Page 22 of Hush 3: Hidden Family

Michael walks up behind me and reaches for an old black-and-white film. His cologne wraps around me and soothes me. I nod my agreement as he shows me the cover of the film.

“I think you will like this one,” he murmurs.

He sets the film up and we climb into our seats. Michael tugs me into his side and holds me close as the movie begins. I have to fight not to purr.

There isn’t any place I would rather be. My lids begin to grow heavy halfway through the film, but I fight to stay awake so I can play for him after the movie.

Or at least I thought I did. I mumble and moan as my back hits the soft mattress beneath me. I open my eyes and find Michael placing me in my bed and tucking me in.

He carried me up to my room. I lift up on my elbows as he moves to pull my shoes from my feet. I blink at him sleepily.

Once my shoes are off, Michael then kisses my forehead. “Go back to sleep,mia cara. I will see you in the morning.”

I’m too sleepy to protest or say a word. I lie back and fall out before my head hits the pillow.

CHAPTER 11

Little Secrets

Michael

“Get it together, Michael,” I breathe to myself as I step out of the shower.

I continue to mumble in frustration as I head into my closet to put on a pair of sweats and a T-shirt. I had to make an early morning visit today. Someone grabbed Uri’s attention and warranted an introduction to me.

It was the last introduction they will ever have. I made it nice and quick. His breakfast didn’t even have time to get cold before I took his life.

“I should’ve dragged it out for more of a distraction,” I grumble.

I need to work off some steam. I’ve been having these dreams of this tall dancer with shapely brown legs. I can never see her face, but her body leaves me hard and wanting when I wake.

I haven’t had sex since before I got married. I didn’t hookup with girls often, but I’ve known the pleasures of sex. I hadn’t thought I would be so fazed by the lack of it.

However, those dreams are causing me to wish I had an outlet. Yet when I look at a woman, I feel wrong. I know this marriage isn’t real, but the amount of guilt that rises at the thought of bedding another woman makes me sick.

I have thought of speaking with Mama’s priest and devoting myself to the church. So many crazy thoughts have come to mind since those dreams have started. Last night was the worst one yet.

The dancer had her long limbs wrapped around my waist as I thrust into her tight body. It felt so real. I was on the verge of coming when I woke.

“Fuck,” I mutter and run my hand through my hair.

I shake my thoughts off and head down to the gym. I hope to work off some of this energy down there. Maybe I can train my body to exhaustion.

I get down to the gym and find Uri there, standing in the doorway. He’s stock-still as if afraid to move. Curiosity piqued, I move quietly to stand at his side. I am taken by surprise with what I find.

Symphony is inside. She’s wearing a vest that has knives lining the front and back. She’s moving fluidly as she concentrates on pulling then tossing the blades into the target before her.

Something about her expression says she’s angry. When I left this morning, she was still fast asleep. I can’t imagine what has led to this and where the fuck did she get that vest and those blades.

I’m well aware of the fact that she likes to watch martial arts videos, so I’m not surprised by her movements. I have told her I will spar with her if she ever wants to formally train to developthe skills. However, as I watch her now, I think I might have been underestimating her.

“Did you know about this?” Uri all but whispers after a few beats.

“No.”

“Who do you think she’s getting ready for?”

“I have no clue. Whoever it is, they should be afraid.”

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