Page 6

Billy

S pending the afternoon with Lucy has made my heart full. Being her hero makes me think I could conquer the world. Her touch sends tingles through my body. Glancing over at her, she’s passed out, the car lulling her to sleep.

As I turn into her laneway and park next to her car, I stroke her soft cheek, and she doesn’t flinch. I could sit here and watch her all day.

Pulling out my phone, I flick through my emails. Letting her have some rest seemed like the best idea, but after a while, I’m bored and getting antsy. It crosses my mind to throw her over my shoulder, but that would be an awful way to wake up.

“Lou, wake up.” I unbuckle her, and the clunk of the seatbelt jolts her upright.

“Shit, I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for sleeping? Don’t apologize, you’re exhausted. The mattress store said they’d be here this afternoon. Let’s get your room ready.” I hop out of the car and circle the front to open her door.

Lucy rubs her eyes and takes my hand when I offer it. Her warm touch makes my nerves buzz under the skin. “I’m thankful for your help today.”

“Lou, I haven’t done anything yet. Which room do you want the bed in?”

We walk across the porch, rotting wood covered by plywood creaks under our weight. “I don’t want the primary bedroom, I just… It’s fucking stupid.”

“Nah, can’t be. Lay it on me.”

She unlocks the door, and we walk to the spiral staircase. As she climbs them, I check out the way her hips sway before following behind.

She takes a deep breath as I open the first door. An empty room aside from some trash in the corner greets us. “This one?”

“It’s just memories. They linger… It wasn’t even that bad. I should just get over it.”

I grit my teeth, taking a step toward her. Gripping her chin, I tilt her head for her to make eye contact. A flash of fear zips over her face, and she turns to me.

“Just because some people have had worse, doesn’t make your experience less valid. Whatever you think is gonna make your life easier is what we’ll do.”

Lucy shuts her eyes, but nods as I let her go.

I close the door and follow her to the next bedroom. Blankets lay on the ground, and I clench my fists before shoving them in my pockets.

Fuckface had her sleeping on the floor like a dog. But I’ll fix him.

“Grab a broom. We’ll get this place cleaned up, eh?” Lou nods as she goes to find one.

I wander around, picking up bottles of water and setting them on the old dresser. I’m going to revamp her house with the money from my last weird gig. She deserves the best, and I’ll be the one to bring it to her.

“Do you think this’ll be the last of Miles?” she asks as she enters the room.

I grab the broom and start sweeping. “Maybe. He might poke around or try to get you back. Slimy bastards do that kinda thing.”

“I feel like an idiot. I should’ve broken up with him a long time ago.” Lou grabs the old bottles of water and heads out through the door.

I grit my teeth together. Once fuckers like him dig their claws into someone, they’ll never let go.

She might have seen the red flags, but abusive losers like that know how to play their victim.

Finishing sweeping, I move the dresser to the corner to make room for the movers.

The loud vibration of a truck exhaust filters through the window. “They’re here. You got sheets?” I ask .

“Yeah, I’ll get everything ready. Thank you, Billy.”

“Anytime, Lou.”

I leave her and head down the stairs to open the door for the delivery guys. It’s a quick in and out, and I tip my head to them, handing them each a twenty-dollar bill.

Once they are gone and I lock the front door again, I head back upstairs and help her make the bed.

Crossing the room, she looks up at me, and I press my lips together. My fingers ache to touch her, and a sudden warmth fills me.

“You still like working with the animals?”

“Pays the bills, eh? Shop is small, and sometimes I have to turn away customers from the lack of space, but it’s life.” I fluff up the pillows and lay them on her bed.

Lucy steps forward and wraps her arms around me, leaning in for a hug. I pull her tighter, and her luscious curves press against my body.

“I wish I could make it better for you,” she says.

“It’s all good, darlin’. I’ll take care of fuckface and then we’ll work on the house. Walk me out?” I drop a kiss on her head as I pull away.

As Lucy leads me down the stairs, her hand is soft in mine. We make it to the front door. I turn to look down into her mossy green eyes, not having any illusions that she’ll fall for me once I take care of Miles. I’m willing to devote as much time as it takes to make her love me.

“Goodnight, Lou. Get some sleep.”

“Goodnight, Billy.”

“Be good and call me whenever.” I tuck a silky strand of hair behind her ear.

Lou whimpers, and it makes my dick throb. She pulls away, angling her chin up, and I bite back the growl and kiss her forehead.

“Darlin’, you’re killing me. I’ll be back. Go to sleep before I break the bed in right fucking now.” I swallow my growl as I run my fingers over her jaw and wink at her.

Her eyes widen, and she bites her lips before breaking contact with me. “I’ll call you when I wake up,” she says.

“Sweet dreams, Lou.” I spin around and walk out to the car.

The sun has started to set by the time I pull into the garage and park in the spot next to Miles’s car. I run my fingers through my hair and fix my hat. It won’t be long now.

My stupid grin widens. Not only is the shop ready for this fuckwad, but tonight I’ll get the chance to try out a brand-new technique.

