Her pride had made her say a lot of mean things to him this morning. She actually believed he didn’t want to hurt her. Of course, not wanting to hurt her, and loving her were two very different things. He’d certainly never said he loved her, but she’d definitely fallen for him. She felt foolish admitting that to herself, but it was the truth. She’d have to keep her feelings from him for however long he was here.
She painted until her back ached and her eyes burned. When she emerged from her studio, it was dark outside and no lights were on in the house. Peter apparently had never returned, and she tried not to let that bother her.
She was so tired she just wanted to go to sleep. She switched on her bedroom light and pulled her smock off over her head. The phone rang in the other room, and she slipped on a clean shirt and hurried out to answer it.
“Hello?” Her voice was soft, tired. Silence greeted her on the other end of the line, and then there was a click. She frowned and set the receiver down, returning to her room to finish dressing.
The wind had picked up, and the forecast had said it would rain tonight. There was a time when an evening like this would have made Kelly very happy. She’d always loved snuggling in her cozy cottage alone, while it rained hard. But everything was different now. She was different. And her house now seemed so lonely without Peter.
The wind battered large raindrops against the windows, and she sighed. Where could Peter be? Perhaps because she’d been so angry this morning, he’d had enough of her company. She sat down on her bed, brushing her hair, stroke after stroke, while lost in thoughts of Peter. She loved his gentle touch and his laugh. She adored the way his green eyes crinkled when he was amused, and the way his husky voice sent shivers of desire through her. It was depressing and wonderful to have these feelings for someone again. But she couldn’t see how this situation would end happily for her.
When she heard footsteps in the hall, she sat up, feeling excited that Peter had finally come home. She didn’t want to act like a lovesick fool, but she wanted to see him and talk to him. So, ignoring her pride, she stood and moved to the doorway of her room.
“Peter, you’re finally back.” Her welcoming smile froze on her lips, and the blood drained from her face. At the end of the hall stood her worst nightmare; Robert had come for her at last.
Chapter Twelve
Panic like she had never known before welled in her throat, yet she stood frozen, and unable to move or scream.
It was him all right, older perhaps, but definitely Robert. He was a big man, and his dark hair was shorter than she remembered. But his cold, dark eyes were the same soulless brown. “You forgot to tell me goodbye, Angel.”
Kelly swallowed, her throat was as dry as sand. This had to be a bad dream. He couldn’t possibly be here in the flesh. Her feet felt planted in the ground as she stared at him in horror.
“Cat got your tongue, Gina? Oh, I’m sorry, is it Kelly now?” His voice was cold and clipped. “You don’t look very happy to see me.”
She forced herself to speak. “Of course I’m happy to see you Robert.” Her voice quivered.
He took a step toward her, and she flinched as he reached to cup her cheek. He narrowed his eyes, flaring his nostrils. “Don’t be like that, Angel. You used to like it when I touched you.”
“I’m… I’m just surprised to see you.”
“I’ll bet.”
She stood stiffly as he ran his rough hand over her hair. She hoped he couldn’t see her pulse beating wildly in her throat. He pulled her against him, and she smelled the stale scent of cigarettes on his clothes. “Come on baby, make me feel welcome.” There was a sort of desperation to his voice.
“What… what are you doing here?”
“Don’t you mean how did I find you?” His expression was hard to read.
She licked her dry lips, trying to think logically. There was no doubt in her mind he wasn’t here for a social call. Robert had finally found her, and he’d have some sort of punishment in mind. He wasn’t the kind of person who forgot or forgave. She’d learned that the hard way in the form of bruises and black eyes.
She decided she should get him into the other room where the phone was, or maybe she could play along, and pretend she was happy to see him. Then maybe she could try to get out the back door.
She cleared her throat and summoned some courage. “You must have an appetite after such a long trip.” She cringed when he slid his calloused hands under her shirt, squeezing her breasts.
“How’d you guess?” His voice was leering as he smiled at her.
