Taboo Unchained(82)
“You want to learn how to … kill people, and get away with it?” Audra shrugs and sighs, downing the rest of her wine and smiling tightly as the waiter steps up to the table and pours her more. He takes our dessert orders and retreats, reminding me why I like eating at home so much better. No interruptions.
“It soothes the screaming inside in a way nothing else can.”
“Except for sex,” I remind her, leaning forward and reaching out a hand. I think about asking her to be my client, but the words seem hollow and forced. Clients. I don't much feel like visiting any of my clients right now. Clarice is fucking insane, Margarite is a mouthy asshole, and Pamela … I don't think I could ever visit Pamela again knowing that she abandoned Audra. In fact, Pamela Tribbard could very well be the reason that Audra has demons in the first place. If she'd rescued her daughter, taken care of her the way a parent should, well, I suppose we'll never know, but I can take an educated guess.
Audra takes my hand, curls her fingers against my palm. Her engagement ring shimmers like the expensive cut that it is.
“How did this whole thing with Robbie get started, Lucas? She doesn't really seem like your type.” I stiffen and think about pulling away. Audra grips my hand tightly, forcing me to stay still or make a scene trying to extract my grip. I examine her makeup and try to think of the right answer, not just for her, but for myself.
“She's my next door neighbor,” I say, but the words ring hollow. My eyes shift off of Audra's face and travel around the restaurant, to the square tables with their thick red tablecloths, the squat glass vases filled with rose buds, and the white candles flickering softly. “And I don't know if I can answer your question. I'm not even sure if I know the answer myself.” I smile as I let my attention swing back to Audra. “As far as the first move, though, that was her.”
“Doesn't surprise me,” Audra says, stretching her arms above her head. Her little black dress turned quite a few heads when we walked in. Some from shock, others from unbridled desire. It's her usual style – cheap – but somehow it works on her. I know that I'm particularly captivated, and my cock couldn't agree more.
“Are you jealous?” I ask, not entirely certain why I even asked it in the first place.
“I don't know,” Audra says, smiling at the waiter as he places our desserts in front of us. “Should I be?” I grin back at her and pick up the small silver dessert fork. While Audra's ordered the tiramisu, I've gone for the 'death by chocolate' cake. It was the only thing that seemed appropriate.
I take a bite, trying my best not to be overly critical. Still, I think it could've been more moist.
“To be honest with you, Miss Holiday, I have no fucking idea.”
In the car on the way back, Audra brings up the subject of murder again.
“So, if we can't kill Clarice, maybe we could just … nullify her?”
I look down at the dashboard, realizing that I'm driving several miles below the speed limit. Yes, I like to obey the more simple traffic laws, but this is borderline geriatric, even for me. Perhaps my desire to head home is being dampened by today's events? My fingers tighten imperceptibly on the steering wheel, but I know Audra notices.
“Explain, please,” I say, trying to keep my voice neutral as my foot presses the gas pedal towards the floor. Within a few minutes, I'm zooming around minivans and silver SUVS, pickup trucks, and semis. Audra doesn't speak until we hit the 42nd Street exit towards our respective houses. Her Mini Cooper is still parked in front of my house, so getting her home is a sure thing. The question remains now, what will I do with her when I get there? My cock thinks fucking sounds like a perfectly splendid idea, but it's essentially his fault that my life has been tossed up and shaken to the core. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I think that maybe it was more my heart that screwed things up, but the thought is so fairytale that all I end up doing is scowling. “Any day now would be nice.”
“Aw, and I thought you were getting so much better. You've been nice all evening and now here you go, fucking it all up. Say please, Lucas.”
I say nothing and as I'm pulling into the driveway, Audra sighs.
“You really are stubborn, you know that, right?” I try to smile, but the expression won't take. It could be because I'm starting to – maybe – feel things for Audra Holiday and Robbie Carrell that I shouldn't be feeling. Or it could be because Robbie's father is coming out the front door of his house to glare at me.
I turn off the ignition and lean towards Audra, wrapping my fingers in her ruby red hair.
“Play along with me,” I say and then, “please.”