Chapter 6
Im sitting at a small table with Martha in our favorite campus café, steaming mugs of coffee in front of us. She sips her latte, leaving a faint foam moustache on her upper lip. I cant help but chuckle.
What? she asks, eyebrow raised.
Youve got a little something... I say, gesturing to her mouth.
Oh! She grabs a napkin and wipes the foam away, grinning sheepishly. Cant take me anywhere, I swear.
Im glad for the moment of levity. Things have been tense on campus lately, Students are on edge, myself included.
So did you hear that another student was killed?” Martha says, her face growing serious again.
I shake my head. What? No!”
“I overheard two students talking about it just before you came. Same MO as Boris’ killer’s.
“Oh... I trail off, a shiver running down my spine. “Did you hear who the victim is?”
“Andrei…”
“Andrei?!”
“Yeah… shocking right?”
First Boris and now Andrei? What exactly is going on? All of Dimitri’s thugs… a suspicion creeps into my thoughts.
Suddenly, Im grabbed from behind in a tight bear hug. I yelp in surprise, sloshing hot coffee onto the table. Struggling against the strangers grip, I stomp on their foot hard.
Ow! Sara, what the fuck! an eerily familiar voice exclaims. What the actual fuck is he doing here?
I whirl around to find Lorenzo standing there, wincing and rubbing his foot. My fiancé. Wonderful.
Lorenzo! What are you doing here? I ask sharply.
I wanted to surprise you, take you out on a little date, he says with an easy smile, seemingly oblivious to my annoyance.
I glance over at Martha, whos glaring daggers at Lorenzo. After everything Ive told her, I expect no less from her. No matter how toned he is, Lorenzo still looks over fifty.
Um, Im kind of in the middle of something… you could have called, I say, hoping hell take the hint.
No such luck. Lorenzo shrugs And risk you not picking up? Im sure Martha wont mind if I steal you away for one evening. Huh, Martha?
Martha opens her mouth to respond, but I cut her off. Its fine; Ill go with you, Lorenzo. The last thing I want is to create a scene and become the talk of the school. They all know about the engagement already; I don’t want to feed any more gossip about me.
With a tight smile, Martha says, No problem, have fun. But her eyes tell me she thinks this is a terrible idea.
I squeeze her hand under the table, hoping to reassure her. Ill call you later, I say meaningfully. She nods.
Lorenzo claps his hands together. Great! Shall we get going then, babe? He grabs my elbow and steers me towards the door before I can respond. Hes practically dragging me to his car.
I sigh inwardly. I wanted to spend my afternoon differently. But making Lorenzo angry in public could be dangerous. Better to placate him for now.
As we step outside, I gently extricate my arm from his grip. So, where are we going? I ask, trying to sound upbeat.
Its a surprise, he says with a playful grin that makes my skin crawl.
We walk in tense silence to his flashy sports car. He zooms off campus, driving too fast as always. I grip the door handle tightly, willing myself not to comment. I dont need to provoke him right now.
After fifteen agonizing minutes, we pull up outside a posh restaurant downtown. Of course, hed choose the most expensive place in town. I resist the urge to roll my eyes.
Lorenzo tosses the keys to the valet and ushers me inside the marble-floored lobby. Only the best for my gorgeous fiancée, he croons as were shown to a secluded booth.
I force a smile as I read the menus exorbitant prices. Lorenzo insists on ordering a bottle of champagne, though I barely touched my glass. He seems oblivious, regaling me with arrogant stories about his latest business deals.
After the waiter takes our orders, an awkward silence falls between us. Then he clears his throat. I dont like your friend.
I stare at Lorenzo, shocked by his brazen statement.
Excuse me? I ask sharply.
He waves his hand dismissively. That mousy friend of yours, Martha. She looks like trouble. You shouldnt be hanging around people like that.
I bristle at his condescending words. Oh, so now youre going to dictate who I can and cant be friends with? I retort. If youre so worried about protecting me, maybe focus on the murderer running around campus instead.
Lorenzo looks taken aback. What murderer? Why havent I heard about this?
I realize Ive said too much and try to backpedal. Oh, its not a big deal. Just some creep, Im sure the police will catch him soon. Nothing to worry about.
Lorenzo frowns. I should tell your father about this. Its not safe for you to be there with a killer on the loose.
