Read Online A Melancholic Black Series (Book 1): The Red Door by R.J. Scriber - Free Book Online Page B

she can back upstairs, startling Mack. “Hey!” she says out of breath and excited.
    “Hey, Nell,” he responds back ambiguously. “Is Rod home?”
    He cannot help but stare at Nell’s body in the red dress. Something she forgot she was even wearing until just now. She also notices his eyes surveying her body.
    Hopefully , this works. “No… no, he’s not. He ran out for errands,” she lies.
    “Errands?”
    “Yes.”
    “See, it’s just a little weird— what is that God-forsaken smell?” he asks.
    “We’re growing mushrooms down in the basement.”
    “Mushrooms…?”
    “Yes,” not even knowing what she’s saying. Of all the lies she’s been spreading about the stench of death, mushrooms is all she can think of. When she was younger she lived near a factory that grew mushrooms and it constantly smelled of manure. So, why not? To her it made sense. “Organic, not drugs!” she nervously chuckles.
    “O- kay . Listen, I haven’t seen or heard from Rodney in over three weeks,” Mack says as he nosily looks around the living room. “Has he forgotten that he has a career?” Mack asks.
    “No, he knows. Just, with Amberly’s death… it’s hit him kind of hard. He’s just been lounging around… thinking.”
    “Thinking? Hey, you don’t mind if I get a drink, do you?” he asks, not falling for one word Nell is spewing. He doesn’t know the extent of Nell’s lies, but wants to investigate.
    “Well—”
    He doesn’t wait for Nell to finish, he helps himself, walking into the kitchen. Nell runs after him. She grabs his shoulders, and spins him around, locking lips. It’s worked so far, and if something isn’t broke, then there’s absolutely no need to fix it.
    “Nell!” Mack shockingly shouts. “What the fuck?”
    “Oh, shut up and kiss me,” she orders.
    “I can’t believe this,” he admits before returning the passion, lifting her up by her ass and placing her on the kitchen counter. He fidgets with his belt buckle. “I’ve wanted this for so long. How the fuck does a guy like Rodney get you?! Never understood that shit.”
    “Just get it out.”
    “Who knew you were both swingers.”
    Nell grabs a hold of Mack’s hands, stopping him. “Swingers?”
    “Yeah. Dannalee and Rodney. But, don’t worry, I don’t judge. I think it’s awesome.”
    “Who… who is Dannalee?”
    “Like you don’t know,” Mack smiles as he realizes that Nell, in fact, does not know. “Shit. Did I just blow his spot?” he laughs.
    “Yes. I believe you did.”
    “Whatever. It’s no biggie. Spite him , fuck me ,” he suggests.
    “How long?” Nell asks. “With Dannalee.”
    “Four or five months.”
    A single tear streams down Nell’s cheek. A revelation. Damn, Rodney! Damn him! is what she is screaming inside her head. There’s going to be no more forgiveness for what she’s just learned. Something Amberly has known all along.
    Anyone could have her body, but her heart and soul belonged to Rodney. And only ever Rodney. It’s just a damn shame to now realize that it’s been one-sided.
    “ HELP ME! ” Rodney screams from the basement. He’s woken.
    Mack turns his attention towards the basement door, when Nell grabs a steak knife. She swings at Mack who turns around just in time to dodge it. He cold-cocks Nell in the chin, knocking her down off the counter and onto her face.
    He grabs the steak knife and heads to the basement. He doesn’t know what awaits him, but he’s a man. He’s as tough as they get. He’s never backed down from a fight and most times, he started them. But, again… he really doesn’t know what awaits him.
     
    Mack gets to the bottom step and holds up the knife, his hands shaking from intense adrenaline. He’s looking to be a hero. “Rodney?” he whispers.
    “Mack? Mack! Help me, please!” Rodney yells through the darkness as Mack moves closer to see Rodney tied up.
    “Rod! What the shit…” he tries cutting through the cuffs, but there’s no way