Page 87 of Married to the Devil

There’s a bang on the door. Nunzio’s voice from the other side. “Boss, Kellan’s on his way. Should we get set up?”

June looks at me quizzically but gets up and starts pulling on her clothes.

“Give me a few minutes,” I call out. Nunzio leaves and I get to my feet. I tug June to me and kiss her one more time. “I should warn you. There might be some trouble in the house shortly.”

“What’s going on? Anything I should be afraid of?”

“No, no, not like that. It’s under control. Don’t worry.”

She nods, looking uncertain. “Will you come talk to Hattie tonight?”

“I will. I promise.”

“Thank you.”

One more kiss.

This time, it lingers.

26

JUNE

The scream echoes through the house.

Priya looks back toward Rafe’s office with an expression of pure horror. “Maybe, ah, we should⁠—“

But Hattie cuts her off. “That’s just Daddy working.”

Priya’s face pales as she stares at me pleadingly.

I don’t even know what to say, because Hattie’s right.

Rafe tried to warn me. Earlier, after we slept together, he tried to tell me.

Only I didn’t know how bad it would get.

Another scream. This one cuts short.

“Okay! Let’s move upstairs!” Priya hops to her feet and puts on a brave face. “What do you think, Hattie? Or maybe we can take a walk outside?”

“No, I don’t want⁠—“

A third scream and a slamming door.

“Yes, walk time!” Priya drags Hattie up and practically carries her to the door.

“Mom!” Hattie complains, but I don’t try to stop them. Instead, I usher the pair out the back and toward the garden path.

“Good luck!” I wave as Priya hurries to get Hattie away.

What the hell is my husband doing?

I want to say it gets better after that, but it sure doesn’t.

All day long, there are banging doors, slamming objects, and screams. So many pained, scared, violent screams.

They make my teeth chatter and my blood run cold.