Wicked As He Comes (Tiger in Her Bed)

Jane sank down on the couch, but the boys seemed to have just gotten their second wind. Harry snuggled up next to Jane, but George sat alone in the wingchair, his face solemn.

Her husband took a seat next to her, watching the twins with concern. “Do you think they are traumatized?” he asked Jane. “Should we get them a pediatric psychiatrist or something?”

At this, George snapped from his silence. “Thank you but I’d rather not. I don’t want any shrink peeking inside my head.” His scowl darkened his face.

“We just worry about you, George,” said Jane calmly. “I can’t imagine how frightened you were in that awful place. If you can’t talk to us, perhaps you’d like to speak to someone who’d understand how to—”

“I’m fine,” George cut her off petulantly. “I really am.”

“Okay, okay,” said Jane. “You don’t need to get mad.”

“I’m not mad. I’m just… slightly upset.”

“Of course, you are. I know what you’re going—”

“No, you don’t know what I’m going through. Don’t insult my intelligence, Jane.”

Jane was startled at her little brother’s sudden outburst. “George…”

He fidgeted in his seat, hands on his lap, fingers twiddling. “They say a cornered animal is the most dangerous, right? That what’s Uncle Alfred seemed like when he took us.”

“He went bonkers,” Harry unexpectedly quipped, still clutching Jane’s shirt. He hid his face again after he said that.

Vanessa patted George’s shoulder and she crouched next to his chair. “You’re a brave little man, George. Maybe you could tell us what happened in there? It’s kind of important.”

George shifted uncomfortably. ‘Where’s Grandma Savvie?” Savannah had insisted they call her grandma and the twins had quickly grown attached to her.

“Grandma’s with Quinn and Trent. She’ll be home soon,” said John.

George gave a tiny nod. He calmed a bit.

“Can you tell us what happened, George?” prodded Vanessa gently.

He didn’t answer right away. Just when Jane decided to broach the subject tomorrow, suddenly George spoke. “He attacked us in the parking lot,” he said with quiet voice.

“Uncle Alfred?” asked Jane.

He nodded.

“How?”

“Taser. Grandma Savvie went down first. Then he hijacked the car. He told us if we screamed or cried, he’d kill Grandma. He had a gun. A big gun. We drove around for a while, then he made us take a p

ill. All I know is that after I swallowed that stuff, we were in the basement.”

“He gave you roofies?” Jane’s voice raised an octave.

Arielle let a surprised gasp.

Vanessa cursed.

Anger simmered to the top. How dare he? How could he? That bastard! I should’ve killed him when I had the chance. Jane caught her husband’s steely expression. He was also furious.

“Are you okay, George?” asked Vanessa. “How do you feel? Sleepy or groggy? Do you have nausea?”

George waved her off like it was no big deal. “A bit groggy but I’m fine.”

“So what happened next, George?” asked Vanessa quietly.