Page 45 of Strictly Forbidden

“Of course and try not to worry. Maybe in a couple months the nightmare will truly almost be over.”

He had no understanding of the long-term effects of trauma, which was why those suffering from PTSD were so misunderstood.

I tossed the phone and took another deep breath. I’d make the switch in the morning and that would give me some peace of mind. I had to get a grip. Things were going so well.

Even as another clap of thunder shook the house, I managed to get to my feet. “Come on, baby boy. Let’s finally get that treat.” Without looking back, I turned off my office light, leaving my phone right where it was, and headed into the kitchen with my wineglass in my hand. Maybe a little refresher would make me feel better.

I pulled out the cutesy treat jar Zoe had given me as a gift, pulling not one but two biscuits into my hand. I wanted to reaffirm the extended wait he’d been trained for by placing a treat on his paw but I was too anxious tonight. “Here you go, baby. Not one but two. You are a very good boy.”

Watching him gobble down his treats was peaceful in a way. If not for the storm, I’d feel a lot better. Sighing, I moved to the open bottle of wine, topping off my glass. I leaned against the counter, trying to calm my breathing.

Of all the things my psychiatrist had taught me, the breathing exercises had been the first and only trick that had worked to calm my nerves. Max was the best idea in the world, which might mean Dr. Mallard would be kept around for a little while longer.

At least until the bastard was convicted.

I enjoyed watching Max and sipping wine, trying my best not to pay any attention to the now howling winds outside. When what sounded like a branch was flung at the window, I jumped far enough I jostled the wine all over my arm and shirt.

“Damn it.” God, I hated being jumpy. After placing the glass on the counter, I rinsed my hands and grabbed a towel, trying to clean up the mess. At least my PJ top was dark in color.

Max’s sudden growl immediately drew my attention.

My body froze once again and I slowly turned my head toward the window, the source of his bark. That didn’t last long when he suddenly went nuts, more so than I’d seen him do before, bounding toward the back door, barking and growling as if an entire army was trying to get inside. At least my reactions weren’t slow this time. I immediately checked the front door to ensure it was locked before racing to the back where Max stood barking up a storm at the back sliding door. Thankfully, I’d closed those blinds as I always did at night. Windows were fine but the expansive glass was too much of a wide-open space, an easy target for an assassin or a stalker.

God. Here I went again, reliving my own books in vivid form.

A bright flash of lightning became a blue neon glow outside the door, the blinds only making the glow appear that much more ominous.

I hadn’t forgotten. I was locked down tight. I backed away but Max continued growling. “What’s out there, buddy?”

His sounds dropped to a level I’d never heard before, which raised the hairs on the back of my neck.

“Come on, let’s go back to the kitchen.”

Max was overly protective, but he was also obedient, issuing one last growl with his teeth bared before rushing to my side. I was cognizant of every sound, including another whapping noise hitting the side of the house this time. I adored nature but the trees were going to get cut back. I couldn’t take another night or storm like this.

Another crushing extended bolt of lightning flashed where I could see it out the kitchen window. In my mind, the branches looked like clawed fingers reaching out from the heavens.

Only the bastard would be going straight to hell.

The loud boom of thunder coming right after the flash was enough to make me jump out of my skin.

I was almost to the kitchen when the lights went out completely. They didn’t flicker like they normally did in a weather event. They simply stopped working. Now my hackles were raised high as kites. Something was terribly wrong.

My heart racing, I rushed into the kitchen, managing to make it without tripping. I jerked open the drawer where I stored two of six flashlights, yanking one into my hand. My breathing ragged, I turned it on, keeping the beam low as I headed toward the edge of the window. The moment I peered out, I slunk back even more.

I had had two kinds of close neighbors. During this time of year, the foliage yet to develop on the trees, I could see when lights were on in their homes at night.

They were tonight.

Only my lights were out.

Oh, God. What was I supposed to do?

I backed against the counter, gasping for air as I grabbed a knife from the butcher block. Now Max was quiet, remaining by my side so closely I could feel the pressure of his nose against my knee.

Another bang.

Another rumble of thunder.

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