Page 84 of Savage Seduction

“It’s past midnight. I’m sorry to wake you.” It isn’t until that moment when I realize just how tired I really am. My shoulders sag and my head hangs low.

“Honey, you okay?” she asks, stepping down onto the porch next to me.

I shake my head. “My apartment got broken into again tonight.”

“What the hell? You’re not hurt, are you?” She reaches for me to look for injuries.

“I’m fine. I wasn’t home at the time.”

“Oh, thank goodness.”

I nod. “Only thing is, I can’t go home because the police are still processing it, and I can’t lock the front door.”

“Get your young butt in here and stay the night with me and Nana,” she says.

I shrug. “I thought about it, but it feels like death and pain are following me everywhere I go. I can’t risk it again. Not with you and Nana.”

London’s eyes search mine in silence before she looks away. She knows I’m right and isn’t going to fight me on it. A part of me wishes she would, but that’s the selfish part of me, the lonely, damaged part.

“You know what?” I say. “I should have called first. I’m really sorry for bothering you tonight.”

“No, Max. It isn’t that. I…” she pauses. “I’m scared.”

I can’t blame her. After what she and Nana went through the last time I was here, I wouldn’t have been surprised if she’d wanted nothing to do with me again. Logic doesn’t make it hurt any less, though.

“I understand.”

“No, I don’t think you do. If it was up to me… or about me,” she says, grabbing my arm, “I would let you live with me forever. But…”

“But… Nana?”

London nods. “She wasn’t hurt physically, but she’s only now starting to act like her old self. The first two nights she cried in her sleep, Max. Cried.”

It’s like a sucker punch to the gut. “I’m so sorry, London.”

“Who’s at the door,” Nana asks as she appears in the doorway. “Is that you, Max?”

“Yes, Ma’am. It’s good to see you back up on your feet.”

“It takes more than some dumbass knuckleheads to take me out.” She laughs, putting up her fists. “I may be an old lady, but I’ll still knock ‘em in the teeth.”

“That’s right, Nana,” London says with a smile.

“What are you doing here, Max? Is everything okay?” Nana asks.

I search London’s expression for permission to tell the truth. I don’t find it.

“It’s Chubs here,” I say. “I need to find a temporary home for him to keep him safe. I was hoping you wouldn’t mind another housemate… just a few days?”

London rolls her eyes. “That cat’s a demon.”

“Nonsense,” Nana says as she steps outside. She reaches for him with the comfort of a longtime cat owner. “Look at that sweet face.”

Chubs snuggles right into the nape of her neck. London cocks her head and says, “Okay, then.”

“I’d be happy to take care of him for as long as you need me to.” Nana turns right around and goes inside.

“Thank you so much,” I say. “Here is the bag of food I feed him.” I pull it out of the duffle bag and hand it to London.

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