“I don’t understand,” she tells him, clutching the towel to her breasts.
He takes a step toward her and holds out his hand. “You don’t have to. Come with me.”
Her eyes move from his hand to his face. Considering all the tumultuous emotions that are currently running through him, Phillipe makes sure that his expression gives nothing away. When she reaches out and places her shaking palm into his, he’s shocked by the trust she is extending to him.
He wraps his fingers around hers and squeezes them. When he tugs her toward him, she is hesitant, but she moves forward.
He lowers his mouth to her ear, teasing her softly. “You want to see this, Gemma. I know you do.”
She turns her head so their eyes meet, and he can see the curiosity burning there.
“How do you know?” she asks.
“Because, like me, you find her fascinating. You’re consumed by her, aren’t you? I can see it every time I talk about her.” He pauses, moving his head so their lips are touching. “It’s okay. I did whatever I had to just to be near her. I wanted her with every breath I took.”
Ican’tbreathe. My heart is pumping and my head is roaring from the rapid blood flow. As he stands there whispering dark, seductive words against my lips, I feel like I will pass out from the lack of oxygen.
That’s when I am offered a reprieve.
Phillipe removes his lips from mine and takes a small step back, still holding my hand. He pulls me forward with each backward step he takes. He stops at the large wooden door, much like the one blocking this part of the house, and reaches back to twist the knob.
I wait as it slowly swings open, and he is moving again. He turns, keeping my hand in his own, as he walks through the entryway.
Where the hell is he taking me?my mind screams.
As I cross the threshold, I watch as he descends down a dark staircase, and immediately, I have visions of words from the articles—tragic,horrifying,deceptive.Instead of doing the smart thing and leaving, I follow him blindlydown into the darkness.
Thirteen
MÉNAGE À TROIS
HE STOOD IN water, hip deep, as rain hit the back of his neck where his wet shirt clung to him. All he felt was numb.
“Wake up,” he pleaded. “Come on. It’s time to wake up.”
Eyes of gray opened. Eyes that held his soul focused as a small smile touched lips of red.
As I follow Phillipe one step at a time down the dark stone stairwell, I can’t help but wonder at my sanity. I can feel my hand as it trembles in his.
Again, I ask, “What’s down here, Phillipe?”
He stops halfway down the stairs and turns to look back at me. “I told you.”
I want to scream at him,I know Chantel is not down there. So what the fuck are you talking about?Instead, I remain quiet and continue following him.
When we reach the landing, I can feel him turn to face me in the dark.
“Wait here,” he instructs me.
I stand exactly where he has left me, not knowing what I might run into if I move.
It’s cold down here,I think as I look around, trying to make out what I can. Obviously, we have gone downstairs, which in turn means we are underground. As quickly as that thought enters my head, it is chased out by the fear of something horrific happening to me, which I stupidly pushed aside earlier.
I’m about to say his name when suddenly the room is illuminated.
I squint as my eyes adjust to the change, and as they do, a wide, empty space comes into focus. Immediately, I’m aware of several large white boards. Each cut into rectangular lengths, they are mounted all around the walls at different heights.Blank canvases?
“Acoustic room.” His explanation drifts across the expansive area.
