When he'd cleared everything away, he took hold of her hand and tugged her to her feet.

"We're going to put everything right, me and you." He pressed his face into her hair and pulled her into his arms. "Your mom made a fatal mistake. I don't want you to do the same. That was your last chance, and Tommy's last chance. Next time, it won't be you I'll hurt, but him. Are we quite clear?"

He lifted her hand and ran his thumb along her knuckles. Kate nodded.

"I want so little, that's the crazy thing, no more than any husband expects from his wife. Show me some affection, especially in front of Tommy. Put your arm round me. Kiss me. My father will come soon and I want him to see a happy family. I don't want you flinching every time I touch you." He put his hands on either side of her head. "You're holding back and I want you to let go. I want all of you, Kate."

"Okay." She barely whispered the word.

"We start again." He bent his head and kissed the side of her neck, then pressed his teeth into the base of her throat.

Kate gasped in fear.

"That's it, baby. Let yourself go."

Couldn't he tell the difference between terror and pleasure? His hands held her waist, keeping her against his erection.

He moved his mouth to her ear. "Tell me you want me." The memory of what he'd done caused her to falter before she pulled herself back from the edge of the cliff. "I want you," she whispered.

"And you can't survive without me."

"I can't survive without you."

A fist squeezed Kate's heart. She wanted him dead. They went upstairs in silence. Everything she'd done to try and help herself and Tommy had made matters worse. Nothing to do now except shut down all but life support and wait for rescue. Her energy had to be channeled into keeping Tommy alive.

Jack kicked off his shoes and leaned back on his elbows on the bed.

"Let the robe drop."

Kate allowed it to fall from her shoulders. There were marks all over her body: cuts, scratches, bruises. Why did he want her?

"Touch yourself," he said.

Kate's heart lurched. When she steeled herself to cross one bridge, he erected another. She slid her hand onto her breast, pulled her nipple between her fingers and saw his Adam's apple move up and down.

"Both hands."

She didn't have to enjoy it, just do it.

"Between your legs."

Jack made a noise in his throat and Kate's eyes hardened. He wasn't looking at her face. His eyes were on her crotch and that made it easier. The tip of his tongue moved across his upper lip. Kate trembled but her fear receded. While he still wanted her, she had some power over him.

"Come here," he said.

She got on the bed and knelt astride him. Jack brought his hands to her breasts and she slapped his fingers away.

"No."

She wanted the word back but when he let his hands fall, a little flame came to life inside her. She leaned forward so her breasts were close to his mouth. He lifted his head and Kate moved out of reach. When he didn't stop her, her heart pounded so hard it hurt her chest. She put her finger to his lips, pushed it in his mouth and let him suck it, before she pulled it out and slid it between her legs.

Jack moaned and reached out.

Again Kate pushed him back, feeling a sudden thrill when he didn't persist.

Could she control him with sex? Or was he tricking her again? She began to unbutton his shirt and he sat up so she could take it off. His erection bulged under his chinos and Kate pressed her face there, mouthing his penis through the fabric.

"Jesus, Kate."

Her fingers fumbled with the button, then slid down the zipper, and she put her mouth on him again, breathing hot air through his cotton shorts.

It happened in a heartbeat. One moment, she was on top, the next he flung her aside. He got to his feet, dragged off his clothes and twisted her on to her back.

Kate cried out in pain. Jack forced her legs apart, thrust straight into her and she yelped. He pulled out and stared at her for a moment. Then spitting on his fingers, he forced them between her legs.

"You think you fooled me? Think I can't tell when you're ready for sex?" A tear escaped from the corner of Kate's eye. "I'm trying." Jack gave a short laugh. "You're lying."

He rolled her onto her stomach, using his weight to keep her there, then slid down and bent his head to her lower back, biting so hard at her waist that she screamed and scratched at the comforter with her useless hands.

"I like that you're afraid of me. It turns me on and there's nothing you can do about it. You try not to look scared but you can't hide the way you feel." He slid his hand between her legs under her body, raising her hips. "You're a loser, you know that? You're a loser and I'm a winner." He jammed a finger inside her anus and she pressed her face in the bed and stiffened.

"Don't," she choked out.

He withdrew his finger, replaced it with the tip of his penis and began to push his way inside.

Kate began to struggle. "No."

"Lie still or I'll hurt you more," he snapped.

"Please. Don't do that to me. You're hurting me. Please, Jack."

"Shut up," he said and eased his way a little farther inside her.

"Don't."

"Why would you think you can tell me what to do? You don't like being fucked in the cunt, so I'm going to fuck you in the ass. Relax and enjoy it." He pushed harder and Kate tried to scramble up the bed.

