Page 80 of Fanatic

What? You sneaky shit, I thought. Fanatic had just bought his way back into Phoe’s good books.

“Can we have Danny overnight?” Phoe asked.

“No!” I exclaimed, and Phoe looked crestfallen. “Sorry, I’m not ready for that yet. Let me get used to the idea, please.”

Phoe nodded but still seemed upset.

“Why don’t you pick Danny up Saturday and spend the day with him?” I offered, feeling guilty.

Phoe broke into a brilliant smile, and I frowned.

“Sucker!” Fanatic murmured in my ear. “You better let your father have him Thursday and Friday, or there’s going to be a riot!”

“Oh, fuck!” I exclaimed, realising what had just happened. I quickly dialled Dad before Phoe could tell anyone and got him to have Danny Thursday and Friday daytime. Dad and Ellen would stay at my house while Fanatic, Danny, and I bunked here.

“Yes, shit’s about to hit the fan. Your dad against my mum. They both wanna be grandparents of the year.” Fanatic grinned as he settled in deeper on the couch we were sitting on.

“Yeah. I ain’t refereeing.”

“Oh, never say never!” Fanatic teased, and I scowled as I heard Phoe on the phone.

“I’m leaving the country.” I sulked as I curled into him.

“Too late now, babe, I claimed you,” Fanatic said, and I smiled. That sounded nice.

Chapter Sixteen.

Willow

Today had gone well. I’d detested leaving Fanatic this morning, but he had looked better. Plus, Phoe would be at the clubhouse most of the day. Jimenez and I had managed to interview all day, and we’d been impressed with most we’d seen. Some had not made the cut, and one I really had hated because of the arrogance she’d displayed.

Jimenez hadn’t liked her either. So, we had around half of the team we needed. Fanatic had taken the day off and spent it with Danny and Phoe in Chance’s backyard, where there was a swimming pool. Fanatic had been sending me videos, which I watched in between interviews.

There’d been a few tantrums with Danny today when he’d got tired.

Someone had forgotten to pick up his cuddle buddy or blanket blankie, as Fanatic called it, and he had fought sleeping. I planned to stop on the way to Hellfire and grab it. The last thing we needed was an upset baby tonight.

The car insurance hadn’t paid, and I was still driving Fanatic’s SUV, so I headed home.

A couple of times, I thought I’d seen someone on my tail, but after a series of turns, I arrived back at the rented house with little difficulty. I parked up close and locked the SUV before hurrying inside. There were several other items I needed to grab while I was there. I threw my keys in the bowl on the entrance table and headed upstairs.

As I reached the landing, I paused. Something was wrong. There was a strange smell, and my bedroom door was open. I was sure I had shut it the other day when I’d picked clothing for Fanatic, me, and Danny while we stayed at the clubhouse. I pulled my gun and moved forward silently. On guard, I cleared each room as I passed them, heading to mine. Checking twice before entering, I frowned as I saw nothing out of place.

Everything appeared as I left it. On edge still, I grabbed the few things I needed, keeping my weapon out. I hurried to Danny’s nursery and got his cuddle buddy before racing back downstairs.

Once again, I stopped and looked at the entrance table in surprise. Huh, I could have sworn I threw the keys into the bowl.

But they were now on the table. An eerie sensation crawled up my spine, and I grabbed them and rushed out. I had planned to empty the fridge, but Fanatic could send Jinx.

I climbed into the SUV and stared at the living room window. Had that been a shadow?

Spooked, I pulled out and drove off. I didn’t stop until I hit the clubhouse.

Fanatic

Four days had passed since my collapse, and I was feeling better, but telling this lot was a different story. Truth was, I was as weak as a lamb but screw admitting that. I barely had any energy. Willow had returned to work and finished her lasttwo days for this week. Meanwhile, I sat twiddling my thumbs. They’re only so many games someone can play, although I now kicked ass at Assassin’s Faith, Star Battles, and Overlook.

Things were dire when I got into an argument with a ten-year-old kid on Overlook. He wouldn’t leave my tank alone, and his DPS (damage per second hero) sucked big time. I threw my controller next to me and sighed, tipping my head back.

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