Anthony and Christy's lives seemed to blend seamlessly despite their diverse backgrounds. They stayed busy, and Anthony’s marriage proposal and Christy's refusal wasn't mentioned again. Anthony finally took Christy back to Camp Sawgrass and wasn't at all surprised that she was able to endear herself to some of the regulars. She was sincerely concerned about their health and general well-being. She had to have known that he'd slept with most of the women she'd met there and yet she showed no signs of jealousy and never questioned his loyalty to her. She didn't have to. He could no longer even imagine himself with another woman.

Her need to care for and nurture others was always apparent. Christy had so much love to give, and Anthony wanted more than anything to give her a child. Not only so she would marry him, but because he wanted to look into the face of the child whose existence was a result of their love. And it was even more obvious after they'd dropped in to visit Nadine a few times. Her love for Nadine's children went beyond anything Anthony had ever witnessed.

They rode several times with his motorcycle club and he reveled in having her cling tightly to his back. After all, it was right where she belonged. He purposely didn't bring her on any excursions that would involve criminal dealings. But he did need to keep up appearances. Besides, he wanted everyone to know the woman on the back of his Harley belonged to him.

It was a warm Saturday afternoon when his gang rode through the parts of town where Anthony wanted to send a message to some rivals. There would be no violence as a result of the ride, just a statement. By the end of the day, most of the bikers broke from the group and headed their separate ways. Anthony, Christy, Alexander and Brooks decided to stop for a bite to eat. Since their favorite place to eat, Kelly’s Fish House, was packed to the rafters, they settled themselves at a corner table in a popular restaurant chain nearby. Anthony couldn't help but notice the stares of the other diners. Three scary looking bikers and his beautiful and well-groomed Christy sitting right in the middle of them caused more than one curious glance. She, of course, was oblivious to the attention as she concentrated on the menu.

Anthony noticed one couple, who appeared to be about Christy's age, paying a tad too much notice to the foursome. He quietly asked Christy if she knew them. She looked up from her menu, and looked at where he nodded. She broke out in a smile.

"I went to school with them," she told him as she laid down her menu and gave them a wave.

"Were they friends of yours?" he asked.

"No. I didn't have friends, but neither did they. They're twins, and they always kept to themselves. Real braniacs. Because they didn't have friends and stuck with each other, the kids weren't very kind. Always suggesting they were closer than a brother and sister should be. It was mean, and I'm sure they were even more miserable back then than I was. Someone made up a stupid rhyme, and it followed them everywhere."

"What kind of rhyme?" Brooks asked. He was the biker who’d won the thousand dollars Anthony had offered as a bonus to participate in Andrew's torture and murder. He had a deviant nature with a mean streak that rivaled Anthony's and a demeanor that would send a lion running the other way. He was almost as tall as Anthony and at least thirty pounds heavier. He was riddled with tattoos, including his face. He wore his brown hair long and always looked like he needed a shave. Alexander noticed that Brooks couldn't seem to take his eyes off the woman. He couldn't understand why. She didn't seem like Brooks’ type. She looked like a nice girl, not the hardcore, rough women Brooks usually brought around the camp.

"The Renquest twins are freaks of nature..." Christy started to say, but the words died on her lips. "I don't remember the rest," she lied as she looked down at her drink.

Knowing that the conversation was making Christy uncomfortable and sad, Anthony quickly added, "Well, they seem mighty interested in you."

The waitress interrupted the conversation, and after taking their orders and walking away, Christy continued where she'd left off.

"They were two years ahead of me. I didn't hang with them, but I did have Lucy in phys ed, and Lenny tutored me for a semester in science. I didn't have any reason not to be nice to them."

"Why don't you go say hello?" Anthony prodded.

Assuming he wanted to speak to Alexander and Brooks alone for a moment, Christy agreed. Besides, it would feel rude not to acknowledge them.

Anthony watched out of the corner of his eye as Christy approached the duo. He saw that Lenny stood when Christy got to the table, and he even pulled out a chair for her to sit.

Fifteen minutes had passed when Anthony signaled Christy that their food arrived. He watched as Lenny stood again when Christy did. It was obvious by the guy's expression that he had a crush on Christy, and Anthony told her so when she got back to the table.

