Lunn’s liquor cabinet, she poured herself a drink then stared Katarina down. “Don’t get comfy here. Lunn is mine.” A bark came from the woman’s purse, and a small head sprang up. “It’s okay, Rosie Ann. She won’t be here long. Mama is going to make sure of it.”
Anger was starting to get hold of her. “I don’t know who you are, but you need to leave.”
Rosie Ann growled.
Katarina looked at the little fur ball. It growled again. “Don’t forget to take your mutt with you.” She headed to the door and opened it wide.
A large man appeared and sneered at her. “You don’t belong here. We’ve been watching you.” His cruel brown eyes ran down the length of her body, and he licked his lips. “I see why Lunn is interested in you, but you don’t look tough enough to play his games.”
She was starting to see red. Pointing her finger out the door, she commanded, “Leave.”
The man looked at her wrist and grinned. “I see he hasn’t played with you yet.” His eyes narrowed. “Or maybe you don’t fight him. Do you just lie there and let him do all the work?”
Pulling her fist back, she was in the process of knocking him out when his hands rushed up and blocked hers then quickly caught her wrists.
He pulled her to him and sniffed her hair. “I like your claws. Maybe you’re better than I thought. Time will tell.” She tried to kick him, but he blocked again and pushed her up against the wall. “You don’t belong here. Lizzann does, and she will be back before you know it. When you are put out on the street, I’ll be by to pick you up.”
Going into beat-down mode, she screamed and tried to head-butt him. He dodged and laughed then took a sniff of her neck. “Sweet.” He tightened his hold on her and licked the side of her face.
Her anger drained away as fear shot through every cell in her body. He was too big for her to fight off, and the woman with him wasn’t going to save her. Her whole body started to shake.
Laughter rumbled from his chest. “I can smell your fear.” He licked her ear and whispered, “I see why he wants you. You’re feisty, yet you melt quickly. Sweet as jalapeño ice cream on a hot sidewalk.”
“Let’s go, Devon. I found out what I needed to know. I’m way better than her.” The dog barked, as if in agreement.
Devon sniffed her again and moaned lightly. He pushed away from her and grinned menacingly. “I’ll see you later.”
Katarina mumbled a spell, “Powers that be, make them leave.”
Lizzann’s red lips twisted. “You’re a strange one. Tell Lunn I came by, and that I expect him to get rid of you real soon.” She took her sunshades off, and her mean brown eyes raked up and down Katarina. “Rosie Ann and I expect you to be homeless in no time.” Lizzann looked at her dog and rubbed its head. “Isn’t that right, baby? She can’t stay here. No, she can’t.”
Dread settled in her belly. These people were truly insane. Like don’t fuck with them kind of insane. The coldness of their eyes gave her the impression they would gladly harm anybody they didn’t like.
Lizzann turned her crazy attention back to Katarina. “Don’t forget to give Lunn my message, little freak.”
The twisted look in her eyes made Katarina shiver. She didn’t stop shaking until she saw them drive away. After closing and locking the front door, she reentered the security code. A moment later, she dropped onto the couch and buried her face in her hands. The thought of what they could have done to her had her shaking all over again. She’d learned a valuable lesson. Never open the door to strangers.
Devon had said they’d been watching her. Katarina’s heart lodged in her throat. Could they be the ones who’d trashed her place? The frightening realization that she was being stalked chilled her to the bone.
“You didn’t handle that too well.”
She looked around and spotted Volker sitting on the stairs licking his paw. “How long have you been