Enemy Closer by AK Weller

Author:AK Weller [Weller, AK]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-07-06T16:00:00+00:00

Sunday, July 5, 2020

Hesperus, Colorado

I met Philip’s eyes as Luke called my name twice more, his voice closer each time. Utterly relaxed, Philip watched the door and waited for him to find us. I felt like running, but my feet were stuck to the floor. I heard a knock at the bedroom door, and Luke’s voice again.

“Abigail? Are you in there?”

“We’re here,” Philip called before I could answer.

Several seconds passed before the door opened. I refused to turn toward it, instead easing ever so slightly closer to Philip while his gaze was focused on the bedroom door. Whether he noticed or simply decided he was too close to the light from the bathroom, Philip sidestepped away from me as Luke entered. Luke’s gun—my gun—was already at eye level. I groaned inwardly; the magazine was in my pocket as usual. At least his enormous hands covered up the empty magazine well.

“Get the fuck away from her,” Luke snarled.

“We’re just having a conversation, no need to get territorial,” Philip said, reverting to smarmy charmer.

“Abigail, are you okay?” Luke asked, not taking his eyes off Philip’s hands.

“Fan-fucking-tastic.”

“Come here.”

I started toward him, thankful for the chance to pass him the magazine; but in the blink of an eye Philip’s own weapon was drawn, pointed at my chest.

“Stay right there, Abigail. Why does he have your sidearm?”

“He took it from me,” I said at once. Even Philip couldn’t deny the ring of truth in my answer, but he shook his head as though dismissing it.

“Bullshit.”

“Hey, I’m as pissed about it as you are.”

Luke cut across Philip’s retort with, “Point that thing somewhere else, or I start shooting.”

“Oh, I’m not really going to shoot her,” Philip wheedled, the effect of his words somewhat undermined by the fact that the gun was still pointed at me. “How could I kill my own, precious, loving wife?”

I stared at Philip, uncomprehending. Why was he playing along, when a few words from him would turn Luke against me in the blink of an eye?

“Yeah I’m not really interested in the dynamic here,” Luke shot back. “Just put the gun down.”

“You first.”

Hoping to prevent Philip from calling Luke’s bluff, I squared my shoulders and walked to Philip’s side, explaining to an openly perplexed Luke, “He’s got Dude. I have to go with him to Albuquerque to get him back.”

“You sick fuck,” Luke snarled, looking at Philip as though seeing him for the first time. “What kind of piece of shit—”

“All’s fair in love and war,” Philip said with a smile, directing his weapon at Luke, who didn’t even blink.

“Abigail, you know you can’t go with him, right? Please tell me you know that.”

“I know it’s stupid, but I can’t let anything happen to Dude.”

“He’s just a dog. I know you love him, but you can’t throw your life away for a dog.”

“Throw her life away?” Philip demanded. His imitation of indignance was so good it almost fooled me. “You think I’m going to hurt her?”

“Yeah, duh.”

“Well you can stop worrying.” I flinched as Philip’s hand slid around my back, grasping me by the waist.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.