Read Online Wrath James White presents Poisoning Eros I & II by Monica J. O'Rourke - Free Book Online Page B

the granddaughter she was supposed to murder. There
had to be a way out of this. But she couldn’t imagine what that
was.
    For the first time in years, she began to pray. She
fell to her knees and began to cry. “Our Father, who art in heaven
…”
    Vlad stepped forward. “Stop that.”
    “Hallowed be thy name …”
    “I said stop that!”
    “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it
is in heaven.”
    “I said stop! ” Vlad’s fist collided with
Gloria’s jaw, spinning her like a piñata. She collapsed on the
floor in a heap. Eyes closed, facedown on the polished hardwood
floor, she feigned unconsciousness. More time to think.
     
    *
     
    How did things turn out so wrong ? she wondered
for the millionth time.
    From her prone position on the floor, hovering above
her, Vlad and Ryan were discussing her fate—and the fates of Angela
and the child.
    “She’ll never do it,” Ryan said. “She may be a whore
and a drug addict but she’s no killer.”
    “Everyone has their price. Besides, she has no
choice. She may not care about her own life, but I’m betting she
cares about those little girls over there. Did you know that she’s
been coming by here almost every week for years, just to catch a
glimpse of the two of you? She knew your schedule better than you
did. She’s even gone to Angela’s school a few times. She loves you.
Both of you. Even now. And she knows that I won’t hesitate to tear
you, little Angela and her little bastard apart to get what I
want.” Vlad’s voice billowed out in a dense humid cloud of
halitosis that made Gloria’s eyes water.
    Gloria’s head was turned in an awkward angle, and it
ached. But if they knew she was awake, she’d be out of time again.
She cracked her eyes open, trying to get the tiniest hint of her
surroundings. Vlad and Ryan were flanking her other side, and when
she peeked out, she caught Gloria’s attention. She was afraid her
daughter would give her away, but Angela didn’t change her
expression.
    Gloria licked her lips and mouthed the word run . She prayed her daughter would understand, and would act
on it. How, she couldn’t imagine. Was there even a way out of that
room? Could she get past Ryan and Vlad?
    “Dad?” Angela’s voice cracked.
    “What? Why are you interrupting us?”
    “I need to change her.” The baby was cradled in
Angela’s arm.
    “Stay put. The baby can wait.”
    “No she can’t. She smells.”
    Ryan sighed. “Fine. You’ve got three minutes.”
    Angela disappeared from Gloria’s sight.
    “Let’s get this bitch off the floor,” Vlad said.
“Put her on the table.”
    She felt their hands beneath her armpits and she was
lifted into the air. The table was cold beneath her clothes, and
she suppressed a shudder.
    “I’ll just make her do it,” Ryan said. “Even if I
hold her hand, force her to kill the baby.”
    “No. Won’t work that way. If you help her, you might
as well do it yourself—she won’t burn in hell, you will. She has to
do it herself, using her own will. Otherwise the deal’s off.”
    “Fuck you, then.” Ryan slammed his hand on the
table. “You know I won’t be able get her to kill that fucking
kid—so I might as well kill this bitch right now.”
    She felt the cold steel blade resting against her
neck, and she began to tremble. Tears flowed into her temples from
the corners of her eyes.
    “I knew she was awake.” Ryan laughed,
withdrew the knife.
    Gloria opened her eyes, looked up at Ryan. “Please
don’t do this,” she whispered. “I’ll do anything you want.”
    “Oh, like what? Have sex with me? Kill me all over
again?”
    “No, Ryan … I loved you.”
    “You have a funny way of showing love, Gloria.”
    She sat up, rubbed her aching head. “Can’t we work
something out?”
    “Where’s that kid of yours?” Vlad asked. “She’s been
gone too long.”
    “She’s changing the shitty diaper.” He glanced at
his watch. “I’ll go check.”
    Gloria was sitting on the