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BestLaidPlans
STYLOFANTÔME
PublishedbyBattleAxeProductions
Copyright©2015StyloFantôme
CritiquePartner:RatulaRoy
EditingAides:
BarbaraShaneHooverRatulaRoy
CoverDesign
NajlaQamberDesignshttp://najlaqamberdesigns.com/
Copyright©2015
Thisebookislicensedforyourpersonalenjoyment
only.Itisthecopyrightedproperty
oftheauthor,andmaynotbereproduced,
copied,re-sold,orre-distributed.
Ifyou'rereadingthisebookanddidnotpurchaseit,
oritwasnotpurchasedforyouruseonly,
thenthiscopymustbedestroyed.
Pleasepurchaseacopyforyourselffromalicensed
seller.Thankyouforrespectingthehardworkofthisauthor.
MISSION
STATEMENTInotonlywrite,Iread.A
lot.Probablymorethanishealthy.TherearealotofthingsIloveaboutself-publishing/indieauthors,andalotofthingsI'mnotafanof.Justpersonalpreferences,
nodisrespectmeant.SowhenIdecidedtoself-publish,ImadesomepromisestomyselftotrymyhardesttoavoiddoingthosethingsIdidn'tlikeseeing/happeninginotherstories.NowIwouldliketomakethosepromisestoyou,thereader:
Ipromisetoneverleave
youhanging.IfIwriteastorywithacliffhangerending,Iwillonlypublishitwhenthe
secondpartiscompletelywritten.
Ipromisethatall
cliffhangersequelswillbepublishedwithin16weeks–maximum–ofthepreviouspart(i.e.,parttwowillcomewithinfourmonthsofpartone.Partthreewillcomewithinfourmonthsofparttwo,andsoon,andsoforth).Youwillneverhavetowaitsixmonths,orayear,or
years,forasequeltoanycliffhangersthatImightwrite.
Ipromisethat,whileI
amanunsignedindieauthor,Iwillneverraisethepriceofanypartofaseriesabove$2.99.Iwillnot“hookyou”withbookone,two,andthreeat$1.99and/or$2.99,andthensuddenlybookfouris$4.99.Irefusetopayforseriesthatarelikethat,soI
willneverdothattoyou.IpromisethatifIam
luckyenoughandblessedenoughtohavefans,Iwillinteractandcommunicatewiththemasmuchaspossible–youarewhothisisallfor,afterall.
Ifatanypointintime,I
failtoliveuptoanyofthesepromises,youhavemypermissiontotarandfeather
me,beatme,leavemefordead,orworstofall–callmeout.
Noworkiseverreallycompleted,nostoryevercompletelytold,butIwillalwaystrymyhardesttobringyoumybest.
Thankyouforreading.
DEDICATIONForR
MandKandDallbelongtoyou
AUTHOR'S
NOTEEverylocationinthe
followingstoryisreal.Everyhotel,landmark,border,neighborhood,etc.;theyareallbasedonareallocationthatactuallyexits.Customsandholidaysandhazards
wereallresearched.Thatbeingsaid,creative
licensewastakenoccasionally,asadriveacrosswesternAfricawouldbevirtuallyimpossibleinreallife–geographicallyaswellasit'ssimplytoodangerous.TheU.S.DepartmentofStateadvisesusingextremecautionwhentravelingthroughthatpartoftheworld,andtheU.N.haslistedmanyofthecitiesmentionedasextremely
dangerous.
BestLaidPlansTheMercenaries#1
LILYSixdays.Sixdays.Only
sixmoredays.LilianaBrewster
unloadedherGlock22.Rackedtheslideanddischargedthebulletfromthechamber.Disassembledthegun.Tookadeepbreath.Putitallbacktogetheragain,asquicklyaspossible.
SixmoredaysandIneverhavetodothisagain.
Sixmoredays.Sixmoredays.
MARCThreedays.Threedays.
Onlythreemoredays.MarcelleDeSanthopped
fromfoottofoot,punchingtheweightbagharder.Ashardashecould.
ThreemoredaysandIcangetthefuckoutofthiscountry.
Threemoredays.Three
moredays.
DAYZEROMarcsmiledtohimself
ashestrappedashinplateontohisrightleg.Hecouldalwayssmellherbeforehesawher.Foralmostamonth,thataromahadbeentemptinghim.Tormentinghim.Itwasfaint,thescentcouldbelingeringfromamomentearlierintheday,buthe
didn'tthinkso.Hethoughtshewassomewherecloseby,andgettingcloser.
Sureenough,amomentlaterandsomeonewalkedintotheroom.
“Hey!Ididn'tknowyouwerehere.”
Lily.Funny,becauseshedidn'tsmelllikehernamesake–shesmelledlikelavender.Notperfume,though.Maybelotion?Itwascalming,andmadeherstand
out.Theywereinahellhole,oneoftheworstcitiesintheworld,andherewasanauburngoddesswithrosyskinandalavenderscent.
Atleastshebrightenedupthescenery.
“Yeah,”Marcanswered,standinguprightandpullingonhisflakjacket.“Justsuitingup.”
“Oh,that'sright,tonight'sthenight,”shereplied.Shemovedaroundtohisside,
tighteningthestrapsonthevestforhim.
“Thenight.Andyouleavetomorrow?”heasked,thoughitwasn'tnecessary.Heknewfullwellshewasleavinginthemorning.TheyhadspentenoughtimetogetheroverthepastmonthtoknowtherolestheyeachhadinthelittleschemetheRussianStankovskiBratvahadgoing.Still,heasked,justtohearherspeak.Marcwas
normallyaloner,butovertheweeks,he'dgrowntoenjoyhercompany.Hehatedtoadmitit,buthewouldmissher.
“Yup.Brightandearly.Withoutmeridingyourass,lifeisgonnabeprettyboring,”sheteased,readinghismind.
“Lifeisgoingtobesweet.Thistimetomorrow,I'llbevacationingoffthecoastofGreece,sleepingmy
waythroughthewomenofSantorini,”hesigheddramatically.Sheyankedhardonastrapandhewheezed.
“Well,trynottoletthesyphiliseattoomuchofyourbrain.What'sleftofit,thatis.”
Withhisvestinplace,shecamebackaroundtohisfrontandwatchedhimasheloadeduptherestofhisgear.Thighholsters,shoulder
holster,ankleholster;prettymuchanywherehecouldhangagun,therewasaholster.Whenheglancedather,shehadhereyebrowsraisedinsurprise.
“What?”helookedhimselfover,lookingtoseeifhe'dmissedanything.
“That'salotofgear,”shecommented.
“Canneverbetoocareful.Idon'tfeellikedyingtonight.”
“Whyareyougettingreadyhere,anyway?Don'tyouhaveahome?”shepointedout.Hesnorted.
“Sweetheart,thejobstartshereandendshere.Idon'twantanyonefollowingmebacktomyplace–noteventhesefuckers.Idon'tletanyoneseewhereIsleep,”Marcstressed.Shepoutedherlips.
“Pity.”“Why?”
Shesteppedupclosetohim,standingonhertiptoessohermouthwasnearhisear.
“BecauseI'dlovetoseewhereyousleep.”
BeforeMarccouldrespond,couldevenprocesswhatshe'dsaid,therewasaknockatthedoor,andtheybothturnedtowardsit.Alargemaninablackblazerandblackturtleneckcameintotheroom.
“Itistime,”wasallhesaid,hisRussianaccentthick.MarcturnedbacktoLilyandwinked.
“Gottago.Takeiteasyoutthere,don'tbreaktoomanyhearts,”hecautionedher.Sherolledhereyes.
“I'lltrymybest.Don'tgetshotoutthere.”
“I'lltrymybest.”Marcwashalfwayout
thedoorwhenhestopped.Lookedbackintotheroom.
Lilywasbentinhalf,pickingupsomeofthestuffhe'dleftonthefloor.Hedidn'tknowher,notreally.MarchadbeenhiredbyaRussianMafiagroup,orBratva,toexecuteaheist.Averypeculiarheist,nothisnormalgig,buthelikedachallenge.
HeusuallyworkedtheEU,easternEurope,andRussia,sogettingacalltoMoscowhadn'tbeenunusual.MeetingwiththePakhan,or
“Godfather”asitwere,wasalsonotunusual–hehadmetthemanseveraltimesoverthecourseofhisyearsworkingwiththatparticulargroup.No,itwastherequestitselfthatwasunusual.
StealdiamondsfromLiberia.
TheblooddiamondbusinesswasboominginAfrica,andeveryonewantedinontheaction.ButAfricawasadangerousplace,
particularlytheplacesthediamondswerecomingoutof;havingBratvasafehousesdoingdirtydeedsinLiberiawasalreadypushingtheenvelope.StealingfromaLiberiangang?Thatwouldbeinvitingwar.EveryRussianinLiberiawouldhavetofearfortheirlives.
That'swhereMarccameintothepicture.Stealthediamonds.Makesureitwasimpossibletotracethetheft
backtothesafehouseortheBratva.GivethediamondstotheBrigadier,themanwhooperatedunderdirectordersfromthebigbossbackinMoscow.Getpaid.GetthefuckoutofAfrica.
Simple.ButashewatchedLily
move,Marcknewitwasn'tsimple.Therewasaveryrealpossibilityhecoulddielaterinthenight,andLilycouldverywelldiethenextday.
She'dshownupinLiberiaacoupledaysafterMarchadarrived.He'dbeenwalkingacrossthelargebackyardjustasshewasbroughtthrough,andithadbeenlikeseeingthesunafterbeingintherainfortoolong.American–hehadn'tspokentoanotherAmericaninlongerthanhecouldremember.Abeautiful,intelligentwoman–hadprobablybeenevenlongersincehe'dtalkedto
oneofthose.Whowasshe?He'dfiguredeitherahighendescort,oranundercoverCIAagent.
Sheturnedouttobeneither.Shewasatransporter,andthediamondshewasgoingtosteal,shewasgoingtosmugglethemoutofAfrica.HowagorgeousredheadfromClevelandbecameatransporterforaBratva,inMonrovia,Liberiaofallplaces,Marchadno
clue.Andsheneverexplainedit.Tohavegottenthere,shemusthavebeengoodatherjob,sohe'dneverquestionedit.
TwoAmericans,workingforaBratvainMonrovia,theywereboundtorunintoeachother.Hewassmartandfunny,shewassmartandfunny,theygotalong.Shewasgoodlooking,hewasgoodlooking,theyflirted.Theyneveroncesaweach
otheroutsideofthesafehouse,andtheyneversharedanyexplicitinfoabouttheirindividualjobs.
Buttheychattedandtheyflirtedandtheydancedaroundeachother.Becamefriends.Helikedher,hesupposed.Hedidn'tlikemanypeople.
“...I'dlovetoseewhereyousleep.”
Marcwalkedbackacrosstheroom.Lilystoodupright
andsmiledathim,evenstartedtosaysomething.Buthedidn'tgiveherachance.Hegrabbedherbythebackofherheadandpulledherinforakiss.
Lilywasapistol,hehalfwayexpectedhertokickhiminthenuts.Oneofthebodyguardsinthehousehadmadethemistakeofgrabbingherassrightaftershe'dgottenthere.She'dbrokenhiswristandthreeofhisfingers.
Luckily,shedidn'tdothattoMarc.Shegrabbedthestrapsofhisvestandyankedhimevencloser,slidinghertongueintohismouthbeforehecouldmakethatmovefirst.Theystumbledbackwards,fallingintoawall.Shemoanedandhefeltherteethagainsthisbottomlip,anditjustabouthadhimstrippingallhisgearbackoff.
“Youwaittillnowtomakeamove!?”shepanted
whenhepulledaway.“Iliketoleavepeople
wantingmore.Takecareofyourself,”hereplied,brushinghisthumbacrossherlips.Shewenttorespond,butheturnedandwalkedawayagain,thistimeforgood.
Nosenseingettingmoreattachedthanhealreadywas;afterthatnight,he'dprobablyneverseeheragain.
DAYZEROLilysatinananteroom
ofsorts,chewingattheedgeofherthumbnail.She'dneverbeeninthesafehousethatlateatnightbefore;usuallyafternightfall,shelikedtobesafelytuckedawayinherhotelroom,behindsecuregatesandkeyedentriesandmultipledeadbolts.
Shedidn'tliketobeintheBratva'shouse,period,butespeciallynotatnight.Someofthemendidn'tseemtounderstandthatnotallwomenwerehookers,theresolelyfortheirpleasureandentertainment.Shecouldhandleoneortwobyherself,butnotawholehouse,notonherown,andshedidn'ttrusttheBrigadier–OlegIvanovwasn'texactlyknownforbeingawarm,fuzzykindof
guy.WhythefuckamIhere!?Therewasacommotion
outsideoftheroom,andsheturnedtowardsadoortoherleft.Itledtoahallway.ThedoortoherrightledintoIvanov'soffice.She'donlybeeninthereonce,onherfirstday.Shehadn'texpectedtoevercomebacktoit.
Thecommotiongotlouder,andsuddenlythedoorburstopen.Shejumpedinher
seat,andwasshockedtoseeaparadeofmenstormingthroughtheroom.Ivanovwasleadingtheway,waddlingtohisdoor,keysinhishand.Severalbykitrailedthroughthedoor.Bodyguards.Dumberthanrocks,butloyalbeyondbelief.TheywoulddiebeforetheyletanyharmcometoIvanov.
BetweenthebykiandIvanovwasMarc.Lilywassurprised.Shereallyhadn't
expectedtoseehimagain,either.Whenhe'dkissedherfivehoursearlier,she'dfiguredthatwasgoodbye.
Buttherehewas.Hewassoakingwet,andmuddy.Bloodcoatedthesideofhisrightarm,trailingoutfromunderneathhisblackt-shirtsleeve.Mostofhisgunholsterswereempty.Hewasbreathinghard,andhelookedpissed–she'dneverseenhimthatway,before.Neverseen
himworking.Hewasusuallyflirtyandsmileywithher,buttherewasnohintofthatmananymore.Heglancedatheronce,theireyesconnectingforasecond,buthedidn'tsayanything.JustfollowedIvanovthroughtheofficedoor.Thebykifollowed,andsoonenough,Lilywasaloneagain.
Whathappened?Didhegetthediamonds?Isthisit?WhyamIhere?Whatthe
fuckisgoingon!?
DAYZEROMarcranhisfingers
throughhishair,shakingawaythewetness.WhenhethoughtofAfrica,hethoughtofdesert.Liberiawasinthesavanna.Hefeltlikehewaslivinginasauna.
“Anyonefollowyou?”“Please.I'mlikeaghost.
Let'shurrythisup,”Marc
snappedatIvanov.“DeSant,alwaysso
impatient,”theothermanchuckled.
Marcwasn'tactuallyamemberofthatBratva,oranyBratva,inanyway,buthehadbeenhiredbythePakhanforlotsofjobs,sohe'dbecomeaccustomedtoworkingaroundtheirorganization.Buthe'dneverworkedaroundIvanovbefore,andafterthisjob,he
neverwouldagain.Hedidnotcareforthe
weasellylittleguy.“Youwerelate,”Ivanov
waswagginghisfinger,butsmiling,likeaproudparentwholikedtotease.Marcfrowned.
