Baby Doll(77)

Then there was Missy. Talk about a disaster. She looked as if she never left the house: so pale and gaunt, her roots showing, her clothing hanging off her. It was unfortunate but not surprising.

But it was Lily, his Lily that he couldn’t stop watching. Her hair was ridiculous. Why the hell would anyone want to be a redhead? It just didn’t make sense. But despite that, she still took his breath away. At least until she opened her mouth. Then he wanted to punish her. He wanted to tell her to stop lying. Why didn’t she mention any of the good times they’d shared? What about all the things he’d done for her? The outstanding education he’d provided for her, the books he lavished upon her and Sky. What about Sky? Lily couldn’t deny that he was a great father. He’d allowed her to raise their child together and yet she said nothing about it. Nothing at all.

When he woke up this morning, a part of him hoped that Lily would come to her senses and realize that she’d loved him too. That their life was something special no one would ever understand. But she was a lost cause.

He was lucky he’d found Angela. She was really going to come through. She had slipped him a note before he was transported, and everything was on schedule. Her shithead cousin was at the rendezvous spot, she’d left her kid with her mother, and she had clothes and toiletries for him. She’d wanted to come to court but he worried that she might draw attention. He told her just to stick with the plan and they’d be together soon.

Rick had spent the morning ignoring the guards’ taunts, warning him about all the new “boyfriends” he’d have in prison, warning him that he’d be lucky to survive a week. Rick had ignored them, dressed in the suit and tie his mother had delivered. Knowing these guards were confined to this hellish existence while he was about to bust out of this place was the best revenge.

Now it was his turn to speak. His moment in the spotlight. He knew that he’d be analyzed, that morning talk shows would dissect every mannerism and nuance in his behavior. At least that’s what he hoped. Rick stood, bowed his head, and did his best to project contrite remorse.

“I know that I’ve been labeled a monster. I do not think that’s true. I think… I think I am a sick man. But I know that is no excuse. I accept my punishment and promise that after today you won’t hear from me again. I will disappear into oblivion, but I hope that my victims can find peace and happiness from here on out.”

Pleased with himself, Rick sat down. He wanted applause and adulation but the silence was pretty satisfying. Lily stared straight ahead, never once meeting his gaze. Her sister, on the other hand, was boring holes into him. Rick hated to admit it but she was actually kind of hot now in her tight black sweater that perfectly hugged her curves. Maybe he had made the wrong choice. Maybe. He looked back up at the judge, wanting all of this to be over. In just a few short hours, Rick would be speeding down the interstate, while all these idiots wrung their hands in disbelief. All Rick had to do was get through the rest of this ridiculous dog and pony show and he was home free.





CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR


ABBY


Abby wanted to laugh. How pathetic was that? Rick hadn’t even tried. She’d heard him keep a room full of bored teenagers engaged for fifty minutes and that was the best he could do? He really was a pathetic piece of shit.

Abby listened as the judge read the sentencing, which included words and phrases such as “depravity” and “monstrous acts,” “vicious disregard for human life” and “a lack of empathy that made him a danger to anyone who came into contact with him.” Then the judge reached the part Abby had been waiting for.

“The defendant will spend the rest of his natural born life behind bars without possibility of parole.”

A cheer went up in the courtroom.

Judge Crabtree banged her gavel. It was all over. For a brief moment, Abby felt like her job was done. She stood up, celebrating with Mom and the attorneys, all of them hugging and congratulating one another. Everyone but Lily. Her sister stood motionless, staring over at Mr. Hanson. Abby went to take Lily’s hand, but Lily unexpectedly broke free, making her way over to him. Startled, Abby quickly followed. A guard stepped forward to block Lily’s path from Mr. Hanson. Lily gently raised her hand.

“Please, I need one second,” Lily said, pleading with him.

The guard sized Lily up, deciding almost instantly that she wasn’t a threat. Abby watched as the guard stepped back and Lily moved forward. Rick gazed tenderly at Lily, as if he’d known she would come to him.

“I need you to know I forgive you, Rick. I forgive you for everything,” Lily said, her voice never wavering.

He smiled that smug f*cking smile, and Abby could feel the darkness welling up inside of her, the darkness she’d worked so hard to erase.

No. No. No. Why would Lily say that? He didn’t deserve forgiveness. In a lifetime of eternities, there could be no forgiveness for what he had done. Mr. Hanson’s smile seemed to overwhelm his face.

“I forgive you too, Baby Doll. I’ll miss you, and I’ll always love you. Take care of our girl.”

Lily didn’t say a word. She simply turned away. But as she did, Abby saw a look flash across Lily’s face. Abby stared at her sister’s retreating back. That look… dear God. Lily had said that she didn’t care about Rick, that he didn’t matter to her. But that wasn’t true. Abby had never considered the possibility; she almost couldn’t bear to consider it. Could Lily really love Rick Hanson? Could she really love the man who’d done all those hideous things to her? But it wasn’t real love. It couldn’t be. It was ugly, broken, distorted, twisted love, the only kind of love Rick Hanson knew. But Lily was bound to him, even now. And as long as he was alive, Lily would always be bound to him.