Read Online Illusion of Luck by Robert Burton Robinson - Free Book Online Page A

their own world, they would never notice the
intruder.
    Unlike many couples who had already spent
many nights groaning and sweating in each other’s arms, this pure
man and this unblemished woman had called upon every ounce of human
willpower to save themselves for the wedding night. And they knew
in their hearts it would be well worth it.
    But just as they were about to enter the
promised land, a single bullet to the temple of the husband would
spoil their holy journey. And the wife would have just enough time
to understand the horror of the situation before dying beneath her
husband’s body. The killer’s face, not her husband’s, would be the
final image in her terrified eyes.

    Not bad, he thought. Only
one problem—the story would end too soon. He needed a lot more
chapters. It was a novel—not a short story. Besides, so far his
storyline had followed his real-life adventures. And he certainly
had no intention of killing the bride. The husband could be
knocked off—but not the wife. Larry wanted the wife alive, for
himself. She shouldn’t be marrying that man anyway, he thought.
She belongs to me .
    Always has.
    **********
    Greg walked into the living room and sat
down with Sandy, who was watching NBA highlights.
    “ How do you think the Mavs
will do tonight?” said Greg.
    “ Well, Utah beat the Nuggets
last night. So, I’m sure we can do the same tonight.”
    “ Sorry you have to miss the
game.”
    “ No problem—I’m recording
it.” Sandy checked his watch. “Only three hours until the wedding.
But it’s still not too late to back out.” He whipped out his cell
phone. “Want me to call Cynthia? I’ll let her down easy, Man—don’t
worry.”
    “ You want me to grab that
phone out of your hand and flush it down the toilet? I’m
ready. So ready. Even if I am a little nervous.”
    “ About the honeymoon? Why?
It’s not like y’all have never done
it before.”
    Greg watched the TV in silence.
    “ You’re kidding? Come on,
Dude, you’re a musician . You mean to tell me
you’ve never fingered Cynthia’s sousaphone?”
    “ Sandy!”
    “ Never stroked her viola
with your bow? Never—“
    “ Stop! We’re
virgins.”
    “ What? You’ve both
been married before.”
    “ Well, we’re virgins to each
other. At least that’s the way we look at it.”
    “ How sweet.”
    “ I knew you wouldn’t
understand.”
    “ No, I don’t. But I respect
you for it. Good for you.”
    “ Thanks.” Greg
smiled.
    “ I just hope you can hold it
until you get to the hotel.”
    “ What do you
mean?”
    “ I’d hate to see you have a
spontaneous combustion right in the middle
of the ceremony.”
    The scene flashed into Greg’s mind. “Oh,
Man—I wish you hadn’t said that.”
    Sandy grinned. “Your picturing it, aren’t
you?” He started laughing. “I wish you could see the look on your
face.”
    “ Great. You’ve just given me
another thing to worry about. Thanks a lot, Sandy.”
    “ Well, I still don’t get why
you’re worried about the honeymoon. Are you afraid you won’t live
up to her expectations?”
    “ No…”
    “ Yeah—that’s it. You’re
thinking: what if I’m not as good as the ex-husband?”
    Greg didn’t speak.
    “ He was a big lineman-type
guy, wasn’t he?”
    “ Yeah.”
    “ Well, you’ve got it all
wrong. There’s no way she’s gonna be disappointed.”
    “ What makes you so
sure?”
    “ Wasn’t her ex an
abuser?”
    “ Well, not at first, but
yeah.”
    “ Then I guarantee you that’s
what she remembers when she thinks about him. Any good lovemaking
memories have been tainted by his abuse. But she knows you’ll never
hit her or be mean to her. And after what she went through with
him, there’s nothing sexier than knowing she’s with a man who’s
gentle, kind and committed. When a woman truly feels safe with you,
and she’s truly in love with you— that’s the ultimate turn-on,
Buddy. I’m telling you.”
    “ Yeah, I guess. But since
when are you