“Back the hell away from me right now Cade Grantham, or you are going to get more than you bargained for from me. I get that you’re mad. I understand it. I accept your anger and know that it was my fault that’s caused you to be so upset. Am I shrugging off that responsibility? No! I’m not. I’m right freakin’ here, listening to you go on and on about my intelligence, how stupid I am, how selfish I was. Guess what asshole! I was the polar opposite of selfish! I walked through that store, knowing in my gut that something evil was lurking. I didn’t think about myself or anyone else in that moment. My only focus was for my friend and her employees, not knowing where they were. Were they hurt? Hiding? Closed up in a room that was locked, waiting to be set free? Should I have stopped, turned around and called the police first? Sure! I agree wholeheartedly. But hindsight is 20/20 and if I had to do it all over again, I would have definitely turned around and called you. Not 911. Called YOU, Cade. Because you are my rock. Always. My anchor. I can depend on you no matter what’s going on. You have become my everything and that is the scariest thing to me, even beyond the evil bastard that killed Fiona today. But do you know what is even scarier than all of that? How you just treated me! I refuse to be yelled at and demeaned that way. Calling me stupid really hurts. I’m far from stupid. Do I care about others more than myself? You bet! I’ve been that way for a long time and I don’t see that habit breaking any time soon. I thought that was one of the things that you loved about me. But today you’re raking me over the coals for it? Well, you can just go to hell, Cade. If you can’t accept me for who I am, flaws and all, selfless, misguided decisions, then I guess I’m not sure why we’re together. I need to get out of here. Do not follow me. I’m going outside to call an Uber and going back to my apartment. We can talk tomorrow after we’ve both cooled down. I’m not in the mood to spend time together tonight.”
Kresley pulled her arm out of Cade’s grasp after she finished spewing her frustrations and walked out, soaking in Cade’s gorgeous face as she walked by him. She could see the anguish in his eyes and she knew that she had hit home with her words. She hated to see the hurt there, but she hurt, too. She needed to cool down her fiery temper. Then she could regroup. She walked outside and requested an Uber to pick her up. Luckily, there was one on the street over and soon she was getting in, directing the driver to take her to her apartment at Whimsy Events. Kresley left, not noticing Cade standing at the front door, arms crossed over his chest, a lost and pained expression on his face.
∞∞∞
The dark shadow had watched, in hiding, across the parking lot at the fabric store. Oh, the police officers are always playing his game. He wanted the red head for himself. But no, he couldn’t do that right now. Why was she here? Probably some kind of female shit that was stupid and worthless. Women were worthless. Whores like his mother was. He hadn’t intended to kill Fiona. The older woman smiled at him when he walked in. She had invited him to their break room for some party food they had snacked on earlier to celebrate a birthday. Well, what a way to celebrate. Waiting until the others had left for her to lock up. Then feel her life draining through his hands when he slit her throat. It was amazing. The shadow didn’t think she’d mind if he partook of her body after she died. She wasn’t going to care by then. Maybe he shouldn’t have bit her, but it was almost more than he could take. The shadow couldn’t wait to find his next game partner. Who shall it be this time?
Chapter Twenty-One
Cade closed the front door and heavily sat down on the couch, wondering what in the hell had just happened? A heaviness that he had never felt in his life, even when his parents passed away, overtook him. He could do nothing more than sit with his face in his palms, and let the emotions take over. He had hurt her. He had promised never to do that. And with some careless words said out of fear and frustration, he may have just ruined the best thing that had ever happened to him. Shit! What to do? Go after her? Give her the space she asked for? Go buy her some jewelry or something to make it up to her? Cade had no clue. None of those things fit his Kresley. His Kresley. She was his. And she was staying his. He’d make this right. He’d make her understand and he would show her how much he loved her, even when he was acting like a complete asshole idiot. Cade pulled out his cell phone and sent off a text.
Cade: Help! 911……I screwed up so bad with Kresley. She’s mad. Super mad. And it’s all my fault. What do I do? I was an asshole.
Birdie: Hey bro. Okay, so we’ve established you messed up. At least you can say it was you. But I’m not pushing Kres away from any blame. I know how she can be. Did her Red hair finally make an appearance? That fiery temper that all us Anderson girls can show on occasion. It ain’t pretty. Did it singe the hairs on your ass?
Gertie: Oh Cade. I’m sorry. I’m not saying
