She recognized Rotquel’s barking from across the street. She viewed Bridgette’s house, seeing the light on in the front of her house, as well as a light from inside. Soon Bridgette would be in her arms again. She’d taste her lips and other luscious parts on her body that had her salivating.
Tapping her chin, she remembered the bottle of body lotion in the linen closet. Her nipples stiffened at the thought of giving Bridgette a nice intimate massage that would lead to a special type of happy ending for her.
Rotquel’s barks trailed her as she walked out to the hallway. She must be really excited to see Bridgette. Shrugging, she went to the closet just as the stairway down below went dark.
What the— She groaned. The light must have burned out. Not wanting Bridgette to stumble in the dark, she made her way to the landing.
Grumbling under her breath that there was no light switch to turn on, she carefully walked down the stairs, wishing the moon was brighter so she wouldn’t trip and fall and break her—
Un dì, felice, eterea, Mi balenaste innante, E da quel dì tremante, Vissi d’ignoto amor…
She held the wall for support. Her stomach rolled as the opera played softly from somewhere inside. There was no way that could be possible, since she didn’t have a stereo or a radio in the house. She’d backed up one step when she noticed the front door was fully closed and a shadowed person stood in front of it.
Nonononono! Her heart beat rapidly as she swallowed and stepped down. If she went upstairs, she wouldn’t be able to escape.
As she became accustomed to the darkness and moved around the banister, a cocking sound met her ears. “If you move one more inch, I’ll shoot you in the leg. I can promise you it won’t be pleasant.”
She almost fell to the floor at hearing the voice that had haunted her and dug her fingers into the wooden banister. The opera continued to play softly then went off with a click, only to be replaced by live singing in English.
“Since that moment I loved you, loved and adored from afar. Hoping for love, love that fills the universe. Sorrow, sorrow, sorrow, sorrow…” Genevieve finished singing, and Deborah blinked at the small light in front of her.
Genevieve held a lighter under her chin, casting a ghostlike glow around her face. Deborah’s hands shook as she wrapped her arms around her waist and silent shudders ripped through her body.
“You found me.” Tears fell down her cheeks as she stepped back.
“Stop moving!” Genevieve moved forward, holding the gun in one hand while keeping the lighter on with the other.
She halted and inhaled deeply. The air was suddenly thick, and fear clogged her throat. She backed against the wall near the steps as Genevieve closed the lighter and turned on the lamp. When she faced her again, Deborah covered her mouth in utter shock.
Genevieve’s hair was back in a tight bun and colored gray. She also wore glasses and a baggy flowered dress. Her face was covered in heavy makeup. Her stomach cramped again when she came to the realization that Genevieve wore a disguise.
“You bumped Bridgette at the carnival.” When Bridgette had been jostled, she’d turned away from the fireworks display and caught sight of a matronly woman wearing a garish dress passing them. The same dress Genevieve wore now.
Genevieve chuckled and tore off the wig and the glasses. She threw them near a bag sitting next to the front door. “I can wear a disguise also, Wade.” Deborah’s ears rang at the name of one of her aliases.
She shook her head to stop the sound and stiffened when Genevieve moved in closer. She moved to the left and away from the wall, lifting her hands to Genevieve in supplication.
“I know you’re furious with me, but I had to do it. I couldn’t live with you anymore. I was afraid—”
“Afraid?” Genevieve’s arm shook as she swung the gun back up at her. “You don’t know what true fear is. But you will when I get through with you.”
She closed her eyes for a short moment. She released a shaky breath. “You won’t get away with killing me.”
Genevieve cackled. “Kill you? Oh no, my dearling. I’m not going to kill you right away. First, I’m going to punish you for making me look like a fool. We’re going on a little trip together and get reacquainted.”
Genevieve’s lips lifted, showing how raw and chapped they looked, as if she had been chewing on them.
“I’m not going anywhere with you. Go ahead and shoot me here because there’s no way in hell I’m leaving with you, knowing you want to torture me.”
“My dearling has finally grown a set of balls!”
“Stop calling me that!” she yelled.
“How dare you speak to me that way, you faithless, lying cunt?” Genevieve dug the barrel of the gun into the middle of Deborah’s forehead. Deborah went still, and something wet dripped down the inside of her legs.
Genevieve’s smile grew soft as she stepped closer. Deborah backed up until she was near the edge of the couch.
“Please don’t—”
“Please don’t,” Genevieve said in a squeaky voice and snorted. “That’s what your lover said when I bashed her head with my gun.”
She clenched her hands in tight fists. Bridgette! “If you hurt Bridgette—”
“Shut the fuck up! I don’t want to hear her name coming from your dishonest mouth, darling wife.” Genevieve dug the gun deeper into her forehead.
She bit her lip. She hoped to God Genevieve hadn’t killed Bridgette in her rage. Maybe that was why Rotquel had been barking.
“Pay attention to me, twat!” Genevieve shouted, her arm trembling violently.
“Yes, Genevieve. I’m sorry,” she said in the pacifying way she’d used most of the time during their marriage.
Genevieve seemed to calm down but kept the gun in place. “You’ll leave this house with me right now. If you even try to fight me, I’ll shoot you. My gun has a silencer, so your neighbors won’t rescue you. If you behave, I won’t kill the chunky redhead.”
She bit her lip until she drew blood. “I’ll do what you want. Just don’t hurt anyone else.”
She flinched when Genevieve cupped her cheek. The gun lowered and sweat dripped down the side of her face as Genevieve held her in an embrace.
“I love you so much, but you betrayed me. Maybe I can forgive you after you’re punished. Then we can go on as before, perhaps to Europe and start a new life there,” Genevieve whispered in her ear.
She nodded stiffly and bumped the lamp on the side table.
Moving back, Genevieve cupped her face with both hands, the gun resting on her shoulder. She smiled at her with undisguised love, her eyes bright with tears. “Tell me you love me.”
The words came easily, the lies flowing from her lips. “I love you so much, Genevieve.”