Where's Molly(11)

Heart thundering, I stare at my front door with widened eyes, my brain running over possible scenarios on who the fuck could be at my door.

Of course, it jumps to the worst conclusions first.

What if it’s a cop telling me that they’ve somehow pinned my father’s murder on me and I’m under arrest. Or that they have evidence of me kidnapping Layla. Shit, maybe it’s a friend of Francesca’s, and they’ve come to collect what they feel they’re owed .

The second knock has me snapping out of my spiraling thoughts. I hurriedly set my wine down on the coffee table, before scrambling to my room to grab my Glock. I’ve never had to use it, but I don’t mind breaking it in.

Whoever it is, I’ll feed them to my pigs and no one will ever kn—

A third knock.

Quietly, I fish out my phone from my back pocket and click on the feed for my security cameras, finding Cage on the other side of my door.

I release a weighted breath and swing open the door, glaring at him with annoyance.

He raises a brow.

“Can’t say I’ve ever gotten that look before when showing up at a lady’s door. I must be losing my charm.” Then, he clocks the gun in my hand, and the other brow joins the first. “That’s also new. You gonna use that on me, little ghost? I don’t mind joining you in the afterlife.”

“You scared me half to death,” I snap. “What are you doing here?”

It’s been a week since his first drop-off, and I wasn’t prepared to see him again until the next delivery, which hasn’t been scheduled yet.

He raises his hand, and for the first time, I notice he’s holding a bouquet of tiger lilies, already in a beautiful crystal vase.

“I come bearing gifts.” He lifts his other hand and holds up a DVD. “And a movie.”

I sputter, unprepared for both items. He takes advantage and slides past me, forgoing an invitation .

“What the fuck,” I mutter beneath my breath, dumbfounded as he kicks off his shoes at the entrance, then saunters into my living room and sets the tiger lilies on the center of the coffee table.

Though, he does pause to take a peek around.

My house is warm and cozy and newly updated. It has a rustic barn feel, with brown wooden beams across the ceiling, distressed wooden floors and furniture, and deep green cabinetry that complements my sage green couch and cream rugs. It isn’t a large home, but it’s perfect for me.

“You’re having wine?” Cage asks, noticing the open bottle and my glass on the table. “My mom loves that shit—she’d love you. Anyway, I brought The Silence of the Lambs. Have you seen it?”

“Uh, no.”

He shoots me a bewildered look over his shoulder, which quickly morphs into a devilish grin.

“I think you’ll like it. It’s a fucking cult classic. I figured you’d find some enjoyment out of it, considering it’s about eating people.”

I frown. “You think just because I feed my pigs humans, I’m into cannibalism?”

He shrugs, popping the disc into my DVD player to get the film ready. “I’m into whatever you’re into. I get the feeling these types of movies are right up your alley. Come sit. I’ll make popcorn.”

I don’t sit.

In fact, I stare at him as he walks over to my kitchen and starts rifling through the cabinets like he owns the place, finding a large bowl and my popcorn.

“What if I didn’t have popcorn?” I question, crossing my arms.

Again, he peers at me from over his shoulder. His beauty is wicked, and I hate the way it makes my heart flutter.

“Everyone has popcorn, Molly.” He says that like it’s obvious.

And I suppose it is, considering it’s been a staple in my household for the last several years.

He moves through the kitchen with confidence. Like he’s been here all along and is as familiar with my home as he is with my body.

As much as my brain protests, my heart is softening.

I only knew him for a night, but I’ve missed him. More than I ever realized.

Sighing, I relent and trudge over to the couch. Instantly, I grab the wineglass, chugging the rest of it and hoping it calms the butterflies flapping around in my stomach.

“Don’t worry, baby, I’ll get more wine, too,” he drawls, amusement in his tone.

I roll my eyes, but secretly, I like that he’s here. Even though I wasn’t prepared for an impromptu movie night, the idea of it actually sounds really fucking nice.

I don’t think I’ve ever had one before. At least not one where I wasn’t alone.

In no time, the delicious aroma of buttery popcorn fills the house, and he’s sitting next to me on the couch with the snack, an uncracked bottle of wine, and an extra glass for himself.

I pop a piece of popcorn in my mouth and cast a thin-eyed look his way. “You could’ve called, ya know.”

“I don’t have your number, though.”

I raise a brow. “Are you saying you’re not a resourceful man?”

He shoots me a cocky grin. “I didn’t want to give you the chance to say no. ”

He grabs the remote and presses play before I can formulate a proper response. We both know he’s right, and in a weird way, I’m glad he took the option out of my hands.

I would’ve agonized over the proposal for far too long, talked myself out of doing it, and then regretted it later.