Wickford High 2 - Furiously Tempted by Karen Fuller Read Free Book Online Page B

“I don’t love you! I never have.”
    She stopped pacing, turning to glare at him. “Once I get rid of all traces of my sister, you will be mine!”
    He stood up, slamming his hands down on top of his desk. “What in the hell is that supposed to mean?” he demanded.
    “I had Emily taken care of. I paved the way for you and me.”
    Vicky’s body trembled in fear and outrage as the meaning of Phoebe’s words sunk in. She’s responsible for Mom’s death . She braced her hands against the door and hit her knees, tears welling up in her eyes. She’s responsible for that mob that came after me.

    She swiped at the tears in her eyes. Oh, God Daddy’s alone with that lunatic. She pressed her eye back up against the keyhole.
    He sailed around the desk to charge toward her, holding up her hand, he encountered a force field. He put his shoulder to it, but it would not budge. He screamed in frustration.
    “Once I get rid of that brat of yours, you’ll be all mine, and our darling daughter Sara’s! That stupid mob botched the job last night. I’ll have to take care of things myself.” She laughed a little hysterically. “You should have seen her in class today! It was priceless. Those spiders coming out of that pen were a great touch, if I do say so myself.” She sobered. “The little brat is smart though. She figured out that it was the pen and got rid of it. I’ll have to resort to more drastic measures next time.”
    “You touch one hair on Vicky’s head and I’ll kill you,” he warned.
    “Oh, don’t worry, Ryan; she will join Emily very soon. I’ll see to it,” she remarked in a patronizing tone. She lifted her arm, waiving her hand through the air.
    “Sleep,” she commanded, and Ryan hit the floor, unconscious.
    Fear gripped Vicky’s heart as she backed away from the door. She charged up the stairs. LUKE . . . OH MY GOD . . . IT’S HER!!! SHE’S RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL OF
    IT!!!
    I’m almost there! Explain. What is she responsible for?
    ALL OF IT! MY MOTHER’S DEATH! THAT MOB LAST NIGHT! THE SPIDERS!
    ALL OF IT!
    Where’s your dad?
    She commanded him to sleep. I heard him hit the floor.
    Lock yourself in your room! I’ll be there in just a couple of minutes!
    Vicky slammed her bedroom door, twisting the bolt. It locked with a definite thud. Her heart raced as she searched frantically around the room for somewhere to hide. Luke, I can hear her coming up the stairs . . .
    Hide!

    Her heart pounded so loud in her ears that she barely heard him. There is nowhere to hide! I may have to face her!
    NO! NOT WITHOUT ME!
    There may not be enough time ! The doorknob jiggled. She’s outside my door!
    “Oh, Vicky, you must open this door right now and face your dear aunt!” Phoebe taunted. “I so want to get to know my dear niece.”
    “No! Go away!”
    “That’s not going to happen. Now open this door!” She pounded on the door. “I have to send you to your mother and make room for my own daughter, Sara. You’re in the way, you understand.”
    “Understand?” Vicky gave a bitter, somewhat hysterical laugh. “All I understand, Aunt Phoebe, is that you are insane. You are responsible for killing my mother and trying to kill me.”
    “No, correction, dear child—I am going to kill you. You see, your father will never give himself to me willingly with you alive. I have to remove you from the picture. You are a distraction, and I have to remove all distractions.” Four coral snakes slithered under Vicky’s door. “Enjoy my pets!”
    Vicky’s heart slammed in her chest frantically when she saw those snakes slink into her room from underneath the door. “ Luke, help me !” she screamed at the top of her lungs as she jumped and stood on top of her bed.
    Phoebe cackled. “He can’t help you now. No one can! I have magically enhanced the snake’s toxins to speed the effects. Once they bite you, you will be dead in a matter of minutes!”
    “ Vicky !” Luke’s frantic shout reached her ears. A