heedingcallsโ:
ย ย ย She should have known heโd be stopping by โ especially with this little stint ofย absence. Padraic was a man of order. He loathed when others were late. And Kitty was wildly aware of this. Which was why she usually showed up EARLY whenever Padraic needed her or, if she were unavailable for any unforeseen reason, sheโd always inform him ahead of time. Consistency. Loyalty. It was only part of what made her so good at her job and it had wiggled her into his good graces. But, today TRUANCY was in the cards, whether they liked it or not.
ย ย Normally, Kitty was so thoroughโ no one followed her home from the club. Like a cat in the dark, she slipped out of sight and into her car and took her way home but, this time, she had unexpected company. He had been a regular, one of the lower tiered patrons and, as often was the case, Kitty had caught his eye. The fellow had managed to follow the dancer home for several nights without her catching on, keeping hidden from the chanteuse. Casing the place, looking to ensure she would be alone when he decided to act. And, lucky for HIM, she had been. When she had gotten home from work the night prior, he had been waiting for her. The moment she had opened the door, he had rushed her, knocking the woman to the ground and yanking her into the flat behind him. It had taken all she had to force the much larger man off of her and she certainly had the marks to prove it. If she hadnโt prepared for a situation like this already, Kitty was sure sheโd be in an even worse state. STILLย , that did not mean she was pleased with the outcome. Or withย the battered and now cold corpse that was stashed in her bathroom.
ย ย At first, Kitty tries to avoid Padraicโs eyes, directing her gaze down to a random place upon her vanity instead. But she forces a smile that was none too believable, the strain on her expression more than obvious. And if that were not a give away, the shake of her hands was an crystal clear indicator. Still, the brunette weakly beams, crossing her arms defensively as she turns in her seat to face him anyway. Once he saw her head on, he would see some dark bruising along her left cheek and eye, the skin tender and even cut in a few places. Kittyโs usual air of coolness is nonexistent, however she does not seem to be AWARE of that fact. She stays seated, knowing at least that if she were to stand, sheโd probably fall right back down again.
ย ย ย โย Oh. Iโ I wasnโt expecting you, darling. And look at meโ IโmโIโm a proper mess, arenโt I?ย โย ย A weak chuckle gives as she lifts a hand, shielding her injured section of her face from viewโ like she was embarrassed.ย โ ย Give meโ Ah.ย Give me a moment, would you?ย โ
Though barely perceptible, Padraicโs eyes visibly widened for a brief moment when Kitty turned to face him before his expression grew stormy once more. Jaw tense and jutting forward slightly, the massive man occupying her doorway took several slow steps forwardโall the while his gaze never left hers. He could see the tremble in her hand as it reached up to cover her marred features, but he was having noneย of that. Her request for a moment alone to gather herself was promptly and wordlessly denied when he reached out with a steely grasp and gentlyย pulled her hand aside. He could feel her wrist shivering while he silently peered at the injuries. This wasnโt an act of clumsiness on her part. With how visibly she was shakingโclearly afraid or coming down off of an adrenaline rushโit meant thatย somethingย had happened. And judging by the bloodโs somewhat fresh appearance, it hadnโt been that long ago. Had he checked on her sooner... The tension in his chest felt like something would come bursting out, and he struggled to keep the quiver of blind rage out of his voice as he murmured a soft, โKitten...donโt take me for a fool.โ She was trying to play it all off, as if he couldnโt deduce that something was amiss.
Padraicโs shoulders squared back as he released his hold on her arm, but his expression stayed just as dark and turbulent. Reaching into his suit jacket, the man produced a clean handkerchief, but refrained from offering it to her at first.ย โYou and I both know you are a wonderful liar when you want to be, but now is notย one of those times.โ Even as the large man began to slowly lower himself down in front of her, resting one knee on the ground while the other supported his elbow, he was still nearly eye level with Kitty. Leaning forward, he held the handkerchief between his fingersโan offer to help, in a way, should she do the right thing. โSo I will ask you once more...is that blood on you yours alone? Or has someone been playing a bit too roughย with you, my darling little songbird?โ