“Yeah,theywerealittlemoretenaciousthanIthoughttheywouldbe¸Ihadtousesomeinterestingevasivemaneuvers,”Marcexplained.
“Tenacious?Wereyou
followed?DeSant,iftheyfollowedyou-”Ivanovstartedtoturnred.
“Noonefollowedme,”Marcstressed.
“Good,good,good,verygood.Isverygood.Letmesee,letmesee!”Ivanovurged,wavinghishand¸motioningforMarctocomeforward.
Ittookafewminutestounstraphisgearbagfromhisback,andthentodigoutthe
largevelvetbaggiefromthebottomofit,buteventually,aseaofglisteningstoneswasspreadoutacrossalargewoodendesk.WhileIvanovinspectedthegoods,Marclethiseyeswanderaroundtheroom,takinginthefadedwallpaperandpeelingceilingpaint.Themapsthatseemedtobeeverywhere,andthecatsthatwerelounginguponthem.
“It'sallthere.Inever
openedthepackage,”Marcassuredhim,keepinghisvoiceloudenoughfortheothermenintheroomtohear.Ivanovnodded,buthiseyesneverleftthediamonds.
“Yes,yes.Stunning.Absolutelystunning!Theclarity!Youaresurenoonefollowedyou?”
Isthisguyserious?“I'mbeginningtoget
insulted.I'veneverbeenfollowed,andIcertainly
wasn'tfollowedthistime.NowgivemetherestofmyfeesoIcangetoutofthisfuckinghellhole,”Marcspitout.
“Ofcourse,ofcourse.Lev!”Ivanovsnappedhisfingers.Alargemanlumberedawayfromthegroupatthebackoftheroom,holdingoutasmalldufflebag.Marctookit,andwasalittlesurprisedatitsweight.
“What'sthis?”heasked.
Ivanovstillhadn'tlookedawayfromthediamonds.
“Bonus.Youdosuchgoodwork,DeSant.Noonecouldhavedonethisasgoodasyou.Asquietasyou.Perfectwork.Bigbonusforyou.Please,enjoy.Takeavacation!Youhavemostdefinitelyearnedit,”Ivanovexplained.
Marcwasinstantlyonalert.Inallhisyearsofdoingmercenarywork,hehad
neverbeengivenabonusthathadn'tbeendiscussedinadvance.Criminalsweren'tusuallybigonpartingwiththeirmoney–sometimespaymentalonehadtobetakenbyforce.Hewascertainlyneverjusthandedextramoney.
Untilthatmoment.Sure,itwasthebiggest
diamondheistofMarc'snefariouscareer,andpossiblyinthatBratva'shistory,but
still.Criminalswerecriminals.
Somethingisvery,verywrong.
“Weneverdiscussedabonus.Ididn'tdoanythingextratoearnit.Juststandardprotocol,”Marcputoutthere.Ivanovwavedhimaway.
“Yougotdiamonds.Youdidn'tleadthembacktous.Isgoodenoughreason.Go,go,gonow,enjoy,Marcelle.Foronceinyourmiserablelife,
enjoysomething!”Marcpausedforasecond
longer,butthewholesituationmadehimsogoddamneduncomfortable.Hejustwantedtogetoutofthere.Hegaveacurtsmile,noddedhisheadatIvanov,thenstartedelbowinghiswaythroughthebodyguards.
Hejustwantedtogetaway.Wantedtogohomeandcounthismoney.Shower.Decompress.And
thengetasfarawayfromLiberiaasfuckingpossible.Asquicklyasfuckingpossible.
Butwhenhesteppedoutoftheroom,itwastofindLilysittingintheanteroom.He'dforgottenabouther.Thelastfivehourshadbeenanadrenalinerideonarollercoasterinhell.He'dbeenshot,he'dbeenchased,he'dsprintedfornolessthanamile–hewastired.Beyond
tired.Hewasdirty,hewasangry,andhewasconfusedbyIvanov's“bonus”.Andnowtheredheadedgoddessherselfwaslookingupathimwithherbiggreeneyes,allwideandconfusedlooking.
Goddamn,she'sgorgeous.
“Whatareyoudoinghere?”
Theybothspokeinunison.
“Ivanovaskedmefora
meeting,butheseemstohaveforgotten.Yourentrancewasalittle…dramatic,”Lilyansweredfirst.
“Youthink?Goodthingyouweren'tdownstairs,then,”hereplied.
“Why?”“BecauseIbrokeina
backdoorandwhenoneofthoseidiotstriedtostopme,Ibeathimunconsciouswithmygun.”
Shedidn'tevenblink.
Ishouldmarrythisgirl.“Nice.You'rebleeding,”
shepointedout.“Iknow.Justagraze.”Wasitgettinghotinthe
anteroom?Hefeltwarm.“Itcouldneedstitches.”“Itdoesn't.”“Abandage?”“Probably.”“Icouldbandageitfor
you.”Andenergy.Itwaslike
therewasanincredible
amountofenergyintheroom.Sparking.Causingtension.Anunavoidableexplosion.
Iwanttodevourher.“Youstillleaving
tomorrow?”hebarkedout,steppingupclosetoher.Shestoodupandnodded.
“AsfarasIknow.”“Goasfastasyoucan.
TheshitIsawtonight…I'veseensomefuckedupstuffinmylife,but…goddamn.
Liberiangangsdon'tfuckaround,theymaketheseguyslookliketamelittlekittens,”Marcgesturedtothehouse.
“SoI'vegathered.I'msettoleaveatsix-thirty.Iwon'tlookback,”sheassuredhim.
“Good.Afteryou'redonehere,meetmeatthebardownthestreet,”hetoldher.
Forthefirsttime,shelookedcaughtoffguardbyhim.
“Excuseme?”
“Bar.Downthestreet.Neonsign.Bethereinanhour,”heinstructed.
“Why?”“BecauseI'mgoingtobe
there.”Hewatchedablushrise
inhercheeks.Shewassofair.MuchtoopuretobeinaplacelikeMonrovia,Liberia.
“Doyouthinkthat's-”shebegantocounter.Hecoveredtherestofthedistancebetweenthem,
pressinghischesttohers.“Itwasn'taquestion,”he
growled.Shelickedherlipsandnodded,herfingersraisingtotoywiththestrapsonhisvest.
“Okay.Okay,Marc.I'llbethere.Onehour,”shebreathed.
Hecouldn'tresist.Shewastoosexy.Hewastooampedup.Heloweredhismouthtokissheragain,butthedoorbehindhimsuddenly
opened.“Ohmy.Iam
interrupting?”Marcturnedhisheadto
theside,actuallygrowlingalittle.Ivanovstoodinthedoorway,staringatthem.Heeyeballedthemcarefully.
“Onehour,”MarcsaidtoLily.Shenodded.
“Ididnotknowyoutwoweresuchgoodfriends,”Ivanovcommentedinasnidevoice.
Marcdidn'tsayaword.Thecontractwascompleted,heowednothingtothatBratvaanymore,owednorespecttothatman.Heglaredonemoretime,thenwalkedoutoftheroom.
Whatafuckedupnight.
DAYZEROAsMarcwalkedoutof
theroom,LilyturnedbacktoIvanov.
“Youwantedtotalktome?”sheasked.Shefeltshortofbreath.Marchadneverhadthateffectonherbefore,butsincehe'dkissedherearlier,shefeltlikeshehadn'tbeenabletocatchherbreathonce.
Focus,Liliana.Eyesontheprize.Justbecauseyouhaven'thadsexinalmostayeardoesn'tmeananything.Justbecausethesexiestguyyou'veevermetclearlywantstobangyousevenwaystoSundaydoesn'tmeananything.
“YouandMarcelleareverygoodfriends,yes?”Ivanovinquired.Lilyshrugged.
“Notreally.”
“Justnowyoulookedlikeverygoodfriends.”
“Welookedliketwopeoplewhowanttohavesexwitheachother,that'sit,”shewasblunt.“Whatdoyouwant?”Ivanovheavedabiglaugh.
“Iloveyourmouth,Liliana!Iwillmissit,”hesighed.
“Look,I'mgoing.I'llbebackinthemorning,”shesnapped,makingamoveto
leave.“Liliana!”Sheturnedback.“Youwillnotcomehere
tomorrow,”heinformedher.Sheraisedhereyebrowsinsurprise.“Wewillcometoyouwithgoodsandsupplies.Stayinyourhotel.Donotopendoorforanyone.Notanyonebutme.Doyouunderstand?”
Shewasshocked.Asfarassheknew,Ivanovnever
leftthesafehouse.Butshedidn'tquestionit.Itwastoobigajobandshe'dbeenplanningfortoolongtomessanythingup.
“Iunderstand.Noone.”“Alright.Iwillbeatyour
door,at0600hours,”heremindedher.
“0600.”“Thankyou.”Lilyhurriedoutofthe
anteroom,thenboltedthroughthehouse.Hertalk
withIvanovhadn'tlastedverylongandthehousewaslarge,Marccouldstillbeinit.Shedashedthroughhallways,pushedherwaythrougharowdycrowdofprostitutes.Whenshefinallygotoutside,shecouldseehim,buthewasprettyfaraway.Atinyfigureattheveryendofthestreet,adufflebagswingingathisside.
Shechewedonherlip.Itwasstupid.Shehada
mission,somethingshehadtodo.Somethingsheneededtodo.Somethingshehadbeenplanningforfiveyears.Shecouldn'triskruiningitallbychasingafteraboy.Shecouldn't...
“Hey!Openthegate!”shestartedshouting,turningtothegateddrivewaythatsatnexttothesafehouse.
Somethingabouthim.Forfiveyears,she'dfocusedonlyonhergoal.Mendidn't
evenenterthepicture,shewasn'tlooking,atall.Sexwasaweapon,tobeusedjustasquicklyandreadilyasshewoulduseagun.AwomanfromAmericadidn'tgettobeatransporterforOlegIvanovovernight.She'dhadtoclimbandcrawlandclawherwaytothatposition.She'dhadtodosomethingsshewasn'texactlyproudof.
Maybeitwastimetorewardherself.
Sheslidbehindthewheelandturnedtheengine.Thecarshe'dbeengiven,theoneshe'dbeendrivingaroundLiberiaforamonth,wasa1977Mercedes.Alittlebeatuplooking,alittlerougharoundtheedges,ithadclearlyhadatoughlife.Butitgotthejobdone,andreally,theworseitlooked,thebetter.Shedidn'tneedanyextraattention,consideringwhatshe'dbemovingina
couplehours.BythetimeLilypulled
outontothestreet,hewasoutofsight.Shegottowhereshe'dlastseenhim,anditturnedouttobeacrossstreet.Again,shecouldmakeouthisforminthedistance.He'dtakenaleft,andshefollowed,butbeforeshegothalfwaydownthestreet,hetookanotherleft.Whenshegottothatstreet,he'ddisappeared.
MaybehethoughtIwas
oneofthegangmembers,followinghim?
Therewasaboardinghouseofsorts,towardstheendoftheblock,andLilyfigureditwasherbestbet.Shewassurprisedthathewasstayingsoclosetothesafehouse,butthenagain,maybethathadbeentheidea.AnyonelookingforhimandguessinghewasworkingwiththeBratvawouldneverthinktolooksoclose.She
parkedthecarandhurriedasshewentintothelargebuilding.
“Hello?”shecalledintoanentryway.Itlookedlikesomeone'shome.Therewereamultitudeofpeopleloungingaboutthelivingroom,allofthemwatchinganoldblackandwhitetelevision.Withoutlookingawayfromthescreen,anoldwomangotupandwalkedtowardsLily.
“Room?”sheasked,stillwatchingTV.
“No.I'mlookingformyfriend,he-”Lilystarted.
“Thirdfloor,thirdroomonright.Youstaylongerthantwohours,Ichargeextra,”thewomanwarnedher.
“Soundsfairtome.”Lilyslowlymadeher
wayuptohisroom.Shedidn'twanttocomeoffastooeager.They'dbeenplayingcatandmouseforamonth,
undertheassumptionneitherwouldgetcaught.Nowthatitwastimetoeat,shewasn'tquitereadytobethemouse.
Thedoortothethirdroomontherightwasn'tlocked.Shewascautiousassheopenedthedoor,butthefirstthingshesawwastheblackdufflebaghe'dtakenoffwith,followedbytheclothinghe'dbeenwearing.Shemovedintotheroomandshutthedoorbehindher.
Shecouldhearwatersplashingaroundinthebathroom,soshetookhertime,lookingoverthespacehe'dbeenlivinginforthepastmonth.Itwassimple.Aroom.Abedthatwaslittlemorethanacot.Asmalltable.Onesmallchair.Therehadbeenelectricitydownstairs,buttheredidn'tseemtobeanyinhisroom.Threemismatched,stoutcandleswereburningonthe
table,andthoseweretheonlylightsource.
Thesoundofwaterdiminishedtojustagurglingdrain,soshemadeherwaybacktowardsthebathroom.Justasshegraspedtheknob,shefeltitturnfromtheothersideandthedoorstartedtopullaway.Shesmiled.
Samesies.Shelosthersmilethe
samemomentahandwrappedaroundherneck.
Sheletoutashriekasshewasyankedaroundandslammedagainstawall.Thehandwasreplacedbyaforearm,amuchmoreeffectivebodypartforchokingsomeone.Shegrittedherteeth,slappingatthearmthatwasrestrainingher.
“It'sme!It'sme!”Marclookedsurprised.
Andangry.Hebackedoffalittleandshesuckedingaspsofair.Hisforearmmovedto
hercollarbone,stillholdingherinplaceagainstthewall.Sheglaredrightbackathim,resistingtheurgetoplantherkneeinhistesticles.
“Whatthefuckareyoudoinghere!?Howdidyoufindme!?”hedemanded,thenhiseyesdartedaroundtheroom,asifhethoughtshe'dbroughtpeoplewithher.
“Youweren'texactlyhardtofollow,youidiot.Youwalkedhere,”shegrowled.
“IthoughtyouweretalkingwithIvanov.”
“Iwas.Itwasn'taverylongconversation.”
“ItoldyouIdon'tletanyoneknowwhereIsleep,”heremindedher,hisvoicelow.
“Well,Ididn'tcomeherewithanyintentionsofsleeping,sowe'restillgood.”
Thatgotthroughtohimandhefinallysmiledather.Thepressurefromhisarmlet
up,butheleanedmoreofhisbodyagainsther,liningthemupfromthehipsdown.
“Itoldyoutomeetmeatabar,”hepointedout,loweringhisheadtobrushhischeekagainstthesideofhers,thendippingdowntorubagainstherneck.Sheheardasharpinhale,likehewassmellingher.
“SometimesI'mnotverygoodatlistening.”
“Ihavetobeoutofhere
inacouplehours.”“Ionlyneedacouple
hours.”“That'sit?Ihadsuch
highhopesforyou.”Shesnortedandmoved
herhandstohiswaist,yankinghistowelaway.
