Matthieu didn’t want her to do this.
She was so pale, she looked ill. Exhaustion had her dragging her feet. All he wanted was to wrap her up in his arms and hold her tight.
Tonight had been full-on, starting with the ‘puppy rescue’ and finishing with a visit to her father that he couldn’t imagine going well.
They pulled into the driveway of her family home, behind her brother and Reeves.
“Are you sure about this?” he asked. “We can leave. You don’t have to do this.”
“I know . . . but I just feel like I have to.”
“You need to stay by my side the entire time,” he warned her. “I do not want you more than an arm’s length away at any time.”
He’d already gone through this with her, but he thought it bore saying again.
“I won’t. I promise.” She’d left all of her animals except for Tank and Big B behind with Captain and Brody. They were settling into the safe room at Callahan Security.
Princess Priss had still been sleeping. Gummy and Dougie had been pleased to get treats from Brody while Marshmallow was, well, just like he normally was.
“I want to do this. I have to see his reaction. I have to know. I promise, I will do everything you say.”
“You better. Remember, you’re still in trouble for not telling me about the puppy rescue plans you had made with Millie and Livvy.”
“What?” she cried. “I think you could let that pass, don’t you? After everything I’ve been through?”
“I think not.”
“But I didn’t do anything. I didn’t try to sneak away or anything.”
“And that’s just as well because your punishment would be far worse. But you didn’t tell me what was going on. You made these plans with Millie and Livvy behind my back. That deserves some lines. Wait there.”
She couldn’t believe this!
Punishment? She didn’t deserve to write lines. Sure, she’d come up with a plan to help those puppies without telling him. But did he really need to know everything going on in her life?
Well, sort of. At the moment, anyway.
He walked around and let out Tank and Big B first. Her stepmother was going to have a fit when she walked in with a dog and a pig.
Which was an absolute bonus. Then he came to her door to open it. She noticed that her brother and Reeves hadn’t gone in yet, they were waiting several feet away, their gazes roaming their surroundings.
Were they worried about Vince trying to get to her still? She knew that Butch was going to keep an eye on the place from the outside.
Matthieu opened her door and she climbed out, taking hold of both leads. Matthieu needed his hands free in case anything happened.
They headed inside. Her brother didn’t even knock, just walked in. She tensed. She couldn’t help it. Kathryn was going to find some way to get back at her for that.
That isn’t your problem.
What can she do? You’re an adult. And this is your family home.
They walked into the living room where her father was pacing back and forth. His hair was sticking up on end like he’d been running his fingers through it. He was wearing a crinkled shirt and pants. As though he’d just picked them up off the floor and put them on.
His face was red and sweaty. She actually felt sorry for him.
No, no, you can’t feel sorry for him.
He’d brought this all on himself. He doesn’t deserve pity when he’s a bad person.