Panic rises within me at the thought of my father finding out. No, really, theres no need for that, I insist, aware of how frantic my voice sounds. The guy has a type and Im clearly not it. Im totally safe, I promise. The two victims are men.
Lorenzo still looks uncertain but eventually nods. Alright, I wont tell him for now. But be careful, understood?
Of course, I say sweetly, relieved to have dodged that bullet.
Our food arrives, temporarily distracting Lorenzo. But as we eat, he makes several demeaning remarks about me and our upcoming marriage.
I expect you to be a good wife. Make sure the staff keeps the house clean and organized, good meals on the table. And you’ll be rewarded for bearing my children. He chuckles as if hes said something charming.
I bite my tongue, fuming inside at his degrading words. You dont own me, I want to scream. But I know better than to talk back right now.
This arrogant man sees me as nothing more than a baby-making machine, an additional part of his household staff. I hold my tongue; an outburst will only make things worse.
A waiter approaches our table cautiously as if he senses the tension simmering beneath the surface. Can I get anything else for you? he asks.
I think were all set here, thank you, I tell the waiter politely.
He gives a short nod. Ill just leave this with you then. He sets the check down on the table and beats a hasty retreat.
Lorenzo grabs the check and pulls out his ostentatious gold card.
I stay silent, staring down at my hands clenched tightly in my lap. Lorenzo signs the bill with a flourish and stands abruptly.
Come along, dear; we should get going. That is taken care of. Like everything else I will do to take care of you. You will want for nothing and will never have to work a day once we are married. Ill drop you back at your charming little dorm house. He says dorm with a sneer, as if its distasteful.
Lorenzo ushers me out, his hand pressed against my lower back. My skin crawls at his touch.
The valet pulls up in Lorenzos shiny sports car, and I silently slide into the passenger seat.
I stare out the window, watching the city fly past in a blur. Lorenzos arrogance and controlling behavior make my blood boil.
He continues prattling about our upcoming nuptials as he zooms recklessly back towards campus. I tune out his droning voice, watching the streets go by without seeing them.
Finally, we pull up outside my sorority house. Lorenzo puts the car in park but makes no move to get out and open my door as if Im not worth the courtesy. Dimitri would have. Wait, why am I thinking about him?
Lorenzos hand suddenly clamps down on mine as I reach for the door handle. I freeze, my heart pounding in my chest. He leans in close, his breath hot against my ear.
I know you dont want your father to find out about whats been happening on campus, he whispers. And Im willing to keep quiet... if you are nice.
I swallow hard, trying to keep my voice steady. What do you mean?
Lorenzos grip tightens on my hand.
What do you mean? I ask again, my voice barely above a whisper.
He leans back in his seat, a smug smile on his lips. I think you know what I mean, Sara. Lorenzo reaches over and grabs my hand, pulling it towards his crotch. I feel the unmistakable bulge of his erection through his pants and recoil in horror.
I shake my head, trying to pull my hand away from his
Come on, Sara. After spending all day with you, Im hard as fuck. I need a release. He leans in closer, his breath hot and heavy on my face. And if you want me to keep your dirty little secrets, youre going to suck my dick, right here and now.
Im frozen in shock, unable to move or speak. I cant believe this is happening. I try to pull away again, but Lorenzos grip only tightens.
Just then, theres a knock on the window of my side of the car. I jump, startled, and turn.
Standing outside the window is a tall, lean figure with short black hair and piercing blue eyes. Its Dimitri. For the first time ever, Im happy to see him.
I yank my hand out of Lorenzos grasp and fumble to open the car door. He grabs my wrist, his grip like a vice.
Who the hell is that? he hisses.
I dont respond, freeing my arm and scrambling out of the car. Dimitri is standing there casually, hands in his pockets, as if he didnt just witness what was happening.
I need to borrow your economics textbook, he says matter-of-factly. I have an assignment due tomorrow.
I stare at him briefly, bewildered, before catching on. Oh, uh, yeah sure. Its up in my room. I grab Dimitris hand and pull him away quickly, not daring to look back at Lorenzo.
We hurry up the steps to the front door of my sorority house. Just as Im about to open it, I freeze.
Scrawled across the white door in dripping red letters are the ominous words CAMPUS KILLER.
My blood turns to ice. Okay, this is starting to get out of hand.