“AndIhadhighhopesthatyourmouthwouldbegoodforsomethingotherthantalking.Sofar,it'sadisappointment.”
Hislipsmethersina
waythatmadetheirfirstkissseemlikeachurchgreeting.Histonguewaspresentandforcefulinhermouth,hishandsmovingtopressheavilyagainstherbreasts.Shemoaned,revelinginthefeelingofbeingtouched.Ofactuallywantingtobetouched.
Shescratchedhernailsalonghishipsandwenttodipdownbetweenthem,buthewasquickerandhegrabbed
herwrists,slammingherarmsagainstthewallaboveherhead.Shegaspedandautomaticallytriedtoresist,buthejustsqueezedtighter,pushedharder.Catandmousewasover,theroleshadbeenestablished.Ifhedidn'twanthertomove,thenshewasn'tgoingtobeabletomove.
DoesthatmeanI'minthemousetrap?
Helethergo,butonlysohecouldgrabherass,lifting
herofftheground.Shewrappedherlegsaroundhiswaist,toeingoffhershoesashecarriedhertothebed.Shewenttopeeloffhershirt,buthegrabbedherbythehipsandliterallytossedherontothemattress.Shebouncedalittle,andbeforeshecouldgetherbearings,Marcwaskneelingoverher.
“God,doyouhaveanyideahowmanytimesI'vethoughtaboutthis,”he
groaned.Hepulledthebottomofhertanktopawayfromherbody,thenrippeditcleanupthemiddle.Shesatup,helpinghimshovethematerialawayfromhershoulders.
“Ohyeah?Howmanytimes?”shewhispered,leaningcloseandsuckingonhisearlobe.
“Allthetime.”“Inthisbed?”“Yeah.”
“Mmmm,youpicturedthis?”
“Yeah.”“Didyouever-”“Stoptalking.”Hedidn'tripherpants
likehershirt,buthedidn'twasteanytimewhenhepulledthemfreefromherbody,either.Thenhelickedandnibbledhiswayuptheinsidesofherthighs.Whenhegottoherpantieshedidn'tbotherwiththematall,just
pressedhistongueagainsthercenter,ashardashecould.
“Ooohhh,wow,”shebreathedout,combingherfingersthroughhishairwhilehereyesrolledback.
Realitywastooreal.Ornotrealenough.Shecouldneverbesureanymore.Livingalieforfiveyears,itallgotconfusing.Lifewasshit.Thisfeltlikeheaven.Shedidn'tcarethattomorrowmeantwar.Rightnow,she
wasinalittlepieceofoblivion.That'sallsheneeded.
Thefrictionofthelaceagainstherslicknesswasalmosttoomuch.Histonguehadbarelydoneanythingandshewaspantingsharply,whininginthebackofherthroat,almostyipping.Herfingersinhishairturnedtoclutching.Thenpulling.Herthighstightenedaroundhishead.
Howlongsinceyourlastorgasm?Sincethelasttimeyouhadsexwithsomeoneyouwantedtohavesexwith?Thismightstopyourheart…
“Talkabouthighstrung,sweetheart,”Marcteasedherashepulledawayatacriticalmoment.Shecriedoutinannoyanceandtriedtopushhimbackdown.
“What'sthatsupposedtomean!?”shesnappedasheevadedherhand,kissinghis
wayupherstomach“Itmeansifallwomen
cameaseasilyasyouwereaboutto,lifewouldbesomucheasier.”
“Notourfaultifyou'renormallynotverygoodatthis.”
Hishandslidunderherbraandsqueezedherbreast,hisfingerspinchinghernipplehard.Sheshrieked,givingawholebodyshudder.
“Noone'severtaught
youhowtobehaveright,havethey?”
Herbrawasshovedoutoftheway,andwhilesheworkedattakingitoff,hemovedbacktoherunderwear.Grippedthematerialbetweentwofists,thenyank,andtherewasnothingleft.Hewaskneelingbetweenherlegsandshesatupquickly,grippinghiswaistasshekissedhisskin.Workedherwayacrosshis
chest.Hishandswentintoherhair,pullingherponytaildown.Hekepttheauburnlocksinonefist,tuggingjustenoughtoletherknowhewasstillincharge.
Iftherewasnotomorrow,thenLilywantedtogettoknowasmuchofright-now-Marcasshecould,wantedtotakehertime,buthehadotherplans.Heletgoofherhairandgrippedhershoulders,shovingherback
downontothemattress.Oneofhishandsgrippedherthighandtheotherworkedbetweenthem.Hewasbold,hekepteyecontactashepushedinsideofher.Shewantedtobehisequal,wantedtobebetter,wantedtostarehimdown.Butasinchafterinchwentby,shecouldn'thandleit.Noonecouldbeequaltothatmuchintensity,tothatmuchlength,tothatmuchhim.Hereyesflutteredshut,
herhandsrunningdownherbody,hernailsscratchingatherthighs.
“Whydidn'twedothisamonthago?”Lilysighed,whenhewasfinallyasinsideofherashecouldeverbe.
“Thenitwouldn'tbesuchatreatforyounow.See?Beingnicetomepaysoff.”
“We'llsee.”WhenapersonmetMarc
forthefirsttime,theonlywordthatevercametomind
was“rough”.Helookedlikearoughguy.Hewasaninterestingsortofhandsome.Notconventional.Anosethathadclearlybeenbrokenatonepoint,asmallscaronthesideofhischin.Hewasalsotall,butnotoverwhelminglyso.Maybesixfoot.Hehadbrownhairandadeeptan,likehe'dbeenleftoutinthesunfordays.Itmadehissoftblueeyesreallypop.Ontopofallthat,hehadthickarms,
asolidbuild,andapenchantforcussingandgettingangry–“rough”prettymuchdescribedhimtoaT.
Soitwasn'tashockthatsexwithhimturnedouttoberough,aswell.
Ashishipspummeledherown,shedidn'thavetimetothinkabouthowroughhewaswithher.Hewaspoundingcommonsenseandbasicreasoningskillsoutofher.Hehadawayofhooking
hiships,afluidmotionwherehepulledawaysohealmostslidout,thenslammedeveryinchhome,butfast.Sofast.
Herbackbegantoarch,herwholebodytryingtoreachforheaven.Reachforbliss.Shecuppedherbreasts,holdingthemastheywerealsopushedhigherandhigher.Thenshefelthishandinthemiddleofherchestandheshoveddownsharply,forcingherflat.Hishand
stayedinplace,pressingsohardshecouldn'tevenmoveunderneathit.
“Whereyoutryingtogo,sweetheart?You'reallminetonight,”hegrowled,leaningdowncloseashishipspickedupspeed.
“Yes.Allnight.Please,allnight,”sheechoed.Hishandfinallymovedoffherchestandhegrippedherjaw,hisfingersdiggingintohercheeksasheforcedherto
facehim.“Thinkyoucanhandlea
wholenightofthis?”“IthinkI'dliketotry.”Hestoppedmoving,
utterlyshockingher.Itwaslikehetookawayheroxygen.Shewasstillsearchingforairwhenhetookholdofherleg,movingitaroundtotheothersideofhisbody,forcingherontoherside.Figuringsheknewwhathewanted,shehikedherlegup,readyto
moveontoherknees,butheignoredher.Bothofhishandsheldontoherhipandhewasabletopoundintoherwithanevengreaterforce.Sheshrieked,grippingontotheedgeofthemattress,holdingonfordearlife.
“Goddamn,Lily.Fuck.Fuck,”hegroaned.
Shefeltlikeshehadcompletelylostanykindofcontrol,impaledonanimpossiblyhugedick,being
fuckedlikeshewasbeingpunishedforsomething.Itwasthebestfeelingever.Shelaidhercheekagainstthemattress,hikingherhipsupalittlehigher.Shehadnoleverage,therewasn'tawholelotshecoulddoinreturn,butshecouldgivehimeveryinchofher.Tryandprolonghispleasureasmuchaspossible.
Allnight,hesaid.Thenshefelthimlean
overheragain,hishand
slidingoverherhip,followingthecurvetothefrontofherbody.Hischestmadecontactwithherbackatthesametimehisfingersmadecontactwithwetness.Hisfreearmwentacrosshershoulderblades,hishandholdingontohershoulder,andheusedherasananchor.Usedherownbodytoallowhimtojackhammerhishipsagainstherasswhilehisfingerstaughtherexactly
whowasincontrol.Whenshecame,itwas
likeanexplosion.Ithadbeensolongsinceshe'dhadanorgasm,andgoddamn,he'dfuckedhersogood.Shescreamed,herfingersclenchingandunclenching,everymusclespasming,herwholebodyjerkingaroundunderneathhim.Andstill,Marcdidn'tstopmoving.Hesloweddown,almostmassagingherwithhiscock,
buthedidn'tstop.Notevenwhenshewaslimpandgaspingforair,onearmdanglingoffthebed.
“Thatwas…everything,”shemanagedtowhisper.Helaughedandkissedherbehindherear,thenkissedatraildownthesideofherneck.
“Sweetheart,thatwasnothing.”
Hemovedherontoallfoursandmadeherputher
handsflatagainstthewallwhilehepulledherhairhard,smackingherassashefuckedherfrombehind.Thenshewasfacedown,assup–everyman'sfave.Whentheymovedagainandhelaiddownonhisback,shetookhimbysurpriseandwentdownonhim.Adickthatcouldmakeherfeelthatgooddeservedhermouth,shefigured,andshemilkedhimforallshewasworth.But
beforeshecouldfinishthejob,hewaswrenchingherhairagain.ItwasobviousthatMarcdidn'tknowthemeaningof“gentletouch”;thepainwassharpandreal,forcinghertomoveaway.Hedraggedheruphisbody,kissinghersloppilywhilehehelpedhershiftaroundhim,helpedhertakehiminsideofher.
Shebouncedupanddownontopofhim.He
proppedhimselfupwithonearmandleanedforwardtosuckonhernipples.Hisotherhandheldontoherass,helpingsetanalmostimpossiblespeed.Hewastoodeep,itwastoomuch.HewasmadetohitherG-spot,itseemed.
“Marc…you'regonnamakemecomeagain,”shewarnedhim,theshakingstartingalloveragain.
“Good,good,”he
grunted.Hebeathertothepunch,
lettingoutayellashecame,surprisingher.Hisarmswentaroundher,hishandsgrabbinghershouldersandyankingherdownsoshewasflushwithhispelvis.Shecriedout,comingatthesametime.
Well.Thatescalatedquickly.
Ofcourse,whenshe'dtalkedtohiminthat
anteroom,she'dknowntheyweregoingtohavesex.Shewasn'tshyabouttheactorherbody,itjustwasn'tsomethingshegottodoalot.Marchadseemedlikeagoodpartnertohelphergetbackintotheswingofthings.
There'sanunderstatement.
Hehelpedhermoveoffofhim.Whileshecollapsedintoasweatymassonthemattress,tooexhaustedto
evenkeephereyesopen,hewanderedbackintothebathroom.Shecouldhearwatersloshingaround,thenlistenedashecamebackintotheroom,butshestilldidn'topenhereyes.Aftermakingarustlingnoise,hejoinedheronthebed,stretchingoutnexttoher.
“IusuallysavethisforwhenI'moutofcountry,”hesaid,andsheopenedhereyes.Hehadajointbetweenhis
lipsandwasintheprocessoflightingit.
“Yougethighinothercountries?”shetriedtoclarify.Heshookhishead.
“No.WhenIfinishajob.MyrewardforgettingoutofwhatevermiserablecountryI'minissmokingoneofthese.Want?”heasked,holdingitouttowardsher.Shepincheditbetweenherfingersandtookahit.
“Thenwhyareyou
smokingitnow?”shewascurious,hervoicehoarseassheheldthesmokeinherlungs.Hetookthejointbackfromher.
“Idefinitelyneedtosmokesomethingafterwhatwejustdid.”
Sheburstoutlaughing,coughingonthesmoke.
“Goodpoint.”Theychitchattedfora
bit,lazingaboutonthebed.She'dalwaysfeltso
comfortablewithMarc.Atthesafehouse,orevenatherownhotel,shewasalwaysonedge.Onguard.Readytodefendherself.Withhim,though,shefeltlikeshedidn'tneedthatedge.Didn'tneedtodefendherself.
Itwasnice.“Sowhatwasthebig
commotionallabout?”sherememberedhisentrancefromearlierinthenight.
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Everyonewasfreakingout,youwerebleeding,youlookedpissed.Likeyouweregonnastomponsomeone'shead,”sheexplained.
“ProbablybecauseIjusthad.”
“Intense.”“Youhavenoidea.”“Givemethedetails.It's
beenaboringmonth,”shedemanded.
Hegroanedandrolledontohisback,rubbinghis
handsoverhiseyes.Sheforcedherselfnottolookdown–Marcwasn'tshyabouthisbody,either,andshewasn'tquitereadytogetrevvedupagain.Insteadshefocusedonhisarm,onwherehe'dbeenshot.Apparentlyhisideaof“bandaginghisarm”wastowrapducttapearoundhisbicepseveraltimesover.
“Iwashiredtostealthosediamonds.That'swhatI'vebeendoingallmonth,
trackingthegang'smovements,gettingthelayoftheircompound.Ihonestlythoughtitwouldbeeasy.HalfofthoseguysarehookedondrugsI'veneverevenheardofandtheotherhalfaremorescaredthananythingelse.They'vegotabunchofshittymotorbikesandabunchofshittyguns.Should'vebeenanin-and-outjob.GonebeforetheyevenknewIwasthere.
“Butitwasallfuckedup.TheshitIsawinthere,goddamn.Icrawledinunderafence,woundupinagarageofsorts.I'dseencarsgettinghauledinandout,couldtelltheywerestrippingtheminthere,andfiguredthat'sallitwas,justagarage.Wrong.Theyhadbodiesinthere.Peopletheyweretorturing.Peopletheywerekilling.AndIcanhandlethat.I'vetorturedpeople,I'vekilledpeople.But
god,theywerebutcheringthem.Imean,literallybutcheringthem,likeacow.Preparingthatshittoeat,”Marc'svoicewentquite.Lilyswallowedthickly.
“Yeah,I'dreadthatsomegangsdothathere.Foodisn'texactlyplentiful,”shesaid.
“I'llneverbeabletoun-seethatshit.Igotoutofthatplaceasquickasfuckingpossible.Blewupanoildrum,andwheneveryone
wenttoinvestigate,IsetoffanEMPdevice.Killedtheirvehicles,lights,everything.Everyonewasscramblingaroundlikeants,soIslippedinandgotthediamonds.”
“Soundslikeaperfectoperation.”
“Right?OnlyasI'mgoingbackunderthefence,allfuckinghellbreaksloose.It'slikeeveryonespottedmeatonce.UsuallyonatheftjobIcangetoutwithoutfiringa
shot–Ilosttwogunsandfourclipsonthisjob.Ifuckingranthroughsomeoldcouple'shouse,hadtojumpoffaroof,nearlybrokemyleg.Gotshot.Ifuckinghategettingshot,thatmeansmybloodisonabulletsomewhere,”Marcgrowled.Lilyswallowedherlaughter.
