Page 19 of The Landlord
I don't know this man.
Doug growls, the sound so unexpected from his tiny body that I almost laugh despite my fear.
The man approaches, his pace unhurried, confident. "Alyssa, sweetheart. Finally. Just you and me."
My throat closes. How does he know my name?
Stupid question. Of course he knows my name. He's been sending me packages. Commenting on my videos. Watching me. Learning about my life with every video and photo.
"I don't know you. Please leave me alone."
"Don't be silly. It's me, Barry. You know, Marcus Lover. Marcus is my middle name." He stops a few feet away, close enough thatI can smell stale sweat and something chemical beneath it. "I've been trying to reach you for so long, but they keep getting in the way."
Doug barks sharply, placing his tiny body between us. The sound seems to startle Barry, whose smile falters.
"You need to shut that rat up."
"He's not a rat. He's my dog." I take a step back, tightening my grip on the leash. "I'm going inside now."
"We have so much to talk about, Alyssa. I've been so patient." He steps closer, his eyes never leaving my face. "Did you like the gifts? I picked each one especially for you."
"Please don't come any closer." My back bumps against the brick wall of the building. When did I get here? "I don't want your gifts."
His face changes, hardening into something ugly. "You're just confused. They've poisoned you against me." His hand shoots out, grabbing my wrist. "We belong together. I know it. You know it."
Pain shoots up my arm as his fingers dig into my skin. Doug erupts into a frenzy of barks, lunging at Barry's ankles.
"Let go of me!" I try to twist away, but his grip tightens.
"You're hurting her! Let go!" The voice belongs to Mrs. Simone from 1B, appearing from around the corner with her grocery bags. "Young man, unhand her this instant!"
Barry's attention shifts for just a second—enough for me to wrench my arm free. Doug continues his assault, tiny teeth bared at Barry's pant leg.
"Fucking mutt!" Barry aims a kick at Doug, who dodges with surprising agility, his barking growing more frantic.
Mrs. Simone drops her groceries and charges forward with surprising speed for a seventy-year-old woman, swinging her cane wildly. It connects with Barry's shoulder, making him yelp.
"You leave her alone, you monster!" Mrs. Simone's voice carries down the street. "Help! Someone help!"
Barry lunges for me again, but Mrs. Simone interposes herself between us, her cane raised like a sword. "Run, Alyssa! Get inside!"
I can't leave her. I can't leave Doug. My fingers fumble for my phone, ready to call 911, when a blur of motion catches my eye.
Damien.
He moves with terrifying speed for such a large man, covering the distance between the building entrance and us in seconds. His face is a mask of cold fury as he grabs Barry by the back of his shirt, yanking him away from me and Mrs. Simone.
"I told you not to come back here." Damien's voice is barely recognizable, a low dangerous growl that makes the hair on my arms stand up.
Damien slams him against the brick wall, forearm pressed against his throat. "You think I was joking? You think I wouldn't protect what's mine?"
Barry struggles, his face reddening. "She's not yours. She's mine. We're meant to be together?—"
"Shut. Up." Damien increases the pressure, just enough to cut off Barry's words. "The only thing you're meant for is a cell. Youcome near her again, you so much as think about her, and I will end you. Understand?"
I've never seen this side of Damien—this raw, primal fury barely contained in human form. It should terrify me. Instead, I feel oddly safe, protected.
"Alyssa, call the police." Mrs. Simone picks up Doug, who continues growling at Barry. "This man needs to be arrested."
