Page 30 of Every Breath

“You said that you would be alone for the rest of your life. That’s not true. You have me.” DJ threw his arms around her neck.

“And me, too.” Mya said from the doorway before running into the room to wrap her arms around them. Brandi should have known that her daughter would eavesdrop.

Her heart swelled with joy and pride for her two treasures.

Rodney walked to the house with an armful of toys and rang the doorbell.

“Rodney! How good to see you. We were wondering when you would be around again.” Mrs. Thornton opened the door wide to let him in. “I’m sure Tina will be glad to see you.”

He looked at the woman with a big smile. What a stupid woman she is. He’d been visiting the Thornton home for two years now and they still had no idea of the real reason. They thought it was because he actually gave a shit about their foster daughter. If he had his way, the little brat would be dead, too. Then at least things wouldn’t be so complicated.

“Would you like something to drink? I just made a fresh pitcher of lemonade.”

“That sounds nice. I would love a glass.”

He watched in disgust as the rotund woman walked to the kitchen, her flabby ass jiggling with each step. He wanted to throw up. Mrs. Thornton was no Brandi Evans. No one was as perfect as Brandi.

Jeff Thornton came out into the hallway. “Hey, Rodney, it’s good of you to come. Tina’s been making a lot of progress lately. She’s been talking a little more each day. The doctors say with a little more therapy, she’ll be functioning like most seven-year-olds.”

That’s exactly what Rodney didn’t want. “How nice,” he lied. “Do you think she remembers that night?” He tried to sound casual.

“That’s one thing she won’t talk about. Whenever her therapist brings it up, she goes into hysterics. He thinks she might remember what happened that night but that she refuses to talk about it.”

Good. Rodney intended to keep it that way. “Where is she now?”

“She’s in her room. Probably reading. It’s something else really. She’s so smart. The kid likes to read better than watching TV. I’ll have her come downstairs.”

“Please. I’m very eager to see her.” And to see how she reacts to me now that she seems to be getting better.

Jeff walked halfway up the staircase before calling Tina down.

The little girl appeared seconds later, bounding down the stairs two at a time until she saw Rodney. She froze. Her eyes widened as she looked at him.

Rodney looked over the little brat. She was a pale child with a mop of unruly brown hair. Her hazel eyes nearly took up her entire face and she was small for her age.

“Come down, Tina. Officer Mitchell came to see you. Look at all the toys he brought you.” Jeff gestured to the child to come off the stairs.

Verna Thornton walked back into the room with a glass of lemonade. “Here you go.”

“Here, let me take those toys for you.” Jeff removed them from Rodney’s arms so that he could hold the glass.

Rodney’s eyes never left Tina’s face. He took a step forward. “Hi, Tina. I hear you’re doing well.” He smiled.

The little girl let out a shriek and ran back up the stairs.

The Thorntons frowned at each other.

“I’m really sorry about that. I’m not sure what’s gotten into her.” Jeff scratched his head.

Rodney was pissed. The little bitch obviously remembered him shooting her father and Damon. She would have to die. They all would.

CHAPTER NINE

Mason didn’t think Friday would get here soon enough. All week, the only thing he could concentrate on was holding Brandi in his arms again. He didn’t think he would be able to make it through the week, but Friday night was finally here. He dimmed the lights, and played soft music. He pulled out the nicest bottle of wine he could find.

Absolutely nothing could go wrong. He paced back and forth in anticipation of her arrival. When he next glanced at his watch fifteen minutes had passed. She was running late, which made him a little nervous. Brandi was generally a pretty punctual person; he hoped she didn’t change her mind. Could something be wrong with the kids?

Get a hold of yourself. Give her some time.

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