“Well,Idoubtthere'sa'CSI:WestPoint,Monrovia',soIthinkyou'regood.”
IfMonrovia,Liberiawas
oneoftheworstcitiesontheplanet,thentheareaofWestPointwasitsepicenterofdegradation.Sheconsideredherselfatoughcookie,butevenLilydidn'tgooverthere.BravingaLiberiangang'scompound,onethatwasinsideWestPoint,madeMarceitherthebravestpersonshe'devermet,orthestupidest.
“Ijustcouldn'tfuckingbelieveit.Icouldn'tcomebacktothesafehouseuntilI
knewI'dshookthem,andittookmeforevertobesure.Ifuckingranalloverthatplace.Laidunderadumpsterforhalfanhour.DoyouhaveanyideahowmanypeopleIkilledtonight?Insane.Tookmehoursjusttogetback.AndIknewthelongerittookthemorepissedoffIvanovwouldbe,”Marcadded.Lilynoddedinagreement.TheBrigadierwasn'tknownforhispatienceand
thoughtfulness.“Soundsawful.”“Youhavenoidea.I
can'tstopseeingitallinmybrain.”
“Isthatwhyyouweresodistracted?”
“Whatdoyoumean?When?”heasked,finallyglancingather.
“I'mnotexactlyadetective–itwasawfullyeasytofollowyouhere,”shepointedout.Hegroanedand
nodded.“Iknow.I'malittle
embarrassedaboutthat;thejobwasdone,Ihadmymoney,Ijustwantedtogetthefuckoutofthere.ThemoodIwasin,Iwasalmosthopingsomeonewouldfollowmeandfuckwithme.Theywould'vebeensorry,”hisvoiceloweredintoagrumble,soundingevilandthreatening.Lilyswallowedthicklyandquicklydecided
thatsheneverwantedtoseeMarctrulyangry.
“Quitethenight,MarcelleDeSant.Gangs,cannibals,diamonds,killings,runningforyourlife.I'msurprisedyouhadanystaminaleftforme,”sheteased,decidingtolightenthemood.Theybothlivedindarknessamajorityofthetime.Shewantedtousetheirtimetogethertomakethingsseemsshiny.
“Sweetheart,ifpussyisinvolved,thenI'llalwaysfindmorestamina.”
“WishI'dknownthatamonthago.”
“Me,too.God,lookatme,”hegrumbled,lookingdownthelengthofhischest.Lilylookedaswell,takinginthesheenofsweatthatcoveredhim.“Wannatakeashower?”
“Isawyourshower.”“And...?”
“It'snotashower.It'sabucketwithholespokedinthebottomthatyouhavetokeeprefilling,”shepointedout.“Theladyhastobringthewateruptoyouandgodknowswhereshegetsitfrom.Nothankyou,I'llwaittillmyhotel,whereIhaverunningwater.Hotrunningwater.”
Marcleanedoverandbitdownonhershoulder,causinghertosqueal.
“Iwantedtodothisat
yourplace,hencethewhole'waitformeatthebar'bit,”heremindedher.
“Awfullyconfident.”“No,justnotstupid.”“Cheeky.”Histeethkeptmoving,
clampingdownonherbottomliphardenoughtohurt.Shecriedoutandpulledawayfromhim,buthemovedhishandtoherneck,holdingherinplace.Ashisfingerspresseddownaroundher
windpipe,sheraisedherkneesup,rubbingherthighstogether.
“Readytoplayrough,princess?”hebreathedagainstherlips.Shesmiledupathim.
“Ithoughtyou'dneverask.”
DAYZEROMarcwasalightsleeper
andheheardmovementattheedgeofhisbed.Beforeheevenopenedhiseyes,heshotouthishand,grabbingatthepersonsneakingaroundhim.
“Goingsomewhere?”hemanagedtocroakout,hisvoicehoarse.Thewerewasasoftlaugh,makinghimthink
ofmagicalthings,likeheavenandbreasts,andthenthesmelloflavenderwassurroundinghimagain.
“Gottago,loverboy,”Lilywhispered,givinghimagentlekiss.Hesmiledandopenedhiseyes,watchingasshestoodupright.
“Ididn'trealizeIfellasleep,sorry,”heyawned,scratchingathisheadashesatup.
“Noworries.Ijustkept
going,”shejoked.“Nice.Shouldn'tyou
haveatleastwaitedtillIwokebackup?”
“Probably.Butyoulikedit.”
“Probably.Whytherush?Ihaveanotherhour,andmoretrickstoshowyou,”Marcoffered,glancingathiswatch.
“I'msureyoudo,butit'slikefortyminutestomyhotelandIvanovissupposedbe
meetingmeinalittleoveranhour,”Lilyexplained.Henodded,pullinganashtraydownfromhiswindowsill.Thehalfsmokedjointwasstillinthereandhelititup.
“Wow,we'vebeenatitthatlong?”hewassurprised.He'dlosttrackoftime,wanderingaroundherlinesandcurves.
“Geez,don'tsoundsoshocked,”shesnortedathimasshecrawledoverhis
outstretchedlegs.Heheldtherolltoherlipsandshetookadeepbreath.
“Notshocked.Sadit'sover–you'reagoodtensionreliever.Soyou'reoffsoon?”
Sheblewastreamofsmokeoverhishead.
“Six-thirty,”sheremindedhim,thentookanotherquickdrag.“Ivanovismeetingmeatsixsowecandiscussstuff,dotheexchange.”
“Ah,that'sright.Wellthen…,”helethisvoicetrailoff.Hewasn'tsurewhattosay.
Thankyoufora-fucking-mazingsex,andforhavingtitsI'lldreamaboutforyears.Perfect.Soundsjustlikepoetry.
“MarcelleDeSant,”shechantedoffhisfullnameasshemovedtostraddlehislap.“Ithink,justmaybe,you'llmissme.”
Hemovedhishandstoherass,squeezinghertightlyandforcingherup,forcinghercloser,forcingherchestagainsthisown.Shewascurvyinalltherightplaces,pliablefleshjustbeggingtobemoldedunderhishands.Andsmooth,everyinchofher,ashenowknew.
“IthinkI'llmissthisforalongtime,”hewhisperedback,clenchinghisfingers.Shewiggledagainsthishold.
“Me,too.ThanksformakingAfricabearable,Marc,”shesaid.Hervoicewasdevoidofteasing–shesoundedgenuinelythankful,andevenalittlesad.
“Whereareyougoingafterthis?”hesurprisedhimselfbyaskingoutloud.Heneverdiscussed'theafter',ever.Withanybody.Shesmiled.
“Whereareyougoingafterthis?”shereturnedthe
question.“Idon'tknow.Crete.
Mykonos.Somewherenice,”heansweredhonestly.
“Ooohhh,soundsnice.MaybewhenI'mdoneI'llcomelookyouup,Mr.DeSant,”sheoffered.
“Packabikini.”“ButIliketosunbathein
thenude.”“God,you'reanamazing
woman.”Shegavehimakissthat
hadhimwonderingifshe'dleavewithhistonsils,thenshecrawledoffofhim.Shewaswearingeverythingbutashirt,andherememberedthathe'drippedhersoffofher.Shegrabbedat-shirtoffthebackofachairandhelditupforhisinspection.Heshruggedandsheslippediton,knottingtheexcessmaterialatthebaseofherspine.
“Thiswasfun.Ihopewe
gettodoitagainsometime,”shesaid,standingbythedoorasshepulledonhershoes.
“Me,too.”“Takecareofyourself,
Marc.”“You,too.”“And...,”hervoice
falteredassheopenedhisdoor.Shelookedbackoverhershoulderathim.“Andbecarefuloutthere.”
Hewastouchedbyherconcern.Therewasnoone
lefttobeconcernedabouthim,orhiswellbeing.Itwasanovelexperience.
“Alwayscareful,sweetheart.Takeiteasyoutthere,Africaisn'tkind,”hewarnedher.Sheturnedawayfromhim.
“NeitheramI.”Thenthedoorslammed
shutbehindher.Whatawoman.Marktookhistime
finishingthejoint,then
movedtotheedgeofhisbed.Scratchedhisfingersthroughhishair.Hewashigh,and,ifhewascompletelyhonest,alittledumbstruck.Ithadbeenthebestsexhe'dhadinalongtime.Hisonlyregretwasthathe'dgoneintotheirnightalreadywornout.Ifshethoughtthathadbeengood,thenshemightdieifshesawhimathisbest.
Hefinallygotup,stretchingsohewasonhis
tiptoes.Thenhepulledonsomebriefsandhispants,beforeheadingovertohistable.Whenhe'dgottenbackfromthesafehouse,he'dgrabbedabucketofwateronhiswayup,wantingtowashthenightandthememoriesoffhisskin.He'djuststrippeddownandjumpedinthetub.
Nowitwastimetoseeexactlyhowbighis“bonus”reallywas.Heoverturnedthedufflebaghe'dbeengiven,
andhissurpriseatevenreceivinga“bonus”turnedtooutrightshock.
Itwasbeyondabonus.Almostfourtimesmorethanhisagreeduponsalarywasinthebag.Themoneyspilledoutalloverthefloor,coveringthegroundbetweenhisbedandthebeatuplookingtable.
WhatTHEFUCKisgoingon!?
Whilehetookinthe
bills,hisearspickeduponasoundoutside.Amotorcyclewaspullingupinfrontofthehouse;adirtbike,withawhinyengine.Thenanother.Marcturnedhisheadtowardshiswindow,butdidn'tmovehisfeet.Severalmorepulledup,alldirtbikesandmopeds.Thenmore.Evenmore.Helostcount.Asthelastcandleinhisroomflickeredout,clarityblazedthroughhismind.
Thatfuckingbitch...
DAYONELilytookadeepbreath
andglancedinherrearviewmirror.Noonewasfollowingher.ShewasontheveryfurthestoutskirtsofMonrovia.Prettysoon,shewouldbecompletelyalone.Therewouldbenoonearound,notforhundredsofmiles.
Ican'tbelieveI'mhere.Ican'tbelieveIdidit.Allthoseyears.Ididit.
Sheeasedofftheroadandpulledupalongsideanancientlookinggaspump.Assheclimbedoutofhercar,ayoungboycamerushingoutofarundownshack.Hedidn'tsayaword,justgrabbedaragoutofabucketfullofrancidlookingwaterandbeganwashingherwindshield.
“English?”Lilyasked,pushinghersunglassestothetopofherhead.
“Yes,littleEnglish,”theboyreplied.Shereachedherfingertipsinsidethetopofhertanktop,rightwherethenecklinebrushedagainsttheuppermostpartofherbra.ShepulledoutaU.S.fiftydollarbill.
“Youknowwhatthisis?”sheheldthebillbetweentwofingers,allowinghimto
seeit.Theboy'seyesgotwideandhenodded.
“Yes,Iknow.”“Thisisyours,ifyou
promisenottotouchmycar,”shestarted.Ifpossible,hiseyesgotwider,andhenoddedagain.“Andifyoupromisenotletanyoneelsetouchmycar.”
“Yes,yes,noonewilltouchyourcar,”heimmediatelybeganreachingforthebill.Sheyankeditout
ofhisreach.“Uh-uh,noway.After.If
anyonetouchesmycar,evenlooksatmycar,youyell.Makeanoise.Honkthehorn.Lightthebuildingonfire.Something.Gotit?”
“Yes.Noone.Makenoise.”
Lilyleaneddowncloseandstaredhimverydirectlyintheeye.
“Ifyoumessaroundinmycar,ifyoutakeanything
frommycar,Iwillknow,andyouwillnotlikewhathappens,”sheloweredhervoicetoalmostagrowl.Thelittleboyswallowedthickly.
“Ipromise,Iwon'ttouch,”heassuredher.Shegaveatightlippedsmilebutkeptherglaresevere.
“Good.Notouchingmeanslotsofmoney.”
Shetuckedthemoneybackintoherbraasshewalkedtowardstheshackthat
wasservingasagasstationofsorts.Therewasarippedupscreendoorattheentrancethatfelloffoneofitshingeswhenshepushedonit.
Insidewasn'tanybetter.Amanwithacloudyeyeandnoteethsatonastool,watchingablackandwhitetelevisionthathadbunnyears.Lilylookedaround.Itwasn'texactlyaseven-eleven,thereweren'taislesfullofshinyprocessedfoods.
“Water?”shebarkedoutinaloudvoice.Themandidn'tlookather,butliftedarailthinarmandpointedacrosstheshop.
Alarge,beatuplookingcoolersatatthebackofthebuilding.Itsmotorwasloud,andageneratorsatnexttoit,givingitpower.Atfirstshewassuspicious,andwassureitwouldbefullof“recycled”waterbottlesfulloftapwater,orworse.Butsurprisingly
therewereactualbrandnamebottlesinthecooler.Shedidn'tdarelookatthedates,justgrabbedasmanyasshecouldholdandcarriedthemuptothefrontoftheshop.
“U.N.?”themanaskedasheslidoffthestoolandwalkedtowardsher.Sheshookherhead.
“No.Globa-Doc.Food?”Acoverhadbeenworked
outlongbeforeshe'dtakenthejobfortheBratva.
PassingasaU.N.Inspectorhadbeenanoption,buttheU.N.wasinandoutoftheareaallthetime,theydidn'twanttoriskherrunningintoanyofthem.Globa-Docwasadoctors-without-borderskindofprogram–doctorsandnursesfromallovertheworld,specializinginnutritionandworkinginthirdworldcountries.They'drecentlystartedanoperationinMonroviaandthecitywas
crawlingwithwesterndoctorsandnursesandcoordinatorsandmanagersandtransporters.LilyhadallthedocumentationandidentificationtobackupthefactthatshewasafinancialplannerwiththeGloba-Docorganization.
Theshopmanofferedherlunch.Hismotherwasbutcheringachickenoutback,hemanagedtoexplain.Lilysaidnothanks,butdid
takethepackagesofbeefjerkyhemanagedtoscroungeup.TheirlabelswereinKorean,buttheirdatesweregoodandtheirpackagesweresealed,andthatwasreallyallthatmattered.
HenamedatotalandLilyleftthemoneyonthecounter,plusasmalltip.Asshewalkedoutthefrontdoor,theyoungboyranuptoher,quicklygrabbingherpurchasesoutofherarms.
“Didanyone-”shestartedtosnap,buthebeather.
“Noonetouchedcar.Money,”hereplied,joggingbacktohercarandtossingthewaterandjerkyintothebackseatforher.Shesauntereduptohim,glaringthewholetime.
“Promise?”sheasked,pullingthefiftyoutagain.
“Promise,”heanswered,holdingouthishand.
She'dbarelybeguntolowerthebillwhenhejumpedupandsnatchedit,runningofftowardsthebuildingwithoutsomuchasgoodbye.Shechuckled,watchingasheranoutofsightaroundtheshack.Itwasprobablythemostmoneyhe'deverseenatonetime.Italmostmadeherfeelbad.