"Yeah, he might've back then, too. But he never acted on it. He's totally harmless," she said as she placed her napkin in her lap.

"Ya think?" Alexander laughed.

"Don't make fun of them," Christy snapped. "I'm sorry, Alexander," she quickly added. "It's just that they had a rough time of it back in high school. But you know, they've come a long way. I think I learned more about them in the past fifteen minutes than I ever did in school."

She took a bite of her salad and set her fork down to pick up her water. After taking a sip she added, "They're both still in college. Lucy is doing something with disease control and Lenny is into nuclear physics. Whatever that is," she laughed.

They resumed their meal and groaned when Brooks shared a story about his stepmother's toothbrush, a camera and his then teenage butthole.

"That is disgusting," Christy said, but she couldn't help but laugh at how Brooks took revenge on the woman that used to beat him as a child. Besides, it was mild compared to what she knew he was now capable of. "And, I think I'm done with dinner," she added, laying her fork down.

"I think we all are," Anthony added as he signaled the waitress for their check. Brooks excused himself to use the restroom.

Lucy Renquest washed and dried her hands. She checked herself out in the restroom mirror and wondered what her life would've been like if she’d had Christy Chapman's looks. Christy was one of the few kids at school who wasn't mean to her or Lenny. Christy had been quiet and reserved, but not cruel like the others. Lucy was more than flattered when Christy not only approached their table, but took the time to sit with them and talk. She seemed genuinely interested in their lives and Lucy couldn't help but wish that someone from their old high school would happen upon the three of them. She wanted to be seen with one of the cool kids. Just once in her life, she wanted to feel important and popular. She had no way of knowing that Christy Chapman had been lonelier than her back then. She was completely taken aback when Christy confessed that she had no real friends in high school. At least Lucy had her twin, Lenny. She let out a sigh when she thought of her brother. His puppy dog eyes kept passing over Christy during their entire conversation. He was smitten with her in high school and it was obvious that he still carried a torch. Her brother was as unremarkable in the looks department as she was.

Still staring into the mirror, she took in her mousy appearance. Her brown eyes were way too big for her face and her thick glasses only magnified them. She thought of those alien pictures she'd seen and couldn't help but compare herself to them. She had a wide forehead, limp brown hair that hung to her shoulders and huge glasses that always slipped down to the end of her nose. She was tall, lanky, underweight and so pale, she could easily be cast as an extra in a vampire movie. She picked up her purse and left the restroom. She collided in the hallway with a busboy and the impact sent her sprawling. Her purse flew open and most of its contents were scattered across the floor.

She started to apologize while simultaneously trying to gather her belongings when she heard a voice say with a snicker, "Well, well, well. If it isn't the uglier half of the Renquest incest twins. If your homely self hasn't found anybody to relieve you of your virginity by now, I'd be glad to do it. Unless, of course, your brother already took care of that for you."

She'd recognize that voice anywhere. Artie Kane was one of the worst bullies she and Lenny had faced back in high school. Why? Why did he have to be here and ruin the high she was still feeling from talking to Christy Chapman? She started to stand and reluctantly met his eyes. He stood there smugly holding the empty tub he'd been carrying to bus tables.

He slowly perused her from head to toe and sneered, "You know what, on second thought, I wouldn't want to infect my di—"

Artie’s eyes widened as his words stopped abruptly. He was staring over Lucy's shoulder and started to stammer.

"I think you owe Miss Lucy an apology," came a deep voice from behind her.

She twirled around and gasped when she saw the man that must've come out of the restroom and walked up behind her during her altercation with Artie. He was one of the men that had been sitting at Christy's table. How did he know her name? Christy must've mentioned it. He gently pushed Lucy to the side and roughly grabbed Artie by his right arm. Without looking at her, the huge biker said, "Stand guard outside the men's room. If anybody tries to use it, make up an excuse as to why they can't come inside."

Lucy was at a loss for words. All she could manage was a nod. It seemed like time was grinding to a halt as she watched Artie drop his empty dish tub on the floor as he was roughly dragged by the big man into the men's room. She stood in front of the door and prayed she wouldn't have to lie to anybody that needed to go in. She started to tremble when she heard Artie's muffled cries. Not much time had passed when the door opened, and she quickly turned around to see the big man exiting the restroom, adjusting his zipper. Before the door closed behind him, she thought she saw Artie on the floor, lying in the fetal position with his pants around his ankles.

