CHAPTER18
Clemmie
“Why don’tI pour everyone another round?” I suggest playfully. “Shots!”
“Shots?” A regular chuckles, patting his round belly. “I think we’re all too old for that.”
Yeah, too old for a bottle of twenty-year-old liquor but not too old for me when I was twelve.
I pout and flutter my eyelashes.
“But it’s my birthday,” I say, running my tongue over my lips knowing they’ll like it. “I’ll make it worth your while.”
“You heard her,” another says as his slippery hand squeezes my ass. “Let’s have shots for our pretty little lady on her special day.”
I pour them double measures. This will be their second or third dose. I’ve overdone it to be extra cautious. I’ve never had so many pets to control at once. I can’t take any chances.
I smile as they finish their drinks, and I stroll to the small stage. “Why don’t I dance for you?”
They trundle after me like rats following the Pied Piper. I’ve always liked the power I have over men, how I can manipulate them with the flick of my tongue or sway of my hips. I have something they want. Something they usually get to take, but not today. Today is different.
My time locked away has given me new bloodthirsty clarity. I’ve suffered at their hands, just like August said, and now they must suffer too. I climb onto the stage as the group lounges over the plush sofas. They don’t know that the real show hasn’t begun. When it does, the last thing they’ll want to do is watch, but their limbs will be paralyzed.
“Why don’t you all sing Happy Birthday to me?” I ask as I undo the zipper on the side of my skirt. I let it fall away and step out of it to reveal the rest of my gorgeous lingerie set underneath, complete with stockings.
I start dancing to the soft jazz in the background.
A man in the front row clutches his head and mutters, “I’m not feeling so good.”
I close my eyes and focus on the music.
It won’t be long now.
A glass slips through someone’s figures and smashes.
Between grinding my hips, I watch as the men try to stand. A few take a couple of steps before falling and breaking their noses. I won’t stop dancing until the song ends, busy thinking about what my life will be like soon. August and I. Together forever.
When the song switches, I survey the motionless group. Their limbs can’t move, but they’re fully conscious. My favorite. It’s no fun when they don’t understand what’s going on. I don’t want them to fight back, but I want them to feel every physical sensation. The greed and hunger in their darting eyes have turned to fear.
Daddy’s parties have always been abouttheirpleasure. I obliged and believed Daddy when he told me it was an honor to be fucked by these prestigious men. He taught my body how to respond to them. He enabled me to feel pleasure from anything, and I let them take it from me. I’d spread my legs wide because that was my duty, but now August doesn’t want to share me, and that part of my life is over.
August said I was his, and he was mine. The only thing I love more than August is feeding my urge to kill. I examine the limp bodies and consider the endless possibilities. There is so much potential in how they could be sewn together to make unusual statues, but I don’t have the luxury of time. August wants us to leave tonight, and I have to be ready. But it doesn’t mean I can’t have a little fun.
I pull a knife from my corset and start singing, “Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Clementine...”
Killing them will be the best gift of all.
CHAPTER19
August
“Mister,”Iris stammers. “Is he dead?”
“Yes,” I reply with zero emotion.
My father’s body is splayed at my feet. His features are unrecognizable. His blood has ruined my new suit, but I prefer it this way. Being beaten to death quickly doesn’t seem like a harsh enough punishment considering his sins, but the real punishment is him knowing it was me who did it. His own flesh.
She swallows hard. “Are you going to hurt me too?”