Wicked Scandal (Misfits #2)

Chapter 16

CATHERINE

After ripping off my clothes frantically and tossing them to the floor, I step into the hot shower. Steam rolls out of the opening and I rest my head back under the cascading water, letting it run over my tense muscles.

Troy will be home any minute. Knowing him, he’ll try to sniff out another man on me so I have to wash off Wilder’s scent, along with the proof of my orgasm sticking between my thighs.

I’m running a sudsy loofah up and down my body when I hear the bathroom door creak open. My heart jumps into my throat and I brace myself for the moment I’ve been dreading—the return of my own personal nightmare—my husband.

Long fingers grip the side of the shower curtain and he pokes his head in. “I was wondering where you were hiding. I see you’re getting nice and clean for me.”

“Mmhmm.” I force a smile on my face. “Just for you.”

God, he makes me want to vomit. Now, more than ever. I tolerated Troy and his behavior for the longest time, but now that I know what it’s like to be treated with respect and adoration, I loathe the sight of him. It only cements my plan in my mind. I will leave him.

Troy disappears from my view and I find myself holding my breath because my gut tells me he didn’t leave the bathroom. When the curtain comes back open and his naked body appears, I choke down the bile rising in my throat.

He nudges me to the left, taking the space under the running water, and I flash him a shrewd smile. “I was just finishing up anyways,” I tell him as I move to the end of the bathtub to get out. “It’s all yours.”

Just as I grip the curtain, ready to pull it open, Troy grabs my arm. “Not so fast. I want you to stay with me.”

He’s always like this after he’s been gone. He wants to be sweet and clingy and remind me of the man he used to be. It just makes the moments when he finally hurts me again worse because I fall for it every damn time.

Not this time. Not now that I have Wilder.

I shoot a thumb behind me. “I’m not feeling the best. I think the heat got to me. It’s been a busy day.”

He looks at me with a fixed gaze. “It’s the weekend.” His voice rises with each word that comes out of his mouth. “What could have possibly kept you so busy that you need to leave me and go to sleep when I just got home.”

I hate that I feel the need to explain myself to him, even if everything I’m about to say is a lie. “I did a lot of gardening today. Went for a jog around the lake. Stuff, Troy.” I scoff as I jerk my slippery arm away from him. “I stayed busy.”

Before he can stop me, I step out of the bathtub. I tried. I really tried to fake my excitement of him coming home, but I’m ready to run like hell from this man. Even if I’m only going as far as our bedroom.

Troy always stays up late watching television in the living room, and more times than not, he falls asleep out there. Once in a while I wake up to him in the bed, or he wakes me because he’s horny, but for the most part, he spends his nights away from me.

Thank God for that.

I grab my towel off the hook and wrap it around my body, tucking the corner so it stays put. Then the water goes off and the shower curtain is tugged open with a force that has it nearly ripping from the hooks.

Taking a step back, I hit the wall, feeling the towel hook gyrate against my spine. One look at his face and I know he’s furious. I should have just stayed in there and endured the misery of one quick shower with him. Now, I’m going to have to pay for my mistake with my body.

“I’m sorry,” I tell him with an added sweetness to my tone. “It’s just been such a long weekend without you, Troy.” I walk toward him, hoping to calm the storm before it hits. “I was lonely and I tried to make the house nice for you. I worked so hard and I think the sun might have gotten to me.”

He looks me up and down, not fully believing me just yet, so I try to sweeten it a little more and turn the tables on him. “I guess part of me is a little hurt that you left me for so long.”

I watch as his features soften in slow motion. That smile that says he is about to get his way stretches over his face, causing me to swallow hard.

“You really missed me?” He brushes his fingers over my face gently, but I still flinch. He doesn’t seem to notice. But the only thing I can think about is that Wilder would have noticed. Not only that, he would have helped me through it. But Troy isn’t that man.

Of course he completely ignored that part where I said I was hurt that he left me. He wants reassurance for himself; he doesn't dare give it to me.

My hand goes to his head, stroking his fluff of dark hair. “Of course I missed you.”

A devious grin washes away the look of sympathy on his face. “Then I think you need to show me how much?”

“I’m so tired,” I whisper, hoping he will be somewhat generous tonight and let me just go to bed.

But when he flicks the corner of my towel and it falls to the ground, I’m not the least bit surprised. I should have known better than to think he was capable of anything but self-gratifying acts.

His hand presses to the top of my head as he lowers me to my knees. My stomach churns with equal parts affliction and dread.

I turn my head as Troy pumps his semi-erect dick. But he doesn’t like that my attention isn’t on him so he grabs my face, pinching my cheeks as he forces my jaw to unclench.

