20 Questions

Chapter 115

I want it on the record that having to shorten your honeymoon because of a homicidal father-in-law is bullshit. I didn't even get to wear a couple of the sundresses I bought for this vacation. Not to sound like a nagging wife, but Hunter better make this up to me. As we sit at the terminal, the disappointment and uneasiness hangs in the air between us. We both know this is bullshit, but neither one of us feels the need to state the obvious. We can't even bring ourselves to play our beloved airport games that have entertained us in the past because neither one of us is in the mood for entertainment. Getting home and eliminating the threat sits at priority number one. Hunter texts Elijah to give him all the necessary flight information while I continue to pout about my abbreviated honeymoon.

I've seen Hunter angry about things and I've even witnessed his ridiculous sulking when he doesn't get his way, but I've never seen him this disgruntled and in such a sour mood. I know my mood isn't helping to brighten his either. I'm in a foul one and not even the crazy hot morning sex we had or the co-ed shower helped. Nothing kills a mood faster than having to fly home early from your honeymoon to deal with a murderous, revengeful relative.

And here I thought Aunt Mitzy was bad.

We take our seats on the plane, me by the window and Hunter in the middle seat, when a young guy plops down on the other side of Hunter. He gives me a smile and offers Hunter a what's up nod before putting on his headphones, laying his head against the seat and closing his eyes. God knows we don't have the patience to deal with any theatrics today, so this guy couldn't be more perfect.

When we reach altitude, the flight attendant comes around with the drink cart and asks for our beverage preferences. When I ask for wine, Hunter doesn't even acknowledge it or start making sexual innuendos so I know this whole thing with his father is really eating at him. I can always count on him to make some perverted comment when I decide to drink wine. He orders a Crown Royal and Coke and we sip quietly on our drinks for the next fifteen minutes. I thought maybe the alcohol would improve our moods, but I was dead wrong. It simply makes him more agitated and me more tired. I close my eyes and pray that this isn't how every day is going to be until we take out the piece of shit.

~

The minute the plane touches down in Louisville, the nerves kick in for the both of us.

Is his dad at the airport, waiting to take us out?

Has he strapped a bomb to Hunter's truck in the parking garage?

Is the house even still there or has he blown it up already?

My imagination runs wild with the terrifying possibilities. I've never been this on edge. Apart from the day at the café and the situation with Tyler, I've never feared for my life before. I've never had to deal with someone who hated me so much that they longed for the day they got to end my life. When I look over at Hunter, walking briskly through the airport, my heart breaks for this man. I've been experiencing this anxiety over the what ifs for one hour while he has been dealing with it his whole life. Always looking over his shoulder. Always wondering if today is his last day. Never planning for the future because nothing is promised. While I am scared shitless, he is angry at the world. I gain a new understanding of why he is the way he is. It makes me hate his father that much more.

I'm walking on eggshells right now. I'm afraid if I say something wrong, his anger is going to be directed at me. I don't like this feeling because it's foreign when it comes to my husband. I've always been the center of his universe and I could always put a smile on his face, but this time is different. I could give him a hundred blow jobs and it still wouldn't smooth the deep furrow of his brows. I'm on the verge of tears, knowing this is the one thing I can't fix. The one pain I can't take away. So, I stay quiet and pull my bag further up my shoulder as we make our way to baggage claim.