Page 25 of Forgotten Deeds

“Fuck off,” I spit.

He clucks his tongue. “Don’t tell me the honeymoon’s already over.”

Before I can come up with a scathing retort, the elevator stops, and the door open. Two guys around my age join us, still buzzed from last night’s festivities. “Hey, gorgeous. We’re about to hit the bar at the pool. Want to join us?” One of the guys slurs, leaning into my personal space. The mixture of cigarettes and stale beer on his breath causes me to recoil.

Darius moves lightning-fast, now holding up both drunk guys by their necks. “She doesn’t,” he menaces, his eyes having gone crazy and his voice sounding completely psychotic. “But if you boys want to end up in the bottom of the pool, hit on my wife again.”

The elevator door opens, and Darius tosses them into the hall before hitting the close-door button.

“You are insane!”

“You want me toss them in the pool instead?” he asks in all seriousness, hovering his finger over the open-door button.

“Oh my God,” I say exasperated, placing a hand on my head.

“Iris does that exact move. I see where she gets it from,” he comments.

“I don’t want to discuss my daughter.” I bristle, dropping my hand.

“What if I do want to discuss my stepdaughter?”

Before I can argue with him, we’ve reached the lobby. Darius holds open the door for me as we exit the elevator. “I need to pop in the gift shop for a second,” he tells me. “You gonna be a good girl and wait right here?”

“Fine,” I answer curtly.

He leans in and whispers in my ear, “You run, and I’d tear this fucking world apart to find you. So don’t make me do that,” he says with a flick of my nose before strolling inside the shop.

Christ. The man really is unhinged.

Grabbing my phone, I call the babysitter on speakerphone. “Hey, we were just finishing breakfast,” she reports.

“Good. Just wanted to let you know I should be home in about two hours.”

“That’s perfect.”

“Can I talk to Iris for just a minute?” I ask.

“Iris, your mom’s on the phone,” she calls.

“Mama!” Iris says excitedly.

“Hey, sweetie. I missed you. Did you have a fun night?”

“Yes! I had pizza and ice cream!”

“Ready to go?” Darius asks, now standing beside me.

“Is that Darius?” Iris asks excitedly.

Fuck. She remembers his name. That’s not good.

“Hello, rainbow goddess,” he says loudly, and I move the phone away from him.

“Is Darius coming over too?”

“Yes,” he answers, and I glare at him.

“I’ve got to go. I’ll be home in a few hours. Love you,” I tell her, hanging up.

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