Page 40 of Brood

Chapter Thirty-Two

A sharp knock at the front door jolts me and causes a shiver to break out all over my body. Brood left only minutes ago, and I know he wouldn’t be knocking. Slowly I step out of Kasin’s room, making sure he is occupied when I do. I rather him not follow me. That sweat that forms on my hairline and over my chest is cold but only keeps persisting with each step I make toward the door. Another round of knocks come and then a voice, “Hello? Is anyone home?” It’s a woman. The closer I get she comes into view. Her long blond hair swishes with each move she makes as she lights up a cigarette.

Taking a deep breath, I go for the door, being sure to only open it just a crack, enough to see out. “Can I help you?” The woman on the other side of the screen door takes that moment to blow out a plume of smoke.

“Who are you?” she snips as if she wasn’t just knocking on my— well Brood’s door. Then it hits me. She is looking for Brood.

“Brood isn’t here.” I go to close the door, but she opens her red painted lips again.

“Well, I’m his wife, and I need to speak with him.” Flicking her bouncy blond hair over her shoulder, she takes another drag. Being sure to blow yet more smoke through the screen.

“He’ll be back soon. You can wait outside.” There is no way I’m letting her inside regardless if she is Brood’s wife– or, ex-wife. Especially with everything he has told me about her. As much as I want to correct her and say she is now his ex-wife, I close the door in her face, making sure to lock it. I can hear her talking on the other side of the door as I do.

Shaking off the fact she is still outside after ten minutes, I quickly pack up my clothes when I’m done with Kasin’s bag. Having some strange woman pacing outside the house hasn’t bothered him one bit, not that I think he has seen her anyway. “Hey, want to go and read a book?” His beaming smile is all the answer I need before he takes off toward his room. Hopefully reading will be enough of a distraction to calm my nerves.

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