Violent Things

Epilogue

Bates

I clearedmy throat as I reached for another rib and tore away a piece of the meat with my teeth.

Hollis sat next to me, her legs tucked underneath her as she nibbled on some garlic bread.

I chuckled and shook my head as I turned my attention back toward the television.

“What?” she asked.

“Nothing. I was just thinking of how fucking beautiful you look like that.”

“Like what?” she questioned, wrinkling her nose.

“Oh you know,” I began as I leaned back against the sofa and leaned toward her. “Lingerie covered in blood, crimson streaks on your pale skin, looking so content and innocent when I know better.”

She rolled her eyes and shook her head, but I caught the twinkle in them.

Praise wasn’t something she was used to, even now, but I knew that we would have plenty of time to work on that.

“Can I ask you something?” she began quietly.

“Yeah.”

“Why won’t you do it? Why won’t you help me?”

I knew exactly what she was talking about, but I was going to maintain my happy mood and demeanor no matter what came of her rage to my response.

“Because you’re fucking perfect, Hollis. There’s nothing about you that needs changing. I know you can’t see that yet, and probably won’t any time soon,” I said, a sigh escaping me, “but I don’t want you to be different. That may sound selfish, and while I hope it doesn’t, I just want you to get it. You’re the only girl that I’ll ever need. And that includes all of you.”

“I don’t know, I just feel like you might slip again,” she stated pointedly.

I gave her a soft smile, my eyes boring into hers as I took a deep breath.

“I’ve taught you how to use sharp objects, haven’t I? If I fuck up again, feel free to cut my heart out. Hell, I’ll do it for you. You’re everything I ever wanted, babe, I just never knew it until I was lucky enough to meet you.”

“Eat your food, it’s getting cold,” she admonished as her cheeks turned red from the compliment.

Was it possible that I finally reached her? When her tense body eased next to me, I only hoped that I did, but knowing my pretty girl, she was more than likely just trying to placate me.

With a nod, I sat back up again and reached for the rib I had been working on. “Hey, would it be okay with you if I finished up tomorrow? It’s cold enough down there to keep things the way they need to be before I have a chance to cut away the good parts.”

“That’s fine, Bates,” she said softly.

I glanced at Hollis one more time and smiled as she nibbled on the bread again, carefully keeping her eyes on the late night program.

I wouldn’t make Hollis have to push past the parts in the refrigerator. There were plenty of freezers downstairs to hide what I took from him. I wouldn’t ask her to help me prepare them or even indulge when the mood struck me.

She had done her part and I knew she would start feeling better eventually.

That was all that ever mattered to me.

Her happiness.