Page 78 of Derek

Sonja waited for the call to connect, relieved it didn’t go to voicemail. “Derek?” she said sorrowfully, her voice hoarse from crying.

“Hello, babygirl. What’s wrong? Are you hurt?” Derek sounded upset, too.

“Yes. No.” She pulled herself together with her last bit of strength. “I’ve just come from the vet.” Sonja gulped against renewed tears.

“I had to say goodbye to Snuggles. His kidneys were failing, and there was nothing they could do. He’s gone, Derek. My little sweetheart is gone.” Sonja lost the fight against her tears, and they ran freely over her cheeks.

“Oh, precious,” Derek said and then asked, “Would you like some company?”

Sonja’s heart soared, and she whispered, “Yes, please!”

“On my way.” She could hear him moving before he disconnected the call.

Fuck, she loved that man.

Sonja pressed the phone against her chest. She was going to see Derek again and feel her Daddy’s arms around her. He couldn’t bring back Snuggles, but his presence would ease her pain and loneliness. Sonja struggled to her feet and decided to leave the door open for Derek. He would be here any moment, and it would save her an awkward moment at the front door. Meanwhile, she would put on the kettle for tea.

While the water was heating, there was a sound in the hallway—faster than she expected him. Sonja ducked into the freezer to get eclairs out to serve with the tea and yelled, “I’m in the kitchen!” She turned off the kettle and reached for two mugs in the cupboard. A movement behind her made her turn, ready to fling herself into Daddy’s arms, only to be halted by the sight of—Angie.

For mere seconds, both women stared at each other—Sonja in shock and horror while Angie’s features distorted by rage and deep hatred.

“As long as you live, my Daddy won’t come back to me. You’ve bewitched him, you filthy homewrecker!” the crazed woman screamed as she threw herself at Sonja with her hands poised to scratch her.

Sonja had dealt with rude customers on occasion, but she wasn’t used to this kind of venom. She moved back and away from Angie, who was screaming profanities.

This woman is insane. I can’t believe I left my door open!

“Angie, calm down. Derek and I split up days ago.” Sonja tried to placate the other woman.

Angie’s eyes were wide open, and she was close enough for Sonja to see specks of spit on her pink-painted lips.

“I heard you call him, you whore. He doesn’t want to be with you, but you keep tempting him with your trashy ways and sweet-talking bullshit. I heard you cry. Daddy can’t handle tears. He wants to make everything okay and erase sorrow and grief. You figured out you can control him with tears. But I won’t let you.” After her tirade, Angie dashed forward, and Sonja took another step backward, bumping into the kitchen counter. The same moment Sonja realized she was stuck in a corner with no means to escape, Angie’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

“Angie, let’s talk about this,” Sonja said.

Angie ignored her plea, but instead of attacking Sonja again, she turned her attention to the side. Without hesitating, Sonja tried to run for cover.

“Oh no, you don’t.”

Something sliced over her back, and pain seared through her. Sonja turned to defend herself.

“I’m going to cut you to pieces, you filthy cunt.” Angie’s voice sounded ominous, but what froze Sonja’s blood was the large chef’s knife Angie now held.

Angie launched herself in another wild attack, going for Sonja’s face. Sonja raised her arms and grabbed for Angie’s wrist but got the knife blade instead. Although it hurt, it kept Angie from stabbing her in the face.

“I wonder if Daddy will like you so much when I carve up that pretty face of yours. I’m going to cut off the lips you use to suck my Daddy’s dick,” Angie ranted.

They continued to wrestle for control of the knife. Sonja used her left hand to try to control Angie’s wrist so she could let go of the blade, but Angie fought back. Despite Angie being much smaller and lighter, she wasn’t an easy opponent, and Sonja feared she wouldn’t have the strength to hold her any longer.

The blood ran down her wrist, and Sonja wondered how much damage the knife was causing. With a burst of strength, Angie wrested the knife free from Sonja’s hand and raised it high. Sonja was defenseless, cornered, and injured. She had no means of escape and braced herself against the pain that would come.

A mighty roar halted Angie in her tracks, and Sonja looked on in stunned amazement as Angie’s face lit up when Derek came barreling into the kitchen. “Don’t you hate her, too, Daddy?” Angie said in a sugary-sweet voice, before turning her attention back to Sonja with furrowed brows. “Let’s kill her!” Angie shrieked and again thrust the blade at Sonja.

“No!” Derek roared and threw himself between the two women.

Sonja watched in horror as the knife sank into his side. Angie let go and stepped away from him.

None of them moved as they looked down at the handle protruding from Derek’s leather jacket before Angie remarked ina steady and reasonable tone, “Now look what you made me do.” She dashed out of the kitchen and the apartment.

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