Page 19 of Kitten Kisses

“You have to go to the police.” He thought of Slater in the next room. “You need to tell them what he’s doing.”

“I was hoping he would just go away.”

“You’re afraid of enraging him.” He voiced the real reason.

“I just want him to leave us alone,” she gritted out.

“Then I’ll handle it from here. Finish getting ready for work, Mom. I love you.”

“Alex, please don’t—” she started to say.

He hung up before she could plead with him to stay out of it then walked into the living room. His steps slowed when he saw Slater’s tense posture and the darkness in his eyes.

“Tell me his name.”

“William Preston. I don’t know where he lives now, but I’ll give you my mom’s address. She’s a hairdresser at the local salon.” Alex tried to think of any other information that could help Slater. “Do you want me to get his phone number from her?”

“I want everything you two can give me.” Slater pulled out his phone and made a call. Alex texted his mom and asked for William’s number.

Why do you need it?

His mom was worried that he would call William, afraid that his father would try using intimidation or persuasion to see Alex. But what she seemed to forget was that he’d never been scared of his father.

Alex had followed all the rules and stayed in line because he didn’t want to be kicked out and leave his mother alone to deal with William.

It wasn’t until he turned eighteen that he started challenging his father’s absolute authority with silent rebellion—giving him defiant glares that showed how little William actually scared him and ignoring those ridiculous rules. Then, when Alex had finally moved into his own place, he’d no longer held back his tongue, which seriously pissed off his father.

My friend is a deputy. He’s actually at my apartment right now and asked for William’s phone number.

He watched the three dots appear as she typed out her response.

You never told me about him. Is he really a friend, or are you two dating?

Alex groaned. This was not the time to discuss his dating life. Besides, he had no clue how to label what was going on between him and Slater.

Phone number, Mom.

She finally sent it to him, along with a message. We’ll talk later about your deputy.

That brought a smile to his face. They would definitely talk later.

“Did she send it?” Slater asked.

“Yes.” He started to turn his phone around to show Slater but then quickly pulled it back when he remembered he would also see the messages as well. Alex had embarrassed himself enough already.

“I’ll text it to you.” As he typed out each digit, he had to fight the urge to call William and unleash his anger on him.

“I just spoke with Sheriff Harper.” Slater checked his phone when it beeped. It was probably the text Alex just sent him. “He wants your mom to come down to the station to file a restraining order.”

“I’ll let her know, but I can tell you already she’s not going to miss work to go down there.” Alex’ stomach grumbled loudly. “Unlike Mr. Fiago, William doesn’t show his true colors in public. He’s not going to show up at the salon and harass my mom.”

Slater frowned. “Are you saying she won’t go to the station?”

“I’m saying she’ll wait until after work.” Alex tucked his phone into his back pocket. “Since we’ve done all we can for now, I suggest feeding the hungry beast trying to claw its way out of my belly.”

A deep rumble sounded from Slater’s stomach. He chuckled. “I guess I have a beast inside of me too.”

In Slater’s gaze, Alex caught a subtle nod, a silent admission that the creature he had seen was indeed real.

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