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“Kerry, are you there?”
“Ray, help. Help us!” I say, a little louder, hoping my voice is strong enough to reach his ears through the raging storm, but not loud enough to alert Christian. Transfixed, I stare at the doorknob when it twists slightly.Please, don’t let it be locked!I can’t remember if it is. “I’m here, Ray,” I say again, glancing terrified at the bathroom door. “Help!”
A click makes me jerk. I whimper when the door to the bathroom opens and Christian suddenly appears, filling the whole opening, his shirt wet, hanging open, top button of his pants undone. They hang loose on his hips, revealing ripped abs and a string of hair that disappears under the waistband.
My mouth goes dry. I shake my head, pleadingly.
Christian strolls out into the room, wiping his hands on a towel that has streaks of blood on it.
“Who’s there?” he shouts, throwing me a glance, before he focuses on the door.
I inhale to scream. To scream for Ray to run, to get the hell out of here, but Christian pounces on me before I can do more than open my mouth, pressing his palm over my lips.
“It’s… It’s Ray…” he says from outside the door. “Can I please come in, Kerry? It’s… It’s really windy, and…”
“One moment,” shouts Christian, then he fixates his black eyes on mine. “It’s the fatty? The fucking store owner? What the hell is he doing here? He usually comes?”
I shake my head, trying to talk, to tell him not to do anything, but all that comes out are muffled moans against his warm, strong hand.
Christian points at me. “Not a word. You hear me?”
I nod, my heart slamming, my mind spinning.
“One moment, Ray!” shouts Christian, then he removes his hand from my mouth and begins to untie me. “You value the lives of the townspeople?”
I frown and nod.
“Good. Then you and I are gonna put on a little show.”
“What?” I whisper, my eyes darting between him and the door.
“I’m your long-lost husband, sweetheart. And you’resohappy that I’m back, aren’t you? Shouldn’t be too fucking hard, given our history.” He smirks, and flips off the last strip of sheet, giving me a smack on the thigh. “Get up, honey.”
“Kerry?” shouts Ray.
“Just getting dressed,” Christian shouts back. “Now,” he then growls in a low voice meant for me, jerking me into action.
I sit up, groaning, my strained muscles aching. Christian takes my hand and pulls me up. I recoil, but he’s not having it.
“Now play along, sweetheart, give the performance of your life and save your friend. You’ve done it before. I know you got it in you.” He pulls me to him, gives me a once over, tutting as he takes in my disheveled appearance. “Well, it’ll have to do.”
Christian pulls down the handle and swings open the door, a strong gust of wind immediately stealing our breaths away. Outside stands a flushed Ray, thick fur on his head, only his light blue eyes and his round nose visible. His heavy body is hidden under an enormous winter coat.
He’s the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen. Hope shoots like a beam of light through my chest.
“It’s… it’s you?” he stutters and stares at Christian.
“In the flesh,” Christian says cheerily and pulls me tighter to him. Every cell in my body is screaming at his closeness, hyper aware of every patch of skin touching him. His strong arm around my waist is a threat. Behave, or else.
“Kerry?” says a dumbfounded Ray. “I, eh… Bethy at the motel told me to go looking for… the… the stranger. That he’d gotten lost…” His eyes dart to Christian, then back to me. “Are you okay? “
Oh brave, brave Ray.
“This is my husband,” I say shakily, my voice barely carrying. “He’s… he’s just visiting a little.” My eyes plead with him to connect the dots, topleaseunderstand the danger, topleaseremember what I’ve said about fleeing my abusive relationship.
“That’s very kind of you. I’m not lost at all, though. I’m right where I’m supposed to be. Just visiting my beautiful wife, right honey?” Christian bends over and gives me a quick kiss on the mouth.” I recoil violently, his touch burning on my lips. He puts his mouth to my ear. “Play along, love, if you want your friend to live.”
I jolt and force a strained smile. “I’m so happy he’s here.” My voice sounds robotic. Not convincing in the least. My chest feels tight with anxiety.Please Ray, please understand. Please, please, please leave. Go home and call the cops.
