Page 7 of Bleed for Me

‘They want to hurt you.’

‘They only took you in to make themselves look better.’

‘They don’t love you.’

Rage filled every crevice of my body, and I jerked to my feet. Uncle Baron was still watching the game as he had been half an hour ago. He kept the TV up, the sound traveling up the steps and bleeding into my bedroom. Aunt Lucille was tucked away in bed as she usually was this time of night. She was eight months pregnant with a little girl she planned to name Valerie.

My lips curved into a malicious smile, heat spreading through my limbs as a wicked idea sprang to mind.

I made my way downstairs and into the kitchen. The voices grew louder with every step I took. They demanded vengeance. My legs moved me in the direction of the medicine drawer located near the back of the room. Uncle Baron had a variety of different pills he took for his injured back, which worked well in my favor tonight. Taking two capsules out of one of the bottles, I laid them on the marbled countertop. Turning to the cup cabinet, I retrieved a glass and then moved onto the fridge to grab a beer. The two of us had watched the game together while sharing a beer on countless occasions—he always told me not to tell Lucille, and I never did. It wouldn’t strike him asodd if I offered him a drink now. Especially under the guise of wanting to relax in front of the TV.

Twisting the cap off, I poured the liquid into the glass and then pulled the capsules apart, sprinkling the powder in after it. I swirled the drink around a few times before grabbing a beer for myself and slowly made my way into the living room.

When I approached, the corners of his eyes crinkled with that familiar smile of his.

“Thirsty?” I grinned, offering him the cup.

His smile widened and he accepted it graciously before scooting over to make room for me. I sank down beside him, bringing the beverage to my lips. The liquid slithered down my throat with ease.

We sat like this for a while. Comfortable silence stretched between us as he watched the game, and I watched him. Every now and then, his eyes would blaze with triumph when the team he was rooting for scored. Toward the end of the game, his lids started hooding, shadowing over his cheekbones.

“You seem tired,” I acknowledged. “Are you about ready for bed?”

His eyes met mine in a delayed sweep. “The game’s almost over. I’m sure I can wait it out long enough.”

I shrugged, not caring either way. Though, it would be much easier if I could haul him from the bed rather than up the stairs. Nervous energy spiked within my veins. The mere thought of what I had planned was both exhilarating and nerve wracking.

Bringing my beer to my lips, I tilted the bottle. Bitterness coated my tongue, but that didn’t deter me anymore than my anxiety did. My free hand rested on my lap, my fingers rubbing together impatiently. He had to be exhausted by now. I gave him double the dosage he was supposed to take.

As soon as those thoughts bounced around my head, Uncle Baron stood.

“You were right.” He chuckled. “I don’t think I’ll be able to finish the game. Tell me who wins?” He didn’t wait for a response before vacating the living room.

I watched him disappear up the stairs, a smile stretching across my face. I’d give him twenty minutes tops. He needed to learn who was truly in control here. If he thought he stood a chance against me, he was sadly mistaken.

My foot tapped against the hardwood floor as I waited. The tension thickened in the room even though it was only me in here.

Once I figured it had been long enough, I rose. My feet carried me across the room and up the stairs, determination driving me forward. My hands curled into fists at my sides. Anger was a potent emotion and revenge…well, now that was deadly.

When I reached their bedroom at the end of the hall, I slipped inside. Darkness blanketed me instantly, wrapping around me like a cocoon of sinister promises. My gaze snapped to the two lumps in the bed once my eyes adjusted enough to make them out. Uncle Baron should be in a dead sleep right about now. If he wasn’t then…I’d have to improvise.

Striding over to his bedside, I peeled the covers off of him. His snores echoed through the room making my lips twitch. Here he was sleeping so peacefully, not realizing the monster they’d allowed into their home. He should have thought about that before targeting me. I’d make him pay. I’d make them both pay.

Steeling my spine, I grabbed one of his arms and tugged, my muscles flexing with the motion. He was one heavy son of a bitch, and I wasn’t one-hundred percent sure I’d be able to carry him from point A to point B without dropping his ass.Hefting him up, I hooked my arms beneath his and lured him over to the wooden rocking chair positioned near the window next to the mahogany bookshelf.

A grunt slipped past my defenses, every muscle in my body straining as I dragged him toward the chair and eased him into it. The old thing creaked beneath his weight, but still, he didn’t so much as stir.

Blowing out a breath, I slipped my hand into the pocket of my black hoodie and retrieved the rope I’d gotten from the store. My chest heaved up and down from the strain it had put on me just to carry him. I needed to get into the fucking gym. Shoving those thoughts to the back of my mind, I started winding the rope around him and the chair repeatedly, making sure it was impenetrable. When I reached the end, I tied it into a knot and stepped back to admire my work.

Perfect.

Turning away from him, I ventured over to Lucille’s bedside. She was lying on her side, her breaths even. Even with the comforter draped over her, the roundness of her baby bump stood out beneath the sheets. Pulling them back as I’d done to Uncle Baron previously, my gaze swept down her body. She was wearing a maternity night gown which had excitement coursing through me at that knowledge.

My fingertips brushed along the inside of her thigh, and she shifted slightly in her sleep. I didn’t typically go after older women, but Lucille wasn’t hideous. She’d taken good care of herself over the years from what I could tell. But this wasn’t even about my own sexual desires. It was about showing them who they’d fucked with and making sure it never happened again.

Light stubble prickled against my fingers as I ran them up her leg and toward her thigh. I couldn’t expect her to shave withher being so huge and pregnant, but it wouldn’t have deterred me otherwise, either.

My hand disappeared beneath her blue nightgown, breaching the sensitive parts of her thigh. Finally, she rolled, her eyes fluttering. Yet, she remained asleep. I’d just have to try harder then.

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