Waiting has never been a favourite of mine, and I tap the dash with my fingers and slouch in the seat. My phone dings with a notification, and I check my email. My black market connection confirmed my reason for taking a break from taxidermying the dead loved ones of the wealthy.

Stuffing and mounting a professor’s favourite college students with usable holes was a little much, even for me.

Glancing up as I slip my phone into my pocket, I watch Miles saunter over to his Honda Civic, wearing white joggers and a black hoodie.

When he puts his bag into the trunk, I exit my car, walk over, and lean against his hood.

“Can I help you?” Miles asks.

“Heya bud. I didn’t know how else to reach you. We need to go. There’s been an accident with Lucy.” I clasp my hands together.

His eyes widen, and he turns to his car.

“Better come with me. It’ll be easier.” I gesture to the Cruze.

“Of course, let’s go.” He rounds the front of my car and jerks on the handle of the passenger door.

Sliding back into the driver’s seat, I hit the button for the locks. I reach behind his seat as he settles in and run my hand over the emergency safety hammer.

“Is she gonna be okay?” He clasps his hands together in his lap after buckling himself in.

“In time, but you won’t be.”

I grin as I pull my arm back and slam the hard metal into the side of his head.

Miles slumps over, and I glance around, making sure no one witnessed me. Tearing out of the parking garage, I drive to the shop.

I get onto my road. Giddiness fills me. I’ve been eager for this night.

Once I pull into the laneway, I drive to the back and park behind the shop. I bounce out of the car, full of energy.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I grin when I see her name.

“Hey, darlin’, you okay?”

“Yeah, I got up to get a drink of water. Miles sent me a bunch of threatening text messages. Doesn’t he know between him and his mother’s bullshit, I’ve had enough?”

“What’d his mother do?” This is news to me, but if she’s harmed Lucy, then I will have no choice but to send some tough love her way as well.

“She’s always disrespected me. During our entire relationship, she body-shamed me. I’ve never been enough for her precious Miles.” Lucy’s voice tightens.

I clench the phone and pace the driveway. Keeping a lookout for Miles waking up, anger runs through my veins. I’d love to hunt his cunt mother down.

“He’s a waste of space. We know this. It’ll be alright, Lou. Block his ass. He doesn’t deserve another minute of your time.”

A deep sigh comes through the phone. “Will you come back? Did you really mean it earlier when you said you’d help with the house?”

Her gentle voice, filled with sleep, moves something in the depths of my chest.

“Of course. Now, make sure you get enough sleep because when I come to help, you’ll learn everything right alongside me.”

“Got it, back to sleep, I go.”

“I’ll see what I can do. Now sleep, darlin’,” I whisper before hanging up.

Miles is still knocked out, and when I nudge his chin, he doesn’t stir.

I unlock the door to the shop, pull out tools, and plug in the grill. Once I’ve got the pulley system ready, I rub my hands together before checking on him again. He’s disorientated and groggy, which will be easier for me to get him into the shop .

With a firm grip on his arm, I pull him along the dusty path leading to my workshop. My arm around his back, we buddy-walk through the back door.

He shuffles, struggling to navigate through the entrance and collapses onto the cold, tiled floor. Fucking pansy. He hasn’t even put up a fight.

I clench my teeth, needing to hold the rage within to reach the beautiful revenge I have planned.

I turn on the music and then start tying his arms together. Reaching for the cables on the pulley system, I hoist him off the ground by his upper body.

Using my trusty scissors, I remove his hoodie and sever the band on his sweats. After a few minutes, Miles jerks his head up and blinks rapidly.

Once his eyes focus on his surroundings, he fights against the restraints. Standing in the middle of the room, his back facing the wall, I wait for the inevitable scream.

His lips tremble for a minute before he yells: “What the fuck! Where are my clothes?”

I take hold of the scalpel, its smooth handle fitting in the palm of my hand. The coolness brings peace to my mind and I stalk closer to him.

We are mere inches apart, his hot breath on my skin. I can’t help but drag the blade across his arm.

His flesh is a clean canvas and I’ll enjoy skinning him for the only use he has left .

Miles’ screams reverberate through my skull. He’s such a little bitch. When faced with a woman, he acted like such a tough guy.

He sounds like my shit-stain mother. My entire childhood can be explained by screaming. Every night I didn’t provide for her, she would yell at me.

She hit the bottle way too often, spread her legs for every fucking cock, and made me pay for existing. She was too comfortable hurting someone weaker than her, just like this fucker is.

“You are insane,” he whimpers.

“Odd choice of words to the guy holding the scalpel, but hey, it’s not my funeral.”

I finish stripping him naked. When he kicks out at me, I grip his calf and seize a restraint. Securing both ankles, I hook his heels against the wall. He’s now spread-eagle, like he’s waiting for a dicking. Facing me, his body is waiting for my next move.

“Bro, if you’re gonna fuck me, I’m not down for that,” he stutters out.

I tilt my head to stare at him. A slow smile works its way across my lips. “I wouldn’t fuck you with someone else’s dick, let alone my own. No, my man, we’re gonna have dinner.”

