Page 20 of Shadowed Obsession

“Oooohhh. He bites in the daytime,” I respond with a chuckle, flipping on the light switch in my en suite bathroomto assess myself in the mirror.I could look much worse.A nap during my lunch hour will do wonders.

“I’m always up for a bite, Doe. I’m a grown-ass man,” he assures in that cocky tone of his. “Matter of fact, I’d like to talk for the rest of my commute. If that’s all right?”

“Only if you answer my questions,” I negotiate, exiting my room.

“It’s my job to know things. I’ll answer two more, so choose wisely.”

“What kind ofthings?”

“Whatever is asked of me.”

I trudge down the stairs, considering my last question. But I get distracted by the clean floor beneath me that was left in disarray the night before. The scatter of feathers, shattered ceramic, and soil gone.

What the hell?

I continue the journey through the foyer, entering the kitchen to find the source of the commotion last night. My favorite plant rests on the tile unpotted. I’m at a loss for words.

My monstera? He knocked over my fucking monstera plant!

Her name is Viola, she’s twenty years old and belonged to my late grandmother, Cici. It was one of the things she wanted me to have when she passed, and I’ve taken pride in caring for it. If I’d knownthiswas what he damaged, he wouldn’t have made it out of here alive.

His gruff voice snags my attention. “You still there? Did you get the donuts yet? I left them on the counter,” he informs me, like it’s completely normal.

“What do I need to do to keep you from breaking into my house?” I finally ask, realizing this motherfucker might insist I clear out a drawer for him instead.

He snorts before saying, “Simple. Either aim for the head or invite me in.”

Before I can respond, a beep sounds, notifying me of a call on the other line. I pull the phone away to glance at it and see Regina’s name flashing on the screen.

What impeccable timing she has. As much as I’m enjoying this conversation, I suppose I should see what she wants. Ignoring her is childish of me, but I’m not the best at expressing myself because I’m not usually heard.

“Um, I gotta go, Scar. Work is calling,” I rush out.

“Go ahead, boss. Have a good day.”

“You, too. Thanks for breakfast,” I say, noticing the box of donuts and coffee cup resting on my kitchen island. I waste no time clicking the other line to answer.

“What’s going on, Gi?”

“Are you doing okay?” she asks, her voice heavy with concern.

“Yeah, why do you ask?” Mindlessly, I open the box of donuts, smiling when I see it is, indeed, filled with my favorites.

“I’m surprised you actually picked up. I have an update about Darius’s problem.”

“How’s that going?” I ask, even though I’d rather not know.

“The situation has been taken care of, and it won’t come back on either of you,” she answers in that resolute tone of hers.

It still amazes me how casually she talks about killing, as if she’s discussing the weather.It brings me back to the night I got a similar message from her, but it wasmeshe was protecting.

You don’t have to worry about him again. The debt is paid.

A life was taken, and that was it. I was left to sit with those words.The debt is paid.

“Dee, do you hear me? What’s going on?” Gina asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

“Um—sorry. I’m all right. Was just thinking about Cici,” I say, which isn’t a complete lie.

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