“Did you have any luck on dating apps before you met Kain?”
There was a pause on the other end, followed by the click of her tongue. “You’re right, let’s rob a bank.”
“Let’s? As in we?”
“Hell yes. I need to see where this goes and it gives me an excuse to go home early instead of spending the entire weekend with my extended family. Can we rob Vanguard Holdings down on Kittyhawk street? They’re closed all week, along with the other shops in the area.” Daisy rambled off a concerning amount of information about the bank’s security until I finally interrupted.
“Daisy, bestie, how long have you been planning to rob this bank?”
Her voice took on a light, innocent tone. “Whatever do you mean? I’m just trying to help you.”
“You know what, this will go faster if I don’t ask questions. See you tomorrow?”
“You got it!”
Chapter 4
Crisp evening air stung my cheeks as I searched the depths of my purse for the keycard to my apartment building. The lack of dexterity in mittens was a real problem, but my hatred for cold fingers outweighed the need for maneuverability. The key card slipped from my hands and plopped into fresh snow. Life is a prison. I let my head rest against the door, forcing the will to live back in my marrow before picking up the card and pressing it to the lock. The green light flashed and I hurried up the stairs into my apartment. Closing the door behind me, I kicked off my heels and hung my purse on the coat rack. “As soon as Charlotte signs over the house, I am breaking this damn lease.”
The rumblings of an irritated cat met my ears. I rolled my eyes, already preparing for the old girl’s lecture about being left alone. I loved that cat, but damn was she ever dramatic. “Oh don’t you grumble at me, Freeloader. You have an automatic feeder. You can survive a night.”
There was movement in the living room. I expected it to be my yowling roommate, but it wasn’t. It was Louis. He sat with a bouquet of red roses and a small rectangle box in hand, bathed in the warm glow of the fireplace that crackled with dancing flames.
“Daphne,” he said, rising from my couch. His posture was slumped, eyes filled with remorse. “We need to talk.”
I crossed my arms, refusing to let the pinpricks at my heart get the better of me. “No, we don’t. Nor do I want any gifts from you or whatever the hell this is. You can go ahead and toss those roses into the fireplace on your way out.”
He shifted uncomfortably and set his gifts down on the coffee table. Louis held up his hands in surrender, his voice turned soft. “Don’t be like that. I know I messed up, but I miss you. Can we try again?”
“Try again after you fucked my sister and gave her my engagement ring? Hmm. Let me think about that for a bit.” I put a fist to my chin, pretending to contemplate anything other than his outrageous amount of audacity.
“Daph, don’t be cruel, it was an honest mistake. She came onto me and-”
“Oh, you are SO lucky I’m too pretty for prison,” I snarled, bitterness welling up inside me. “How did you even get in here? Actually, it doesn’t matter.” I stepped out of the entryway and motioned to the door. “Get out.”
He took a step forward, flinching when Freeloader hissed. I turned to see the old gray tabby perched high in her cat tree next to the balcony, back arched high like she was ready to leap down and claw his face off. Fuck I love that cat.
“I know I messed up, but I miss you.”
“Do you miss me, or do you miss the house I’ll be inheriting now?”
His gaze faltered, confirming my suspicions. “Look, Daph, I—”
“Save it, Louis. I don’t know why it took me this long to realize you were a hobosexual, but the cats out of the bag. Get out.”
He didn’t budge. Instead, he reached out and grabbed my arm, pulling me to him. Disgust soured in my mouth and I tried to shove away from him. “Let go of me, Louis!”
“Not until you talk to me!” he barked.
Rage drove my knee into his balls. Louis crumpled to the floor, gasping for air and clutching his injured pride. Freeloader, sensing the tension, leaped down from her perch and arched her back, her fur standing on end as she hissed menacingly at Louis.
I stood over him, my anger still burning hot. I stepped over him to open the door, but he grabbed me by the skirt and yanked me back.
Louis groaned in pain as he stood, then grabbed my wrists before I could shove him away again. “I’m not going anywhere until you listen to what I have to say.”
“Dammit Louis, just shut up and listen to me!”
“Don’t tell me to shut up!” Louis tightened his grip on my wrists and I winced. The door was just a few feet away and I knew I had to break free. Summoning all the strength I had, I stomped on his foot with my heel, causing him to release his hold momentarily. I pulled away, making a beeline for the door.