Disgust rippled through her at his pawing fingers, and she pulled away so he wouldn’t see the repulsion on her face. “Not now Robert, save something for later.” She gave a weak smile.
His expression flickered a little, and then he smiled. “You want to play coy, baby?”
“I’m just trying to take care of my man.” She forced herself to move back towards him, making herself reach out and take his hand. “Let me make you a special dinner. You should relax and unwind. I haven’t seen you in so long I want to know what you’ve been up too.” She pulled him toward the kitchen. “Then we can have dessert.” She felt nauseous as she gave him a flirty smile.
“Yeah?” He pulled her in and kissed her and it was all she could do not to puke. His tongue searched her mouth and his hands roamed her body.
She pushed him away, stifling the need to wipe her mouth and scream. “Slow down, lover.”
He licked his lips. “Okay. A meal would be nice. First.” He gave her a lusty look. “I came a long way just for you, Gina.”
“I know. Let me take care of you for a change.”
“Yeah, ok, it’s your turn to take care of me, right?” He seemed uncertain, but eager to believe she was glad to see him.
She guided him to the kitchen, pushing him into a chair. He smiled and then got up to lock the door. “Not that I don’t trust you, or anything, but I don’t want you trying to fly away again, Angel.”
“Of course not.” She pulled steaks out of the refrigerator with shaking hands. She dropped them in a large pan, turning on the fire underneath.
It would be difficult to make it out of the door before he could grab her, but she felt like she needed to at least try to escape. He was obviously crazy. If he could believe, after all these years, she was happy to see him, he was delusional. She surreptitiously eyed the phone on the wall. The odds of her reaching it before he could stop her were impossible.
“You’ve got a nice place here, Gina.”
She jumped when he spoke. “Oh, thanks.”
“Yeah. Real nice. You know, I’ve been watching you.”
The hairs on her neck stiffened. “Is that right?” Robert had been here watching her? For how long? Did he know about Peter? Sudden dread for Peter filled her. If Robert knew she’d been intimate with Peter, he’d kill him without a second thought. She was certain of it.
“Yep. It bugged me a little that you didn’t seem unhappy. In fact, you seemed downright content.”
Oh, God.
“How long have you been here?”
“Does it matter?”
“Well, why didn’t you let me know you were here sooner?” She shot him what she hoped was a flirty smile. It was hard to know if she succeeded because her face was tight with fear.
“I… I wasn’t sure I’d be welcome.” His voice had a hard edge to it. “You kind of left in a hurry, Gina.”
His chair creaked as he got to his feet, and she faced him nervously, noticing something metal in his hand. When she realized it was a knife, she felt sick to her stomach.
“What’s that for, Robert?” She motioned to the knife.
He stood silently watching her, his eyes hooded and bleak. “It really upset me when you just left, Gina. The police thought I’d had something to do with your sudden disappearance.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why’d you run, Gina? You got me in a lot of trouble disappearing like that. Why’d
you just take off that way?”
She tried not to look at the knife as she scrambled for words. “I just wanted to see how much you loved me.” She swallowed hard. “I needed to see if you’d come find me.”
“What?”
“I knew if you really loved me, you’d find me. Right?”
He narrowed his eyes. “I guess.”
“I wanted proof of how much you wanted me. Do you see?” She couldn’t tell if he believed her.
He nodded slowly. “And I did find you, didn’t I?” There was a sort of pathetic pride in his voice.
“Yeah. You did it.”
He drew his brows tight in a frown. “But it took me a while. Why didn’t you send me some clues? Did you know they thought I had killed you? Did you know that?”
“No Robert. I didn’t know any of that… I… I didn’t keep in touch, or send clues because I didn’t want to make it too easy to find me.”
“But, you didn’t have to make it so hard either, baby.” His mouth twisted wryly. “You wanted me to find you, but you made it almost impossible. I’m getting kind of mixed signals here, Gina.”
She turned to face him. “No, baby. I was just testing you. I ran away, and you followed, just… just like you always promised. Now I know how much you must love me, right? I had to be sure.”
