Page 51

No doubt about it. Though I don’t have all the puzzle pieces yet, I know I’m caught in a game more dangerous than I’d imagined.
“Thank you. Yes, I know I’m handsome, and that our children will be perfect, my Taylor.”
Children.
For him to have a child with me, he needs to touch me, and I’d rather die than let this pervert take me, let him create life in my body.
I call on my ability to hide my emotions and smile. “I’ve always wanted babies, but don’t you think I’m too skinny to conceive?”
“You’re actually considering it? So that means you think you might . . .fall for me soon?”
“Yes. I hated my life, sir. You gave me a new start. Seeing how attractive you are just confirms I’m where I need to be. You saved me from a sad existence. I want to be your wife.”
He stares at me for several seconds, and I silently pray I haven’t overdone the lie. But then, a victorious sparkle appears in his eyes, and I know I’ve won.
“You’re right about being too thin. You need to gain weight so we can have lots of boys.”
Boys.
So he’s a misogynist?
The bastard keeps talking about how we’ll move to an island for a perfect life, all while going to the fridge to get some eggs. I already ate breakfast, but apparently he’s determined to fatten me up now.
“There’s just one more thing I need to do before we move away for good,” he says, snapping me back to reality. “I need to get rid of your past.”
“My past?”
“Yes, I knowhehad you before you were mine. Call me jealous, but I can’t stand the thought of a rival breathing the same air we do.”
I have no doubt he’s referring to my William.
He smiles as he goes to the saltshaker and grabs a pinch of salt.
“What do you intend to do?”
“The only possible thing. I’m going to kill him.”
I freeze for a moment, unsure I heard right. Considering what he did to me, I already suspected he could kill, but hearing him threaten William shatters my composure. I glance around, looking for options.
The kitchen door is open, and I can hear a river in the distance. There’s a cast-iron skillet on the sink, but I don’t have the strength to pick it up and swing it at him. There’s also a bread knife by the stove, but I’d have to get too close.
“He has to die,”he said.
Kill my William? No, you won’t.
“Can I watch you cook?”
“Yes, as long as you behave,” he says, as though talking to a child.
“Haven’t I been doing that all along?”
“That was just a reminder. Don’t be so sensitive, my Taylor.”
I smile, waiting for him to walk away with the eggs toward the table. Then I twist the knobs on all the stove burners.
“After we eat, could we go for a walk outside?”
“Only if you eat everything. And don’t think I didn’t appreciate your effort to learn to like runny eggs. You’re perfect, Taylor.”