Almost.Sheslidintothefront
seatbutshedidn'tstartthecar
uprightaway.Shesatforawhile,tryingtogoovereverythinginhermind.Fivelongyearswascomingtoaculmination.Fiveyearsofplanning.Onemonthofdrillingforthisexactdrive.Sheshould'vebeenfocused.Allherattentionneededtobeontheroadaheadofher.Onpullingeverythingoffwithprecision.
Butshekeptthinkingbacktothenightbefore.
ThinkingofMarc.Thinkingofhistouch,ofhistongue.Hissmile.Thewayhemoved.Sheshivered,lettinghereyesfallshut.Shecouldn'tletherselfthinkaboutit,orthedrivewouldbeveryuncomfortable.He'dbeenamazing.Should'vebeenjustthethingtorelieveallthepressureshe'dbeenunder.
Onlynowitseemedlikeallthepressureshe'dbeen
feelinghadmovedstraighttobetweenherlegs.
“Threemoredays,”Lilysighed,crackingherneckasshepulledawayfromthegasstation.Thatwouldbehermantra.Themagicwordstokeepablueeyedmercenaryfromsneakingintoherthoughts.Goodsexwasjustgoodsex–thiswasherlife.Thiswashergoal.Thiswaseverything.
Emptyroadstretchedout
infrontofher.Itdidn'ttakelongbeforeshecouldn'tevenseethestationinherrearviewmirroranymore.Paranoiasettledinandshelookedinthemirrortodoublecheckthatnoonehadpulledoutofthegasstationbehindher.Lookedtomakesurethatnooneelsewasontheroad.Lookedagainto-
“Ifyoumoveonefuckingmuscle,I'llblowyourgoddamnbrainsout.”
Onemoment,she'dbeenlookingoutherbackwindow.Thenextmoment,shewaslookingintoapairofangryblueeyes.Abarrelwasshovedagainsthertemple,pressingdowninawaythatcausedherbloodtopoundbehindherrighteye.Herhandsgrippedthesteeringwheelsohard,herknucklesturnedwhite.
No!No!Ionlyneededthreemoredays!
“Thatlittlefuckingliar,”shegrowledthroughgrittedteeth.
“Ahundredbucksbeatsfifty,sweetheart.Pullover,thisisyourstop.”
Sweetheart.“Marc!?”shehissed,so
shockedshealmostveeredofftheroad.
“Isaidpullover.”“Whatthefuckareyou
doing!?DoyouknowwhatIvanov'sgonnadowhen-”
Hecockedthehammerandsuddenlythingsgotveryserious.
“Pullthefuckover.”Somethingwasvery
wrong.Whenshe'dlastseenhim,acouplehoursbefore,he'dbeenflirtyandsexy.Sleepyandfullofafterglow.InvitinghertojoinhiminGreece.Nowhehadacocked,andnodoubtloaded,gunpressedtoherheadandhesoundedmurderous.She
tookadeepbreathandletitoutslowly,hermindracing.Whattodo,whattodo.
“Okay.Okay,”shestarted,keepinghervoicelowandcalm.“Ihearyou.Canyoutellmewhat'sgoingon?WhathappenedbetweennowandwhenIlastsawyou?”
“Ithinkyoufuckingknow.”
“Ireally,reallydon't.”“Fuckingliar,”he
growled.Shestartedtoget
mad.“I'veneverliedtoyou.
You'retheoneactingcrazy.Sowhydon'tyoujust-”
Heslappedthebarrelacrossthebackofherheadandsheyelpedinpain,duckingawayfromhim.Shefelthisfingersinherhairandheforcedherback,yankingsohardhereyeswatered.Thegunwentbacktohertemple.
“Ididn'tasktohaveagoddamnconversation,I
askedyoutostopthecarandgetthefuckout.”
Lilyhadneverseen,orheard,Marctrulyangrybefore;itwasscary,andshe'dbeeninalotofscarysituations.Shetookacouplemoredeepbreaths.Appealingtotheirrelationshipwasoutofthequestion.MarctheMasterofSexfromthenightbeforewaslonggone.MarcelleDeSanttheMercenarywasinthecar,and
shedidn'tlikehimverymuch.
“You'regoingtokickmeouthere?DoyouknowwhathappenstowomenleftonthesideoftheroadinLiberia?”shetriedadifferenttactic,staringathiminthemirror.Hewashuggingthebackofherchairsocloselythatshecouldn'tgetagoodlookathisface.Justblueeyeshoveringabovetheedgeofherseat.
“Idon'tgivetwofucks
aboutwhathappenstowomeninLiberia.Stopthecar.”
Nomatterhowbadassapersonclaimstobe,putaloaded,cockedguntotheirheadandthey'lldojustaboutanythingthey'reasked.Lilywasn'treallyanydifferent,exceptforthefactthatsheneverstoppedthinking.She'dhadawholemonthtotrainforthatspecificdrive.Amonthtoplaneveryaspectof
it.Tocontemplateeverypossiblescenario.So,ofcourse,she'dthoughtaboutwhatshewoulddointheeventshegotcarjacked.Granted,she'dneverimaginedthatthecarjackerwouldbeamanshe'djustgottendonefucking,butshefiguredthatdidn'treallymatter,anyway.
Ican'tbelievehe'dstealfromIvanov.Fromme.Sleptwithme,gotmetolowermy
guard.Howdidheevenfindme!?Musthavefollowedme.Stupid,Lily.Fuckingstupid.Neveragain.
Shepulledthecarovertothesideoftheroad.Marcorderedhertostaystillwhilehegotoutoftheback,pointinghisgunatherthewholetime.Shehadasplitsecond,andcouldbarelymove,butinthatsecondshewasabletotapabuttononthesideofthedoor.Hedidn't
notice.Heorderedhertorolldownherwindow,toputherhandswherehecouldseethem,andtoopenherdoorusingtheoutsidehandle.
Lilydideverythingshewastold,slowlyclimbingoutofherseat,holdingherhandsupbyherheadasshestood.Heorderedhertokeepherbacktohimashemovedaroundher,slidingbetweenherandthecar.Thenheloweredhimselfintoherseat.
Shetookadeepbreaththroughhernoseandclosedhereyes.
Youcandothis.Youtrainedforthis.He'snothingtoyou.Sexisjustsex.Heisnothing.Justsomecarjacker.Somepieceofshitstandinginyourway.Gethimoutofyourway.
“There'sakillswitch,”shebarkedout.Therewassilencebehindherforamoment,thensheheardhim
shufflearound.“Whywouldyoutellme
that?”hedemanded.“I'monlyabouttenmiles
fromthatgasstation.Icouldprobablymakeit.Iwantyougone.It'sjustajob,”shereplied,keepinghervoicesteady.
Pleasepleaseplease,takethebait.
“Whatisit?”Thankyou.“Underneaththewheel,
almostbythepedals.Aswitch.Threeflips.Up,down,up,”shecompletelymadeuptheprocedureasshesaidit.Allthewhile,sheeyedthebackofthecar,usingofherperipherals.Estimatedhowmanystepsitwouldtaketoreachthetrunk.Sheheardhimmovesomemore.Couldpicturewhathewasdoing.Bentforward,facepressedagainstthesteeringwheel,onehandfeelingdown
byhisfeet.Wherewasthegun?Hislap?Hislefthand?Pointedatherspine?
“Idon'tfeelshit.Whichpedal?”heasked,gruntingalittle.
Gotcha.“Clutch!”shesnapped.Themomentsheheard
himshifttoreachfortheclutch,sheturnedandbolted.Didn'tthinkaboutthegun.Didn'tthinkaboutMarc.Justmovedasfastasshecouldto
thebackofthecar.Sheknewshedidn'thavealotoftime.
Thebuttonshe'dhitonherdoorhadpoppedthetrunk.Asshecamearoundtheendofthecar,sheyankeditopenandimmediatelyreachedinside.Shepulledbackthefalsebottom,revealingakeypadwithadigitalscreen.Herheartwaspoundinginherears,butshedidn'thesitate.Evenasfootstepsrantowardsher,she
didn'tfalter.Shebeganhittingbuttonsandmanagedtopushthelastonebeforeshewastackledfromtheside.
“Stopit!”Marcroaredashisarmswentaroundherwaist.Hedoveintoherwithallhisweightandtheyflewtotheground,Lily'shipbearingthebruntofthefall.Shegruntedashecamedownontopofher.Theyrolledforaminute,aballofarmsandlegs,beforesettlingonthe
hotpavement.Herbackwasonthegroundandhehoveredoverher.
“Youhavenoideawhatyou'vedone.TheBratvaisgoingtogutyou.MakethatLiberianganglooklikeasummercamp,”shethreatenedhim.
“Whatthefuckdidyoujustdo!?”hedemanded,obviouslynotthreatenedatall.
“Youfuckingidiot.You
mighthavejustkilledusboth.IfIdon'tdeliverthiscartoacertainspot,atacertaintime,they'regoingto-”
Hebackhandedher.Itshockedhermorethanhurther.Lilyhadbeentakingselfdefenseclassesforfiveyears.Classesthatspecializedincombattraining,aswellashandtohandcombat.Butshewasprettysureshe'dneveronceinherlifebeenbackhanded,andcertainly
neverbyapersonshehadonceconsideredafriend.
“Iaskedyouaquestion,youstupidbitch.Whatdidyoudointhetrunk?”heasked.Shewiggledherjawbackandforth.Thesmackandhissplitpersonalityhadherheadreeling–shecouldn'twrapherbrainaroundit.Itwasaliteralone-eighty.Itwaslikeshe'dnevermetthismanbefore,hewassodifferentfromtheMarc
sheknew.“AmIdreaming?”she
askedoutloud.Heabruptlygotoffof
her.Sheslowlysatup,rubbinghercheek.Marcwasbentoverthetrunk,hisheadinvisible.Therewasathunkingnoiseandhebegantoshout.
“No!Goddammit!Whatthefuckdidyoudo!?”
Shewasn'tgivenachancetoanswer.Lilywas
stilltryingtofeelifallherteethwereinplacewhenhesteameduptoher.Shetriedtopullawayfromhim,buthegrabbedherarm,roughlyhaulinghertoherfeet.Hedraggedherbacktothecar.Shestruggledatfirst,butwhenhemovedhishandtothebackofherheadandgrabbedafistfulofhair,movementbecamedifficult.
“You'rehurtingme,”shehissed,herhandsflyingtothe
onehehadinherhair.Shedughernailsintohisskin,butthatonlymadehimpullharder.
“This.Whatthefuckisthis!?”heasked,tappingthebarrelofhisgunagainstthekeypad.
“Thatisasafe.”“Openit.”“No.”“Fuckingopenit.”“No.”Thistime,hepressedthe
barrelunderneathherchin.“FuckingopenitorI
shootyourightnow,”heinformedher.Shelaughed.Actuallylaughedathim.
Alright,Marc,let'splayhardball.
“Doit.”“Whatdidyoujustsay?”“Doit.Killme.You'll
nevergetitopen.I'mtheonlyonewiththecode.”
Thegunmovedawayfromherchin,andwithout
warning,hefiredit,rightatthekeypad.Lilyshriekedandtriedtoduckasthebulletricochetedoff.Marcdidn'tmoveamuscle,hishandfirmlyclenchedinherhair.
“Areyoufuckingcrazy!?Thekeypadisbulletproof,youjackass!”shescreamedathim.Hescowledintothetrunk.
“Icanhackthissafe.”“Doesn'tmatter.”“OrIcantakeittoa
chopshop.Buzzrightthroughit.”
“Tryit.”Heyankedonherhair,
forcingherheadback.Shetookquickgaspsofairthroughhernoise.
“Why?What'llhappen!?”hedemanded,pullingharderstill.Shewentontohertoes.
“Explosives!Thesafeislinedwithexplosives!Youtamperwithit,itblows.You
trytocrackit,itblows.Youtrytotakeitoutofthecar,itblows.Youdoanythingtoit,andeveryonewithinahundredfeetofitwillhaveareallyshittyfuckingday,nowgetyourfuckinghandoffofme!”Lilystartedtoloseit,clawinghernailsoverhiswristasshetriedtojerkfreeofhishand.Ahandthathadbeensosoftthenightbefore,nowsoroughinthelightofday.
Heslammedherfacedownintothetrunk.Hernosewasaninchfromthekeypad,hishandshovingherdownagainsttheroughupholstery.Shegroundherteethtogetherandpressedherhandsflat,pushingbackagainsthim,tryingtogainsomespace.
“Listentome.Ineedwhat'sinthatsafe,Ineedthosediamonds.Ineedthem.Youhavetoopenit.Now,”heurged.Shecouldn'tsee
him,butshenarrowedhereyes.
“Whydoyouneedthem?”
Keephimtalking.Distracthim.
“Noneofyourfuckingbusiness.”
“Fuckingthief.StealthediamondsfromtheLiberians.StealthemfromtheRussians.Fromme.Gonnatrytounloadthemonsomeoneelse,thenstealthembackagain?
Quitetheracket,Marc,”shecalledhimout.Heliftedherupandslammedherbackdownagain.Shesqueezedhereyesshutagainstthepain.
“Youdon'tgettofuckingtalktome.Notafterwhathappened,youfuckingtwofacedbitch.Openthegoddamnsafe.”
“You'renotexactlyendearingyourselftome.Infact,Idon'tthinkI'lldoshitforyou.Goaheadandtryto
openit.It'stoofuckinghotoutforthisbullshit,”shespitoutathim.Sheheardhimletoutasigh.
“I'mgettingthosediamondsonewayoranother,Lily,”hisvoicewentsoft,whichwasactuallyalmostscarierthanhisyelling.Shetriedtokeepcalm.
Ismylefthandgoodenough?Ishould'vetrainedmorewithit.MaybeIcangetittomyrighthandquick
enough.Fuck.Howquickishe?Fuck!Didheseememoving!?
“How?Youabombexpert,too?Backstabbingthiefandabombdefuser?”sheasked,almostpanting.Sheslidherlefthandevenclosertothesideofthetrunk.
“Keep'emcoming,sweetheart,I'vegotfifteenbulletsherethatarejustitchingtohaveapurposeinlife.MaybeI'llstartby
puttingoneinyourrightfoot,thenmoveuptoyourleftknee.MaybewhenIgettoyour-”
Now!Inalmostonefluid
motion,shereachedherhandunderneathaflapofmaterialthatwashidingapistolwhileatthesametimetwistingherbodyanddrivingherrightelbowstraightup.Shecaughthiminthesideofthefacewithasharpcrack.Hishand
movedoffofherheadandsherolledaround,whippinghergunintoherrighthandasshesnappedupright.Hecamearoundatthesametime,shovinghisarmstraightoutandpointinghisgunintoherface.Herowngunwaspointedrightathisthroat.