I wince, suppressing the growl threatening to climb out of my throat.

Instead, I do what I have to do so I can have a decent night without worry of Troy erupting into an unmanageable beast.

I open my mouth and I take him—every inch. And with added emphasis, I cup his balls in my palm while imagining how good it would feel to squeeze them and bring him to his knees in tears.

Ignoring every disgusting word that comes out of his sexist mouth, I pretend this is the last time I ever have to touch this hairy sack or suck this mediocre dick. Because in my mind, I plot his demise.

It would be a slow death—a painful penance for all his sins. A hammer to each kneecap, a snap of each finger, then a thin slice around his neck that has him bleeding out little by little until I jab the knife into his carotid artery. I might get away with it, or I might not, but either way I’d be free of him until he meets me at the gates of hell.

The next thing I know, the salty taste of cum hits my tongue and I take him all the way to my tonsils, letting him finish down my throat. If I don’t, I know he will be back for more later.

He steps away and runs his hand over the foggy mirror. “I guess you really did miss me,” he says as he admires himself. “By the way…” He flashes a grin over his shoulder. “Once you’re done working for the summer, I need you at the office. I’m in need of an assistant. Beth is quitting and moving out of Willow Creek, effective immediately.”

I jump to my feet, bringing my towel up with me. “Beth quit? But why?”

“She’s pregnant. Or did you already forget because you were too busy being fake with her.”

I narrow my eyes at him, but the bastard doesn’t even look back at me.

“Women are good for two things, Catherine. Being mothers and keeping houses. Beth was no longer reliable because of the baby, so I made her see that quitting was the best option.”

The mother comment hits close to home, but it’s moments like these that I am glad I took control of that situation. Troy could never have a baby and I don’t want one with him.

“What is she going to do now?” I ask.

He shrugs as he begins to moisturize his face, still staring at himself in the mirror.

“Don’t know and don’t care. All I know is I need someone, and that someone is going to be you. Count your blessings that I’m going to do what I can without an assistant until the school year ends.”

This time his gaze does leave his reflection, but only to give me a warning glare.

I don’t know if I am overly confident right now or just plain stupid, but I push because there is no way he is going to do this to me. He forced me to be a teacher and now that I actually enjoy it, he does not get to take that away from me.

“Put out an ad for the job, Troy. I can’t be your assistant,” I spit out. “I’m a teacher. Besides, I took on a couple weeks of summer school classes, and I have to organize my classroom…”

He pulls up his boxers, snapping the waistband before bopping my nose. “Well, your plans just changed.”

As he heads out the open bathroom door, I have to refrain myself from jumping on his back and digging my nails into his face. I can’t believe him. He is a top-notch asshole. The worst of the worst.

He’s dreaming if he thinks I’m going to work in that office every day, for him. Over my dead fucking body.

Luck was on my side tonight and Troy crashed hard and fast on the living room recliner after his shower. I’m actually surprised he didn’t stay up to drill me about what I did all weekend, or if I met up with any “friends.” Not that I have any.

I still can’t believe he thinks I’m going to work for him this summer. The man has seriously lost his mind. One of our agreements was that he wouldn’t interfere with my career, not that he’s a man of his word.

With my bedroom door closed and Friends playing quietly on the television, I get comfortable in bed with my laptop by my side.

Taking a deep breath, I try to recenter myself. Troy has this way of making my world feel flipped on its axis and I need time to focus on me for a second to get it to recenter.

Picking up my phone, I open the SnapTok app, a smile immediately spreading across my face when I see about a dozen messages from Wilder.

I skim through them, my heart growing in size with each one. He tells me how much he loved spending time with me this weekend and how it ended too soon. He goes on to say how he can’t stop thinking about me and how he’s already looking forward to seeing me again. He says he emailed the speech and any help would be appreciated. Finally, he asks if I’ll sneak out and meet him tonight, which isn’t a remote possibility.

I type out a reply…

CatEyes: This weekend with you was amazing, and you’re heavy on my mind, too. I wish I could meet you tonight, but it’s not an option.

As if he was holding his phone in his hand when I hit send, a reply comes right back.

WildMisfit: Did he hurt you tonight?

I didn’t expect that question, but it makes me feel good knowing that there is someone out there looking out for me.

CatEyes: No.He wasn’t too bad.

It’s the truth. When Troy comes back from a trip, he is either clingy and sweet or mad about everything and just my voice can set him off. I was surprised after the news of Beth quitting that tonight didn’t go downhill quickly, but I will take my blessings where I can get them.

I open up my email and download the doc Wilder sent as I wait for a reply. It’s not very long, which is not a bad thing, but I’m sure his dad is going to want a little more depth with his speech.

