“Poor baby.”
His syrupy voice meant nothing. She blinked as the towels came off her head.
Things were a little fuzzy without her glasses.
“Oh sweetheart, what have you done to yourself?” He unfastened the cuff and held her hand in his. “Look at your poor wrist.” It looked like she wore a wide red bracelet. He put a mug of hot chocolate in her hand and she almost dropped it. Jack wrapped his fingers around hers and held the drink to her lips. When it had all gone, he picked her up, carried her to the bed and wrapped her in the blankets.
“Sleep now and when you wake, I want a different person for a wife.”
***
When Kate opened her eyes, the room was dark. She ached all over. Still alive but she’d nearly died. She wriggled her fingers and toes, relieved they moved.
She’d been an idiot to go in the water. If Jack hadn’t dragged her back to the house, she’d have died.
She pushed herself up and pain flared all over her body. She couldn’t cope with getting dressed and instead pulled on her robe. The weight of the material on her back made her flinch. Her chest hurt when she breathed.
Kate gasped when she saw the living room. A Christmas tree stood by the fireplace, a real fir, shimmering with tiny white lights. Red and silver balls hung on the branches and white ribbon twirled in circles from the bottom up.
“We did it, we did it.” Tommy bounced with excitement.
“It’s beautiful,” Kate said.
“We cut the tree together. Daddy let me chop, too. He said we had to check there was nothing in the branches because there might be something sleeping there and we shouldn’t bring it into the house.” He clung to Jack’s hand and a dark, heavy feeling weighed inside her gut.
“Time for bed, Tommy,” Jack said.
“Nooooo.”
“I told you, bed once Mommy had seen our tree. I’ll read you a story.”
“O…kay.”
Jack’s eyes met Kate’s. “I fed Tommy. You feed me.” As Kate worked at snail speed in the kitchen, she listened to Jack read a story about a rusty robot. He did a funny voice for the robot and made Tommy chortle.
Kate’s head felt so heavy she could barely keep upright. As she reached inside the fridge her gaze dropped to the back of her hands. They were covered with bruises.
Her wrist looked like she’d been sawing at it with a blunt knife. Kate wasn’t sure how much more she could take.
She worked slowly, cutting steak into strips, slicing and frying onions and peppers. The smell of the food made her feel sick.
Once the door of Tommy’s room was closed, Jack set the table. He opened a bottle of red wine, filled a glass for Kate and put it on the counter. She gulped it down. He hummed some Christmas tune while he worked, as if everything was fine. Kate looked at the knife lying next to the chopping board. She picked it up, wrapped her fingers around the handle and imagined plunging it into Jack’s heart.
It fell from her hand into the sink.
Jack moved behind her and slid his hands over her hips. Kate was uncomfortably aware she was naked under the robe.
“Do you think you could get Tommy to make a Christmas card for my father?
Could he draw pictures of us?”
“We might not look like people.”
Jack snorted. “I thought you were under the impression I wasn’t human.”
Kate carried the food to the table and sat down. Jack helped himself to a tortilla, filled it with meat and fried vegetables. Kate made one of her own and everything fell out as she lifted it, her fingers stiff and swollen. Jack rolled it up again for her and held it to her mouth. Kate forced herself to take a bite. She couldn’t taste a thing and struggled to swallow.
He tipped the remains of the wine into her empty glass. “For someone who’s too young to be drinking, you seem to have taken to it like a fish.” The alcohol swirled around her system and the room swirled with it. Kate was drunk. She ate almost nothing. Jack finished up what was left. He cleared the table, washed and dried the dishes. Kate sat watching the room dance around a man she had no hope of understanding. Her back burned. She’d be scarred for life by his name.
When he’d cleared everything away, he took hold of her hand and tugged her to her feet.
“We’re going to put everything right, me and you.” He pressed his face into her hair and pulled her into his arms. “Your mom made a fatal mistake. I don’t want you to do the same. That was your last chance, and Tommy’s last chance. Next time, it won’t be you I’ll hurt, but him. Are we quite clear?”