Fuck,nowwhat.Theyglaredateachother
foramoment.“Youhavetwoseconds
towalkawayfromthis
situation,”shebreathed,steppingbackfromthebumper,notloweringhergun.Marckepthisbarreltrainedonherforeheadashematchedherstepforstep.
“Notgonnahappen,princess.Maybeyoushouldwalkaway,you'reinoveryourhead,”hecautionedher,histonesnide.Shesmirkedathimandkeptmoving,tryingtoputsomedistancebetweenthemandthecar.
“Really?This'princess'justoutsmartedyou,twice,inlessthanfiveminutes.Ithinkyou'reinoveryourhead,sobackthefuckoff,”shegrowledthroughclenchedteeth.
“Kittyhasclaws,Ilikeit.Butcanshepullthetrigger?”histonewasquestioningashecockedhisheadtotheside.
Thatenragedheralmostmorethananything.More
thanhisdeceit.Morethanhistreachery.Morethanhisviolence.Thedisrespect.He'dalwaystreatedherasanequalbefore–nowhelookedatherandspoketoherlikeshewasacockroach.
“Tryme,”Lilysnappedback.
Hestaredatherforasecondlonger,thendidjustthat–helethisgunlowerandhestrodeforward,pushingpastherashemadehisway
backtowardsthevehicle.Shewasstunned.
“I'mtakingthiscar!”hecalledout.Shewhirledaround,keepinghergunraised.
“No,you'renot!Stoprightthere!”shedemanded.Hehelduphismiddlefinger.
“Goaheadandsto-”Lilyfiredhergunright
overhishead.Hefrozeinplacemid-stride,thenturnedhisheadtothesidesohe
couldseeher.“I'mwarningyou,”she
cautionedhim.Hechuckled,butstilldidn'tmove.
“Youdon'thavetheballstoshootme.”
Sheloweredhergunacoupleinchesandfiredagain,directlybetweenhislegs.Thebulletpingedintothesandattheedgeoftheroad,rightinfrontofhim.Whenshesightedbackonhishead,helookeddecidedlyless
confident.“Intwominutes,you
won'thaveballs,either.”Lilydidn'twanttoshoot
him,shereallydidn't.She'dneverkilledanyonebefore,anddidn'twanttostartwithMarc.Shewassavingthatdamnableactforsomeoneveryspecific.Shedidn'twanttocondemnhersoultohellforsomepieceofshittraitor.Someconman.Someliar.
“Look,”hisvoicewas
low,histeethclenched.“Ineedwhat'sinthattrunk.WhateverdealyouhavewithIvanov,Icanmakeyouabetterone.Ihavetotakethosediamonds,orI'mdead.”
“AndifIletyoutakethem,I'mdead.Notwinningmeover,”shereplied.
“No,youcanjustdisappear.Driveoffintothesunset,findthenearestplanetotakeyoubacktoL.A.,orwhereveryou'refrom.
Somewheresafe,”hesuggested.
“NotfromL.A.,andyouhaveonemoreminutebeforeIblowyournutsoff.”
“HowdidasweetthinglikeyougetcaughtupwithIvanov?”
“'Sweetthing'justthreatenedtoshootyouinthetesticles.Thirtyseconds.”
“Okay!Okay,justtakeiteasy.Maybewecanworkoutadeal.I'llsplitthemwith
you,halfandhalf.Justtakethemoutandwe'lldividethemup.”
“DoyoureallythinkI'mstupidenoughtofallforthat?”
“Wasworthashot.”“Ten,nine,eight,seven,
six-”Lilybegancounting
down,hopingthatwouldscarehimintomoving.Itworked,onlynotthewayshe'dbeenhoping.He
abruptlydovetotheside.Shepulledthetrigger,butitwastoolate.Thebulletstruckthegroundwherehe'dbeenstandingamomentbefore,andMarcwasnowlayingbesidethecar.
Lilyjumpedforward,readytorunafterhim,whenshotswerefiredback.Shecursedandleaptintothetrunkofthecar,curlingherselfupassmallaspossible.Therewasapopand
ahissandshefeltthecarleantotheside.He'dshotoutthetires.Moreshotswentoffandsheheardbulletsricochetingunderthechassis.Shescreamedandpoundedonthebottomofthetrunk.
“Explosives!Pleasestopfiringatthegoddamnexplosives!”sheshriekedathim.
Everythingwentsilent.Lilywaitedforasecond,thenunfoldedherself.Slowly
climbedoutofthetrunk,waryofhersurroundings,hergunleadingtheway.Marcwasbackonhisfeetandbreathinghard,hisarmshangingathissides,hisowngunpointingdown.
“There.Happy?”heasked,gesturingtothecar.
Lilywalkedfullyaroundtotheside,assessingthedamage.He'dshotoutbothtiresonthedriver'ssideandapparentlyshotupintothe
gastankandtheradiator–bothwaterandgasolinewereleakingoutfromunderneaththevehicle.Shegroaned.
“Thatwasso…stupid…,”shebreathed.
Allofthetrunkspacewasdedicatedtothesafe.Therewerenosparetires,andeveniftherehadbeen,therecertainlywasn'taspareradiator.Theyweretenmilesormorefromanysortofcivilization.
“Thiscarisn'tgoinganywhere.I'mnotgoinganywhere.Youhavenochoice.Openthesafe,”Marctoldher.
Lilyfelthermindbegintounravel.
Threedays.Threemoredays,anditwould'vebeenover.Threemoredays.Andwhathadtohappen?Ihadtofuckthewrongguy.
“Doyouhaveanyideawhatyou'vedone!?”she
shouted,startlinghim.“Anyidea!?Fiveyears!Fivefuckingyears,downthegoddamndrain!FivefuckingyearsofmylifeIgave,justforthisday,andnowsomelowlifepieceofshithasruinedeverything!”
“Icouldn'tgiveafuckaboutwhatyougaveup,Ineed-”
“SHUTUP!SHUTTHEFUCKUP!”
“Stopfuckingyelling,I
-”“Fiveyears!YouthinkI
wanttobehere!?YouthinkIlikeworkingforthosepiecesofshit?Allthosedays,months,years!Ihadto…,”
“Jesus,fuck,shutup,Ineedyou-”
“...thosefuckingdisgustingpigs,doyouknowwhatit'sliketobeawomanaroundthem?ThekindofshitIhadtodotoearntheirrespect?Doyou!?No,you
justfuckingshowupandflirtandlieandstealandbackstaband…,”
“Ifyoudon'tstop,I'mgonna-”
“...andnowitwasallfornothing!Nothing!Youmadeitallmeannothing!Ishouldfuckingkillyou!Ishouldfuckingputabulletinyourskull!Ishould-”
Lilywasvaguelyawarethatshewasrambling,butshecouldn'tstopherself.In
thatmomentshefeltlikeshehadnothinglefttogive.He'dtakenthelastthingshehad,andhe'druinedit.Nowshewasjustbadmemoriesandworsedecisions.
Shewassofocusedonherunspoolingchainofthoughtthatshewasn'tpayingattention.Mid-rant,hesuddenlyjabbedhishandforward.Oneminute,LilywasstandingintheAfricanheat,andthenext,everything
wasblack.Whichwasavast
improvementtohowherdaywasgoing,anyway.
DAYTWOMarcstoodwithhisfeet
wideapart,hisarmscrossedinfrontofhischest,staringdownatthefirehe'dbuiltwhenthesunhadgonedown.
Fuck.Fuckingbitch.Fuck.
Henevershitwhereheslept.Henevermixedbusinesswithpleasure.One
time.Onetime,andlookwhathappened.Shewasamazinglygoodatherjob,shemust'vebeenhiredespeciallyforhim.
Catchhisattention.Flirtwithhim.Fuckhim.Gethimtolowerhisguardandhisinhibitions.
AndalsoleadafuckingcannibalisticgroupofLiberianstohisfrontdoor.
“...Ididn'tcomeherewithanyintentionsofsleeping...”
Cleverfuckingbitch,she'dcometherewiththeintentionofsettinghimup.Lily,leadingthemtohim.Ivanov,withhis“bonus”sobigitlookedasthoughMarchadsoldthediamondshimself.
Jesus,whateverhappenedtohonoramongstthieves!?
TheBratvadidn'twantanytroublewiththeLiberians–theirpresenceinwestern
Africaalreadywasn'tappreciated.IfitgotoutthattheheistofsuchvaluablediamondshadbeenorchestratedbytheBratva,awarbetweenthetwocriminalorganizationswouldbreakout.ButiftheRussianswereto,say,contacttheLiberiansandtellthemthataNorthAmericanmanhadshownupandtriedtosellthemsomediamonds,itwouldshowgoodwill.Ofcoursethey
didn'tbuythem,andthatwouldinspiremoreconfidence.AndiftheyevenwentsofarastopointtheLiberian'sinthethief'sdirection,evenbetter.That'swhatMarcfigured.
LiberianswantedtokillmebecausetheRussianssaidIstoleandthensoldtheirdiamonds.Iescaped.LiberianswilltelltheBratva.Nowbothwillbeafterme,bothwillwantmedead–one
forrevenge,andtheothertokeeptheirsecretsafe.Howdidallthisgetsofuckingcomplicated!?Ohyeah.Aredheadwithnicetits.Fuckme.
Fuck.Whattodo.Whattodo.He'dfiguredthathisbestoptionwouldbetoconvincetheLiberianshe'dnevertriedtoselltheirdiamonds,thathe'dbeenhiredbytheBratva,andthatsameBratvahadseteveryone
up.Turnthemagainsteachother.Andhowtodoallthis?Getthediamondsback.Andwherewerethediamonds?
Hewasn'tsurewhatexactlytriggeredit.Marcwasasmartman,usuallyveryintuitive.Itwaspartofwhyhewasgoodathisjob.Hetriedtothink.WhatweretheRussiansplanningondoingwiththediamonds?Obviously,theyhadtogetthemoutofLiberia,thatwas
agiven–that'swhereLilycamein;unlessithadallbeenaruseandshe'donlybeenahookerhiredtoconhim.Buthedidn'tthinkso,he'dseenthewaysheinteractedwithIvanov,he'dseenthecarshewasgiven.HebelievedshereallywasgoingtodrivethosediamondsoutofLiberia.
Itwasn'tlikeapersoncouldjustwalkacrossborderswithapocketfullof
gems.Smugglingblooddiamondswasafulltimebusiness.Apersoncouldn'tjusthoponaplaneandflywiththem.Drivingwasoneofthebestoptions.Lilyhadagoodchancebecauseshelookedlikeanaughtylibrarian,noonewouldsuspectheroftryingtosmuggleanything.Butstill,theywouldn'twanttoriskmorethantheyhadto.Shewouldneedaspecialrouteto
getoutofLiberia.Nomainroads,sodefinitelynodrivingalongthecoast.WouldshegoNorth?South?Whichcountry,whichway?
Thinkthinkthinkthink.Backatthesafehouse,
whenIvanovhadbeeninvestigatingthestones,Marchadlethiseyeswanderaroundtheroom.Therehadbeenalotofmaps.Tonsofdetailed,topographicalmapsofLiberia,Guinea,Mali,
Mauritania,Algeria,andMorocco.Why?Whywouldtheyneedsuchdetail?Wouldn'ttheyjustneedaroadmap?
Maybetheywantroadsthatnooneelsewillbedrivingon…
Itwascrazytoevenimagine.Marc'sbrainfitthemapstogetherinhismind'seye,likeajigsawpuzzle.North.Shewasheadingnortheast,eitherMorocco,or
Algeria.Somewherewithacoastandeasyaccesstoboats.EasyaccesstothesoutherncoastofEurope.
TheBratvaweregoingtosmuggleblooddiamondsinacarandsendthemacrossthewildsofAfrica,alawlessplacewithunforgivingterrainandharshclimates.Itwasinsane.Beforethatday,Marcwouldn'thavebeenabletopicturewhatkindofpersonwouldtakeonsuchafeat.
Nowhecouldpicturethepersonclearly.Afeistyredheadwithabadtemperandworselanguagewoulddefinitelybeupforthejob.
He'dheardherinthegasstation;he'dbeencrouchingunderthewindow,readytokillher.“Globa-doc”,she'dsaid,referringtotheaidegroup.Itwasperfect.Itgaveherlicensetomoveaboutthecountry,justanaideworkertheretohelpthepeople.
Hiswholeplancouldhavegonewrong.TherewereseveralroadsoutofthecityofMonrovia,andMarchadn'texactlyhadalotoftimetomakehisdecision.Theroadhe'dstoppedheronhadseemedlikethebestchoice,itledtoanoldunusedarmyroadthatwouldeventuallyleadstraightintoGuinea.Itwasagoodguess,butstillaguess.Shecould'vetakenanotherdirectionentirely.
Butshehadn't,andthecalmthathadfallenoverhimwhenhesawthebeatupMercedespullintothegasstationhaddonewondersforhisoverrunnervoussystem.He'dpinnedhertoabedthenightbefore;hewouldfuckingnailhertotheroofofhercarnow.Shewasfinished.Over.Itwouldbelikestealingcandyfromababy.
Wrong.
TurnedoutLilywasjustasfeistyoutofbedasshewasin,andmorethancapableofdefendinganythingshedamnwellwantedto.Shewasquickeronthedrawthanhim,hecouldadmitthat,andshewasagoodshot,thoughprobablynotasgoodashim.Butshecertainlywasn'tasstrongashim,andthat'swhyshewaslayinginthebackofhercar,chainedupandunconscious.
Idon'twanttohavetohurther,butIwill.Idon'twanttohavetokillher,butIwill.Seewhathappenswhenyouplaywithfire,Lily?Iburndownyourgoddamnhouseoflies.
Beingamercenarynevergotanyeasier.
DAYTWOLilywokeupabruptly.
Noslowdriftintoconsciousness,justbam,awakeandeyesopen.Shecouldn'tfigureoutwhereshewasforamoment.Shewasstaringatanupholsteredroof.Car.Shewasinthebackofacar.Hercar.Sheflickedhereyestowardsthedriver'sside
window,butthegunholsterthatsataboveitwascompletelyempty.Whatwasgoingon?
Thediamonds.Shesatupquicklyand
realizedshehadalightweightchainwrappedaroundherwaist.Notincrediblytight,buttightenoughthatitwouldn'tfalloverherhipsorwiggleoverherbreasts.Shefollowedthelengthofchainwithhereyesandrealizedit
washangingouttheopendooratherfeet,soshethenlookedtothefrontofthecar.
Marcwasasleepinthedriver'sseat,andtheotherendofthechainwaswrappedtightlyaroundhisrightwrist.
Fuck!Fuckfuckfuck.FUCK.
Itcamebacktoher.He'dbeeninherbackseat.There'dbeenguns.She'dshotathim.He'dshotathercar.She'dscreamed.He'dhither.
Asshole.Shestillcouldn'tbelieve
it.Togofromanightofbondingandmindblowingsex,tohimtryingtocarjackher.That'swhatshegotfortrustingaman.Nevertrustmen,sheknewtherule.She'dpracticallyinventedit.Whathadshebeenthinking!?
Shehadtogetloose,getthediamonds,andgetaway.
