Page 171 of My Sweet Dollie, You Have to Love Me
But all stays silent in Dollie’s presence.
CHAPTER 40
Ambrose—present day
My peaceful morning came to an end in the middle of a nice dream when Shane’s voice penetrated it.
That was when I forced my eyes open to a nightmare. Him on my property.
Fifteen fucking minutes he’s been lingering outside this house, Dollie and Annabelle following his instructions as he sets up ladders and talks like he has some kind of clue what he’s doing.
His finger points in the direction of the paint can, which says otherwise. The pastel pink color isn’t going to overpower the black coating on this house. It’s just gonna make it look like a fucking mess.
But, he’s told Dollie that the place will be so much more attractive pink, and it’s pink, so, of course, she agrees.
“I think the lighter color will really help sell the place once it hits the market. What do you think, Dollie?”
He really did that? Used my fucking nickname for her.
My nostrils flare, all focus on the endearment and not the idea that he thinks he gets an opinion on this place being sold.
No words come out of Dollie’s mouth as I listen at the window.
I need a distraction. The kit I bought yesterday to stretch the piercing I’ve had since I was a toddler should work well. Ignoring the suggestion of using lube, my fingers dwell at my ear, slowly pushing a stretcher gauge into the smaller hole. I take my time, breathing through the pressure and breathing in the image of her.
Pink hair blows in the wind as she nods, and a delayed smile appears on her face.
What the fuck is she smiling at him for?
Has she lost her mind? Or just forgotten everything he did?
How could she, when all I see every time my eyes close is her face twisted in fear as her spine presses into the bookshelf and his stubby fingers tighten around her throat.
My eyes don’t leave her, trying to stay here in the moment with her in her cute little overalls. It’s the first time I’ve seen her without one of her hoodies, and it’s not because she doesn’t have other clothes. It’s because this is Dollie, and she only feels comfortable in certain clothes. She’s always been this way. Though the clothes she favored previously weren’t hoodies that would be loose on me.
“Ready to show Annabelle how brave you are by climbing the ladder?” Shane talks to Dollie like she’s a baby.
It goes over her head, but it fucking grates on me.
With a little too much force, I shove the gauge into my ear, and a drop of blood lands on my foot.
“Have you let the paint fumes go to your head?” Annabelle has as much tolerance for Shane as I do. “She isn’t a child.”
“No, of course she isn’t. I was just trying to encourage her.”
Sure, that’s what he was doing.
Keeping my gaze locked on Dollie as her legs climb the ladder, trembling with each step, a wave of guilt washes over me.
I should be out there.
I said I’d do it.
And I had every intention until I heard him here.
Letting go of Dollie’s ladder, he moves across the yard and sets another up for Annabelle.
“Thanks, I got it.” She takes the ladder and moves it farther away from him,
