Page 9 of The Devil In Disguise

Mama giggles and playfully shoves me. “Lasagna! And you are helping me, so let’s go.”

It takes me a full ten minutes to remember where I am and why I’m waking up in my old bed. Slapping a pillow over my face and groaning is my only reaction when yesterday's events come rushing back. Then a light bulb goes off in my head and I shoot up in bed. Duke should be gone for at least two hours before I have to go in for my shift, and I need my stuff back, anyway. A crazed smile takes over my face.

I skip to the bathroom with newly found energy and high spirits to brush my teeth. I get ready quickly and dash into the kitchen. Mama is already up and making breakfast, so I grab a plate of waffles and fruit and leave a kiss on her cheek when I pass behind her.

“Buenos dias, can I use your car before I leave for work so I can bring back a few items I left at the apartment?” I ask in-between bites.

“That’s fine, keys are by the door and you should know where I usually park.”

“Thank you,” I say sweetly as I finish the last bit of fruit on my plate. “I’ll be back.”

The trip to the apartment feels longer when I drive, but there was no way I could fit half of my stuff on my bike. A glance at the clock confirms I don’t need to rush, as long as he didn’t lie about having to show a house today. I’m in and out of the apartment in record time, not having too many personal items there, anyway. I leave my purse on the counter and my old softball bat—that I originally brought over here for emergencies—leaning against the wall.

When I get back home, I make around three trips to and from the car to drop my stuff back into my room. The back and forth only serves to spike my bubbling anger at Duke—at the whole situation. Switching vehicles and crossing my fingers that Duke won’t be returning home soon, I rev my bike and go back to that apartment one final time before my shift starts.

An empty apartment with nothing out of place gives me all the confirmation I need to go ahead with my plan. My father taught me to swallow my sadness and turn it into anger, so that’s exactly what I’ll do.

Before I ever left the house for the first time, my dad gifted me a hunter’s dagger and taught me the basics. It has a smooth, black handle with my initials engraved towards the bottom. I carry that dagger with me everywhere I go, hidden inside my plain, green purse. It’s been a while since I last used it, but this time it’ll be more fulfilling.

Taking it out of my purse, I run my finger across the sharpened blade and then look up. The first thing I see in my line of vision is the perfect, little couch that he watches his shows on. I stab straight into a cushion and slice it open. The sound of fabric ripping tickles something in my brain, inciting me to take my time destroying every cushion and pillow in this apartment.

My blue, metal bat replaces my handy dagger and I feel just as alive as when I’m in the fighting ring. The way my adrenaline is pumping, if Duke came home and caught me now, I might just whack him silly with this bat.

If it’s glass, it’s getting shattered. If it looks breakable, I will crush it. If it doesn’t look breakable, who is going to stop me from trying, anyway?

After taking a moment to catch my breath, I walk to the center of the room and twirl, taking in the whole room.

A masterpiece, if you ask me.

I unhook the apartment key from my keychain and leave it on the counter, taking my purse and bat with me. I walk out feeling much lighter and ready to take on the day, ditching the bat in a dumpster on my way to my bike.

Looks like I can skip training today.

Chapter 5

The Black Steam Café has live entertainment when I walk in today. There aren’t too many people sitting inside, but those who are have their eyes on the scene unfolding in the corner of the shop.

Naturally, the first thing I catch sight of is the loose, cherry-brown curls that are always pulled back in a low ponytail. Amaris is turned away from everyone else, showing only a sliver of her face while the lanky man in front of her throws a temper tantrum. He looks like he walked right off of Wall Street, but is acting like Mommy took away his new toy.

Tears seem likely here.

“I was thinking about you the whole time, babe. We can work this out,” I hear him say as he reaches for her hand.

This should be good. Leaning my 6’5 frame against the wall closest to me, I watch from the shadows.

She steps back before he can grab her and bursts into a fit of laughter, angering the man in front of her—if his reddening face is any indication. “Duke, I get more of a reaction when I pull a muscle than I do in bed with you. This is the last time I’ll say it, get out and leave. Me. Alone.”

Before she can fully turn to walk away, he latches onto her arm, halting her. I almost move from my spot. Wait, why do I care?

“This isn’t over yet, your shit is still at the apartment. You’ll have to come back for it eventually,” he says with a shit-eating grin.

Jerking her arm back, she continues walking away and throws over her shoulder, “Already took my stuff out.” Ignoring watchful eyes, she rounds the counter and shines a saccharine smile at him. “I left you a surprise, too.”

Her smile takes over her face as the color drains from his. She looks downright menacing and something tells me he has a good idea of what she’s talking about. Without another word, he straightens his spine, pushes his hair back with his hand, and looks around the room. Eyes on the ground, he walks to the front door and then takes off in a sprint when he’s outside.

I’m assuming that is—or rather, was—Amaris’ little boyfriend. The guy looks like he had a silver spoon up his ass. How the hell did she end up with him? If the way he handles her in public is any indication, I would hate to find out how he acts behind closed doors.

There’s a spark of annoyance at the thought of anyone else besides me bringing her pain, but I shove that down.

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