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“A complaint, ma’am?” For some reason, I keep up the false business voice. I think it’s in self-defense. I have absolutely no control anymore.

“Yes,” she draws out the E, somehow making the word menacing. “I see on the news that a Delegate lost her hand in a home invasion last night.”

“Uh-huh,” I guiltily turn to see said hand lying innocently on the table while Ben cringes.

“I’m wondering why this is news station worthy and not a tiny obituary in the bottom of today’s Dunmas Times.”

“Uh-huh,” my voice wobbles as Ben emphatically starts shaking his head no at me.

“I understand that we all have our methods, sweetmeat,” the menace is replaced by a loving maternal voice again. “But you should have simply killed her. I don’t believe this is an acceptable punishment for what she did to my pet.”

My eyes land on Kimi’s, and I don’t know why I say it, but it seems like a good idea at this point. “We’re catching and releasing. It’s not as boring.”

There’s a long silence on the other end of the line, and Ben raises both hands with his fingers crossed, looking up at the ceiling as if he’s praying to whatever God he claims.

“I find that intriguing. Go on.”

Oh, shit, I have to go on?

“Um,” I look at Kimi again in desperation.

He leaps over the table with an agility I envy so hard, landing without a sound and takes the phone from me, putting it on speaker. I’m frozen in place at his approach, eyes wide with fear.

“It’s fishing,” he explains flatly. “Everyone says it’s fun, but I never believed it. You should try it.”

I see Ben mouthing the word no in horror as he stares at Kimi with terrified eyes.

“Oh my,” Scilla’s voice perks up with interest. “And who am I speaking with?”

“Us, you’re on speakerphone.”

“Ah. With my sweetmeat present I will have no sway over you. Pity. You understand that releasing the fish allows it time to escape, correct?” She isn’t even thrown by his tone or the random direction this conversation is taking.

“Yup,” I’ve never heard that particular word said with no inflection. The P is mostly silent without emotion. I never knew. “She won’t. I like hunting. I won’t stop.”

“That’s very good of you. Admirable even. What race has such good genes; I wonder?”

“Any race,” Kimi glances down at my denim pants absently. “Do you never go shopping?”

A delighted peel of laughter follows and sends a chill down my spine. It’s not Kimi obsession-level fear, but it’s pretty damn close to it.

“Charmingandwitty,” Scilla schmoozes across the phone lines, and my brows begin to furrow. I don’t think I’m going to like where this is going.

“I am,” Kimi agrees without a shred of pride or remorse.

“Do tell me, why the hand, my dear?”

“Wifey wants it, wifey gets it.” And then he hangs up. No goodbye or nice to meet you, just his finger tapping on the end call button.

I stare at the darkened screen until Kimi slides it into his back pocket, much like Ben carries his.

“So, this is bad.” Ben nods to himself as he watches Kimi.

“An obstacle?” Mitri asks, watching me.

“No!” I shout without thought. I take a deep breath to try and calm myself down and speak normally. “It would be better foreveryonehere if no one meets Ben’s mom. Just let me handle her, okay?”

“You’re not supposed to kill your in-laws, Mitri.” Kimi walks over to the table and lifts what I realize is a silver platter, not a plate. Then he brings it to me, holding it at stomach level while looking into my eyes.