I step closer, his body odour and sweat filling the space.

Facing Miles, I tape his dick to his thigh. I hold onto his scrotum, slicing through the lower portion, following the same technique used to castrate bulls. Based on my reading, I expect it to be a similar process with humans.

The warm, sticky sensation of blood dripping down my wrist to my forearm as his cries echo in my ears gives me a high like none other. Cutting through the white membrane, I’m able to see his testicles, but they don’t fall out like I thought they would.

Lifting a pair of tongs, I wiggle them about, grasping and tugging the spheres until they pull free. Looking up at his face, he’s passed out. That’s unfortunate. I wanted to show him the balls he should have been using to take better care of my Lou.

I bring the testicles over to the grill, turning it on low, and return to his pathetic form. Leaning over to the tray, I pick up a needle and thread, ready to stitch him back together.

Using the leather burner, I cauterize the wound. The acrid scent of singed hair and flesh fills the space, the smell centring me as I sew.

Standing back, I appreciate my handy work. The fun is gone for now with him passed out.

With a grunt, I lift him off the pulley system and lay him down on the table. I restrain his ankles and leave his hands free for now.

Grabbing the bloody tongs, I step over to man the grill and flip the testicles.

“Jesus, I thought this was a nightmare.”

“Evening, sweetheart. How’re you feeling?”

His face is very pale, and panic fills his eyes.

“What did you do to my fucking balls?” His chest heaves as he takes in a shaky breath. He stares at the speckles of blood on his fingers.

“What kinda weird shit do you think I’m into?” I grin wickedly and he returns to petting his scrotum.

I grab a plate, pulling off one of the charred testicles. Using a kitchen knife, I cut it into pieces and add a dash of salt for seasoning.

“You know, I’m a taxidermist, but sometimes people give me gifts of meat. I’m a vegetarian, but I don’t have the heart to tell ‘em, you know? Lucy says you like meat. I need you to try this so I can tell my client the next time they’re here if I liked it or not.”

Miles struggles to sit up. I offer him a hand, and he looks dumbly at his ankles. “Why am I tied up?”

“Just a precaution. Wanted to break bread with you and enjoy your company before I set you free.”

“This seems wrong. Where’s Lucy? There was an accident, you said, and then…”

“My man, would I steer you wrong? Lucy’s fine. She’s just done with your shit.”

“I want to leave. My head’s fucking killing me.” He seems to still be dazed—that, or he’s just this dumb.

I spear a chunk of meat and press it to his lips. His gaze flits between it and me, but after a moment of hesitation, he opens his mouth and takes a bite .

Giving him another forkful, he chews slowly. I should have marinated them in yogurt. They’d have been softer for Miles.

“Good?” I ask.

He struggles while he chews more and then nods. “Yeah. Weird texture, but not bad. What kinda animal?”

“Mammal.”

“Well, duh.”

His voice grates my nerves. I don’t know how she kept him around for so long.

I stride toward the tub to prepare it. His blabbering persists, but I tune it out like white noise until my focus is drawn away from the mixing by a loud thud.

Miles is trying to get away, his upper body slumped over as he grips the legs of the table and struggles against the restraints.

“Where ya going?” I stroll over to his limp frame, lifting him back up.

“I need to help Lucy. You’re gonna fucking kill her next.”

As if I’d touch a fucking single hair on her head. This cheating sack of shit has been terrorizing her for longer than I should have let happen.

I grip his wrists and twist his arms at an awful angle, then tie both above his head to the handle on the table.

“I’m not done with you yet,” I whisper.

“You said if I ate with you—”

“‘You said if I ate with you,’” I mock him, laughing maniacally. “No, pay better attention, swine. I said break bread and enjoy your company. I’m just getting to the second part.”

“Lucy needs me. She’s in trouble,” he babbles.

“Miles, you’re a worthless cheating fuckwad. You don’t give a rat’s ass about that woman.”

I advance on him, the weight of the blade in my hand heavy and exhilarating, just like the adrenaline pumping through my veins.

“You should’ve never been the one to have her first, anyway. Lucy’s mine and always has been. Because I know how to treat her like the goddess she is.”

I press the knife against his torso, slowly cutting his skin. Miles twists and jerks against the restraints.

His screams fill the air until he becomes silent. It’s only once he stops moving that full pieces of skin come up. Beautiful. This will make someone so fucking happy.

Taking his thigh skin, I bring it to the tub and drop it in. Sauntering back to him, I slice along his face. The flesh is delicate, the red muscle beneath showing between the rivulets of blood.

I move the pieces to the tub, the blood cascading down what’s left of his body onto the tile floor. The heady scent of copper fills the air, bringing a smile to my face.

I flex my hands, shaking out the pins and needles from holding the scalpel so tight. It’s a beautiful sight, and I take a moment to stare at my hard work.

I use my knuckle to curl the dial on the radio. Heavy metal echoes through the speakers, then changes to a more upbeat pop track. My playlist is fucking random.

Bouncing to the hit, I spin in a circle and grab a larger knife to split him open.