Page 84 of Compulsion

His hands scramble for purchase, and he screams when his palms are sliced open by the sharp oyster beds. He grabs at my arm, and his blood smears on my white shirt.

The water flows up to my knees, but he’s trapped under my ruthless hands, his face shoved beneath the muddy surface. Outof the corner of my eye, I see a ripple moving toward us, and I recognize the ridged back of an alligator.

I won’t even have to clean up my mess.

This fucker just needs to drown before the beast reaches us.

He thrashes in the water, the desperate sound calling to the gator like a school of jumping bait. Then his body convulses when he fills his lungs with saltwater. He jerks in my hold once. Twice.

He goes utterly still, and his bloody hands float at his sides. I shove his body in the direction of the alligator, and before I’ve managed to trudge out of the mud and onto the shore, Ron disappears into the murky creek.

He’ll never touch my Abigail again.

31

ABIGAIL

“Are you okay?” Franklin’s voice is rough with worry over the phone. “I just walked past your front door, and the paint is all fucked up like someone’s been trying to kick it down. You didn’t answer when I knocked.”

“I’m fine,” I promise, quick to allay my friend’s concern. “I’m at Dane’s place. There was an altercation with that new guy, Ron, earlier. But I’m fine now.”

“What did that curly-haired creep do to you?” Franklin demands. “I swear to god, I will make his life hell until he moves out of this building.”

My heart warms, and my lips curve in a small smile.

“Thank you. I’ll take you up on that.”

Franklin is a wonderful friend, but I know he’s capable of chilling acts of passive aggression when someone crosses him. He can make Ron so uncomfortable that he’ll move out sooner rather than later.

“But I’m safe with Dane. Plus, I kicked Ron in the balls. I don’t think he’ll try anything again.”

“What? Who are you, and what have you done with sweet Abby? I mean, don’t get me wrong. I’m glad you hurt the fucker if he was harassing you. But I didn’t think you could hurt a fly.”

“I didn’t either,” I admit. “But I’m glad I did it too.”

“Good for you,” Franklin approves. “So, you’re across the street right now? Can I come see you, or are you busy with your gorgeous doctor? I haven’t caught up with you in weeks.”

“Across the street?” I’m not sure where he got that idea. “No, I’m at Dane’s place.”

“Right. The old powder blue house. I know the one.”

“No,” I correct him, confused. “Dane lives in Harleston Village.”

There’s a moment of silence. Then Franklin asserts, “I’ve seen him coming and going from the house across the street for months now. I noticed him when he moved in. He’s too hotnotto notice.”

“You must be mistaken. I’ve never seen him in the neighborhood except when he’s come to visit me.”

“Okay, maybe he has an identical twin,” my friend says slowly, but I can tell he’s suspicious. “Because a man who looks exactly like him lives in the house across the street from our building. I thought you said you knew him because he comes into the coffee shop every morning.”

“He does.” My throat is getting tight, and my stomach churns.

I don’t understand what’s happening. Franklin has to be mistaken.

“The Sunny Side Café is three blocks away from where we live,” Franklin reasons. “Nowhere near Harleston Village. I assumed Dane was a regular because he lives in the neighborhood.”

“He just likes the café,” I say.

“Is it near his workplace?”

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