He lifted her hand and ran his thumb along her knuckles. Kate nodded.
“I want so little, that’s the crazy thing, no more than any husband expects from his wife. Show me some affection, especially in front of Tommy. Put your arm round me. Kiss me. My father will come soon and I want him to see a happy family. I don’t want you flinching every time I touch you.” He put his hands on either side of her head. “You’re holding back and I want you to let go. I want all of you, Kate.”
“Okay.” She barely whispered the word.
“We start again.” He bent his head and kissed the side of her neck, then pressed his teeth into the base of her throat.
Kate gasped in fear.
“That’s it, baby. Let yourself go.”
Couldn’t he tell the difference between terror and pleasure? His hands held her waist, keeping her against his erection.
He moved his mouth to her ear. “Tell me you want me.” The memory of what he’d done caused her to falter before she pulled herself back from the edge of the cliff. “I want you,” she whispered.
“And you can’t survive without me.”
“I can’t survive without you.”
A fist squeezed Kate’s heart. She wanted him dead. They went upstairs in silence. Everything she’d done to try and help herself and Tommy had made matters worse. Nothing to do now except shut down all but life support and wait for rescue. Her energy had to be channeled into keeping Tommy alive.
Jack kicked off his shoes and leaned back on his elbows on the bed.
“Let the robe drop.”
Kate allowed it to fall from her shoulders. There were marks all over her body: cuts, scratches, bruises. Why did he want her?
“Touch yourself,” he said.
Kate’s heart lurched. When she steeled herself to cross one bridge, he erected another. She slid her hand onto her breast, pulled her nipple between her fingers and saw his Adam’s apple move up and down.
“Both hands.”
She didn’t have to enjoy it, just do it.
“Between your legs.”
Jack made a noise in his throat and Kate’s eyes hardened. He wasn’t looking at her face. His eyes were on her crotch and that made it easier. The tip of his tongue moved across his upper lip. Kate trembled but her fear receded. While he still wanted her, she had some power over him.
“Come here,” he said.
She got on the bed and knelt astride him. Jack brought his hands to her breasts and she slapped his fingers away.
“No.”
She wanted the word back but when he let his hands fall, a little flame came to life inside her. She leaned forward so her breasts were close to his mouth. He
lifted his head and Kate moved out of reach. When he didn’t stop her, her heart pounded so hard it hurt her chest. She put her finger to his lips, pushed it in his mouth and let him suck it, before she pulled it out and slid it between her legs.
Jack moaned and reached out.
Again Kate pushed him back, feeling a sudden thrill when he didn’t persist.
Could she control him with sex? Or was he tricking her again? She began to unbutton his shirt and he sat up so she could take it off. His erection bulged under his chinos and Kate pressed her face there, mouthing his penis through the fabric.
“Jesus, Kate.”
Her fingers fumbled with the button, then slid down the zipper, and she put her mouth on him again
, breathing hot air through his cotton shorts.
It happened in a heartbeat. One moment, she was on top, the next he flung her aside. He got to his feet, dragged off his clothes and twisted her on to her back.
Kate cried out in pain. Jack forced her legs apart, thrust straight into her and she yelped. He pulled out and stared at her for a moment. Then spitting on his fingers, he forced them between her legs.
“You think you fooled me? Think I can’t tell when you’re ready for sex?” A tear escaped from the corner of Kate’s eye. “I’m trying.” Jack gave a short laugh. “You’re lying.”
He rolled her onto her stomach, using his weight to keep her there, then slid down and bent his head to her lower back, biting so hard at her waist that she screamed and scratched at the comforter with her useless hands.
“I like that you’re afraid of me. It turns me on and there’s nothing you can do about it. You try not to look scared but you can’t hide the way you feel.” He slid his hand between her legs under her body, raising her hips. “You’re a loser, you know that? You’re a loser and I’m a winner.” He jammed a finger inside her anus and she pressed her face in the bed and stiffened.
