Chapter 5 Killer’s Caress
"Mommy, I misses you so much!" The sweet, soft voice of a child came through the phone.
Julio clearly hadn't expected a kid on the other end. He froze for a second, completely caught off guard. His grip on my throat loosened as confusion flickered across his face.
I seized the moment and drove my knee straight up into his crotch with every ounce of strength I had left. He doubled over in agony, veins bulging in his neck as he gasped for air.
I snatched my phone back from his loosened grip.
"Matthew, Mommy will be home soon," I said softly, trying to keep my voice calm and steady for him.
Matthew was born two years ago. During those dark months after losing my first pregnancy, I'd thought I was going to lose him too.
The bleeding had been so bad the doctors weren't sure either of us would survive. But God took pity on me and gave me a family member to hold onto when I had nothing left.
I used to feel nothing but pain thinking about this child's father. But everything changed the moment Matthew drew his first breath.
I loved him completely.
I needed to get out of here and get home to my son. Matthew had a bedtime routine, and James would be worried sick if I didn't show up soon. I couldn't keep Matthew waiting, especially not for this monster.
But Julio had recovered faster than I'd hoped. He lunged at me again with renewed fury, tackling me into the car and pinning me against the leather seat.
"You had a baby, Ashley! Tell me which bastard knocked you up so I can rip his throat out!" Julio roared, spittle flying from his lips.
His rage sounded almost like he still loved me.
Absolutely ridiculous. A cold-blooded murderer who killed my parents, claiming to love me?
I ignored his fury and spat directly in his face.
"None of your damn business, you sick freak!"
Matthew was Julio's child, but I'd never tell him that.
Having a father like this would be a permanent stain on Matthew's entire life. My sweet, innocent boy deserved so much better than to carry the blood of a killer.
And if Julio knew Matthew was his son, he'd fight me for custody. With his family's money and connections, he might even win.
I'd die before I let that happen. This psychopath couldn't raise a child properly. He'd just turn my beautiful Matthew into another twisted monster like himself.
Julio's heavy breathing hit my face like steam from hell itself. Rage burned in his eyes like wildfire, consuming whatever sanity he might have had left.
"Mommy?" Matthew's confused voice came through the phone speaker.
My heart clenched. I knew he was puzzled by the angry voices and strange sounds he was hearing. My poor baby shouldn't have to listen to any of this violence.
"It's okay, sweetheart. Mommy will be home in just a little bit," I soothed him, trying to keep my voice as normal as possible.
"Ashley? What the hell is happening? Are you in some kind of trouble?" James's voice cut through, sharp with anxiety.
Ever since Matthew was born, James had been helping me take care of him.
We lived together in our parents' house in San Fernando. James took wonderful care of Matthew. He was the uncle my son deserved, patient and kind and everything a father should be.
"Is this the bastard who knocked you up?" Julio grabbed my chin with bruising force and demanded an answer, his fingers digging into my jawbone.
Julio was actually jealous. The realization hit me like a lightning bolt. It was both laughable and terrifying.
How could this maniac kill my parents in cold blood, try to murder me, and still have the audacity to act like some scorned lover? The twisted logic of it made my head spin.
I actually laughed out loud.
"Yes, Julio. That's my husband. Legal and everything. We're madly in love, and we even had a beautiful child together."
I watched Julio's face transform at my words. His grip on my chin tightened painfully.
Julio genuinely loved me, in his own sick, twisted way.
This revelation sent a thrill of dark excitement through me. This knowledge was power.
This pathetic psychopath actually loved me. And that would be my greatest weapon. I'd make him pay for every bit of pain he'd caused me.
"Let go of Ashley! I've called the police!" James tried to threaten Julio from the phone.
But Julio hung up.
"Like an annoying little bee!" He threw my phone out of the car.
It shattered on the asphalt, completely destroyed.
This maniac! I slapped him again.
Julio seemed to enjoy it, flashing that insane smile again.
"Ashley, we need to continue your punishment."
Julio bit down hard on my breast. The pain was excruciating. I screamed.
"You psycho, let me go!" I thrashed against him.
I couldn't believe that even after learning I had a new family, Julio still wanted to have sex with me.
"I'm married! This is rape!" I shouted at him.
Julio pulled back and stared into my eyes. His gaze held the kind of madness that could destroy worlds.
"Sleeping with another man's wife makes it even more exciting, doesn't it?" Julio said matter-of-factly. "Ashley, have an affair with me! I'll make you feel incredible. Our bodies fit perfectly together, remember?"
Julio stripped off my underwear. His fingers found my most intimate places, stroking and pressing. Then his fingers entered me, moving in and out like we were making love. I hadn't experienced anything sexual in so long. Julio's touch made my whole body tremble. I couldn't stop myself from crying out.
I was actually responding sexually to the touch of the man who had murdered my parents in their own living room. The shame was overwhelming, crushing me from the inside. How could my body react this way to someone I despised with every cell in my being?
"See how much you want this! Ashley, can't your husband satisfy you properly? You're absolutely soaked. You're acting so desperate and hungry!"
Julio trembled with excitement, breathing heavily as he hurriedly removed his silk robe.
Finally, my searching fingers found my discarded high heel under the car seat. I gripped the stiletto and struck his skull with all my strength.