Her nasty breath was the least of my problems as she accented each word by poking the tip of the large kitchen knife just below my collarbone.
Each jab cut a little deeper, making me wince.
“You gonna cry like a little girl!” She spat out before pulling away.
I gave up trying to use reason and resorted to sarcasm.
“Let me poke you with a knife and see if you react any differently.”
She laughed. “Nah, I think I’ll just make you cry some more.”
I cried out when she sliced the knife across my right thigh, splitting open my leggings. Blood oozed out and soaked the material. A few drops dripped onto the dirty floor. The cut wasn’t life threatening, but it hurt like hell.
How long until Jamie realizes something’s wrong?I prayed he wasn’t too preoccupied with caring for the twins and would notice sooner rather than later.
Seeing the glee in Pamela’s eyes and her dance of joy, I vowed not to cry out again.
Desperate, I tried reasoning with her again.
I earned another slice across my right thigh for my efforts. This time, the blood flowed faster, creating a small pool on the floor near my foot.
“What, no scream?”
I hoped she’d lose interest in flaying me open if she didn’t get the satisfaction of hearing me cry out.
She walked around the chair again, this time dragging the tip of the knife along my neck, applying just enough pressure to scratch the skin.
Once she was in front of me again, she said, “Paul thinks you’re pretty.” She tapped the knife tip on her cheek. “Do you think I’m pretty?”
Pretty fucking crazy.
But that answer would get me into all sorts of painful trouble.
“You’re very pretty. Prettier than me.”
The knife flashed in the moonlight before searing pain spread across my cheek.
I clenched my teeth, but it wasn’t enough to muffle my groaned scream, which made her happy.
“Now you’re not so pretty.”
Not anymore. I wasn’t vain, but I’d always had a healthy dose of self-confidence. It helped that men frequently complimented my looks.
And Matt stared at me like I was the only woman in the world.
Matt.Why did I tell him to leave?
If I hadn’t been so determined to prove I my independence, I wouldn’t be in this mess. I could’ve asked him to go to the store.
No, he would’ve volunteered.That’s who he is.
Oh my God. The water. The twins must be starving.
Had Jamie realized I was missing yet? Or had he lost track of time juggling two colicky, hungry newborns and a sick wife?
Chapter 36
Matt