“Don’t,” she choked out.
He withdrew his finger, replaced it with the tip of his penis and began to push his way inside.
Kate began to struggle. “No.”
“Lie still or I’ll hurt you more,” he snapped.
“Please. Don’t do that to me. You’re hurting me. Please, Jack.”
“Shut up,” he said and eased his way a little farther inside her.
“Don’t.”
“Why would you think you can tell me what to do? You don’t like being fucked in the cunt, so I’m going to fuck you in the ass. Relax and enjoy it.” He pushed harder and Kate tried to scramble up the bed.
“I promise I’ll be good, Jack. I was good tonight, wasn’t I? Please.” He was ripping her apart. She couldn’t bear it and started to wail. Jack put his hand on her neck and pressed her face into the pillow. Kate couldn’t breathe.
Black spots danced in front of her eyes, she tried to draw air into her lungs, but nothing came in, everything went black.
***
Kate awoke with a start. Jack still slept. She rolled away from him to the edge of the bed, stifling groans of pain. He grew more violent and she grew weaker.
Not one part of her didn’t hurt. She had bite marks everywhere. Kate felt ill, as if some virus crept through her body, destroying her from inside as well.
After he’d fallen asleep, she lay beside him plotting how to kill him. There was no longer any choice because he was killing her. She had to be certain it worked, or render him so incapacitated he couldn’t do anything to hurt her or Tommy.
And it had to be done when Tommy wasn’t watching.
Kate moved awkwardly from the bed and rose to her feet. Her fingers touched a vivid red bite mark on her left breast, another at her waist. She vaguely wondered what he’d do if she bit him like that. Gathering her clothes, she slipped into the bathroom, washed and dressed. She hoped Jack wouldn’t wake until she’d gone down, but when she returned to the bedroom his eyes were open.
“Come here.”
Kate went to his side.
“Lie down and kiss me.”
She bit the inside of her cheek as she eased herself down next to him. Putting her hand on his face, she pressed her lips against his, kept them there longer than she wanted and then laid her head on the pillow.
Jack raised himself on one elbow and looked down at her. “I’m sorry I hurt you.”
“Okay.” Kate hid her surprise. What was she supposed to say?
“It’ll be better next time.”
I’m going to kill you today, Kate thought. When he leaned over and pressed his lips down on hers, she didn’t resist.
***
When Kate tried to lift a protesting Tommy from his bunk, she couldn’t. Jack came in behind her, scooped him up and pretended to drop him. Tommy squealed with delight as Jack carried him upside down into the other room.
“You’re wriggly today. Maybe you should have worms for breakfast instead of Fruit Loops,” he said.
“No way,” Tommy said.
Jack sat him at the table. “Mommy will get your breakfast while I see to the fire. It’s cold this morning, we need to keep your mommy extra warm.” As Kate heated milk for Tommy’s cereal, the smell of the simmering liquid suddenly became too much. She dashed to the bathroom with her hand over her mouth and retched. She stayed put until the spasms passed and then pushed shakily to her feet. She washed her face and rinsed her mouth before returning to the table. Jack had given Tommy his cereal.
“Bacon and two eggs. Sunnyside up,” Jack said with a smirk.
The last thing she needed to do was fry food. She glanced through the window.
The sun was shining. The trees were full of snow, their branches sagging under the heavy weight.
Tommy pushed his bowl away. “I want to make a snowman.”
“We have to make a Christmas card first for your Grandpa,” Kate said.
“Grandpa George?”
Kate glanced at Jack.
“No, Grandpa Don, Tommy. You don’t have a Grandpa George,” Jack said.
“Yes, I do.”
“No, you don’t,” Jack snapped.
Tommy’s bottom lip trembled. Kate swept him up and pushed him toward the bathroom. “Go brush your teeth.”
She put a mug of coffee in front of Jack and sipped at her own while she crisped Jack’s bacon. This was surreal, as though they were acting out a play with no audience.
