Page 62 of The Eraser

"It's illegal to marry two people," I tell him, wiggling my ring finger. "I'm already married."

I glance over and see Callie grin, but she's still got fear in her eyes. I know my dad. He's not going to hurt her. He'll be afraid that Denis will kill him in retaliation. As for me, I'm his daughter. He believes he's free to do whatever the hell he wants.

"What?" Dad hisses. "Who the fuck did you get married to?" he snarls. "Tell me and I'll kill them. I'll fucking kill them."

"Stephen Maguire," Callie tells him, and I know she's loving giving him that piece of information.

Dad's face pales. His eyes widen and his lips thin. "You lie," he sneers. "Tell me you're fucking lying."

"I got married to Stephen," I tell him, proud of who my husband is. "We've been married for six weeks now."

"You'll pay for that, Jessica. You're going to fucking pay for doing this to me," he grunts and moves behind me. "You have no idea what you've done. No fucking idea the headache you've caused."

His hands go to my dress and he lifts it above my waist. "No, Dad, please. Don't do this. Not again," I plead, praying he'll listen to me.

"You fucked up, Jessica. You really fucked up. I warned you, didn't I? I warned you to stay the fuck away from Maguire. But you never listen to me. You never fucking listen."

I hear movement behind me and I brace, knowing what's about to happen. My gaze is on Callie. Her eyes are wide and filled with tears.

"What are you doing?" she asks. "Thomas, what the hell are you doing?"

"Teaching this cunt a fucking lesson," he snaps.

Cold liquid falls onto my back. I pull in a ragged breath, knowing exactly what the hell that liquid is. Not only is the liquid on my back, but down my thighs. He's repeating what he did to me years ago. He's not going to let me get away with marrying Stephen.

"Thomas, don't do this," Callie screams, pulling at the ropes that have her tied to the chair. "She's your daughter."

"I never wanted her," he snaps. "Patty knew I didn't want children, but she got pregnant and that was it. She was Patty's daughter, not mine."

If I had any love left for him, it would hurt to hear him say that. It would have broken me—had I not found out that he's the one responsible for my mam's death. She was my best friend, the person I loved most in this world, and he took her from me because of his jealousy and greed. Hearing him tell me that he never wanted me helps. It gives me clarity as to why he's able to hurt me so easily.

"No," Callie screams, and I know she's seen the lighter. "Thomas, don't you fucking dare," she screams, tears falling down her face. "Nooooo," she cries.

Heat engulfs my back, and I bite down on my lip to stop the scream from renting my mouth. God, I forgot how awful the pain was. My stomach rolls at the intense pain that I'm in, bile making its way up my throat. I heave, unable to stop it from coming.

The scent of burning flesh fills the air and I hear Callie heaving too. It's a putrid scent that would make anyone's stomach churn. I hate that she's here, hate that she's seeing this. It's torture, not only for me, but for her.

The flames on my back get hotter and more painful. I can't help the cry that escapes me. Soon, I'm alternating between retching and sobbing.

"I told you, you fucking cunt, what would happen if you disobeyed me. You never listen and now look where we are. You've fucked up, and now I have no reason to keep you around. Not anymore. No fucking way."

"You can't kill her," Callie screams at him. "You're a fucking monster, Thomas. You make me sick. You think for one second that anyone is going to let you get away with this? Hmm? Do you?" she snaps at him.

My head feels floaty, and I know it's from the pain I'm in. I won't be able to stay awake much longer. The darkness is pulling me closer. It's a place I long to be, away from the pain and heartache. But I'm trying to fight the pull, needing to stay awake for Callie, to ensure that she's safe.

"No one knows where we are," Dad taunts. "Not even your fucking husband."

"What about Jess' husband?" Callie replies. "The contacts he has, the friends he has... Freddie can find out anything he wants. What's going to happen when Freddie finds out about this place? Who do you think is going to be the first person here?" She grins widely at him. "Stephen will be the first one here and he's going to enjoy tearing you from limb to limb. I have a feeling he'll save the wood chipper for later. He'll have fun with you first."

"No one will find us," he assures her. "Everyone who knew about this place is dead." He turns to me, his eyes narrowed. "I take it that's down to you? You told them who was here when you were here the last time, right?"

I nod, unable to speak. The pain is too much for me.

He laughs. "Had you kept that to yourself, you may have been found. Now, no one is going to save you. Either of you. Once Jessica is dead, your husband will be searching for you, and I'll be long gone."

"What about Fintan?" I croak. "What is he going to think when you run away? Do you always betray those you work with, Dad?"

He betrayed Jer by going to Fintan, and now he's going to run from Fintan because his plans are fucked. My dad is a coward. That's exactly what he is and I truly see that now. I know that he doesn't give a crap about anyone but himself. He'll do whatever it takes to save himself, to ensure that he escapes without being burned. God, I hate him. I don't think I could detest someone as much as I do him. It's taken me a long time to reach this point, but I can say without a doubt that I wouldn't care if he died. Fuck, I'd pray that he did, just so no one else would feel his wrath.

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