Page 16 of Sugar

“Wouldn’t surprise me. Speaking of torture, I think we might need to have a little talk. Seems I may have underestimated my new bride.”

I shrug before taking a bite of my sandwich. “Don’t worry about it. It happens all the time.”

He doesn’t say anything to that, just devours his sandwich before taking another one. Once I’m finished, I wipe my fingers on the paper napkins and leave Calix to finish off the hash browns.

I crouch on the floor beside the bleeding man and ask him the question I asked before, hoping Calix will be able to control himself. “How did you get in here?”

He looks from me to Calix and decides I’m the lesser of two evils. He swallows hard before spilling his guts. “I’m the janitor and handyman. I have the master key to all the rooms.”

“And how many times have you walked into a woman’s room and taken her panties? I bet you have a nice collection going, right?”

He shakes his head. I bring the gun up and point it at him, which has the shake turning into a nod.

“Yes, okay, but I never hurt anyone.”

I twist my lips into a macabre version of a smile and watch the color drain from his face. “Now, why do you have to lie to me like that?”

“I’m not, I swear,” he wails.

I trail the gun over his cheek before tracing his lips with the tip of it. When he cries out, I thrust the barrel of the gun into his mouth and make him choke.

I grin at him. “Not so fun when you’re the one gagging, huh?”

I feel Calix move up beside me, but I don’t take my eyes off my new toy.

“The question is what to do with you.”

He mumbles something, but it’s hard to make out with the gun still in his mouth. Interested in his answer, I reluctantly remove the weapon. He coughs and sputters, tears mixing with the blood on his face.

“Just let me go. I won’t bother anyone again.”

“If you insist on lying, at least make it sound convincing.”

“I’m not lying. I have more to lose than you think by saying anything. It’s time for me to leave anyway, before—”

He clams up, but something in his tone sets off warning bells, and I’m not the only one who hears it.

“What did you do?” Calix snarls at him.

The guy looks almost green as his eyes move to the wall separating this room from his.

“Oh, you motherfucking son of a bitch!” I cold-cock him with the gun, knocking him out before turning to Calix.

“Watch him.” I move toward the door, but Calix’s hand on my wrist stops me.

“What is it?”

“The girl he brought back last night?”

Calix nods slowly.

“I don’t think she did the walk of shame this morning. In fact, I don’t think she walked anywhere at all.”

CHAPTERSEVEN

Islip the handyman’s cap on and tuck my hair underneath it before pulling my gloves from my pocket and sliding those on, too. I make sure nobody is around as I leave our room and walk around the back of the motel.

This side of the motel only has five rooms, three of which are closed due to issues with the plumbing or some shit. Now I’m wondering if Mr. Handyman had anything to do with the problems the motel has been having. The two rooms that are in working order are his and mine, with the three out-of-order ones between our rooms and the main reception.

---