Page 72 of Claws and Feathers

“It was stupid. I’m sorry.”

Cooper contemplated his next move. Every fiber in his body wanted to punch Marky right between the eyes, but his better judgment overruled. He let go of his shirt, tossing him backwards, and watching him stumble. “Don’t fucking move.” He pulled out his cell phone to call for back up.

Abby sauntered out through the patio door a few moments later looking tentative and fearful. “Cooper?”

“It’s okay, Abby. You’re not in danger.” Cooper called his department and told Faye to send the boys over to pick up Lyle’s scumbag brother. He returned his attention to the perpetrator. “You stay put. I see trespassing and obstruction of justice in your near future. Maybe we can throw some animal cruelty in there as well.”

“It was already dead, man! It’s not like I killed the thing.”

Abby approached the men, her eyes widening when she recognized the culprit. “You,” she said in a low breath. “You were at game night.”

Marky huffed at her, stuffing his hands into his black denim jeans, then leaning back on his heels.

“Why would you want to scare me?” she continued.

He shrugged. “Nothing personal. Just bored.”

Abby raised her eyebrows as she walked towards him. “You find amusement in my abduction and torture?” she wondered.

Her tone was calm and level, but Cooper noted the ominous inflection. It made the hairs on his arms stand up.

Marky finally looked up at her, puckering his lips. “Well, not anymore. It’s not so funny when you get caught.”

“I see.”

Cooper held his hand out to her as she halted in front of Marky. “Abby, I’ve got this covered. Why don’t you head inside?”

She didn’t look at him. Her eyes were fixed on Marky and they were spitting daggers. Without a second thought, Abby raised her arm into the air and slapped him across the face.Hard.

“Jesus! You bitch!” Marky exclaimed. He turned to Cooper while massaging his cheek with one hand and pointing at Abby with the other. “Did you see that? She assaulted me!”

Ah, Christ.Cooper pulled Abby back by the shoulder. “Hey, I said I got it,” he said with gentle firmness.

Abby’s head jerked towards him, her eyes brimming with tears. She didn’t say anything. Cooper expected her to, but she remained silent. She only offered him a poignant look before turning on her heel and heading back to the house.

“Crazy bitch,” Marky muttered, still rubbing his cheek.

Cooper had to hold himself back from lunging at the cretin. “You deserved it.”

Only a few minutes ticked by before his fellow officers arrived. James tossed Cooper a pair of cuffs, so he could do the honors. When he was handcuffed, Cooper pushed Marky over to his brother, Lyle, enjoying the sight of him tripping over his feet and almost nose-diving into the grass.

“You idiot,” Lyle seethed, slamming his palm against the side of Marky’s head.

Marky groaned. “That bitch hit me. I want to press charges.”

“I didn’t see shit,” Lyle answered, pushing him through the yard.

Marky blew a kiss at Cooper as he was taken away to the cruiser. “Tell your sister I said hi.”

Cooper cringed. He stood on Abby’s lawn, watching as the officers pulled away down the street. He sighed, shifting his gaze to the house, his heart clenching for the woman inside. He made his way up the hill and entered the back door, finding her seated on the couch with her feet propped up beside her. He approached, possibly with more caution than necessary, and observed the stoic look on her face. “Are you okay?”

She didn’t move, or flinch, or blink. She didn’t speak. Not right away. It felt like an eternity drifted by before she registered his question. Cooper couldn’t help but wonder where she had gone.

Abby lifted her head, her eyes blank. “Fine,” she said.

He thought of Kate and her loathing of that word. Cooper understood. Abby was anything but fine. “Want me to make you something to eat?”

“I’m not hungry.”

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