Chapter Thirty-Four
H e’s still holding me when I wake up.
I know better than to move from his grasp. It will tighten. There will be consequences.
I breathe deeply, trying to recall my dream.
It was Darby again.
It’s as though her spirit is edging me on, yelling at me to save her child.
I don’t need to destroy Luke Greene... I just need to escape with Skylar.
Luke turns onto his back and stretches.
“I know you’re already awake,” he grumbles.
“I didn’t want to disturb you,” I say meekly.
“Go make coffee,” he sighs. “You remember how I like it?”
“Yes, Daddy, I remember everything you like.”
He chuckles. “Good girl.”
He truly believes he’s broken me back into this cycle. I cannot believe it. He almost did. He almost had me. But the thought of Darby’s bones at the bottom of that fucking well pushes me forward.
I get up and I grab my cane, then I limp into the kitchen and turn the coffee machine on.
I take out the sugar and the creamer and I get his mug.
I carefully prepare his coffee and slowly carry it to the dining room.
I set it on the table and go back to the kitchen to make breakfast. I take out everything I would need to make a fresh batch of pancakes.
I would ground glass in his food if I knew the kids wouldn’t eat it as well.
Once the pancakes are done, I call Richter to carry them before I go to the dining room behind him.
We eat peacefully. Skylar seems to really enjoy the pancakes, and that makes me smile.
I look to my left and see Luke watching me. My smile fades and I lower my gaze.
“Can I go outside with the children today?” I ask quietly. “If you don’t mind, Daddy?”
“If you stick to the backyard,” he says. “Why don’t you and Skylar have a tea party? I know how much you enjoy them.”
That stab was aimed directly at my heart.
I give him a sad smile. “I do. Skylar, would you like that?”
“Yes,” she says with a mischievous grin. “I have a tea set we can play with.”
“Yes, it was your mommy’s before.”
The table falls silent, and I carry on eating.
Once we’re done, the kids clear the table and Luke takes my hand. “If you try anything, I will punish Skylar. Not you.”
He stares at me, and when I meet his gaze I nod, fearfully.
He lets go of my hand, gets up and leaves.
“Richter said he’ll finish the dishes,” Skylar says. “So, we can go play. I’ll meet you outside.”
“I’ll get a blanket,” I say quietly.
I hobble to the linen closet and get a checkered blanket out. Perfect for a tea party.
I carry it outside and spread it out before I sit down on it.
Skylar comes out carrying Darby’s tea set, and a lump forms in my throat.
“You can pour,” she says, looking at me with those Greene eyes.