Page 97 of The Doctor's Twins

“Are you hungry, baby?” Mom asked and looked me over. “Are you hurt?”

“I’m okay, Mom. I’d love to have a bath, though.

I couldn’t wait to wash the remnants of Mateo and his basement off me.

“Of course, my child. You go soak in the tub and I’ll make us something to eat,” Mom cooed.

“I’ll see you in a bit,” Ben said.

It was so sweet of him to stay downstairs while I went for a bath. I thought it was very respectful of him toward my parents. What a gentleman he was.

“Okay.”

I felt like Queen Cleopatra as I soaked away in a tub of warm, fragrant bath oil-infused water. I couldn’t believe that something so simple could make me so happy. My mind kept wandering back to the basement. I couldn’t stop the flashes from intruding on my peace.

I supposed I had been through a near-death experience, so coming out of it unscathed was a bridge too far. But I had every intention of putting the nightmare of Mateo behind me. All I wanted to focus on was my life with Ben.

There was a gentle knock at the door before it opened.

“Hey.”

“Alyssa. Boy, are you a sight for sore eyes. Come in.”

“How are you feeling, Pey?”

“Like I survived an avalanche.”

“Worse. At least an avalanche is quick.”

“True dat.”

Alyssa sat down on the edge of the tub. I could see she’d been crying. I took her hand.

“It’s okay, Lyssa. I’m okay.”

“Fucking asshole,” she muttered through her tears.

“Thanks to Ben, Mateo’s reign of terror is finally over.”

“The man is a saint, Peyton. If you don’t snatch him up, I bloody well will.”

I laughed as she wiped away her tears and sported her goofy grin.

“Oh, make no mistake. I’m never letting go of that man.”

“Good for you.”

“Was it awful, my friend? Did Mateo…you know…”

“No, thank God. He didn’t touch me. Not that way, anyway. He got off on slapping me around, though.”

“Do you think they’ll trace his death back to you and Ben?”

“I’d be mightily impressed if they manage to find him. Mateo, like his two first wives, will forever be missing.”

“As it should be.”

“I’m going to go downstairs and help your mom in the kitchen. Take your time, but don’t fall asleep in there. Okay?”

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