Chapter 18
Kat
“You’re mighty pretty for a burglar, but don’t think I won’t defend myself and my property against ya.”
I froze as Dad stalked down the hallway, shotgun poised at his shoulder.
“Woah, it’s me. You know, Kat? Katie?” I flicked on the light, hoping it was just the darkness that had him confused.
“Don’t give a rat’s ass who you are. Not when you’ve come into my home to steal my belongings.”
“But—” My heart pounded in my chest. What the hell was happening? He was looking right at me, but his eyes were glassy. Was he sleepwalking again? Could sleepwalkers hold conversations?
“You got ’til the count of three, and then I’m standing my ground.” The gun cocked. “One.”
Shit. “Yeah, yeah okay.” I took a slow step back. “Calm down. I’m sure we can—”
“Two.”
Fuck. Was he about to shoot me? My eyes filled with tears. “Wait!”
“Thr—”
“Yo, Larry, what’s going on here?”
A whoosh of air left my chest as Maverick’s voice rang through the kitchen. I didn’t dare move, but I heard his steps as he walked next to me.
Dad looked up from the scope and nodded. “Hey, Mav. Caught myself an intruder.”
“Intruder?” Mav asked, looking over at me. “You mean Kat?” He put an arm around my waist and dragged me backward, positioning his body in front of mine. “Just breathe, baby,” he whispered.
I let out a whimper and grabbed his hand.
Dad’s face twisted, and he lowered the rifle. “Wait, you know this thief?”
Mav cleared his throat. “Yeah, I know her. Are you saying you don’t?”
Dad shook his head. “Never seen her until now, sneaking into my house at three in the morning.”
I covered my mouth with my hand as I couldn’t hold the sobs back. He didn’t know who I was.
“Oh, um, my bad, I guess.” Mav squeezed my hand. “This is Kat, my girlfriend. We partied a little too hard tonight, you know how that goes.”
Dad laughed and nodded. “Yeah, I remember those days. But since when do you have a girlfriend? I’ve never seen you with a woman before. Other than the whores, of course.”
Mav coughed. “Kat’s from out of town. We were doing the long-distance thing, but she couldn’t keep away from me any longer and came for a visit. Only, she’s not too fond of the ladies at the clubhouse, if you know what I mean.”
Dad laughed, lowering the gun and holding it crossways so that it no longer pointed at us. “Not too many women would be okay with that.”
Mav nodded. “Exactly, Larry. That’s why I thought she could stay here during her visit. I know you’ve got some extra rooms, and I’ll pay of course.”
Dad’s eyes narrowed. “I understand your dilemma, son, but I don’t know about having a stranger in my home. I’m used to being on my own.”
“I totally understand that. I would, of course, stay with her.”
My sob caught in my throat. What the hell did he say?
“Well…” My dad’s head cocked to the side. “It’s about time you settled down. I’d hate for her to leave on account of you living in a whorehouse when I got the space available.”
“Appreciate it, man.” Mav walked forward with his hand out, and Dad shook it. With his left hand, Mav grabbed the rifle. “And I’ll take old Remy here and put it away for you. I hate that we got you out of bed. I meant to ask you sooner, I just got too caught up in my woman here.”
Dad yawned and nodded. “I can see why. She is beautiful. Woulda been a shame to shoot her.”
Mav patted Dad on the shoulder. “You head on back before Noodle wakes up. None of us will get any sleep if that happens.”
Dad chuckled and turned around. “You got that right. Night, Mav. Night, Kat. See you two lovebirds in the morning.”
Dad walked down the hallway back to his room. As soon as we heard the door close, Mav whirled around.
“Fuck, Kitty Kat. I think you need to move up that doctor’s appointment.”