Page 26 of Ours (The Possession Duology #2)

What time is it? Nikki purred.

Scrunching her face in frustration, Lexi stopped herself from picking up her phone. It had been well over two hours since her last text from Kade, and her anxiety was growing by the second. The last thing she needed was the bitch in her head making things worse.

I guess it doesn’t matter, does it? We both know he’s not coming back, Nikki taunted.

“Hey! Shut the fuck up!” Lexi spat aloud, her angry voice waking Cupcake.

Glancing at the shepherd curled at her feet, she whispered an apology and leaned down to rub his head.

There were plenty of knives and Glocks hidden around the mansion, but she was thankful that Kade had left the pup with her.

She had grown fond of the sweet demon over the past four days.

He was her constant shadow, and she felt much more secure having him at her side.

“You’re such a good boy, Cupcake! When Kade comes home, I’m going to see if he will let me keep you,” she said with a warm smile.

Sniffing the air, Cupcake let out a small whimper in reply. Satisfied that there wasn’t an immediate threat to his human, he settled back down at his place beside her dining room chair.

Ugh, why would you keep that thing? It’s a disgusting mongrel, Nikki said.

“Dammit, Nikki! Why the hell did you have to come back?” she growled, toying with the sentimental charms on her bangle. “I was doing just fine without you.”

You know exactly why, Nikki replied, her tone growing hard.

Holding onto the tiny white and yellow gold baby bootie, a chill ran down her spine as her brain replayed Maddox’s ominous comment.

She was a sitting duck, all alone in the sprawling mansion.

It was only a matter of time before something horrible happened.

She could feel it in the pit of her stomach.

Yes, she knew exactly why her alter had returned.

It’s a good thing you have me, ya know , Nikki said.

Rolling her eyes, Lexi placed her right palm against the curve of her stomach. “Oh yes, I’m so very lucky that you fucked the father of my child.”

You really ought to get over what happened between Kade and me.

It was just sex, honestly. He’s too much of a bore for me.

..all body, no brains. Talking to him was like talking to a brick wall.

Now Demetri on the other hand, he’s much more my type.

Unlike you, I could handle that man. Just think of all the fun we could have together .

Lifting her hand to touch her bruised throat, she pressed her lips together.

Before Kade left, she made him promise that he would never let Demetri out again.

At first, he had brushed her fears aside, claiming that his alter was no longer a threat.

It wasn’t until after she swore to leave with their daughter did he take her seriously.

He groveled at her feet, vowing that Demetri would stay locked in the shadows.

It was the first time she felt she had any real power over him.

She thoroughly enjoyed watching him beg.

“Well, that’s never going to happen,” she snapped back.

Nikki sighed. I suppose you’re right. I’m into a lot of things, but necrophilia isn’t one of them.

Huffing in annoyance, she felt her blood boil. She hated how pessimistic her alter was. Kade would come back to her. He had to.

Yes, I’m sure he will . Now tell me the damn time, will you?

Swearing under her breath, she reached across the table and grabbed her phone. Impatiently pressing her thumb on the home button, her eyes widened as she registered the time. Three in the afternoon. Exactly six hours since his last text.

Sucking in a sharp breath, her heart dropped to the floor. She knew time was ticking by, but didn’t realize he was this late. Over the past four days, he stayed true to his word, contacting her like clockwork. It wasn’t like him not to reach out, something had to be wrong. Very, very wrong.

Wasn’t he supposed to text and call you every TWO hours? Nikki asked.

Ignoring her alter, she pushed the home button on her phone. Quickly entering her six-digit passcode, she pulled up her texts. Tapping on Kade’s thread, she typed a frantic message.

Setting her phone down on the tabletop, she tried in vain to wrangle her racing heartbeat. Her fight or flight response was ramping up, and she could feel herself edging towards a panic attack. She needed to gain control over her emotions, before she completely spiraled.

I’m sure he’s fine! He’s probably just bashing in someone’s kneecaps or something, Nikki said, breaking her concentration. That’s what mobsters do, right?

Frowning from her alter’s words, she jumped in her seat as she heard the mansion doorbell echo from the foyer. The melodic sound caught her completely off guard, causing the hairs on the back of her neck to stand up on end. She wasn’t expecting company.