While he ate, she washed up, back on cruise control.
“Not eating, Kate?”
“Not hungry.”
“I’m stuck, Mommy.”
Tommy had his head in the armhole of his sweater. Kate dried her hands and sorted him out.
“Where are my crayons?”
She got out his coloring book, crayons and white card, put them on the table and bent to fasten his shoes. He kneeled on the chair opposite Jack and reached for a red crayon.
“See if you can draw a picture of you, me and Daddy, and our Christmas tree,” Kate said.
“Okay. I’m good at drawing.”
Above the sound of Tommy’s chatter came the noise of a car engine. Jack grabbed Kate’s sore wrist and twisted it. She yelped.
“Don’t hurt Mommy.”
Jack looked at Tommy in astonishment and then laughed.
“Take him upstairs and don’t come down unless I tell you. Remember what happened to Charlie.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Jack glanced through the window but the car wasn’t in sight. His pulse rate accelerated as he walked to the door. He had no idea who was out there. Maybe the person who’d driven to the house yesterday. Jack hadn’t missed the tracks and the trail of footprints. He was fairly sure it wasn’t his father but he hoped like fuck it wasn’t the local sheriff. Jack would’ve liked more time alone with Kate and Tommy, just to make certain, though she’d been the model wife this morning. Sex before breakfast and his eggs had been perfect. He grinned. If it was his father, everything would be fine so long as Kate behaved.
He opened the door and gave a short laugh. Nathan waded through the pristine snow.
“Morning, Jack.”
“What the fuck do you want?”
“Can I come in?”
Jack stepped back into the house. Nathan stamped the snow from his boots at the top of the steps and walked inside. Jack smiled at his back and closed the door.
***
Kate lay with her ear to the bedroom floor, straining to hear the voices below.
Could it be Jack’s father?
Tommy pulled at her arm. “Look at my elephant.” Kate sat up and watched him rubbing a stubby purple crayon outside of the outline.
“Tommy, could I have a picture to color?”
“Okay.”
Kate ripped out a page from nea
r the back.
“Hey!”
“It’s all right, Tommy. Look, this way we can color at the same time.” Kate picked out a sharp red crayon and wrote, We need help. Jack is dangerous. Call the Police. Do NOT try to do anything on your own. She let out her pent up breath.
“You didn’t keep in the lines,” Tommy said. “Oh, you’re writing.”
“I’m not writing. I made a mistake, I’ll throw it away.” She folded the piece of paper over and over until it was small enough to it in the pocket of her jeans.
***
Nathan walked into the house in front of Jack, taking in the toys, the decorated tree, the crackling fire and the fading smells of breakfast. The domesticity shocked him. He turned to see Jack slouching against the kitchen sink.
“Surprised to see me?” Nathan asked.
Jack shrugged. “You always turn up where you’re not wanted.”
“Well, I’m surprised to see you. I’d just about convinced myself Steven lived here.”
“Why would you think that?” Jack’s gaze never left him.
Nathan stared him down. “Because the last time I saw you, you didn’t have a wife and child.”
Jack laughed. “You nearly had a wife though. How’s Alison?” Nathan knew better than to snap at that worm. “Does your father know you’re here?”
“I wrote and told him.”
Nathan glanced around the room. “This is cozy.” He walked over to a framed photograph propped up on the hearth. He didn’t recognize the woman. Tall, thin and very young, with a not-there look in her eyes. “Are you going to introduce me to your wife or are you afraid I’ll whisk her away from you?” Jack’s eyes hardened. “Oh, I wouldn’t let you do that.” He walked to the foot of the stairs. “Kate, come down, honey, and bring Tommy. Watch your step, darlin’.”
“I can’t believe you conned anyone into marrying you,” Nathan muttered but the appearance of the pale woman and little kid at the bottom of the stairs proved him wrong.
“This is my wife, Kate, and our son, Tommy. Kate, this is my brother, Nathan.
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