Lilycarefullygotontoherkneesandleanedoverthe
seatinfrontofher.Hisheadwasleanedbackandtotheside,hismouthopen.Hisarmswerecrossed,andjustbelowthemshesawthebuttofagunpeekingoutofthetopofhispants.
Thankgod.Lilyslidacrossthe
backseatandpushedthedooropenevenfurther.Shegotoutonefootatatime,movingatanexcruciatinglyslowpace.Marchadgiventhema
lotoflengthofchain,luckily,andhadstrungitthroughtheopendoors,makinghertanglefreeasshemovedtothefrontofthecar.Sheletacouplefeetworthofchaindroptothegroundbeforeshestartedmovingagain.
Marcwasstillasleep,soshekneltontheseatnexttohim.Soslowly,sheleanedfurthertowardshim.Gentlyputahandagainstthesideofhisseat.Watchedhiseyelids
foranysignthathewasawake.Checkedhisbreathing.Thenleanedfartherforward,almostsoherheadwasrightinfrontofhim.
Itwasprobablythebestlookshe'dgottenathimsinceshe'dlefthisroomtheothernight.Therewasdriedbloodonthesideofhishead,runningfromthetopofhistempletojustunderneathhisear–he'dgottenknocked
aroundatsomepoint.Heneededtoshave.Hewasdirty.Hisfingernailsweredisgusting.Everythingabouthimwassodifferent.
Differentfromwhat?Notlikeyoureallyknewhim.Hewasalwaysthisdisgustingpersonthat'sinfrontofyounow,hewasjustreallygoodathidingit.
Lilytriedtoshakeherheadclear,triedtokeeptheangeratbay.Itwasallstupid,
histreacherywasultimatelyirrelevant.Ithadjustbeensex.Shehadaplantoexecute.IfshecouldjustgettoMorocco.Evenifshewaslate,shecouldstillpullitoff.Shehadto.Shehadto.Asexyhitman-slash-diamond-thief-slash-traitorwasn'tgoingtoderailher.
Pinchingherlipsbetweenherteeth,sheohsoslowlyreachedherrighthandforward.Hovereditabovehis
lap.Movedanotherinchandwasoverhisbelt.Justonemoreinchandshe'dhavethegun.
Justasshewasabouttocoverthatlastinch,though,sheglancedupandwasfacedwithapairofblueeyeswatchingher.Inaflash,hegrabbedherbyherwristandthumb,twistingthemsohardtotherightthatsheletoutashriek,almostlosinghergriponhisseat.
“DoyouthinkI'mthatstupid?”Marcasked,hisvoicehoarse.
“Yes,”shemanagedtogetoutthroughteeththatwereclenchedinpain.Hejerkedherarmharderandshehadnochoicebuttoturnwiththemotion.Itfeltlikehewasgoingtobreakherwrist.Shefelltotheside,landingonhislap.Hemanagedtoholdherwriststogetherusingonlyonehandandhepinnedthemto
herchest.Hisotherhandwentaroundherthroat,squeezinghardenoughtoletherknowhemeantbusiness.
“Icould'vekilledyouyesterday.Icould'vekilledyouinyoursleeplastnight.Youoweme.Iwashopingtodayyou'dbemorecooperative,”hetoldher.Shesquirmedunderhishold.
“Probablynotgoingtohappen,”hervoicewasathreadywhisper.
“Idon'tgiveashitifyou'vegotsomesickfetishaboutplayinghousewiththeBratva,butI'mtakingthosediamonds,Lily.Ineedthosediamonds,”hespokeinatonethatbrokerednononsense.
“Youdon'tknowshitaboutwhatI'mdoing,Idon'tcareaboutanyofthem.IneedthosediamondstogetontheboatinMorocco,”shecountered.
“Idon'tcare.Openthat
safebackthereorI'llgutyoulikeafuckingfish.”
Thiswasn'tworking.Itwasyesterdayonrepeat.Sheneededtochangethechannel.Sherememberedtheirnighttogetherandthewayhe'dreactedtoher.Evenifithadallbeenascamtogetclosetoher,hehadn'tfakedhishardon.Hehadn'tfakedfuckingherlikeheneededtodoittobreathe.Helikedherbody,helikedherface.Howshe
moved.Maybeshecouldusethattoheradvantage.Shestoppedstrugglingagainsthishold,lettingherselfrelax.Sherubbedhershouldersbackandforthagainsthislap.
“Look.I'msurewecouldworksomethingout.Icanmakeitreallyworthyourwhileifyoujustwalkaway,”shetoldhim.Shetriedtokeephervoicesoft,triednottoglare.
“Really?”hequestioned
her,hiseyebrowsraisinginsurprise.
“Wehadfun,Marc.Whynothavesomemorefun?”
“Mmmm,thatdoessoundgood.Wouldyoustripforme?”
“Oh,yeah.”“Getcompletelynaked?”“Completely.”“Letmefuckyour
mouth?”“Whateveryouwant.”“Whataboutyourass?
Everbeenfuckedthere?”“No,butIcouldletyou
bethefirst.”Suddenly,hishand
squeezedherneckevenharderandheyankedherup.Shegasped,andforasecondshethoughthewasgoingtokissher.Buthedidn't.Heforcedherupsotheywerealmostnosetonose.
“IfIwantyourass,I'lltakeit.IfIwantanythingelse,allIhavetodoistakeit.
SoIdon'tknowwhyyou're'offering'yourselftome–asfarasyou'reconcerned,you'remygoddamnedpropertynow,whichmeansifIfeellikefuckingyou,it'llhappen.Youthinkthisisafuckinggame,Lily,andit'snot.Nowshutthefuckupandopenthatgoddamnsafe,”hegrowled.
Sheheldherbreathforaminuteasredwashedoverhervision.Property!?She
wasgoingtokillhim,shedecided.Maybenotrightthatmoment.Maybenotthatday.Butbytheendofthisordeal,shewasgoingtostandoverhimandshewasgoingtoputabulletinhisskull.
Breathein.Breatheout.Patience.Youwaitedfiveyearstogetthisfar.Youcanwaitforacouplemoredaystillyoucangetridofhim.
“Look.Likeitornot,weneedeachother.Youwant
thediamonds.Iwantthediamonds.I'mtheonlyonewhocangetthem;you'retheonlyonewhocangetusoutofhere.YougottagiveonsomethingorI'llneveropenthatsafe,”shelaideverythingout.
“Icouldhavesomeonecutintoit,”hepointedout.
“Explosives.”“Idon'tthinktherereally
areexplosives.”“Thengoaheadandcut
intoit.JustpleaseletmegofirstsoIcangetatleastamilebetweenus.”
Theexplosivesweren'tabluff.Themainpartofthesafewassurroundedbyaninterestingarrayofhighlycombustiblematerialsthatonlybecameactivewhenthesafewaslocked.
“WhydoyouneedtogettoMorocco?”Marcasked.Shetookadeepbreath.
“There'saferryfrom
Tangier,inMorocco,toBarcelona,Spain.OnceinBarcelona,IgetonaplanetoMoscow,whereI'msupposedtodeliverthediamondstoAnatolyStankovski–theleaderoftheBratva.Ican'tgetonthatferrywithoutshowingthediamonds.IneedtogettoMoscow,”shestressed.Hisglaregrewmoresevere.
“Whydoyouneedto-”“Ishared!Nowit'syour
turn!”sheshouted.Therewasalongpause,andshefiguredhewouldn'tdoit,butthenheopenedhismouth.
“Why'dyoudoit?”Itwasasimplequestion
thatshedidn'tunderstand,buthisvoicemadeherpause.Sincehe'dstoppedherthedaybefore,hisvoicehadbeenhard.Rough.Scary.Thiswassofter.Likehewastryingveryhardtounderstandsomething.
“Dowhat?”sheaskedback,keepinghervoicelevelaswell.
“Youknowwhatyoudid.”
“Ihavenocluewhatyou'retalkingabout.”
“I'mbeingnice,Lily.Icangobacktobeingmean.
“Youcanbemean,nice,happy,sad,andanyotheremotionyoucanthinkof–Istillwon'tknowwhatyou'retalkingabout.”
Thehandonherthroatmovedtocupherjaw,andwhileshestruggledagainsthim,hisotherhandletgoofherwrists,movingtocupthebackofherhead.Heworkedhisfingersintoherhair,gettingagoodgrip.
“Icouldsnapyourneck.Areyoulistening,Liliana?I'mnotoneofthose'nowomen,nokids'mercenaries.Ifyoustandinmyway,Iwillgetridofyou,simpleasthat,
andrightnow,you'reahugefuckingobstaclethathaspissedmeoffmorethanshouldbeallowed.TellmewhatIwanttoknow.TellmeIvanov'splanforme.Tellmeeverything.”
Shepausedagain,staringupathim.Hewasdeadserious.Thewayhewasholdingherhead,shecouldfeelit.Onequickjerkanditwouldbeover.Butshestilldidn'tknowwhathewas
askingher,whatitwashethoughtsheknew.
“Alright,Marcelle.Alright.Pleasehearme,”hervoicewasalmostawhisper.“Idon'tknowwhatyou'retalkingabout,honestly.Idon'tknowwhat'sgoingon.ThelastthingIheardIvanovsayaboutyouwaswhathesaidinthatanteroom,whenyouwerethere.ThelastIsawofyouorthoughtofyouwastheothernight,whenIleft
yourroom.That'sit.Idon'tknowwhat'plan'you'retalkingabout,andifthereisa'plan',Idon'tknowanythingaboutit.”
God,helookedscarywhenhewasmad.Shefelthisfingersclenchandshethought,“thisisit”.She'dheardrumorsabouthimaroundthesafehouse.Howfortherightpricehecouldstealanything.Killanyone.Sheheldherbreathandstared
rightbackathim,refusingtoclosehereyes.Ifhewasgoingtokillher,thenhewouldhavetolivewiththememoryofherstare.
Notthatsomethinglikethatmatterstoaheartlesskiller.
“Idon'tbelieveyou,”hewhispered.Sheletoutthebreathshe'dbeenholding.
“Doesn'tmatterwhatyoubelieve,it'sthetruth,”shereplied,thendecidedtogofor
it.“Infact,Idon'tthinkthere'sanyplanfromIvanov,andIthinkyouknowthat.Ithinkthisisyourplan.Youwanttostealthosediamondsbackandpinitonme.Yougetaway,Igetstuckwiththeblame.Messingwithmymindisyourpatheticattempttogetmetoopenthatsafe.”
Heshockedherbyburstingoutlaughing.
“YouthinkI'mmessingwithyousoIcanstealthe
diamondsback!?Youtriedtohavemekilled!Ialreadystolethediamondsonce,whywouldn'tIhavejusttakenthemthen!?”hedemanded.
Itriedtogethim…what!?Whatthefuckishetalkingabout!?
“Youtellme,Marc!MaybeyouwaitedsoitwouldlooklikeIstolethem,orsoitwouldlooklikewewereinonittogether,oranynumberofreasons!You're
theconman!”sheyelledbackathim.
Moreshockingthanhimlaughingwashimlettinghergo.Hishandsreleasedherandshedidn'thesitate,shejerkeduprightandscootedasfarawayfromhimasthefrontseatofthecarwouldallow.
“YouthinkI'mtryingtostealthediamonds,”hedoublechecked.
“It'sobvious.”
“AndIthinkyouhelpedthemtrytokillme.”
“I…wait,what?Who?Whatareyoutalkingabout?”
Marc'seyesclosedandheleanedhisheadback.Lilywatchedhimforasecond,thenreachedforthegun.Withoutlooking,hesnappedhisarmoutandhishandwasbackaroundherneck.
“Whydidyoucometomyroomlastnight?”heasked,finallylookingather.
Shepulledathiswrist,tryingtobreakfree.
“IthoughtIwasinvited,”shegrowled.
“Ineverinvitedyoutomyplace.”
“Tofuckyou.I'mprettysuretheinvitationforsexwasclear.Iwenttheretofuckyou,alright!?”shesnapped,slicinghernailsintotheskinaroundhisfingers.
“Ivanovdidn'tsendyou?”
“No.Hedoesn'tevenknowIwentthere,hetoldmetogostraighttomyhotel,”sheexplained.Thepressureonherneckeasedalittle,thoughhedidn'tletgo.
“Hetoldyouthat?”“Yes.That'swhyhekept
methereafteryou.Tochangetheplan.Hedecidedtheexchangewouldn'thappenatthesafehouse,butatmyhotel,instead.Hekepttellingmetogothereandtonot
openthedoorforanyonebuthim,”sherecountedtheconversationshe'dhadwithIvanov.
“Hedidn'twantithappeningnearthesafehouse,”Marcmumbled,staringoutthewindshield.
“See?Nobigplottokillyou.Butyou–howdidyouevenknowI'dgotothatgasstation,huh?Howlonghaveyouplanningtostealfromme?Before,orafter,you
sleptwithme!?”Lilydemanded.Heglancedather.
“Ididn'tplanshit.WhileIwashidinginamosqueIthoughtaboutthosemapsinIvanov'soffice.Lookedatmyownmap.Seemedlikethebestrouteforyoutotakewasthatroad.Thatgasstationwasthelastplaceyoucouldgetwater.Ifyouhadn'tstopped,Iwould'vestolenacarandcomeafteryou.Ifyouhadn'tusedthatroad,I
would'vebeenfucked.Igotlucky,”hetoldher.
“Me,notsomuch.”“Nope.”Therewasanawkward
pause.“Getyourhandoffof
me,”shefinallybrokethesilence.
“Areyougonnareachforthegun?”
“Atsomepoint,yes,”shewashonest.
Hesqueezedtightone
moretime,butthenlethergo.
“Idon'tbelieveyou,”hesaidsimply.Sherubbedatherskin.
“Idon'tbelieveyou,either,”sheechoedhisstatement.
“Sowe'reatastalemate.”“Yes.”“Ineedtogetthose
diamondsback,”Marcstartedinacarefulvoice,hishandsmovingtogripthesteering
wheel.“IwanttoreturnthemtotheLiberians–theythinkIstolethediamondsformyselfandsoldthemtoadifferentgang.That'swhatIvanovtoldthem,that'swhatitlookedlikewhentheybrokeintomyroomandsawallthatfuckingmoneyIvanovgaveme.IwanttoexplaintothemthattheBratvasetallofusup.Getmeoutofthepicture,andstartanewgangwarbetweenthemandtheirrivals,which
willmaketheRussian'slittleheistgounnoticed.”
“YouwanttheLiberianstogoaftertheBratva,”shesawwherehewasgoingwithhisplan.
“Yes.”“Why?You'realive,
you'rehomefree.We'reonlyacouplemilesfromGuinea.Justgoaway.Nevercomeback.Noonewillevenknow,”shesuggested.Itseemedobvious.Heshook
hishead.“Becauseadouble-cross
isstilladouble-cross.Youdon'tdothat,nottome,notinmyworld.Fuckwithmyreputation?Iwantthemalltopay.IwanttofixthisandexposeIvanov.IneedtheLiberianstofinishthis,toknowwhat'sgoingon,”Marcstated.
