Page 94 of Preying Heart
“I can’t let you put yourself in danger for me.” I step to her side. “Gavin knows I have no friends.”
“Gavin doesn’t know everything.” Lucy puts her arm around my shoulders. “Since you didn’t have any friends before you met me, that makes me your best friend. Besides, if I don’t stay with you, Heath will crawl up the walls and drive me nuts.”
“I’ll feel better with Lucy here,” Heath says. “I don’t like it. I’d rather you come with me, but I understand the sting won’t come off without you.”
“I have to pretend I’m still under his thumb,” I remind him, which I can tell drives him crazy.
“Remi has the transmitter in case Gavin shows up,” Justin says. “Heath and I have to go talk to Claudia and do further investigations into Gavin’s whereabouts.”
“Don’t forget Slade and my mom. You have the photograph as evidence,” I remind the detective.
“No worries. We’re off.” Justin gathers his things, but I can tell Heath doesn’t want to leave.
I go up to him and hug him long and close. “Thanks for coming. I feel like you really do care.”
“I more than care about you.” His voice is low and husky. “You know how I feel about you. Take care now.”
He kisses me, and I want so much to tell him I might be falling in love with him. But how do I know if it’s love or dependence? I need him so much. His protection. His care. And yes, his affection for me. He gives me so much, and I don’t want to be a taker without giving.
“You take care, too.” My voice is raw. I feel deep emotions inside my heart, but I can tell it disappoints him. I often wonder if a dog or cat truly loves his owner or is there for the food and comfort. It’s only when the animal puts his own life on the line that we can know for sure.
If the time comes, would I put my life on the line for Heath or would I run and hide or beg Gavin to spare me?
Oh, how I hate the worm that I am. Cowardly and spineless. Always aiming to please and hoping someone else will take care of me and keep me safe.
Reluctantly, I let him go. He reaches down and puts a leash on Glock, but his eyes stay on me. I blink back tears and try to swallow, but my throat is tight and I can’t fight off the feeling of impending doom.
I will never go back to Gavin, but I have to act within an inch of my life like I always have—be at his beck and call and cower in fear and adoration.
Gavin
I’m a marvel of self-control standing on the observation deck of the Space Needle, watching what’s going on in Remi’s apartment. I look like a tourist enjoying the view with my binoculars, but my blood runs like rivers of ice through my veins as I spy on the slut in the penthouse I paid for.
She couldn’t wait for me to leave fast enough before inviting her lowlife lovers and their dog up to her pad. A man and a woman both hugging her as she sits in between them acting like a helpless lamb while that mangy dog rests his head on her lap.
What a cozy bunch of rednecks. Where’d she find them? At a homeless shelter?
This is the thanks I get for saving her sorry ass from her mother’s sorry fate?
If she thinks she can sit in my penthouse and entertain others, she’s got another thing coming to her.
She’s mine, and I do not share. And since she’s pining for that family reunion, she’s going to get it. For the rest of her sorry life.
Heath
Justin flashes his badge at Claudia’s maid, and we are let into her house easily along with Glock. She leads us to the library where Mrs. Greasley is reading a book.
“This day is getting more and more interesting,” Claudia says. She sets her book facedown on the table and takes a sip from a water bottle. “Detectives come to see me? Is it about that crazy woman who threatened me this morning?”
I bristle at her description of Remi, but I let Justin take the lead.
“We’re here investigating a credible report of what she told you this morning,” Justin says. “I’m Detective Justin Quon. This is my partner and his dog.”
Claudia motions for us to sit across from her and reaches to pet Glock. He ignores her and lies down in front of my feet.
“I don’t really see how I warrant two detectives and a dog,” Claudia says. “But now that you’re here, Miss Bruckner threatened me by telling me my husband’s trying to use her brother to kill me. If this isn’t the most convoluted story you’ve ever heard, I’d say you’re too sheltered. She then asks me to drop charges against her brother, Mr. Slade Bruckner, who she claims is held prisoner by Gavin.”
“I have pictures your husband texted to Miss Bruckner,” Justin says. “I’ll show them to you.”
