Page 3 of Married to the Devil

The man holding my wrist studies me like he’s not sure what to make of me, like I’m an alien that landed in his yard and he can’t decide if he wants to exterminate me or not. My knees go weak and it’s all I can do to stay upright.

“What do you think, doll?” he asks, grip tightening. “Should he handle you? Or should I handle you myself?”

“I’m sorry,” I manage to gasp, forcing words from my chest, because I’m pretty sure that if I don’t talk, something bad will happen. “I’m so, so sorry, we’re having a bachelorette party and we were waiting for a stripper and you were here⁠—“

He squeezes. My wrist grinds, and I yelp. “Is that why you shoved your hand down my pants, little doll?”

“Please, you’re hurting me.”

He looks at my arm like he didn’t realize. His grip loosens. “What’s your name?”

“June.” I whisper it, hoping that if I’m small and weak, he’ll go away. Like playing dead for a hungry bear. “Please, I’m sorry.”

There’s a long moment. One of the worst of my life. I wish Grandma were here, even if she can’t walk so well these days. She’s the strongest person I know. She’d be able to get me out of this.

“Uh, sorry, but I think I’m supposed to be here?”

A voice cuts into the moment. I’m so relieved I let out a soft sob as the man releases me. I step back, rubbing my wrist. A fourth person sheepishly approaches, looking around like he’s lost. He’s a few inches taller than me, out of shape, not terrible looking but a pale wisp of a human compared to the monster who nearly broke me.

This newcomer is dressed in a cop’s uniform and he’s carrying a boombox.

“I think your entertainment is here.” The monster gazes at me a second longer before waving once at the men beside him. “Stand down. Enjoy your evening, June.”

I lean against the door, heart hammering, as he walks away, followed by his two men. Neither glances in my direction like I’ve completely disappeared already.

In their wake, I’m left horrified.

What the hell just happened? Who the fuck was that guy?

I feel like I narrowly escaped with my life, but I don’t understand why.

It’s like I met true evil in person.

I touch my wrist, wondering if I’ve been poisoned by that creature.

That beautiful monster.

“Uh, excuse me? You okay? I’m looking for a bachelorette party⁠—“

The door to the hotel room opens and screaming spills into the hallway. Beth pokes her head out. “Hey, everything okay? They’re getting restless. Oh, is that⁠—“

“It’s the dancer,” I say, gathering myself together the best I can. “Let’s take him to see Marnie.”

Beth looks at the guy skeptically. “You sure it’s him?”

“Hey, babe, don’t worry, I put on a great show.” The dancer grins. His teeth are crooked. He does a few hip-thrusts that aren’t too bad. “You got a place I can plug this in? And maybe charge my phone? And some coke if you got it?”

“Jesus Christ…” Beth leads the real dancer into the room by the arm. “No, we don’t have coke, but there’s a plug over here.”

I take a moment in the hall. The monster and his two men are gone, turned the corner, vanished into nothing. Who was that guy? And why do I feel like he’s still standing beside me? His smell infuses the hall, leaving his mark.

I run a hand down my face with a groan.

What would I have done if he had tried to drag me off?

Nothing, I don’t think.

What the hell is wrong with me?