Chapter 33 #3
“I can’t believe that thing didn’t break,” I mutter.
Harry chuckles. “You underestimate old things, Hatton.”
Frog’s still sputtering and sucking down desperate lung-fulls of air by the time Harry gets him settled back onto all four chair legs.
When Harry steps back, Frog wheezes, “Thanks.”
“Ah, hell no. I am not on your side.” Harry throws a right hook so mean and fast I don’t see it, only registering the crack that reverberates through the bungalow.
Frog slumps unconscious, a welt immediately blooming on his temple, and Harry shakes out his hand.
“Dadgum, nice shot,” I laugh. “Who knew you had it in you.”
Harry sniffs. “Like I said. You underestimate old things.”
“Touché.”
A loud, insistent meow cuts through the panel walls, followed by light scratches.
I frown and crouch to knock my knuckles against the wall.
“Aw, it’s okay princess. Daddy’s almost done here, alright?”
Harry scoffs. “You and that cat.”
Another meow and where Dinah’s scratching vibrates against my fingers.
“Better wrap it up here before your little escape artist joins the party.”
“Agreed.”
I stand and slap Frog lightly across the face. “Wake up, asshole.”
His eyes flutter open. “Fuck… you… both.” Then he focuses on me the best he can. “You can get all the answers you want from me, but in the end, Castle’s still gonna play you. Everyone’s a pawn in his game.”
I snort. “You would know.”
His eye narrows and I laugh.
“You said Castle gave you Lucy because ‘she owed you.’ But you also said he was trying to draw me out. And Castle knows exactly who I am.” I prop my hands on my knees, meeting his busted up gaze. “Which means he knew exactly how I’d react.”
The realization clicks into place on his face, and I grin.
“I don’t know why he pulled the trigger last night, but I know he’s done with you. He probably hoped I’d kill you in a blind rage.” I shrug. “Hell, if I wasn’t immune to the Smoke, I would’ve fallen into his trap and offed you right there on camera.”
Frog tilts his head. “Why didn’t the Smoke affect you?”
An idea begins to form, and I smile.
“You know what, Froggy-boy? That’s actually a question I don’t mind answering.”
I turn around to grab my meds—
A blur of orange launches through the hole Harry’s been fixing. Both he and I shout at the same time.
“Dinah, no!”
She runs straight for me, uncaring that Frog is in between us.
His eyes go wide as he yanks at his zip ties. “No! Get that piece of shit away from me!”
Everything slows as he draws up his foot to kick her—
I’m there before he can connect, crashing the hammer into his face. Blood sprays as I rear back again, shouting between blows.
“Don’t. You. Fucking. Touch. Her!”
Behind me, I sense Harry scooping Dinah up against his chest. After the last word, I punch Frog one more time for good measure, then force myself to stop before I accidentally kill the bastard.
I blow out a long breath, then turn around with my arms open, fingers trembling with rage, fear, and adrenaline.
“Come here, princess.”
Dinah practically launches herself from Harry’s arms into mine, and the second I catch her, she starts purring loud as a motor engine. The adrenaline shakes taking over my body begin to slow, but my throat tightens. For once, it’s not because she’s accidentally trying to kill me.
Lucy got her when she was around ten, after her last cat was so brutally taken from her.
There’s white mixed into Dinah’s bright orange fur now, but she’s still soft and so sweet.
She’s been my only constant companion for the past six months while we searched for her mom.
And all that time, I couldn’t figure out why the fuck Lucy would ever leave her behind.
I meet Dinah’s bright green eyes, and my heart twists.
“That’s why she left you, isn’t it, princess?”
Dinah gives me a long, slow blink, punctuating it with a soft headbutt to my chin. Emotion clogs my throat. Lucy didn’t abandon her. She protected her. Just like she’s been trying to protect everyone else.
Meanwhile, I’ve managed to screw everything up.
“I can’t believe I didn’t see it before.” I scratch Dinah beneath her chin. “She loved you too much to keep you.”
The cold finality of that fact settles into my bones.
I close my eyes for a second and kiss the top of Dinah’s head, grateful that my medicine has finally started working.
Six months ago, I would’ve needed an EpiPen-and-a-half being this close.
Now all I feel is her rumbling purr against my chest and the ache of knowing exactly why Lucy left her—and everything else she loves—behind.
“Daddy’s gonna get you back to your momma if it’s the last thing I do, little girl,” I whisper.
Dinah answers by purring so loudly, the sound nearly drowns out Frog’s sniveling behind me.
I kiss her head one last time before handing her off to Harry.
“Take her outta here,” I say low. “I know how I’m finishing this.”
Harry studies me for a moment, one weathered hand idly scratching Dinah’s ear as she melts against him.
Finally, he nods and turns to leave. “You’ve got this, kid.”