my teeth there, to feel it roaring alongside my own. Her nonchalant words chafe at my fraying nerves because as much as I love that she’s raising her hackles over the idea of losing me, I’m tired of being on the outside of that pretty head of hers. If she wants to use me as a punching bag for her fears and anger, then I wish she’d just fucking swing. I’m quickly getting annoyed with the guessing game.

“Don’t do that. Don’t push me away now. We were making so much progress.”

“Yeah, that was before you gotarrested,Gus. Before the fact that you will be going to jail for months, or whatever it is for nearly killing someone, was a factor.” Her voice quivers, and I lick my lips.

“What if I don’t? What will you hide behind then?”

---