Then, my phone buzzes with a response from Wilder.

WildMisfit: I’m glad he wasn’t too bad. And if you ever need help, or anything at all, please tell me, Cat. You don’t have to go through anything alone ever again.

His words hit deep in my soul, so much so that tears form in my eyes. I’ve been alone my entire life with no one in my corner. At one time, I thought I had Troy, but it turns out, he only pulled me into his corner temporarily before pushing me back into mine all alone. It’s a lonely life when you don’t have someone to count on, and knowing I have Wilder now makes living so much more bearable.

CatEyes: I still can’t figure out what planet you came from, but I’m glad we found each other. You’re hands down the most amazing person I’ve ever met and now that I know you, I can’t imagine my life without you in it.

I wait a second before typing the truth. With Wilder, I find that I want to tell him everything on my mind. So instead of hiding my feelings, I just lay it out there.

CatEyes: It kind of terrifies me.

A tear rolls down my cheek as I hit send because the truth hurts. Wilder isn’t a permanent fixture in my life. He’s a young man who has so much going for him that doesn’t involve his almost-thirty-year-old teacher. This is just a phase and he’s going to outgrow me before I outgrow him.

WildMisfit: I’m not going anywhere.

For now, is what he means. He’s not going anywhere for now. He’ll leave eventually but I’d endure the heartbreak of that loss for this limited amount of time with him. I’m falling hard for this guy, even when I know it’s going to hurt in the end. I won’t press on any of that tonight because we still have right now.

CatEyes: Neither am I.

I finish going over the document and add some fluff and words that I know will grab the attention of Grant’s audience. I also fix up some punctuation errors and reword a few sentences that are already there. Then I email it back to Wilder.

When I go back into the app, I see another message from him.

WildMisfit: Sweet dreams, Kitty Cat. I’ll see you soon.

I giggle at the nickname.

CatEyes: You, too. I emailed the speech back. Good night.

A strange feeling washes over me, as if I’m being watched, and when I look up from my phone, I see a pair of dark eyes glaring at me in the doorway.

“Troy,” I gasp as I slam my phone over on the nightstand. “I thought you were asleep.”

I have no idea how long he’s been standing there but the look on his face tells me he’s not happy with what he just witnessed. He steps into the room and closes the door without a word, so I spit out the first excuse I can come up with.

“I was just scrolling through some funny videos before I fell asleep.”

A devious grin plays on his lips, one that sends shivers down my spine. “Those videos make you smile like that?”

I gulp, scooting up farther on the bed until my back is straight against the headboard. “One of the videos was sweet and funny so maybe that’s why it was a strange smile?” My mouth twists in a grin, but I’m hoping my eyes don’t betray me with their wide, panicked stare.

“Is that so?” He tsks, making his way over to the bed. He sits down right beside me, legs dangling off the side as he tips his chin. “Show me.”

I put my hand on my phone, my heart ready to flee from my chest. “I already closed out of the app. In fact, I was just about to shut off the light and go to sleep.”

Suddenly, Troy snatches my phone before he sends it flying across the room like a Frisbee. I don’t even have time to react to his outburst when his hand wraps around my throat. He squeezes so hard I feel the air leaving my lungs, but I’m unable to get any more back in.

“Troy, please,” I beg with the little breath I have left.

“Please, what?” His face contorts into a fit of rage. “Believe your lies? Let you go to sleep?” Raising his voice, he jerks my neck upward, until I’m forced to look into his eyes. “How about you tell me the goddamn truth, Catherine!” He squeezes so hard I can’t even swallow.

I open my mouth to speak, to convince him I’m not lying, but nothing comes out. White spots dance around my vision, blurring the room around me.

This is it. This is where Troy finally kills me.

My ears feel full as my eyes begin to water. I don’t even realize when they close, but soon everything fades to black.

For a second, there is nothing. No fighting, no pain, no worry. I feel weightless—like I’m on a cloud. Maybe this is what it’s like to go to heaven?

I try to look around but everything is dark. Where is the white light everyone talks about?

When my body starts to come back to me, I feel faint kisses on my face. I want to smile, but I feel numb and can’t quite figure out why.

A smile finally parts my lips because my first thought is Wilder. Then I hear Troy’s voice.

“Wake up, Catherine.” He kisses my cheek again while shaking my body. “Please. I’m so sorry, honey.”

My eyes open fully as I gasp for air, a coughing fit assaulting my lungs as tears fall from my eyes. My ears pop like I was underwater. My head aches and I feel dizzy as my reality slams into me with the force of a freight train.

