Debbie Roth’s Reviews > The Final Target > Status Update

“Black Lab. If you’re sure, I’ll bring him in while you check about the knobs. He’s been mostly stuck in the car all afternoon.” “Cut him loose awhile.” She went out, put the leash on Zorro. “I’ve got a dog-friendly store, and you can make a friend. Don’t embarrass me.” He looked shocked she’d think he would.

“I know you’re scared. I know how hard this is for you. But it’s going to be all right,” she murmured. “I promise this is the best place for you right now. It’s going to take time, baby, but it’s going to be all right. You’ll be safe here. You’ll get better here.” While he clung to her, he imagined throttling her. One day, he would.

“I’ll do the best I can for you.” Tears still shining, he smirked. “Your best never measured up. Do better.” The sinking sensation in her heart, in her belly stayed with her when she left. She hadn’t just failed as a mother, she thought. She’d raised a monster.

Take these ridiculous flowers, your lack of all boundaries, and get the hell out.” She shoved the flowers at him, started to turn to fling open the door. The backhand shot across her face, drove her back. Her head hit the door with a crack as her feet left the floor. Stars exploded. “You need to learn a lesson, that’s what you need. Need to learn your place. With me! That’s what I want, that’s what’s meant.”

“Dustin watched her from the stacks. Anger nearly choked him. She’d blown him off—again—and here she sat, giving some stupid kid the time that he was entitled to. He got playing hard to get—women did that, a kind of power play… Quitters don’t win. Take what you want or someone else will. How many times had his father said that to him?…And when he reached the finish line, she’d belong to him as she was meant to.”

‘She didn’t notice the car following her, or pulling in a few parking spaces away. And when she came out an hour later, laughing with her friends, hugging goodbye, she didn’t notice the car that followed her home.“

“Like one, that on a lonesome road Doth walk in fear and dread, And having once turned round walks on, And turns no more his head; Because he knows, a frightful fiend Doth close behind him tread.—SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE” This quotation foreshadows what lies ahead. Becoming a stranger’s obsession is horrifying, once you learn about it, and you’re suddenly perpetually looking back or at sudden movements around you.