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Robbie made a grab for Charlotte but came up with air. He straightened and grinned at the little girl who’d wrapped herself around Addy’s legs. “Oh, little girl. Been so long since I’ve seen such innocence. Bet you’ll be the sweetest thing I’ve ever had.”
Addy whimpered which seemed to please Robbie.
He cast an annoyed look at where the phone jangled near the coffee pot. Then he returned his gaze to Addy. “Got me a two for one deal, huh?”
“You sick bastard,” Addy said, lifting her chin. Terror ate away at her insides, but somehow she found her calm. She had no clue how she was able to even speak she was so afraid, but she found her voice again. She curled her hand around Charlotte’s head, pressing the child’s face to her belly. “Your issue is with me. Not Charlotte. She’s a baby.”
He cocked his head. “I can’t turn down a gift like that, my brown-eyed girl.”
Addy shook her head, doing her best to look sad for the man. “What a pitiful man you are. Didn’t you realize all these years you’ve sent those things, I wasn’t interested? What part of no don’t you understand?”
He literally growled at her, but the phone rang yet again. He snatched it up and answered. “Addy’s busy right now.”
Addy’s mind flipped through the possibilities of the caller. No one Aunt Flora knew would continue to call over and over again. Maybe her father? And why weren’t the Finlays here already? Maybe Lucas’s parents would see the front door open, catch a glimpse of Flora lying on the floor, and call the police.
Maybe the police were already on their way.
Please let them be on their way.
She glanced again at the pepper spray on her key ring. If only she could slide over…
Robbie tossed the phone onto the counter and advanced toward her. “You saying you didn’t like my presents?”
She pushed Charlotte behind her and squared herself against him, paralyzed at the thought of him using the knife on her again, but not ready to cower. Not ready to give him what he craved.
“Why would I want presents from someone who means nothing to me?”
He slapped her again and Charlotte screamed, ducking under the table. “You’re pissing me off, Addy.”
Addy turned her head so she could look him in the eye. “You may take me down, but I’m not scared of you, you pinky-dicked piece of scum.”
The knife flashed in the kitchen light as he slid it to her throat. “You liked my dick at one point if I remember.”
Addy swallowed, feeling hot tears slide down her face. “I didn’t know any better, did I?”
The hatred in his eyes was a small reward, but then he slid the point of the knife across her throat, lightly like a caress. His other hand moved downward and she heard him unfasten his belt buckle. “You’re about to remember just what it’s like. I been waiting for your delicious piece of-”
Addy had closed her eyes even as she prepared to fight him for her life—for Charlotte’s life—so she didn’t see what made Robbie stop his ugly words.
Addy opened her eyes.
Aunt Flora stood behind Robbie with her .38 special pressed to the back of his head.
“Aunt Flora,” Addy cried, scooting back, pushing the table with a screech.
“That’s right,” Aunt Flora said calm as dawn on the bayou. “It’s the old lady, and I got my friend with me.”
Robbie made a slight move backward and Aunt Flora cocked the gun. “Uh, uh, uh. I don’t need a good reason to put you down, son.”
Robbie dropped the knife. It clattered to the floor, and Addy reacted without thinking, kicking the weapon across the room.
“I may be easy to knock down, but I got a steady hand, Mr. Guidry,” Aunt Flora said, pressing the gun to the back of his head so that Robbie’s head jolted forward.
Addy had never seen her aunt look so intent, so absolutely terrifying. It was strange.
“Go call the police, Addy. And you keep your hands where I can see them, scum,” Aunt Flora said, her hand not wavering, her eyes focused on Robbie.
Robbie’s eyes had narrowed and Addy slipped around him, going for the phone he’d tossed down seconds ago. Charlotte had curled into a ball under the table, her wails of terror ripping at Addy’s heart. She’d just picked up the phone when she heard the sirens.