“Yeah, I guess you had to be sure.” He had a faraway look. “How am I gonna be sure, baby?”
“What do you mean?” Kelly asked breathlessly.
“How do I make sure you love me?”
She stared at him silently, afraid of what he was going to say next.
“When you hooked up with that other guy… did that make you sure you loved me, Gina?” His voice was hard.
Her heart sank as she realized he knew about Peter. Had he already hurt Peter? Was that why he hadn’t come home all day? Was Peter lying dead in a ditch somewhere? She felt physically ill at the idea of Peter hurt or worse, and her knees almost collapsed beneath her.
She grabbed the counter to help her stay upright. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Come on Gina. I saw you.” His eyes filled with tears, and he wiped at them angrily. “I saw you with him on the couch.”
“He’s nobody,” she whispered. “He didn’t mean anything.”
Horror rolled through her when he spun around and slashed at the cushion on one of the kitchen chairs. Looking up, he glowered at her with rage. “You wanted him Gina—” His voice broke on an angry sob. “You let him—” He stabbed viciously at the fabric, over and over. “You wanted him, you bitch. I’m not going to stand for it. I’m not!”
Panic filled her, and she let out a scream of terror as she bolted for the back door. Robert was too fast though, and he grabbed her wrist and yanked her toward him.
“No you don’t, Gina. You ain’t getting off that easy.” His breathing was ragged, and she smelled alcohol on his breath as he pulled her against him.
“Robert, please… please calm down. He was… nothing. There’s never been anyone but you,” she gasped, holding back tears.
“What are you talking about, babe? I saw you.” He squeezed her to him violently. “All you bitches are liars.”
“Robert, you’re hurting me.” She tried to pull herself from his grasp, arching her back to distance herself. “Listen to me, I was lonely… I’ve been waiting for you so long… I’m only human, and I missed you.”
He wiped his face with the back of his hand. “I don’t trust you, Angel.” He put a rough hand up to her breast, shoving her against the counter. “But I’m going to have you one last time, Gina. I’m the last man who will ever fuck you.” He pushed against her with his lower body, lowering his zipper.
Kelly tried to stifle a small sob at the back of her throat. “Robert, no,” she whispered. His hot mouth smothered hers, and she turned her head, panting as she struggled to avoid his lips. “Stop. You’re scaring me.”
“Yeah, I always seem to be scaring you, Gina. Why are you so damn afraid all the time?” His eyes were black with resentment as he pulled her back against his stocky body. He pressed the blade against her throat and tugged at her pants.
“Robert don’t, please.”
“Sorry. Gotta erase that other guy from your memory.” His expression gave no room for hope. It was obvious he’d show her no mercy.
The sound of a key turning in the lock, filled Kelly with relief and dread. Relief, because if Peter was home, he was obviously alive, but dread that he wouldn’t stay alive long if Robert had any say in the matter.
When Peter walked in, shock registered on his face as he took in the dramatic scenario before him. He stiffened. “What the hell?”
Robert’s arm crushed against her chest, making it difficult for her to breathe. She winced when the cold steel blade nicked her skin. She wanted to scream for Peter to run, but she was afraid to speak.
“Well, well, if it isn’t lover boy to the rescue.” Robert’s voice was harsh, but he also seemed uneasy at this unexpected interruption.
Kelly finally spoke. “Peter, get out.” Her voice was desperate, but Peter acted as if he hadn’t heard her.
Peter moved instinctively towards Kelly, his hand reaching out in a placating motion. “Just relax. You’re in control here.”
“You’re damn straight I am.” Robert’s lips thinned.
“Nobody needs to get hurt, Robert.”
“Sorry buddy. You seem to have the advantage over me. I didn’t catch your name.” Robert’s lips curled in a sneer. “Never mind, I’ll just look for it in the obituaries tomorrow.”
Peter’s mouth was tight. “What’s your plan? You’re going to kill Kelly, and I’m just supposed to stand here and wait for my turn?”
