Total pages in book: 147
Estimated words: 148949 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 745(@200wpm)___ 596(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 148949 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 745(@200wpm)___ 596(@250wpm)___ 496(@300wpm)
“Choices.” I let out a long breath and put my view back on Boris.
His gaze was now fixed on the scalpel.
“The gardener made a choice. He slept with Lunita.” I tilted my head to the side. “Do you remember Lunita?”
Boris’s bottom lip quivered. “I do.”
“She likes you.”
Boris inched back. “I would. . .never even—”
“Oh, I hope not, or this will be your fate.” Fast, I pointed my scalpel at the family.
Several screamed in horror.
I shook my head. “Can you imagine your mother and sister standing over there, due to the misadventures of your cock?”
Sweat beaded on Boris’s forehead. “I would n-never.”
“But, it would feel so good.”
“I w-would not. . .”
“I hope that I can believe you, Boris.” Slowly, I placed the scalpel on the table and picked up the blow torch. “Did Maxwell tell you what I did to the gardener?”
Boris cleared his throat. “He did, and others talked about it too.”
I looked up and quirked my brows. “It is gossip now?”
Boris bobbed his head. “Many talked about how the man screamed.”
The gardener’s father began to cry.
“Good.” I motioned for Boris to come closer. “And are you packed for New Orleans?”
He reluctantly closed the space between us. “I-I am packed.”
“Excellent. It should be quite a thrilling journey.” I flicked on the torch. It buzzed in my hands. A flame shot up at the tip and roared. “So many choices.”
The beads of sweat began to drip down the side of Boris’s face.
“I told my mouse that I would not kill you, but. . .”
Boris trembled.
“I do not remember if I said I would not injure you?” I considered the conversation in the gym and truly couldn’t remember anymore. “Surely a burn or two would not make my mouse mad. Do you have any thoughts about this?”
“I-I am sorry f-for what I did—”
“Lunita has shown that she will not obey my rules. I am sure that if she sees that you have returned. . .she may want to fuck you too.”
Boris’s chest rose and fell like he had been running. “I would never t-touch her or Emily.”
“What am I to do about Lunita, Boris?”
“I would h-help. Maxwell explained my job in New Orleans. I am to watch over the Mouse at night and make sure to let everyone know if Lunita comes out.”
“Do you think you can tell the difference between Emily and Lunita?”
“Yes. It is easy.”
“Are you sure?”
“They are two very different women.”
“Others could not tell.”
“I can.”
“And tell me, Boris.” I looked down at the torch’s flame. “Would you need both eyes to see the difference between them?”
“Ummm. . .” His bottom lip quivered.
“Perhaps, you do not understand the question.” I faced him and held the torch between us. “If I burned off one eye, would you still be able to tell if it is Emily or Lunita?”
Boris hesitated for a moment before nodding frantically. “Y-yes, but I would like to keep both eyes.”
“Very good.” I turned off the torch and lay it back down on the table. “You were more truthful than most would be under the threat of a flame.”
A huge sigh of relief left Boris.
“Choices.” I crossed my arms over my chest. “Today, you have a choice. Tomorrow, you will have a choice. And every day in New Orleans you will have more and more choices.”
Boris remained silent and still.
“Today’s choice is simple.” I gestured to the caskets. “My friend, Maxim has placed three caskets here for you.”
Boris touched his chest with a shaking hand. “F-for me?”
“Yes. You must pick one for yourself. Consider it a gift for returning to us.”
Boris studied the three caskets.
“Come.” I walked over to them. “Let us get a closer look. So many choices.”
Boris followed me, while the family whimpered behind us.
I smiled at him. “This is quite the decision.”
The first casket we approached was a deep mahogany color. Intricate carvings of swirling vines and delicate flowers covered the top.
I reached out to touch the surface. The cool, polished wood smoothed against my fingertips.
“Check out the interior, Boris. It is lined with soft, plush velvet, in a deep crimson hue.” I pointed at it. “You must consider that just in case you happen to be buried alive in one of these caskets. Comfort would be important.”
Boris appeared close to pissing himself.
“Hmmm.” I guided us over to the second one.
Made of stainless steel, it had a sleek and modern design. The surface reflected the surrounding light, and I could see my own reflection staring back at me. I appeared cruel and monstrous, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.
Meanwhile, the metal was cool to the touch, and a faint metallic smell hung in the air around it. White satin lined the interior.
I gazed at Boris. “This casket has a unique and contemporary design. What do you think?”
“I. . .t-think you are right.”
“Well, I am no expert.” I shook my head. “But. . .so many choices.”