"I promise I'll be good, Jack. I was good tonight, wasn't I? Please." He was ripping her apart. She couldn't bear it and started to wail. Jack put his hand on her neck and pressed her face into the pillow. Kate couldn't breathe.

Black spots danced in front of her eyes, she tried to draw air into her lungs, but nothing came in, everything went black.

Kate awoke with a start. Jack still slept. She rolled away from him to the edge of the bed, stifling groans of pain. He grew more violent and she grew weaker.

Not one part of her didn't hurt. She had bite marks everywhere. Kate felt ill, as if some virus crept through her body, destroying her from inside as well.

After he'd fallen asleep, she lay beside him plotting how to kill him. There was no longer any choice because he was killing her. She had to be certain it worked, or render him so incapacitated he couldn't do anything to hurt her or Tommy.

And it had to be done when Tommy wasn't watching.

Kate moved awkwardly from the bed and rose to her feet. Her fingers touched a vivid red bite mark on her left breast, another at her waist. She vaguely wondered what he'd do if she bit him like that. Gathering her clothes, she slipped into the bathroom, washed and dressed. She hoped Jack wouldn't wake until she'd gone down, but when she returned to the bedroom his eyes were open.

"Come here."

Kate went to his side.

"Lie down and kiss me."

She bit the inside of her cheek as she eased herself down next to him. Putting her hand on his face, she pressed her lips against his, kept them there longer than she wanted and then laid her head on the pillow.

Jack raised himself on one elbow and looked down at her. "I'm sorry I hurt you."

"Okay." Kate hid her surprise. What was she supposed to say?

"It'll be better next time."

I'm going to kill you today, Kate thought. When he leaned over and pressed his lips down on hers, she didn't resist.

When Kate tried to lift a protesting Tommy from his bunk, she couldn't. Jack came in behind her, scooped him up and pretended to drop him. Tommy squealed with delight as Jack carried him upside down into the other room.

"You're wriggly today. Maybe you should have worms for breakfast instead of Fruit Loops," he said.

"No way," Tommy said.

Jack sat him at the table. "Mommy will get your breakfast while I see to the fire. It's cold this morning, we need to keep your mommy extra warm." As Kate heated milk for Tommy's cereal, the smell of the simmering liquid suddenly became too much. She dashed to the bathroom with her hand over her mouth and retched. She stayed put until the spasms passed and then pushed shakily to her feet. She washed her face and rinsed her mouth before returning to the table. Jack had given Tommy his cereal.

"Bacon and two eggs. Sunnyside up," Jack said with a smirk.

The last thing she needed to do was fry food. She glanced through the window.

The sun was shining. The trees were full of snow, their branches sagging under the heavy weight.

Tommy pushed his bowl away. "I want to make a snowman."

"We have to make a Christmas card first for your Grandpa," Kate said.

"Grandpa George?"

Kate glanced at Jack.

"No, Grandpa Don, Tommy. You don't have a Grandpa George," Jack said.

"Yes, I do."

"No, you don't," Jack snapped.

Tommy's bottom lip trembled. Kate swept him up and pushed him toward the bathroom. "Go brush your teeth."

She put a mug of coffee in front of Jack and sipped at her own while she crisped Jack's bacon. This was surreal, as though they were acting out a play with no audience.

While he ate, she washed up, back on cruise control.

"Not eating, Kate?"

"Not hungry."

"I'm stuck, Mommy."

Tommy had his head in the armhole of his sweater. Kate dried her hands and sorted him out.

"Where are my crayons?"

She got out his coloring book, crayons and white card, put them on the table and bent to fasten his shoes. He kneeled on the chair opposite Jack and reached for a red crayon.

"See if you can draw a picture of you, me and Daddy, and our Christmas tree," Kate said.

"Okay. I'm good at drawing."

Above the sound of Tommy's chatter came the noise of a car engine. Jack grabbed Kate's sore wrist and twisted it. She yelped.

"Don't hurt Mommy."

Jack looked at Tommy in astonishment and then laughed.

"Take him upstairs and don't come down unless I tell you. Remember what happened to Charlie."

Chapter Twenty-Six.

Jack glanced through the window but the car wasn't in sight. His pulse rate accelerated as he walked to the door. He had no idea who was out there. Maybe the person who'd driven to the house yesterday. Jack hadn't missed the tracks and the trail of footprints. He was fairly sure it wasn't his father but he hoped like fuck it wasn't the local sheriff. Jack would've liked more time alone with Kate and Tommy, just to make certain, though she'd been the model wife this morning. Sex before breakfast and his eggs had been perfect. He grinned. If it was his father, everything would be fine so long as Kate behaved.

He opened the door and gave a short laugh. Nathan waded through the pristine snow.

"Morning, Jack."

"What the fuck do you want?"

"Can I come in?"