Page 51 of The First Cut

Lola must have realized too because she holds up her hand to show her naked ring finger. “We’re getting it resized. This pregnancy has made my fingers and ankles swell like crazy.”

“Oh, I remember how that went. It might have been forty years ago, but you don’t forget things like that. Back then, when people talked about being pregnant, it was all made to sound like a Disney movie. Nobody ever told us about the other side of things, like peeing when we sneeze or leaky boobs, and flatulence. By the end of my pregnancy, my ankles looked like my thighs, and I had hemorrhoids coming out of my ass, literally.”

As a medic, I’ve heard it all before, but never when I’ve been booking into a motel.

“Here, let me get the paperwork for you and grab the keys.”

“Thanks. Is it possible to get something to eat around here too? We’ve been traveling for a while, and my wife needs food.”

“I can make up some sandwiches. It won’t be anything fancy, mind you.”

“Honestly, sandwiches sound perfect,” Lola chimes in as the woman grabs the paperwork and puts it in front of me. I take the pen from the counter and fill in the details, unsurprised to find that the place hadn’t gone digital yet.

“Perfect. Here you go.” She hands me the key once I’m done.

“Room thirteen. It’s on the top floor. I’ll call up when the food is ready and you can come down and collect the tray. My knees aren’t what you used to be.”

“Of course,” I agree before leading Lola to the elevator. “I’ll take you up and then come back down for our things.”

“Okay. You sure you don’t need a hand?”

“I’ll be fine.”

We get off when the elevator chimes, and the doors slide open. There appears to be only four rooms up here, and the oneat the far end of the hallway is number thirteen. I use the old-fashioned key to open the door and wait for her to pass.

I quickly follow her in when she gasps and cracks up laughing. “I think the seventies called and want their furniture back.”

“Jesus, I don’t think I’ve seen a set-up like this outside of porn.”

I turn to look at her as she blushes. “And what kind of porn are you watching, wife?”

She rolls her eyes, moving farther into the room. “I’m not really your wife, remember.”

“Not yet, anyway,” I mutter. “I’m heading down for the rest of our stuff. I’ll leave you to explore.”

“Okay. See you in a minute.”

I pause in the doorway and watch her. She looks lost as she takes in the room. l have to keep my mouth closed to stop myself from growling.

I pull the door closed behind me and stomp out to the truck. It started raining while we were inside. Sheets or water pour from the sky, matching my mood. I lean against the side of the truck, feeling the rain quickly soak through my T-shirt to my skin, but it does nothing to douse the fire coursing through my blood.

The urge to hunt makes my fingers twitch. I picture Driller, laying out before me as I take him apart with a smile on my face. I’d start with his fingers and then his hands so he can never touch my woman again. Next, I’d take his cock and shove it down his throat and watch him choke on it. I’d take his eyes and ears next. Depriving someone of their senses is always fun. I like to leave them with their voices until the end, though. Hearing their screams start out strong and begin to falter before they pitifully drop off makes for the perfect soundtrack.

A boom of thunder snaps me out of my thoughts. I look around, unsure how long I got lost in my head. Not wanting Lola to worry needlessly, I grab my cut and slip it on before sliding my backpack over my shoulder. I grab the bags we picked up at the mall and slam the door shut before jogging inside.

As I reach for the door, it is pulled open by the woman manning the desk. “Oh my goodness, it’s really coming down out there.” She steps aside for me to enter before closing the door behind me. “I have those sandwiches ready. Why don’t you drop those bags off quickly, and I’ll grab them, along with some extra towels.”

“Appreciated, ma’am.”

“Oh, none of that now. It’s Sue.”

“Alright. Well, thank you, Sue.”

“It’s really no problem. Now hurry before you catch a cold. That’s the last thing you need right now when you have a pretty wife upstairs.”

I grin and take the bags upstairs in the elevator, leaving them outside the door before heading back down to grab the towels and food.

Sue is waiting for me as the elevators open. She takes in my cut and smiles sadly.