Page 106 of Small Town Sizzle

The words make me want to vomit, and I try to fight the urge to do so.

Devon doesn’t seem to notice. He’s too busy pacing, his eyes darting around the room like he’s searching for something. “You think you’re untouchable,” he says, scratching at his chest again. “But you’re not. I’ve spent too long letting you walk all over me. Not anymore.”

I take another step toward the counter, my hand finally closing around the strap of my purse. Relief floods through me, but I don’t let it show. I can’t afford to tip him off.

“Please leave, Devon. You can’t be here.”

“I can be wherever I want. Go get your things, and we’ll all leave together. We’ll run away so the cops can’t find us. Then, then you’ll call them from a payphone somewhere and tell them that you made it all up. That I didn’t do those things.”

“I can’t run away with you, Dev. You know…I can’t leave my job.”

“Fuck your job,” he hisses. “You love me and you will be with me.”

“I don’t love you and I don’t want you here.”

The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. My entire body tenses, and I pull back and go into a defensive stance, expecting to feel the sting of his hand across my face.

“Yes, you do!” he screams, clawing at his chest again as he does.

He’s pacing, talking to himself as he sneers at me.

“Always so self-righteous,” he mutters. “Always thinking you know what’s best. You don’t know anything, Maya.”

The front door opens again. Devon doesn’t notice.

Please be Garrett.

Please let a neighbor have seen Devon outside and called the police.

Please, please, please let this be over soon.

A moment later, George runs into the kitchen, sliding on the linoleum. Alex steps into view.

No!

“What the hell is this?” Alex hisses.

Devon whips around and I snap my purse into me. The contents spill out everywhere, but my gun is still tucked safely inside. George growls and lunges at Devon, he kicks George in midair. There’s a yelp before he slams into the wall. He’s noticeably hurt as he struggles to get back up, growling and whimpering at the same time.

“No!” Jaz screams as she tries to push past me to get to the dog. I grip her tightly.

Alex moves. He crosses the room in a flash, slamming into Devon and shoving him back against the wall. The sound of the impact echoes through the kitchen, and I grab Jazlyn, pulling her further away.

“Get your hands off me!” Devon snarls, struggling against Alex’s grip.

“Get out of this house,” Alex growls, his voice cold and steady. “Right now.”

Devon sneers, but there’s a flicker of anger in his eyes. I fumble for my phone, calling 9-1-1 and reciting my address. I grab my gun out of my purse. I kick off the safety, pull the trigger, and aim at Devon’s head.

“You won’t use that,” he cackles. “Bitch, don’t…”

He tries to come toward me, but Alex slams his head back into the wall.

“The cops are on their way,” I say loudly. “You can leave now forever or…”

“I will take you all down with me, starting with this little punk.”

Devon’s arms move forward as he tries to push Alex away. It works, and Alex slips backward, toppling against the table. Jazlyn screams. Devon moves quickly so that I don’t have a clear shot of him, laughing as he does. He grabs a butcher knife off the counter and swipes at Jazlyn, grabbing a piece of her clothing while he laughs like a maniac.

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