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But she likes the pain, always snuggling closer to me when I touch her there. My whimpering and sweet Ophelia.

With her on my mind, I steel myself against my opponent.

The muscles on my face are frozen. My expression is locked firmly in place.

He’s baiting me.

Still unaware that I’m the apex predator.

He’s about to have a rude awakening.

“Why don’t you come over for drinks tonight?” My voice is deceptively kind.

I pull it off by picturing Ophelia’s face first thing in the morning. When the dawn slowly steals away the night. The softglow of the sun highlighting the color of her cheeks, plump lips, long lashes.

He eyes me warily.

“I’ve been a recluse lately. Watching our kids turn into men. It did a number on me.”

His lifted eyebrow gives him away. My attitude isn’t anything he’s been expecting.

“I’m ready for company.” Smiling would raise his suspicions. I gesture to the two of us instead, giving him a false sense of friendship. “Let’s have drinks together.”

“Fuck. You’re serious.” He runs his hand through his hair and arranges it back in place. “You’re telling me you were being cagey because, what? You’re having some sort of a midlife crisis?”

“Speak for yourself.”

The clouds thicken outside my window. A storm is brewing in the distance. Soon, it’ll rain. The drops will patter on the window of the courtroom and work.

While I plot Oliver’s murder.

And think of Ophelia.

I imagine her at home, talking to Clara after she’s threatened them. In my mind’s eye, I see her staring out into the backyard, or catching up on her learning material.

Wearing my cuff around her ankle.

I slip my hand into my pants pocket, pretending I’m looking for something.

There it is. I close my fingers around the lock of her hair. The one I cut off her beautiful head.

Soft. Warm.

Mine.

A thin strap of tape binds the hairs together. I take it with me wherever I go.

“Sure feels like it some days.” Oliver’s laugh comes off as more genuine this time.

It’s not like him to be gullible. To be duped.

This can’t happen to Ophelia.

This afternoon, once I’m home, I’ll be cruel again. Right before I tell her we’ll be having a guest over later tonight.

More than cruel. I’ll be downright vicious. Cold.

Her owner.