Page 48 of Wicked Lies Grow Wildflowers
Leanne pardons herself from the table and starts to bring dishes out from the kitchen, filling the table with typical midwestern holiday food. Mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, macaroni and cheese, dinner rolls, green bean casserole, and apple pie. The aromas are intoxicating for a moment. My appetite is spoiled, however, when Simon walks out with the turkey, placing it in the middle of the table, carved expertly and ready to serve—much like the women he’s known to hunt. He takes a seat at the head of the table and we dig in, passing dishes around. I fill my plate, stealing quick glances at Simon, trying to figure him out. For being such a prolific murderer in the underground scene he seems so fucking normal. If I was just a random man I wouldn’t notice anything off about him at all. I’m sure that’s the real reason he’s never been caught before—he’s perfect at blending in.
“So, Xander, any plans for the holiday season?” Simon cocks his head at me as he slides a bite of turkey off his fork with his teeth. The quiet scrape of metal assaults my ears. I fucking hate when people eat like that.
“Oh, not much. I’ll probably spend Christmas with Maeren.” I look over at her and her face flashes red, the grip on her fork tightening as she tries not to sputter.
“Uh yeah, I think that’s the plan,” she quickly glances up at me before looking away again. A small step of progress, but the tension between us is palpable, wound so tight the oxygen in the air feels thin. I just hope it holds out long enough for my plan to work. It has to, this is my only chance.
Dinner is completely uneventful and so fucking normal I almost second guess Simon being The Skinner at all, but then I look into his eyes and know for certain he’s the right guy.
When everyone is done eating and the wine bottles run empty, Maeren excuses herself.
“I’m just gonna see if there’s any more wine in the kitchen. Be right back.” She stands, smoothing down her sweater and pushes her chair back in.
“I’ll help you look, I need a top off as well,” Simon says, and follows her. My fists clench, teeth grinding as I try to keep myself calm. She may be in the next room but she’s alone with him and it sickens me. I catch Leanne’s blue eyes staring at me and she blushes, pushing a piece of her short hair behind her ear.
“Excuse me, I’m going to freshen up for dessert, I’ll be right back. The guest bathroom is just through here on the right if you need it,” she gestures and walks down the small hallway to what I assume is the primary bedroom. I take this as my chance to get my weapon situated so I head to the bathroom myself, shutting the door and locking it before turning on the air vent to muffle any sounds.
I pull my gun out, twisting the suppressor on before sticking the gun in my waistband with the silencer up against my abdomen. The only issue is that I can’t sit down like this, so I think I'll invite Simon for a smoke before we get into dessert.Hopefully Maeren is already tired of her mother and wants to head out, I’ll plant the idea in her head if she isn’t.
I flush the toilet and wash my hands to keep from arousing any sort of suspicion before exiting the bathroom. As I enter the dining room I hear some shuffling in the kitchen and angry but hushed whispers. I focus my ears on the floating voices, trying to catch what’s being said.
“Get off me, Simon,”Maeren demands.
What the actualfuckdid I just hear? I run a hand through my hair, still absorbing the words while debating my next move in a split second.
“What? It’s just a little harmless touch,” comes Simon’s slimy ass voice.
It takes everything in me to not storm into the kitchen but I enter quietly, Simon’s back to me. Maeren is pushed up against the kitchen counter, opened wine bottle next to her while Simon has a grimy hand on her hip, the other touching her hair. My desire to fucking skinhimalive right now is so strong, but I can’t be sloppy here. Not in this neighborhood, and not with Maeren so close to him.
Her scared and wounded eyes flick up and meet mine, her mouth parting to speak but I raise a finger to my lips and shake my head, letting her know she needs to be quiet and hoping to hell that she takes me seriously and trusts me, if only for the next few minutes.
“I said, get the fuck off me!” Maeren shoves at Simon, trying yet failing to get away from his hold.
“Don’t be a stupid bitch, Maeren,” he says, grabbing a fistful of her hair and pulling her head back before licking her neck. Maeren lets out a whimper and my eyes narrow, my stomach threatening to spill its contents as I watch someone touchmywoman without her permission. I need Maeren away from him.I can’t even shoot if she’s this close to him, the risk would be too great.
I notice Maeren’s fingers skating along the countertop, meeting the wine bottle, she glances up at me once more and I nod. She clutches the bottle and quickly brings her arm up, smashing the glass container into Simon’ head. He stumbles back, the bottle crashing to the floor, the loud sound of the glass shattering sure to alert Leanne any moment.
“You fucking bitch!” He seethes, lunging for Maeren as she crosses the kitchen to my side. Simon turns around and jumps when he sees me, eyes going wide when he takes in the gun pointed at his chest. “Woah woah woah. I can explain.” He throws his hands up in surrender. It’s far too late for that.
“There’s no explaining to do, Simon. You decided to touch what’s mine.” I smile at him, so happy to see him cornered and cowering before me.
“She—she fucking wanted it!” Simon shouts at me. “She’s a whore!”
“You can’t possibly be serious!” Leanne's voice screeches from behind me. And there it is, the moment I’ve been waiting for. She halts her steps, like she’s hit an invisible barricade when she sees the gun in my outstretched hand, pointed right at her sleazy lover. “Oh my God! What is going on here?! I’m calling the cops!”
She makes for running but I halt her with a few words. “Callanyoneand one of these bullets will be inyourhead.” At that Leanne starts to cry, begging me to put the gun down.
“He won’t hurt you, Leanne.Please, just help me,” Simon pleads, his eyes imploring her.
Tears making her mascara run down her face, she takes a slow step back and I turn the gun on her. Wrong move. In those short seconds when my eyes left his, Simon crossed the small kitchen space and grabbed a carving knife from the counter,holding it out in front of him, as if that could stop a bullet from blowing his brains out.
Maeren moves over to her mom, trying to drag her from the kitchen.
“Leanne, please, help me. This is all her fault. She came on to me and tried to frame it as if I touched her without consent. She’s awhore. Please, believe me.” Simon is convincing enough in his act that Leanne turns on Maeren in an instant, not surprising in the slightest. I really do hate this bitch.
“Youslut!”Leanne’s features fill with rage and she shoves Maeren away from her and deeper into the kitchen where she stumbles forward and right into Simon. He doesn’t waste a moment before he secures Maeren in a chokehold, carving knife to her throat. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so helpless as I do right now, watching Maeren start to sob and whimper, crying out for help.
“Xander, mom,please, someone help me!” Her voice is cracked and watery as she tries to speak through her tears. I need her to trust me completely right now.
