Page 47 of Deranged and Obsessed Omnibus: Vol 1

I started getting turned on again at the sight of him lapping up his own mess.

“I have to get the door before they burst in here.”

He grunted, gave one more lick, and let me finish getting dressed. One more hard knock had my heart pounding, the sound filling my ears like a drumbeat as I moved to the door.

After taking a deep, steadying breath, I opened it. Two officers stood on the porch, their faces grim, the storm whipping around them. They held themselves differently now. Sterner. Almost angry as they looked at me with narrowed eyes, searching behind me as if they expected to see someone hiding in the shadows.

The taller, thicker one set his jaw as he stared at me. “Ma’am,” he said, his tone clipped and not at all pleasant like it had been before. “Just wanted to come back and check on you. The weather is getting worse.”

I cleared my throat and forced a smile.

The younger officer searched my face, his eyes narrowing. “Are you okay? You’ve got blood on you.” He tipped his chin toward my face.

I placed my hand on my mouth, knowing if there was blood on my face, it was probably smeared there from when I licked at the wound I’d given Kane and the small cut on my bottom lip when I bit it too hard. “I’m fine. Just had an accident in the kitchen. I’m okay.”

He frowned and glanced at the older officer. I knew I was a pretty good liar. I had to be in order to get away with murdering my father. But these men were already suspicious, so they didn’t believe anything I said.

The older officer had his hand hovering near the gun on his hip. “Can we come in, ma’am?”

My stomach twisted, but I kept my expression steady. “I’m actually about to head to bed, or I would invite you in.”

The older officer took a step closer, his boots sounding heavy on the wooden porch. “Respectfully, we’re going to need to come inside.”

I gripped the edge of the door and gave a tight smile. “I’m sorry, officer, but I have to decline.”

“We know you’re not alone,” the younger cop said, stepping forward and crowding me.

“Can you back up, please?” I spit out and closed the door a little bit, but the older man put his boot in the doorway, stopping me from shutting it all the way.

“If you’re harboring him,” the other one said, low enough only I heard, “and if he’s forcing you to keep him here, just open the door, and we’ll take care of it.”

I shook my head, gripping the edge of the door. “Everything is fine.”

The younger officer leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “Probable cause gives us every right to enter. Blood on your face,” he said and gestured toward my face. “We know there is a dangerous fugitive in the area, and your refusal to cooperate? That’s enough for us.”

When I didn’t say anything, the older cop exchanged a glance with his partner. “Step aside, ma’am. We’re coming in.”

“I said no,” I stated firmly.

The younger officer’s nostrils flared, his face showing he was becoming annoyed with me. “Open the door. This is the last time we’re asking.”

Before I could respond, he shoved the door open with his shoulder hard enough it slammed into my arm, pushing me backward and causing pain to bloom through my body as I fell on my ass.

The officers stepped inside, the storm blowing in too before they closed it. Their weapons were already drawn, as they were at the ready and scanning the interior.

“Kane Richter!” the older officer shouted. “We know you’re here. Come out now, or we’ll—”

They didn’t get a chance to finish their sentences.

Kane emerged from around the corner, his frame big and looming, his whole demeanor so calm and collected that it was… frightening.

“Freeze!” the cops shouted. “Hands where we can see them.”

Kane didn’t say a word. Didn’t hesitate in his stride. He glanced at me, his nostrils flaring, the anger in him tangible as he saw me on the ground. He looked at the officers, not even fazed that they had their guns pointed at him.

“Backup will be here any minute,” the younger one said.

I knew that was a lie. Cell service up here was sketchy at best, but with the storm, it was nonexistent. You’d need a satellite phone or some kind of CB or Ham radio.

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