Hidden Shadows (The Shadow Series Book 1)

TWELVE

Things were working out so nicely. It was always an added bonus when plans went better than expected.

And Desiree couldn't have planned cowardly Jenna's reactions any better.

The ever-impressive, solid Jenna Gregor was crumbling right in front of her eyes.

Desiree loved every moment.

Of course there were a few kinks here and there to be ironed out. Jenna didn't know she was crumbling yet, didn't have a clue what was in store. She surely thought the worst had passed, the fear was behind her.

What a thrill that would be when Desiree proved otherwise.

She had begun to get cozy with that half-wit Aston, though, and that wasn't in the plan.

But the saving Superman wasn't so super. He hadn't even seen Desiree crouched in the bushes the night she'd wrecked the house. Didn't even think to go looking in neighbor's yards.

Did they think she was a total idiot? That she'd hide out there, at the exact spot of attack, risk being found out?

No. She was much brighter than that.

But she hadn't been able to leave completely, either. It'd been too fun, too sweet to watch Miss Put Together stumble around, wail, cry.

Oh, how Desiree had relished that night. The feeling of ripping through fabric, smashing glass, and smearing truths about the woman over grass and stone had been priceless.

Whoever said revenge is sweet was a freakin' genius.

And she hadn't even finished yet. Hadn't even reached the climax of what was sure to be a spectacular conclusion.

She'd have to find a way to be sure Superman wasn't around. Jenna'd been running to his arms a lot lately. Coward. Poor, defenseless, worthless, coward.

She didn't realize he could never protect her.

He would try. But he would fail.

If Desiree had wanted to, she could've knocked those stupid boards he put on the windows in half with two swift chops from an ax.

But she hadn't wanted to that night. She'd had patience for so long, she'd been steady and strong and waiting. Her prize was within arm's length.

She had to remain in control. She had a plan and was sticking to it.

Part of that plan, part of the fun, was watching the enemy squirm.

Oh, it brought tears to her eyes just remembering the squealing tires, the panic Jenna must've felt on that country road, someone following her with her two sleeping brats in the car.