Page 81 of Madness

“Why would he help?” Dusty asks.

“Because wi are all…” I pause, thinking of the right word, “Wi allcarefor Red.”

“And does he?” Dusty asks again.

When I glance at Desmond, I see the knowing spark in his eye, and I chuckle, “Probably mare than any o us. She is his treasure, and he’s the Jabberwocky guarding it.”

Doris squeaks happily when I enter the room, and I smile, immediately going over to her cage.

I lay my hand flat for her to climb onto, and her little feet tickle the palm of my hand as she scampers up my arm to her favourite place on my shoulder, “What took you so long?” she squeaks.

“Thatcher wis lost. A fox got in and hurt one of his friends.”

“Is he ok?” Doris balances on her back legs, her little nose twitching.

“Aye, he is now,” I say, stroking her head.

Doris nuzzles into my neck, her soft fur brushing against my skin. “I’m glad he’s safe,” she says, her tiny voice filled with concern.

I nod, “Me tae.”

Doris’s eyes widen, “Do you think the fox will come back?”

“A hope no,” I reply, “Red’s asking the warden tae fix the fence so Thatcher and his friends will be safe, so let’s no worry aboot that right noo. How aboot a treat?” I pull out a sunflower seed from my pocket, and Doris squeaks happily.

She nibbles happily on the seed, her tiny teeth making quick work of it, “Thank you,” she squeaks between bites, “You’re the best.”

Red knocks on my door timidly, cracking the door open, “Hey, you busy?”

“Never fir you.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

“Never fir you,” Harry says, placing Doris back in her cage, who gives a small squeak of indignation.

“Are you sure? I can always come back,” I reply, already stepping back to leave.

“Come here, Red.” He demands, and my body betrays me, moving before I even register what I’m doing.

Harry’s eyes darken from my actions, turning predatory as he tracks my movements.

“I thought we should have that talk now,” I say, looking up into his wide green eyes, the lenses resting on his nose mirroring my reflection.

“Talk?” he tilts his head questioningly.

“Well… more like not talk. I’d say I’m more than deserving of some compensation since you made me wait so long,” I tease, trailing my eyes up and down his body suggestively.

Harry chuckles darkly, “If that’s whit yi hink is gonnae happen, Mo ghràdh, then yi are terribly mistaken.”

I close the door behind me, and the room dims, casting eerie shadows over his face, making him look like a character from a nightmare than the man who finally confessed his feelings for me.

“Di yi know how long ave waited for this moment?” he whispers, his voice low and husky.

Harry steps forward, caging me against the door, and I swallow hard, my heart pounding in my chest.

Gone is the man who seems innocent with his glasses and messed-up hair. Now, Harry stands before me, gazing at me as if I’m his prey.

He takes another step closer until I can feel the heat radiating from his body. My breath catches in my throat as he reaches out and brushes a strand of hair from my face.

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