Page 12 of Sinister

Chaser’s eyes roam around the room at the three of us before he glances down at the cat’s head on the table. “What the fuck is that?” He pushes it with his pointer finger before coughing and dry heaving into his hand. “Dude, that’s Mr. Whiskers!” he says, stepping back away from the table and holding his nose.

“Yes, it seems so.” Papa V. grips the bridge of his nose, frustration taints his words.

As I turn to look out the large windows, my gaze locks with Sin’s. Murderous rage threads through his features as he stares back at me, arms crossed, simmering in his own dark madness.

“Someone tell me what the fuck is going on!” Papa V. slams his palm onto the table causing me to jump.

Silence.

“You boys are about this close to getting shipped off to Sicily to do some hard grueling work.”

Rome pulls me into him and clears his throat. “Monroe has some creepy fucker following her.”

“Shut up.” My annoyance is about to explode. I can’t believe he said something.

He glances down at me, apologetic in his look. “I’m sorry, but I had to say something. It’s a little fucked.” His nostrils flare as his grip on me tightens, not allowing me to step away from him.

Papa V. stares at me not saying a word for a few beats. “How long has this been going on?” he says quietly.

“Are you fucking serious!” Chaser storms toward me, half pushes Rome aside and grips my shoulders. “What the hell is Rome talking about?” Letting go of me he spins on the spot and faces Papa V. and Sin. “We need find this fucker and kill him.”

His words send shockwaves through me. The fact he cares enough to want to end someone’s life for me has my mind in overdrive.

“Monroe.” Papa V. looks at me and ignores the other three.

I suck in a deep breath and close my eyes. “For a while now.”

“Has he hurt you?” Papa V. is calm in his demeanor but I can see the intense anger burning inside him.

“No, he only sends things to me,” I confess.

“Things?”

I want to crawl under a rock. I can’t tell them all he sends me sex toys. “Personal things.” I can feel my embarrassment ebb its way up my neck and color my skin.

Papa V. pulls out his phone and has someone on speed dial because they answer immediately. “Get my men to do a sweep of the grounds here as well as at home. We’ve had a breach.” He hangs up and stares out the window before he speaks. “Boys, I need to talk privately with Monroe.”

Without even a sideward glance, all three leave in silence, not daring to utter a single word. I try to dislodge the lump that has wedged itself in my throat as Papa V.’s attention turns to me.

“Fuck,” he breathes and rubs his hand over his face, pausing his fingers at his sharp jaw. Sitting on the bar stool, he looks almost defeated. “I promised your mom and dad I’d protect you with my life. That I wouldn’t let you get hurt.” His words clench around my heart and squeeze.

“I’m not hurt, Papa V.” I step forward and lean against the edge of the table needing the support.

He looks at me and shakes his head. “I failed them. I’m so sorry, Monroe.”

“No, you didn’t. You and Mama V. have been so good to me. I couldn’t have dreamed of anything more. This asshole has a fixation for some reason, I’m sure once I go to college, all this will stop.”

“Your dad was a good man. One of my best. He was like a brother to me.” Papa V. looks out the floor to ceiling windows before he continues, “he kept his word to the very end, and I will be damned if I don’t keep mine.” His gaze settles on me and a glimpse of sorrow registers behind his eyes.

My eyes dart from Papa V. to Mr. Whiskers’ severed head and back. “I’m grateful for everything you have done for me over the years, but you don’t need to worry, Papa V., I’m a big girl, I can take care of myself.”

“If you’re anything like your mom, I don’t doubt that.” His smile touches his eyes as the crinkles deepen and his genuine grin warms my heart. “But.”

“There’s always a but,” I interrupt him.

“But,” he repeats with a little emphasis, “I can’t have you roaming around on your own on the other side of the country with this fucker stalking you. You’ll transfer to SLU so Sin and the boys can watch out for you.”

I blink trying to determine if I heard him correctly. “Sorry.” I watch as he types a message on his phone and places it back down on the marble table top.