"I'm Jonas Brooks and I know you're a friend of Christy's. If anybody ever tries to bother you again, you come find me." Unless I find you first, Lucy Renquest, he thought. He could tell by her expression that she didn't remember him. And why would she? It'd been years and he'd never shared his name before, plus he’d gained at least fifty pounds, given up shaving his head and acquired facial tattoos.

She stared up at him, her eyes wider than saucers, her glasses magnifying them. She was surprised, but didn't flinch when he softly caressed her cheek with the back of his calloused hand. "You remind me of someone I used to know," he said before adding where she could find him, "Brooks’ Bait & Tackle on the southeast corner of Thomasson Drive and Kelly Road."

"Th-th-thank you," she barely whispered. "For helping me."

He gave her a look that sent fear coursing through her veins. But not the kind of fear that frightened her. This fear was new and stimulating. Like she’d stuck her finger in a light socket and instead of fearing for her life, she felt more alive than ever before. His smoldering eyes and the fact that she liked the way he was looking at her caused her to shiver. He had an animal lust that pierced her conscience. She'd never felt anything like it. Her knees suddenly felt weak.

Brooks saw his reflection in her glasses. It was all he could do not to drag her outside to his motorcycle and take her with him.

"Wh-what did you do to him?" she asked. Her voice came out hoarse.

"I relieved him of his virginity," he answered evenly.

Anthony and Christy arrived home, and after showering together they settled on the couch with a big bowl of popcorn.

"Did you think that Brooks was staring at Lucy a lot?" she asked as she changed the channel to the local news station. They'd finished watching a movie and their bowl was empty.

"No," Anthony replied.

"Do you think it was weird that he went to the bathroom after I saw her walk that way?"

"No," Anthony once again replied. "But I did notice that he drank five huge glasses of water during dinner. Brooks is like a camel. I would’ve been surprised if he didn't have to take a leak."

Suddenly, Christy shot straight up and pointed at the television. She had a hard time finding the words.

"It's...it's..." she stammered.

They were watching a news clip with Dr. Veronique Dubois’s picture. Smiling, Anthony grabbed the remote and turned it up. The newscaster was saying that the beautiful surgeon was accused of embezzling hospital funds. They'd traced a substantial amount of money to a bank account in Bermuda.

Christy looked over at Anthony and saw him smiling. "Did you do this?" she asked.

"No," he answered matter-of-factly. "But I know the right people who did it for me. It's part one of my retaliation for what she did to you."

"Anthony, what if she tells them about you? What if she tells them that she wronged you and that you're setting her up?" Christy’s voice was worried.

"It'll never happen. Veronique is a narcissist. She would never elude to a connection with a criminal. Her reputation is everything to her. I've never met a more self-serving person in my life," he said, his eyes fixed on the television. He glanced over at her then. "Other than your stepfather. They both should spend the rest of their lives in the same prison cell. But even that is too good for what I have planned for them. Starting with Veronique."

"I hate you! I hate you, Anthony Bear!"

"Not as much as you'll hate me five minutes from now."

"You are so going to pay for this," Veronique sneered.

Anthony had been crouched down beside her. He stood and looked at X who'd been standing off to the side, his arms crossed over his chest.

"You hear that, X? Dr. V thinks she's actually going to still be alive when I'm finished with her."

Alexander gave a long slow smile and looked down at the woman whose hands and feet were tied to posts. She was stretched as far as her body would allow without pulling her limbs from their sockets. The sun beat down on the threesome. The South Florida Everglades heat was as harsh and unrelenting as her circumstances, yet her eyes showed no fear. Only defiance. She still thinks there's a way out, Alexander thought.

"Go ahead. What are you waiting for?" she spat. "Rape me! Do it!"

Anthony threw his head back and laughed. "Rape you? I can barely stand to look at you. Why do you think you're still wearing your bra and panties? The thought of your naked body disgusts me, Veronique."

He watched as she momentarily looked surprised, but she quickly regained her composure. Impressive, considering her circumstances, he thought.

