Chapter 34

Catherine

I keep my eyes shut tightly and try to breathe as silently as possible. My ears strain to pick up any little noise around me. I hear Mr. Peccati exit the bathroom and turn off the light in there. His steps are light on the soft carpet and for a second I lose track of where he is. But soon the bedspread is lifted and the mattress dips as he climbs into the bed.

“Come closer.” His low voice commands me when he has pulled the cover over himself.

“I’m fine right where I am.” I say in a shaky voice. My whole body is shaking. I can’t control it or make it stop no matter how much I try to relax. I’m too frightened, too anxious about all of this. I know what he wants, I can imagine what goes through his mind, but at the sa