Page 43 of Fanatic

“Bikers like women like me,” April hissed. “Are you gay?”

“No. Just in love with my housemate. Come on, I’ll see you to your vehicle.”

“Motherfucker. What a waste of my time,” April spat and stormed off.

Fine by me. A feeling told me to check for cameras as I headed for my bike. I made sure I walked in front of several until I hit it. Then, I ensured I rode through cameras on the way home.

I thought at one point there was a car following me but dismissed that as I turned into my street and nobody followed. Thankful to be home, I parked up and started for the door. On the doorstep was a white box. With a frown, I picked it up and glanced at the camera. It had been taped over. Alarmed, I tore the tape off.

I wasn’t armed, having been on a date, and a quick glance through the window showed me Willow watching TV.

“Babe,” I called out as I entered.

“In here. How did it go?” Willow asked.

“Fuckin’ nightmare. This was on the porch, and the camera was covered up. Need to check the system,” I replied as I placed the carton down on the coffee table.

Willow got up and approached, looking confused. The box was wrapped with a black ribbon and there was a card. She pulled the bow undone and carefully lifted the lid. A foul smell wafted out, and I heaved as Willow stepped back.

Covering my nose with my sleeve, I gazed inside and quickly dropped the lid.

“Fanatic?” Willow asked as she gagged.

“Spray some fuckin’ air freshener in here. Someone sent you a dead rat that’s been decomposing for a while and is riddled with maggots,” I said.

Chapter Nine.

Willow

What the fuck? Why would somebody send me this?

Fanatic removed it quickly and dumped it in the outside trash can. I was more concerned because the security camera had been covered up.

“When you back at work?” Fanatic demanded as he came inside and locked the doors.

“How’s that relevant?”

“Because, babe, someone slit that rat’s throat. That’s a statement.”

I couldn’t disagree. Covering up the cameras was another chilling message. Fanatic’s gaze landed on the baby monitor, where we could see Danny sound asleep. That was one good thing.

“Gonna call Slaughter and Harlequin to come tomorrow morning and to put in a new system,” Fanatic stated. I nodded.

“Slaughter?” I said, my mind catching up.

“Yeah, he does security. Top-notch too. Tomorrow, I’ll have this locked up tighter than a nun’s knickers,” Fanatic replied as he typed on his phone.

Amused, I began laughing.

“Willow, this ain’t funny!”

“A nun’s knickers! Your English sayings!”

“You yanks have some weird ones, too,” Fanatic shot back as he finished typing.

“Rude,” I muttered and grinned. “Want a coffee?”

“Yeah.”

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