Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 118965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 118965 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 595(@200wpm)___ 476(@250wpm)___ 397(@300wpm)
The worst I keep for last—the fury.
Lavigne watched.
He allowed my wife to be humiliated, and he watched. Saw her naked. Saw parts of her no man but me should see.
I rewind the final few minutes and play it over again. And again. And again. Until the rage boils up inside me like a volcano and the violence sweeps me along, demanding an outlet. Justice.
When I push to my feet, I’m calm. It’s only on the surface though. Inside me, the monster reared his head. And it’s the monster who’s in control, not the man.
I go to the cellar, dismiss the men guarding my prisoner, and lock the door. Lavigne is chained to the wall by his hands and his feet, naked and spreadeagled in the same spot I once reserved for Sabella when I believed she was looking for information to have me locked away.
I walk over and study him. There’s not a mark on his body. Good. I ordered my men to deliver him without a scratch. This is personal. I want to inflict each blow and make every cut myself.
The fucker stares me straight in the eyes. “It took you longer than I expected.”
He’s brave. For now. My men didn’t gag him. The room is soundproof. More to the point, I want to savor his screams.
I undo my cuffs and roll back my sleeves.
A layer of sweat covers his face. He glances at the table on which the implements are set out. “You’re a cop killer now? You can still negotiate. Have special privileges in prison. Make sure your family is safe and taken care of. But once you cross this line, it’s over. They’ll take you out when they can. You know that.”
I pull on the surgical gloves.
“You sent me that note, you fuck,” he hurls at me. “You set me up. Lured me here. It was a trap.”
Yes on all counts. His execution was always a given. No one drags my wife into a police cell and lives. No one touches her and breathes.
The sharp snap as I adjust the elastic of a glove echoes in the space.
“She cut a deal, you know,” he says with a sardonic grin. “Sold you out for a new identity and a lousy few grand to help her get on her feet.”
“Yeah.” I cross my arms behind my back and pace in front of him. My voice is soft, controlled. “I saw the recording.” Stopping in front of him, I lean close to his face. “I heard what she said.”
He blanches.
That’s right. I was going to end him quickly, but after what he said, I’ll start with his eyes.
“No,” he yells when I pick up the screwdriver.
Bringing it to his right eye, I say, “This is for Sabella. For my wife.”
Chapter
Nineteen
Sabella
* * *
After the lieutenant’s visit, I don’t go to the village. I’m too worried Angelo will show up, demanding to know what we talked about outside. Of course, he won’t believe me when I tell him I didn’t sell him out, and if he doesn’t believe me, he doesn’t deserve my honesty.
I keep busy by baking—I discovered that I enjoy the activity—and by cleaning the house. The garden is mostly self-sustained, the indigenous plants not requiring additional watering, but some of the bushes need pruning in preparation for spring. I make a mental note to remind Angelo to send his garden service company. I know a little about gardening from what I picked up when my mom gave our gardener instructions, but, like with cooking, I’m a beginner at this.
As I flip through the channels on the television to distract myself in the afternoon, I notice the date on the news channel. I put aside the remote, uneasiness spreading through me as I do a mental calculation.
My period should’ve started by now, but only by a couple of days. It’s nothing. I’m often late. However, four weeks have passed. The pregnancy test should show results by now.
I leave the television on in my haste to go upstairs. Once I’m in the dressing room, I freeze. I’m scared. I miss Mattie. I wish I didn’t have to do this alone. I can do with a bit of moral support. Mrs. Campana will be understanding, but it’s too late to go to the village. Even with the bike, I won’t make it back before sunset, and after the lieutenant’s visit, there’s no doubt that Angelo will show up tonight.
My hands shake when I take the test from the clutch bag in which I hid it. In the bathroom, I tear the package open and read the instructions twice. Cold sweat beads on my forehead as I uncap the stick and get ready to pee on it. I almost abandon it at the last minute, but I got the test for a reason, so I may as well go through with it.