Page 45 of Yuletide Hero

Using the wall to steady himself, Jay swung open the door to the master bedroom, his gaze going immediately to the walk-in wardrobe on the other side of the room. He’d barricaded it by shoving a crowbar between the two door handles, but he could see that his roommate had tried to get out.

Strolling across the carpet, he pressed his ear to the closet door. Inside he could hear soft whimpers. She knew he was here. That turned him on. He liked knowing that she was afraid of him, he liked knowing that his wife was afraid of him, and that his daughters were too.

It was a thrill unlike any other.

Never again was he going to allow another person to control him like his father had tried to. Every time he struck Maria, it was like erasing every strike his father had ever given him.

Taking hold of the crowbar, he pulled it out slowly, each second that ticked by the thrill was growing. He was completely and utterly in control here, and she knew it.

The first thing that hit him was the smell.

A putrid mix of urine, feces, vomit, and fear.

Inside the closet was dark, but he could make out a shape huddled deep in the back corner partially obscured by evening dresses on hangers and a pile of shoes.

“Come out,” he ordered. She couldn’t really think that he wouldn’t see her there. There was nowhere she could hide. This may technically be her house, but while he was here it was his.

She didn't move.

That was not a smart move.

He was already angry with Leah, with Kinsley, with Maria, with Hayley Hood, he didn't need anything else to add to that or it was very likely he would explode.

“I said, come out,” he repeated. He tried to over-enunciate each word, but his alcohol-addled brain slurred the words, which was probably more menacing. She knew what he was going to do to her if she didn't obey, so why was she making things worse for herself?

Still the woman stayed where she was, but he heard her whimper.

Stalking over to her, he reached down and grabbed the first body part his hand connected with. Pulling her out by the elbow, he shook her as hard as he could, her head snapped backward and forward, and she groaned again.

Unfortunately for her, that sound only turned him on more.

“You should have listened,” he told her as he dragged her out of the closet and threw her down on the floor.

Terrified eyes stared up at him, but he didn't meet their gaze for more than a second before it settled on her cheek. The bruise he’d given her earlier when he’d broken down her door, overpowered her, and thrown her in the closet had grown darker. The mottled mix of blacks and blues filled him with memories, some old, some new, but it also filled him with anger.

He wanted more black and blue.

He wanted to see more bruises on her.

The woman hadn't really done anything wrong, but Maria wasn't here, and neither was Hayley Hood, so as the closest and most convenient target she was going to take the brunt of his rage.

And he had a lot of rage.

Jay delivered a swift kick to her ribs, then crouched down. “You should have come out when I told you to,” he whispered.

* * * * *

5:39 P.M.

“Do you want to watch TV?” Brian asked.

“No, thank you.” Hayley shook her head.

“Do you want to wrap Christmas gifts?”

“No, thank you.”

“Do you want to bake gingerbread or something? The kitchen is fully stocked.”

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