Waking from his light slumber, Cupcake moved into an alert position beside her chair. Growling lightly, he kept his brown eyes zeroed on the doorway connecting the dining room to the main hallway.

Unnerved by the shepherd’s reaction, she grabbed her phone and pulled up her app. Clicking on the video alert, she took in a sharp breath when she realized who was at the front door. For a split second, she wondered if her mind was playing a trick on her. Why was she there?

“Valentina! Uh, hi,” she said, her shaky voice transmitting through the app to the speaker on the porch. “I... uh...wasn’t expecting you!”

Knowing she was being recorded, Valentina forced a smile upon her ruby red lips. Lifting a large basket filled with baby blue baby items, she tried to look as non-threatening as possible.

“I come bearing gifts,” she said.

Swallowing hard, Lexi reached into the pocket of her cardigan with her free hand. Finding her trusty switchblade, she cleared her throat as she stood from her chair.

“I’ll be right there!” she muttered before silencing her app. “Shit, shit, shit,” she hissed to herself.

Huh. Wasn’t she supposed to be in South America or something? Nikki wondered.

“Not now!” she said before glancing down to the dog. “Heir, Cupcake!”

Slapping the side of her thigh, she felt a tiny amount of comfort as Cupcake followed her lead towards the front door. At least she wasn’t at a total disadvantage. Between the dog and her blade, she stood a fighting chance should Valentina pull anything.

You really think that that mongrel will be of any help against the Amazon? Nikki asked with a small laugh. I’m pretty sure her bullets will outrun the flea bag.

“If you’re not going to be helpful, then just fucking shut up!” Lexi hissed through gritted teeth.

Suit yourself , Nikki purred before going eerily silent.

Shocked that her alter listened to her, she took in a cleansing breath upon reaching the front door.

Counting down from ten in her mind, she tried to calm the icy panic growing in her belly.

“It’s no big deal, Lexi,” she whispered to herself.

“She’s just dropping off some presents for the baby. ..that’s all.”

Dropping her eyes to the floor, she gave Cupcake a warning glance before placing her hand on the metal doorknob. Squaring her shoulders, she pulled her lips into a full smile before easing open the stately door.

“Valentina! Hi! It’s so good to see you!” she said sweetly.

Showing herself in, the tall blonde pushed past Lexi with her arms full. Fully stepping into the grand foyer, she gave her a critical side eye before noticing the German Shepherd standing beside her.

“He gave you Cupcake?” she asked, arching a sculpted brow.

Toggling her gaze from Valentina to the shepherd, Lexi nodded her head. She didn’t appreciate the disgusted tone to her voice, it reminded her too much of her alter’s.

“He did,” she replied.

Shrugging her shoulders, the tall blonde walked over to the entryway table and dropped a large gift basket upon its lacquered top.

Maddox told her that Kade ordered that he leave the dog in her care, but she didn’t believe him.

It added a small kink to Bloodbayne’s plan, but not one so big that it couldn’t be smoothed over.

“I suppose that was smart,” she said.

Smoothing her hands over the white tee covering her belly, Lexi lifted her shoulders into a small shrug. Valentina carried an air of authority that made her skin crawl. She didn’t quite understand why Kade trusted her so completely.

“He’s a good dog,” she said, leaning down to scruff the fur behind his ears.

“Uh huh,” Valentina replied, placing her hand on her hip.

Growing more uncomfortable by the second, she motioned to the cellophane wrapped basket taking up most of the entryway table. “Oh wow, is that for me?” she asked, trying to look surprised.

Giving a curt nod, the blonde eyed the pregnant woman from head to toe. She was taken aback by how disheveled she appeared. Had she not bathed this entire time? She almost felt repulsed by her, until she realized that it wasn’t dirt smeared across her neck.

“Bloodbayne wanted to make sure that our little prince had some goodies,” she said nonchalantly, stepping into Lexi’s personal space for a closer inspection.

“Well, that’s very generous of him,” she replied.

Keeping her blue eyes locked on her bruised throat, Valentina hummed low. It only took her a second to recognize the handprint pressed into her skin. That son-of-a-bitch. She knew Kade couldn’t keep him locked in his cage for long.

“I see you’ve met Demetri.” she said.

Stammering for a moment, Lexi gave her an odd look. She wasn’t quite sure how to answer her. “You...you know about Demetri?” she asked, her voice lifting high.