Page 24 of No Mercy
I hurry over and pull it shut to stop the cold air from seeping in. For a moment, I stand there, staring out at the park cloaked in darkness. The stars shine brightly above, and I admire the beauty just as I did the night before.
The sound of a door closing within the house catches my attention. I pause, listening for a moment, and assume it’s Mandy heading to bed when nothing else happens.
Thankfully, after this morning’s chaos, my clothes are already scattered on the bedroom floor, so it doesn’t take me long to spot my red silk nightdress. I scoop it up and throw it on the bed before heading to the en-suite for a quick shower. I need the warmth of the water against me.
I quickly undress as the water warms up, steam filling the room. I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror as it starts to fog. Wiping a hand over the glass, I study my reflection.
I wonder where the little girl from England went all those years ago. My breasts sit round and firm, nipples hardening from the cold air, which is slowly replaced by the warm embraceof the shower. My waist is thinner now, and as I run my hands down toward my hips, I feel the curve of them.
My thighs rub together as they touch, reminding me of the pain and memories from school. The names kids called me flood my mind. I slowly bring my gaze back to my reflection, urging myself to push the memories away.
I run my hands under my eyes, feeling the hollowness beneath the dark circles staring back at me. The spark in my eyes is no longer there, like it was all those years ago.
Sighing, I step into the warm embrace of the water, letting the hot streams pour over me. I close my eyes for a moment, savouring the quiet escape.
The room fills with the scent of strawberry shampoo and vanilla body wash as I quickly finish scrubbing the dirt of the day away. The weight of recent events presses down on me, and I try to think of a way to relax.
I turn to face the water, letting it run down my face as I hold my breath. I push the water away and glance at the removable shower head. A smile spreads across my lips as an idea forms.
Reaching up, I remove the shower head from it’s holder pulling it close to me, feeling the pressure of the water against my skin like a massage. The hot spray sends shivers down my body, and the pressure makes my nipples harden. I close my eyes and tilt my head back, welcoming it all.
Turning, I press my back against the tiled wall and let the water flow down my body. I step one leg to the side, creating a space between my thighs, and run my hand down my body. I reach between my thighs, gently pressing against my clit as I rub my fingers in slow circles. A soft moan escapes my lips, the pleasure trembling through me.
I swiftly replace my fingers with the shower head, angling it just right. As the pressure meets my clit, my back arches from the intense rush.
“Fuck,” I gasp, struggling to maintain control.
I move the shower head back and forth, finding a rhythm that sends waves of pleasure coursing through me. Another moan escapes, but then, a loud crash from behind the bathroom door jolts me, halting all my movements.
“Mandy, is that you?” I shout over the sound of water pounding on the shower floor.
My heart starts hammering in my chest, but I get no response.
“Mandy, I swear to God, if you’re messing with me, I’m going to kill you!” My voice shakes as I shout even louder.
Quickly, I turn off the shower and reach for a towel, wrapping it around myself as I creep toward the door.
“Mandy?” I call one last time before opening it.
Peeking through the gap, I scan the bedroom, but no one is there. I chalk it up to something falling.
Taking a deep breath, I try to steady my racing heart and open the door fully, stepping into the cold that bites at my skin once again.
My gaze shifts slowly to the balcony. A flash of red disappears over the edge, and I freeze in my tracks. I know I shut that door.
Someone’s been in here.
Cautiously, I edge toward the door, noticing something white glinting on the table outside. All the voices in my head scream for me to turn and run, but something else compels me to move forward. From where I stand, I can see the entire balcony. Unless someone is playing Spider-Man and hanging off the side of my wall, I should be safe.
Reaching forward, I pick up the white object and discover it’s another envelope, identical to the one left at the apartment. But this time… there’s no name. Just seven simple words:
I will always find and protect you.
Panic surges through me as I turn it over and pull out a Polaroid photo.
Except this time, it’s of me, gazing up at the morning sky.
CHAPTER 14