“Unless you’d like to go first?” Sarcasm was thick in Robert’s voice. “And, hey, asshole, her name’s Gina.”
“I’m not going to let you hurt her, Robert.” Peter’s voice was calm, almost matter of fact.
“Peter, don’t provoke him,” Kelly whispered.
“Uh, I’d say he is already fairly provoked.” Peter’s expression was grim.
“Please, Robert. Just let us go.” She begged.
“Shut up. I’m in control here.” He squinted at Peter. “What the hell do you think you’re gonna do, eh, Prince Charming?” Robert’s voice was vicious, and he jerked Kelly roughly.
Peter scowled. “Why do you want to hurt Kelly? Isn’t it me you’d rather hurt?”
“It’s Gina, lover boy. Her name is Gina not Kelly.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
Robert smirked. “I was thinking I would do you both. Why limit myself?”
“Yeah, but I’m the one you’re really mad at.”
“I already said you’re going to get yours too. Don’t bother trying to distract me with your psychobabble. Gina isn’t getting out of this alive. Period.”
Peter’s jaw hardened. “You’re never going to get away with it, Robert, just let her go.”
“Do you think I’m stupid?” Robert growled. “I didn’t come here to let her go. She has to pay for leaving me. She has to suffer for letting you touch her. She’s not getting out of this. She’s dying tonight.” His eyes were wide as he pressed the knife against Kelly’s throat.
Without warning, Peter hurled himself at Robert, covering the short distance quickly. He moved so swiftly, he managed to grab the arm holding the knife, and he wrenched it away from Kelly’s neck. At the same time, Kelly twisted out of Roberts grasp, and she fell against the counter. With the breath knocked out of her, she stayed where she was for a moment, pressing her hand to a small cut on her neck.
Peter wrestled Robert to the ground, slamming the hand that held the knife against the ground. With his free fist Robert swung violently at Peter’s head, cracking him squarely on the jaw. Peter winced in pain, and slumped off of Robert, and Robert’s wild eyes turned with sheer primitive rage toward Kelly. With a cruel, determined look, he scrambled to his feet and came at her, sli
cing wildly.
“Now where were we?” Robert’s breaths were ragged as he jabbed at her with the weapon.
“Leave us alone!” Kelly twisted away from him; searching the counter for anything she could defend herself with. She stumbled to the stove and grasped the large iron pan she’d been cooking the steaks in. Grabbing it with both hands, she swung the heavy pan with all her strength.
The pan cracked against his skull with a loud thud, and he screamed as the hot contents splashed across his face. He clutched his head, and then looked up, his eyes dark with hatred. “You’re gonna die now, you stupid bitch.” He lunged at her knife first as she shrieked and tried to move out of the way.
There was a flicker of movement on the edge of her vision, and then Peter tackled Robert, both of them crashing to the floor at Kelly’s feet. Peter was on top, and he delivered several crushing blows to Robert’s face and head. Raising his fist he swung again and again, until Robert laid still, blood streaming from his lip.
Peter pushed himself up off the unconscious man. His breathing was labored as he wiped sweat from his face with the back of his sleeve. He stepped over Robert, and grabbed Kelly, pulling her roughly against him. She clutched at him, feeling his heart pounding beneath her cheek.
“Are you okay?” He panted.
“Yes. You?”
“I’ll live.” He gave a gruff laugh. “We need something to tie him up with.”
Kelly nodded and rushed out onto the back porch. There, she found some rope, which she handed to Peter. While he hog-tied Robert, she dialed the police with trembling fingers.
Kelly didn’t want to be anywhere near Robert, tied up or not. So they sat out on the back porch steps to wait for the cops. Peter had a large, swollen bruise on his jaw, where Robert had punched him.
She frowned, and reached out a gentle hand, brushing her fingers over the welt. “Oh, wow. That’s going to hurt.”
“It already hurts,” Peter grumbled. “Especially when you touch it.”
She smiled. “Sorry.”
The Art of Hiding Page 18