Troy cries out in relief as he throws his arms around me while I struggle to even move my body. I don’t want him touching me.

The second I see his face, all my strength returns. In a swift motion, I shove my hands to his chest, pushing him off me.

I can’t contain my rage, the fear clawing inside me so sharply it hurts. I need to get away from this man.

“I hate you!” I scream at the top of my lungs, feeling the words scratch my throat as they come out.

He goes flying to the end of the bed and I use this opportunity to get up. Feeling off-balance, I grab my dresser to steady myself, keeping an eye on Troy.

I see him coming toward me out of the corner of my eye, the waterworks continuing because that’s what he does. He tries to play the victim when he almost killed me.

I hold up a hand, still bracing myself on the dresser. “Don’t!” I grit out, causing him to freeze because I never stand my ground like this. “Don’t you dare come near me.”

This was a first. Troy has used my body as his punching bag for years, but he’s never knocked me out, or choked me unconscious. He leaves bruises, but never anything like this.

He holds up both of his weaponized hands as if to surrender. “Don’t do this, Catherine. It was an accident.”

I turn my hung head and look him dead in the eye. “You’re telling me not to do this? What the hell did I do, Troy? Please fucking tell me what I have ever done to you!” My words erupt like molten lava, surprising even myself. His eyes go wide, panicked because no one will be able to say I wasn’t just choked out based on the bruising on my neck. I can feel it swelling already and I am certain I won’t have a voice tomorrow because of it.

I’m done. Completely fucking done. I will no longer cower in fear of his abuse.

“An accident?” I shout as I straighten my back. This time it’s me that walks toward him. I keep my chin up and my shoulders taut even though it hurts like hell. “You could have killed me!”

With each passing moment, I feel myself breaking free from this hold he has on me.

“You are evil, Troy Jenkins.” I point my finger in his face when I finally get near him. The shock from him is still evident, so I make sure to give him everything I’ve got. “Pure fucking evil, and I am done!”

The look of empathy on his face twists into one of humor and he sputters a laugh. “Do you know how many times I’ve heard that?” He waves his arms up and down. “Yet here you are and here you will always be.”

My jaw clenches and I shake my head. “This is the last time you’ll ever hear it because I mean every goddamn word.” My voice is final, making his back straighten.

He steps to the side, out of the path to the door. “Go ahead and leave. But keep in mind, the minute you walk out the door, I will make the call that will seal your fate.”

I shrug my shoulders, not giving a fuck. For once, I don't care. Not about his threats, or his power. I just don’t care. “You do what you gotta do,” I glower as I walk past him toward the open door.

Just as I step out, hopeful he’ll let me walk away, I hear him say, “Who were you fucking at the guesthouse this weekend, Catherine?”

His words hit me like a tidal wave. My body goes cold as all the blood drains from my face. I’m forced to put a hand on the doorframe to keep my weak knees from giving out on me.

Maybe I heard him wrong. I did just pass out, after all. “What did you say?” I ask without turning around.

The sound of his heavy footsteps padding across the room has my entire body trembling. Then, I feel his hot breath on my neck as he puts something in front of my face. “You heard me.”

I’m forced to lean my head back to get a good look, but once I do, I gasp at the sight. “Those aren’t mine,” I blurt out the lie.

He shoves them in my face, covering my mouth and nose and I’m forced to breathe them in.

“I know what my wife fucking smells like!” he howls as I try to wriggle myself free. “And I know her fucking panties! But what I want to know is why they were in the goddamn trash can next door!”

I’m pushed forward and flung out of his grip. But this isn’t over. I know the look in his eye, and this is only the beginning.

“You think I will ever let you walk away, Catherine? Think again.”

The next thing I know I’m being thrown to the floor and kicked repeatedly in the gut, over and over and over. The pain is so intense that eventually, my body goes numb and I feel nothing at all. I just lie here, helplessly.

“The only way you will ever leave me is if you are in a casket, six feet under!”

I want to cry, I want to scream, but instead I do the last thing he would expect. My body is weak, but my mind is stronger than ever as I look up and make eye contact with the beast. “I hate you with every fiber of my being,” I choke out. “And your kicks don’t even hurt anymore.”

Blood spurts from my mouth on a cough and he finally pauses. I chuckle, though, knowing his concern isn’t for me, but himself.

“Can’t have the great mayor get caught with his beaten-to-death wife. How would that look?”

He scowls down at me, tossing my panties over my face as I lie there, a shell of a human as he walks away in all his glory.

Then, I fall asleep curled in a ball on the floor because I can’t bear to move a muscle.

But I do know one thing for sure. Troy knows I was with someone and he knows I want to leave. And those two things might very well cost me my life.