Page 21 of Monster

“Over here, Lyle. Get these cuffs off her,” I said.

The man walked over. “I still don’t think she’s ready.”

I slowly raked my eyes over his face. “I’ll be the judge of that. You standby and know your place.”

Miss Pettigrew rolled her eyes. “Yeah. Like I can take either of you down.”

The cuffs fell away from her wrists and ankles, but she still didn’t look at me. So, I crouched down and calmly placed my hand against her bare knee. I squeezed it softly, trying to get her to look at me. And the shock that rolled over her features took me by surprise.

“You get what you give, Miss Pettigrew,” I said.

Her eyes finally met mine. “Funny. Pretty sure I’m the only one who’s been chained down all this time.”

I patted her knee. “Because you attempted to stab me. Can’t have that in my own home.”

“Then, the equal reaction would’ve been for you to try and stab me in return. Not throw me down here for the dogs to watch.”

I cocked my head. “Are you going to continue to talk back? Or, have you still not learned your lesson, Miss Pettigrew?”

In the blink of an eye, her hand cut across my face. I felt the stinging sensation of her nails as she raked them against my skin, opening wounds up for the world to see. And before I could even react, Lyle was on top of her. Wrestling with her against the mattress as she continued to try and wiggle her way out of things.

“Let me go, you son of a bitch!” she shrieked.

I stood to my feet and slipped a handkerchief out of my pocket. “Lock her back down.”

“Let me go!” she roared.

I watched her lunge for me again, but I stepped just out of reach. I watched as Lyle struggled to get her wrist attached to the headboard again, and I couldn’t help but smile. Miss Pettigrew looked almost feral, with her wild hair and her kicking legs and the way she gnashed her teeth. It was simply beautiful, how she lost control. However, she made one fatal mistake.

She showed me the purpose of her niceties.

Nevertheless, once Lyle finally got her subdued back into her place, my eyes raked up and down her body. Her skin, flushed with purpose. Her eyes, widened and angry. Her legs, bared for the world to see. A bit prickly, but a quick shave would fix that.

She’s impressive.

“Not many people can fool me like that, Miss Pettigrew. But, rest assured, I won’t make the same mistake twice,” I said.

She hissed at me. “I’d rather starve than take your kindness.”

I dabbed at the blood on my face. “Suit yourself.”

If she didn’t want to eat, she didn’t have to. But, that wouldn’t stop me from eating. And if she wanted to be this stubborn, I could be just as stubborn back.

“Lyle?” I asked.

“Sir?”

I made my way for the door. “You and I will take lunch down here today.”

He paused. “Come again, sir?”

I peered over my shoulder. “You and I will eat down here. I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”

If Miss Pettigrew didn’t want to eat, then she could simply watch us eat.

* * *

Charlotte

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