Page 50 of Behind the Lyrics
He ducked backward, and I missed completely.
With a hiss, Marky sprang into the air and landed on his shoulder, his tiny little razor claws digging into Jeff’s skin.
Blood welled through the dingy white shirt. The attached cat was a striped, orange ball of fur filled with sharp teeth and high screeches.
“Damn you.” With a rough shove, he pushed me to the floor and made a grab at Marky, who gleefully shredded his shirt and shoulder with extended claws and low growls.
I scrambled forward, stood, and slapped Jeff’s cheek as hard as I could, hoping to give Marky time to let go and run away.
A twisted smile split Jeff’s face in two, and with one hand, he grabbed my little buddy by the scruff of his neck and shook.
Marky’s eyes rolled in their sockets. His hissing stopped, and he struggled to breathe. Orange front paws, which seconds before had torn with vicious fury, now limply waved in the air, as if pleading for his life.
A strangled cry broke from my mouth. Terror thrummed through my body and sweat oozed from every pore.I can’t risk his little life.“Stop, Jeff. Please don’t hurt him.” My voice cracked. “I’ll do whatever you want if you’ll just let him go. Unharmed.” My bottom lip trembled, and Ihatedfeeling so helpless. “Please?”
I lowered my hands and gave up.Please, God, don’t let himhurt my cat.
He must’ve seen my desperation because he gave a dark chuckle. “I never figured you for a cat person, Angie.” Holding the ball of fur at arm’s length, he narrowed his eyes. “This little fucker tore up my shoulder. He’ll pay, too.” With his free hand, he wrapped it around Marky’s stomach and began squeezing.
My cat couldn’t even cry.
Red fury colored my vision and I lunged forward.He willnothurt anyone else. Never. Again.
Chapter 42
Viktor Farrow
Stu trailed behind me, even though I ordered him to stay in the car with Clive. Did he listen, the fuckface?Hell no.
“Mate, can you at least stay out of sight? It’s bad enough I’m showing up uninvited. I’d prefer to at leastlooklike I don’t need another man for protection.” My feet hit the rusty stairs leading to the second story, creating a metallic thump.
“Sorry, boss.” He maneuvered in front of me, his head moving side to side as if he looked for hidden ninjas. “Just doing my job.”
I sighed, knowing he was right. Still, it galled me.Should’ve just left like I did that night I borrowed Alan’s bike.But no. I had to mention out loud where I was going, and both had insisted on accompanying me after what happened last time I visited Angela’s apartment.
Angel, Love. I’m sorry I’m such an imbecile.I grimaced, remembering how badly I flubbed my great plan to win the woman who owned my heart. Of all the stupid, idiotic things that had ever left my mouth throughout the years, why had a proposal fallen out?
A burning need spurred me to make it right, to let her know how sorry I was for pushing, and then beg for her forgiveness.
Still, for the life of me, I couldn’t explain why I’d done it—only that I’d wanted to keep her with me forever and never let go. And deep inside, I didn’t regret asking, though I wish I’d handled it a bit more delicately and waited a while longer. It was true. I wanted nothing more than to spend the rest of my life with her. She was one of the few people who could put up with my shit and still cared for me.
I know she has feelings for me, even if she won’t say it. I can see the love in her big, brown eyes every time she peers into mine.
Stu stood at the top, waiting for me. “I’ll stay over here.” He motioned to an out-of-the-way section, out of view of Angela’s apartment, thank fuck.
“Much obliged.” I headed around the corner but stopped short, placing a hand on the red brick of the outer wall of the building. “I’m sorry I’m such a prick sometimes. Thanks for putting up with me.”
A big grin cut across his meaty face, causing a tendon to stand out on his neck. “Don’t worry about it. I’m used to dealing with…” His smile dropped.
“Yes?” I raised an eyebrow and pursed my lips.
“I’m used to dealing with special clients.” He cleared his throat and straightened his shoulders.
I snorted and shook my head, knowing he probably didn’t think of me as aclient. Probably more like anarsehole, and that was putting it mildly.
Turning the corner, I marched down the exterior corridor that would take me to Angela’s place.
With my hand upraised to knock, I froze. A voice, deep and low, came from her apartment.
