No Illusions by Z.J. Cannon

Author:Z.J. Cannon [Cannon, Z.J.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Z.J. Cannon
Published: 2021-07-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Ugly Dan’s bellowing was the first clue that something was wrong. I heard him as soon as we rounded the corner and came within sight of the garage. I didn’t see him outside, which meant I was hearing him yell from clear inside the building. I couldn’t make out any words, but I didn’t need to; his anger came through clearly enough from tone and volume alone.

If it had just been a simple display of temper, it wouldn’t have set my nerves on edge the way it did. I had heard the man angry before, whether he was yelling at a supplier for overcharging him for parts, or lecturing me about the hours I kept. But even without seeing him, I could tell this was more than anger. Underneath the furious shouts, I heard something that made the hairs rise on the backs of my arms. Fear.

I had a lot of experience with human fear. Especially the kind that led to human fury. None of it was good.

I started running toward the building, although the very small part of me that cared more about protecting myself than rushing headlong into danger told me I should be running in the other direction. At first, I pulled Delaney with me as I ran. Then her hand broke free of mine as I sped up faster than she could go. I cast a quick glance behind me to make sure she was still following, then broke ahead to race for the door to the back stairs.

The door was yawning open. A closer look showed it hanging half off its hinges. I didn’t know what it would take for Ugly Dan to do that kind of damage to his own building, and I didn’t think I wanted to find out. But it looked like I was going to anyway.

But as I started up the stairs, a clear shout from above me in Ugly Dan’s distinctive baritone made me hastily reassess the situation. “Whatever damage you’ve done to the place, you’re paying for every cent!”

When I reached the top of the stairs, I wasn’t at all surprised to find Ugly Dan standing in front of my apartment. He didn’t notice my footsteps behind him; he was too busy yelling at my door. Or what had once been my door.

The door was gone. Someone had barricaded the empty doorway with what looked like every bit of furniture I owned. The couch, the table, the mattress and the bedframe that held it. Even my fridge was there.

Ugly Dan reached out and gave the fridge a shove. It didn’t budge. His cheeks went from bright red to a dark maroon. “If you don’t let me in and start giving me some answers, you’ll be out on your ass by morning!”

I cleared my throat, although I had no desire to draw his attention—or let him keep me out of my apartment any longer than was necessary. My son was in there. “What happened here?” I asked, struggling to keep my voice calm.

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