If only I were so lucky.
After dessert, we put the kids in the den where a playpen was set up for the girls to share and a small sofa for the boys to lay down on.
It was too early for Patrick. I knew he wasn’t ready to head home just yet. I tried to make myself scarce by excusing myself to the powder room. After spending a brief time alone, I opened the sliding pocket door, only to be pushed back into the small room.
Nicholas stood before me in the half bath. His narrowed gaze and predatory smile made me want to flee. I could hear laughing and music through the door. “Hey, little fox.” Without a doubt, he recognizes me. His words felt like hot tar as they slid through the cramped space. “Remember me?”
How could I forget? I bite my bottom lip, trying not to make my situation worse than it already was, by saying somethingstupid. Just like my parents taught me, keep your mouth shut, if you know what’s good for you.
“I heard you just got back from a little trip. Any particular reason you chose to visit Ireland?”
Sinking my teeth harder into my flesh, I now tasted blood. I shook my head no, hoping that’s all he wants to know and he’ll leave me alone.
He tsks. “That’s no place for a modern girl of your stature. You belong here, with your beautiful children and loving husband.”
I pull in my bottom lip to conceal the mark I inflicted. Nicholas was unmoving. I had to say something, then maybe this would be over. “My Nanny was ill; I went to take care?—”
He pressed into me, I could smell stale smoke on his breath, he was so close. “Was she?”
I nod like an obstinate child, wanting to be done with this conversation.
“See, I know you’re lying, little fox. I know the real reason you were there.”
No... he can’t possibly know!
“I’ve had eyes on you since you ran home crying, after I painted your thighs in blood.” His words were toxic, making my heart hammer violently in my chest. “Tell the truth, Mary.”
I tried to arm my lungs with air but I could hardly breathe, in this cramped space. He’s too close. Lie. “I… I went to a church while I was there. I volunteered?—”
My head suddenly jerks back and I felt as if my hair had been ripped from my skull! I let the anguished scream get stuck in my throat. I don’t want the others to hear. They can’t know! I face up toward the ceiling in the small bath, as he rests his stubbled face against my cheek.
“Sweet, sweet mother Mary… what’s our child’s name?” He fists my curls so tightly, tears start to collect in the corner of my eyes. I Can’t. I can’t tell this horrible man a thing!
“Mary…” he sing-songs my name. “You wouldn’t want to keep Patrick waiting. I just need a name.” His words weren’t the only vile thing sliding over me, his free hand began pawing at my breasts, then eventually inching up the hem of my dress.
“Please. Please don’t.” Not again! Do I call out? Hollar for Patrick?! Of course, he would come to my rescue but what if Nicholas spins the story, says I was coming onto him, or worse, spills my dark secret. Our secret. This man was the epitome of pure evil, but I had to protect this life; my two children sleeping in the other room. I needed to continue keeping my adoring husband, blissfully ignorant to my sins.
I had this eerie feeling that I would die at the hands of this man, not today but sometime in the future. I asked the lord for forgiveness, as I spoke the three-letter word that I promised to leave on the other side of the ocean, “Dax.”
CHAPTER
THIRTY-SIX
CINDEL
Tiptoeing into our apartment with the stench of sex and curated meat isn’t exactly how I envisioned the night ending. I’m not sure what I expected… but I went to the boathouse knowing I trusted him.
The house was silent. Andrea must have passed out after being awake for hours on end, combing through the information on the board. I couldn’t do any of this without her help, however I am glad to not come home to a barrage of questions.
I scurry to the bathroom after closing and locking the front door. These kinds of insidious activities are going to be much more difficult once Andrea installs the security system. During the taxi ride home, I couldn’t help but shift in my seat… keen to remove the keepsakehepressed into me.
Heis Dax. I let his name sit with me for some time. Dax is my stalker. How had I not considered him before? Always so close by. I was naive to think the man in the shadows was Eamon, but it all made perfect sense now. Why he never spoke. Garron never closed his mouth long enough for anyone else to get a word in edgewise. The only reason I considered him was because of thestupid toothpick. Which Dax must have tracked in on his boot. I mean they are almost always together… everything clicks into place. How he knew so much about me and why he was able to funnel me songs nearby without me noticing.
I drew a bath, easing sluggishly into the balmy water. My body aches in new places from the ropes which bound my body and suspended me midair, merely an hour ago. I liked it. More than liking, I can’t stop thinking about it. The way I was restrained yet, all he wanted to do was lay himself bare. His form was very nice in itself, but I saw the vulnerability in the way he looked at me. The way he recoiled when he unmasked. He was apprehensive… probably expecting I would reject him. How could I ever… when everything that’s ensued over the past month has made me feel more myself, more empowered than I’ve ever been? Dax doesn’t make me feel damaged, he stokes the fire in me that had gone out, once upon a time. I’ve never been more sure of myself and my decisions. Finally confident in who I am. I may have lost my ability to hear long ago; except I suspect I’ve been going through life blindly. I can see now. Thanks to Dax and I have no plans of closing my eyes to reality, ever again.
After soaking for a little bit, I find the edges of the flared base, covering my clenched hole. Taking in a large inhale, I draw out the toy, tensing on the widest part, I try and remind myself to relax… exhaling slowly, I’m finally able to remove the plug. Truthfully, pulling it out felt so much better than the initial invasion. It’s funny how I didn’t even mind it being inside me. This is the first time I’ve actually enjoyed having something there. Previous times just fucking hurt. I roll the toy in soapy bubbles, eventually examining it above the water. It is heavier than expected, speckles of colors that could only be sprinkles, encased within the glass object. This was obviously custom-made. I’ve shopped online, been to sex shops, and I’ve never encountered anything quite so unique. Rotating to the base ofthe object, I notice something unusual embedded. I’ve definitely seen this thing before. Not in person but like in pictures or videos online. The theme is generally to caution you about ‘possible dangers.’ People who could follow you, even track you down. Well, this menacing device was encased within the base of the see-through sex toy.
“What the fuck?!”