"I told them. I told them about you," she sneered. "The cops will be beating down your door when they figure out how you set me up for that embezzlement rap. And you know they'll tear your camp apart looking for me if I disappear."

Anthony pulled a huge knife from his belt and played with the edge of it as he answered her. "No, you didn't, and no, they won't." Without missing a beat, he asked, "Who is Ben Diamond?" He didn't bother to explain he had more than one contact in law enforcement who was able to verify that his name or camp had never been mentioned by Veronique during her interrogation. He'd had X and Brooks wait for the perfect opportunity to abduct her after she'd been released on bail. And it was all arranged to look like Dr. Dubois had skipped town rather than face prison time. Her disappearance would never be traced back to him or his crew.

She looked momentarily confused and he noticed when recognition dawned in her eyes. "He came into my ER for a cut on his hand. He's who you're after. He's the one who told me about you and your silly little girl whore."

"Go on," Anthony told her. "You tell me how to find Ben Diamond and it might save your life."

After Veronique told Anthony everything she could remember about the elusive Mr. Diamond, she sighed and said, "Can we end this now? Can you please untie me?"

He crouched beside her. "Silly little girl,” he tossed back at her, “I'm only getting warmed up."

He started with her thigh and didn't even flinch when she let out a blood-curdling scream. He held up the long piece of skin he'd peeled away and said, "If you're going to scream every time, I might have to have X gag you."

The reality that she was going to die a slow and excruciating death caused her to break out in sobs and apologies. They fell on deaf ears. He easily peeled off another long sliver of skin when he thought about finding Andrew on top of a nude Christy that night at his camp.

"The only way this will end is when you beg me for your death," he told her, his voice void of emotion. "And when you do, X will light you up and feed what's left of you to the gators. They aren't so picky that they'd refuse some barbecue." He nodded toward a jug of gasoline that was sitting next to where X was standing.

A flock of birds fluttered away after her next scream. Alexander had dragged her so far out, Veronique knew there was no chance of being heard, let alone rescued. She was going to die in the middle of the Everglades and be fed to the alligators. Her friends and family would believe that she'd fled after being released on bail. Her family would be shamed. And all because she was jealous of a woman.

Anthony took his time peeling away the next piece of skin. This time from the underside of her armpit to the inside of her elbow. Her crying was so heavy she started to choke on her own phlegm and Anthony thought she might throw up. He hoped not. He didn't want her to die choking on vomit. That was too merciful as far as he was concerned.

Veronique managed to endure several more visits from Anthony's knife. She was becoming delirious with pain. Even the sun taunted her open wounds. "Kill me," she moaned.

"That doesn't sound like begging. Oh, and I forgot. You need to tell me that you're sorry for what you did to my woman and that you wish us nothing but the best."

"Please, please, end this," she cried.

"And?" he asked, his tone mocking.

"And, I'm sorry for what I did to...to..." Even in her ominous situation and debilitating pain, she could barely bring herself to utter the next words. "To your woman."

"My wife," he interrupted and took satisfaction in the anger he saw reflected in her eyes. Despite her dire state of affairs, Veronique still couldn't disguise her hatred for Christy.

"I'm sorry for what I did to your wife...and I wish you both the best. Now please, please end this!"

Anthony stood up and nodded at X who proceeded to douse her with gasoline. The liquid seeping into her exposed wounds caused more hair-raising screams.

Anthony lit a match and right before he dropped it, Veronique said in barely a whisper, "I never loved anyone but you, Anthony."

“You never loved anyone but yourself, Veronique,” he said dryly.

“No. No. You’re wrong,” she countered, shaking her head from side to side. “I was in love with you.” The last comment came out as a sob.

"Then you loved the wrong man, Veronique."

Anthony dropped the match an instant after he noticed she'd lost consciousness. A feeling descended on him he didn't recognize. He didn't know how to identify it and wasn't sure if he wanted to. A voice inside his head taunted him, telling him that he'd purposely withheld the flame until Veronique passed out, sparing her the agonizing moments of fire meeting her exposed flesh. The truth came to him instantly. For the first time in his life, he'd shown mercy to someone who'd wronged him, or in this case, wronged someone he loved. He shook his head at the revelation and headed back to camp leaving X to clean up the evidence.