“Ican'thelpyou,”shewashonest.“Doyouhaveanyideahowlongittookme
togethere?Awomancourier,transportingdiamondsforaBratva?DoyouthinkIwastheirfirstchoice?YouhavenoideathethingsIhadtodotogettothispoint.Theywon'tletmeontheferrywithoutthosediamonds,sothosestonesarecomingwithme.”
Again,anotherlongpause.Shecouldseehimstrugglingwithadecision.Heglaredoutthewindshield,his
eyebrowsfurrowedtogether,hisfingerstighteningevenmorearoundthewheel.Theleathercreakedandshifted.
“Youweren'tpartoftheplantogetmekilled,”hechecked.Sheshookherhead.
“No.”“Youneedthediamonds
togetontheboat,”hestarted.Shenodded.
“Yes.”“Doyouneedthemtoget
ontheplane?”
Sheblinked.Shehadn'tthoughtaboutit.
“I…Idon'tknow.Idon'tthinkso.It'sacommercialplane,AirSwiss.”
“SoyoucantechnicallygettoMoscowwithoutthem.YoujustneedtoshowthemtogetoutofAfrica.”
“Yes,Ithinkthat'sright.Theguyatthedocksissupposedtocheckthem,thenhe'llconfirmitwith
Stankovski,whowillthenmakesurethere'saplaneticketwaitingformeinBarcelona.”
“Wecanmakeadeal,”Marcbegan,andhisfingersletgoofthewheel.“Idon'ttrustyou.Evenifyoudidn'tknowinglyhelpIvanov,heusedyoutogettome,I'mpositive.You'restillhispawn.ButI'llhelpyougettoMorocco.Withoutthiscar,you'regoingtoneedme.You
showthediamonds,yougetonyourferry,youmakeittoBarcelona.Igetthediamondsfromyou,Icomeback,IsettheLiberiansagainsttheBratva.Webothgetwhatweneed.”
Lilykeptstaringathim.Itcouldwork.Itcouldreallywork.Theywereatanimpasse–hewasn'tgoingtolethergoandshewastheonlyonewhocouldgetthediamonds.Hewasright,
withoutacarthegoingwouldberough.She'dprobablyhavetostealone,whichwouldbealoteasierwithhishelp.Andhavingamanalongtohelp,amanwhowasclearlyverywellversedinshootingandstealing,wouldmakethewholejourneyeasier.
“WhyshouldItrustyoutoactuallyhelpme?”sheaskedthemilliondollarquestion.Neitherofthemhad
areasontotrusteachother.Oncethatsafewasopen,therewasnostoppinghimfromdoingwhateverhewanted.Hewasarmed.Hewasbigger.Shewaschainedtohiswrist.Shehadnothing,heronlybargainingchipwasthesafe.
“Youshouldn't.ButImakeapromise,Ikeepit.That'sthebestIcando,”hereplied.
“Iwantagun.”
Hishandwentbackaroundherthroat.
“IsaidIkeepmypromises,notthatI'mfuckingstupid.Nowgoopenthegoddamnsafe.”
Hepushedherbackwards,shovingheroutofthecar.Shefellonherbackandrolledaroundtoherknees,coughingandhacking.Sheheardhimmovingbehindher,thenhisfeetwereagainstherback,shovingheragain.
Shegrowledandcrawledforward,hurryingtoherfeet.
Hecoiledthechainaroundhisarmashewalked,pickinguptheslack.Heledheraroundthecar,backtothetrunk.He'dpoppeditbeforehe'dgottenoutofthecarandheeaseditopen.Theshinykeypadblinkedupatthem.Lilylickedherlips.Oncesheopenedit,therewasnogoingback.Theexplosiveswouldbe
permanentlydeactivated.Thediamondswouldbeout,shewouldbecompletelyathismercy.Sheturnedtofacehim.
“Marc,”shebreathedhisname,anditseemedtohaveaneffectonhim.Hefrownedandwouldn'tmeethereyes,justkeptstaringatthesafe.“I'mtrustingyou.IneedtogettoMoscow.Ineedtogetonthatferry.Youcan'tpossiblyunderstand…Ihave
togetthere.”Hesimplynoddedand
gesturedatthesafe.Shetookadeepbreath.Worstcasescenario,hetookthediamondsandleftherthere.Whatcouldshedothen?WalkbacktoMonrovia,prayshedidn'tgetkilledalongtheway,andwarntheBratvaofhisplans.Itwastheonlyoption.Shecouldn'tsitaroundplayingmindgameswithhimanylonger.
“Openit,”hegrowledwhenshehesitatedtoolong.
“Backawayfirst,”sheordered.Hefinallylookedatheragain.“Backaway.Asfarasthechainwillallow.I'mholdingthesestones.Youkeepyourdistance.”
Marclookedlikehewantedtoargue,badly,buthecomplied.Heslowlybackedawayfromher,spoolingoutthechainandlettingitdroptotheground.Whenhegotas
farasthelinkswouldallow,hemadeabiggestureofrestinghishandonthebuttofhisgun.Sheglaredandturnedbacktothetrunk.
Therewereseveralsequencesofnumberstorememberandenter,butafteracouplemomentsthesafewasopened.Shewincedwhenithappened.Itwaslikeadeathknollonherplan.Therewasnogoingbacktotheoriginalplannow.Itwas
all“wingingit”fromthereonout.Shestaredintothetrunk,tryingtostaveoffapanicattack.She'dneverwingedanythinginherlife.
“What'stakingsolong!?”Marcyelled,hisvoiceangry.Shereachedintothesafe.
“Thisisthebribe!Forthepeopleatthedock!”shecalledout,holdinguptightlyrolledwadsofmoney.Shebeganshovingthemintothe
variouspocketsonhercargopants.
Afterthelastofthemoneywasstashedaway,shecouldseeit.UnderneathasatellitephoneandwrappedupinapashminawasagallonZiplockfreezerbag.Durable.Waterproof.Airtight.Shereachedintothesafe,startedpullingapartthescarf.Thestonescameintoview.Lotsofthem,ofvarioussizes,acoupleasbigasthreeorfour
carats,thoughmostweresmaller.Allhadtheabsolutebestclarityshe'deverseen.
Herhandsstartedtoshakeandthepanickyfeelingwasback.Thiswasit.Thediamondswereout.Hecouldjustsnatchthemfromher.Takethem.Takewhateverhewanted.Hewasaman,afterall,andmenwereawful.Menweretheworst.Mencoulddowhatevertheywanted.
Menwerenottobe
trusted.Theideahadbarely
formedinLily'smindwhensheactedonit.SheglancedatMarcwhileshepeeledopenthebaggie.Itwasquietoutandthesoundcarried.Sheignoreditandbegandiggingherfingersintothestones.
“Hey!HEY!Whatareyoudoing!?”Marcbeganrunningtowardsher.“Wehadadeal!Wehadadeal!”
Lilypickedoutseveralof
thebiggeststonesshecouldfindandshestoodup,shovingthemintohermouthatthesametime.Asthediamondstumbledoverhertongue,sheswallowedthem.Thenshequicklyhunchedover,workingfasttoshovethebaggiedownthefrontofherpants,workingitinsideherunderwear.Marcreachedherjustasherhandpulledfreeandhegrabbedherbytheshoulders,shakingher
hard.“Stopit!”sheshrieked,
stumblingaroundonherfeet,grippingontohist-shirt.
“Whywouldyoudothat!?Givemetherest!”hedemanded.
“Gofuckyourself!”Hestoppedshakingher,
andforamomentshewasglad,butthenhishanddovedownthefrontofherpantsandgladnesswentaway.Shescreamedandgrabbedonto
hiswrist,yankingherhipsbackfromhim.Theydancedaround,weavingbackandforth.Hisfingersweregrippingontothefrontofherunderwear,pullingatthem,thebaggiejustbarelyoutofhisreach.Shejammedherfootdownonhisinstep,hopingitwouldgethimtobackaway.Didn'twork.Hegruntedandnextthingsheknew,shewasflyingthroughtheair.Hebodyslammedher
ontotheground,knockingallthewindoutofher.Asshetriedtocatchherbreath,hekneltoverherandcontinuedhissearchofherpanties.Hefinallypulledthebaggiefreeandexamineditinthesunlight.
“Stupidbitch.Goddamnstupidbitch.Why!?Ithoughtwehadafuckingdeal!”heyelledather.
“Fuckyourdeal,”shewheezed.Hebackhandedher,
thengrabbedherbythechin,forcinghertofacehim.Withhisfreehand,hepulledaknifeoutofhispantlegandhepresseditagainstherthroat.
“Fuckwithmeagainandthedealisoff.I'llcutthosefuckingstonesoutofyourstomach,littlegirl,”hehissed.Shespitinhisface.
Seemedtheappropriateresponse.
Onemorebackhandand
heseemedatpeacewithwhathadhappened.Hecrawledoffherandstumbledaway,lookingovertheremainingdiamonds.Lilymoanedandrubbedatherjawforamoment.Hewasn'thittingherfullforce,shewassure,butitwasenoughforcetomakeitfeellikeherjawwantedtofalloffatthehinges.Shefinallygottoherfeet,keepingherdistancefromhim.
“Youcan'tdoublecrossme.Theyknowtheweightofthatbaggie,youcanbesure.Theyknowthattherewereseveralthreeandfourcaratstones,they'llnoticethey'remissing.Nowyouneedme,”shecroakedout,dustingoffherpants.Heglaredatherbeforewalkingbackaroundthecarandgettingintothebackseat.
“Onlyforonemoreday!”hecalledout.Whenhe
stoodupright,hehadsomesortofbaginhishand.Heshovedthediamondsintoitfirst,thenbeganloadingitupwiththebottlesofwaterandjerkyshe'dboughtthedaybeforeatthegasstation.Herstomachgrowledloudly.
“Whathappensinaday?”sheasked.Hethrewthebagoverhisshoulders.Athickstrapwentdiagonalacrosshischestandheclippeditshut,securingthe
packfirmlyinplace.Heyankedonthebindings,makingittightersoitwascompletelyflushwithhisback.
“Youhavetogotothebathroomatsomepoint,sweetheart,andanylongerthanthat,I'llgoinandgetthemoutmyself.Nowmove.”
“Wherearewe?”shechosetoignorehim.Theywereinaflattenedareawithbushesandscrub,andshe
couldseetreesaroundthem.Theylookedliketheywereinthemiddleofnowhere.
“We'reaboutathousandfeetfromtheroad,”heanswered,andsheassumeditwasthetruth.
“Athousandfeet?”shesoughtforclarification.
“Fromwhereyoustoppedthecar.”
“Howdidwegethere?”“Ipushedthecarhere.
Youwereinthebackseat.”
“Wow.”“Thisisn'ttwenty
questions,Itoldyoutomove,”Marcremindedher,andhishandwentbacktorestonhisgun.Shefollowedthemovement,thenstaredatthegun.Hergun.Thatwashergunhewasusing,herGlock22.Theoneshe'dboughtfiveyearsago,theonethathadtraveledallovertheworldwithher.
Theonethathadavery
specificdestiny.“Wheredidyouget
that?”Lilyasked,noddingherheadathiswaist.Heglanceddown,andwhenhelookedupagain,hewassmiling.
“Iknewthisgunhadtobespecialtoyou.Therewerealotofweaponsinthatcar.Somehidden,someinplainsite,butthiswastheonlyonebeingkeptinalockedguncase.Why?Mustbepretty
importanttoyou,”Marchadputthepiecestogether.
“It'sjustagun,likeanyothergun,”shetriedtoplayitoff.
“It'sagunthatyouweresavingforaspecialoccasion.”
“Well,Iguessitdoesn'tmatternow,anyway.”
“You'reright,itdoesn't.Nowmove.”
Thenheyankedonthechainhardenoughtopullher
toherknees.Asshole.Theyheadedbacktothe
road.Lilykeptawayfromhimatfirst,stayingasfarbackasthechainwouldallow.Shedidn'tlikebeingclosetohim.Itbroughtupmemoriesshewouldratherforget,especiallyconsideringtheirnewcircumstances.Buthedidn'tlikeherbeingthatfarbehindhim,sohestoppedthemandtightenedthechain
aroundherwaist,makingitsoshecouldneverbemorethanthreefeetfromhim.
Majorasshole.Onceattheroad,they
startedwalkingdownit,fartherawayfromMonrovia.Hesetabriskpace,andastheywentalong,Lilystartedtofeelallherinjuries.Herhiphurt,herheadthrobbed,andshewassothirstyshecouldbarelyseestraight.Shedidn'twanttosayanythingtohim,
butherbodywasn'tasstrong.Shestumbledacoupletimesandmanagedtokeepgoing,butwhenshefelltoherkneesitwasadifferentstory.Shecouldn'tgetbackup.
“What'reyouplayingatnow?”hebarkedout.Sheshookherhead,tryingtoclearherdoublevision.
“Water,”shepanted.Heyankedonherchain,almostcausinghertocollapse.
“Whatwasthat!?”
“Water!Ineed…water.It'sbeenadayandahalfsinceI'vehadanythingandwe'vebeenwalkingforever,”sheyelledback.Therewasmumbling,andshedidn'texpecthimtocomply,butthentherehewas,squattinginfrontofherandholdingoutabottleofwater.Shegrabbedit.
“Stupid,stupid,stupid.Should'vesaidsomething.Thisheatcankillyou,”he
grumbled.Shestayedonherknees,onehandagainsttheground,theothertiltingthebottletoherlips.Whileshesuckeddowntheliquid,shewassurprisedtofeelsomethingcoolonherneck.Sheopenedhereyesandrealizedhewassprinklingwateracrossherback.
“Whyareyoubeingnicetome?”sheasked,wipingathermouth.
“BecauseIdon'twantto
dragadeadbodyinthisheat.Keepmoving.”
Theywalkedforabouttwohourswithoutseeinganything.Marcstoppedregularlyforher,withoutevenasking.Doledoutwaterandjerkyforthemboth.Shestillfeltlikeshit,butshedidn'tquitefeellikecollapsinganymore.Andthebastardhadn'ttriedtokillheryet,sothatwasaplus.
Yet...
Justbarelyintotheirthirdhourofwalking,ithappened.Acaronthehorizon.Theywereonastraightstretchofroadwithhugetreesandgreeneryoneithersideofthem.Itwashumidandhotandforasecond,Lilythoughtitwasamirage.Orheatwaves.Butno,therewasdefinitelyacarheadedtowardsthem.
“Justkeepwalking,”Marcinstructed,yankingon
thechainwhenshestoppedtostare.
“What'sgoingtohappen?”sheasked.
Itwasthefirsttimeshe'dwillinglyengagedinconversationwithhimsincethey'dlefthercar.Shewasnervous.Liberiawasadangerousplace,andMonroviaevenmoreso–acarheadingtowardsthemwasn'tnecessarilyagoodthing.Shedidn'twanttogo
frombeingchainedtoamercenarytobeingchainedupinsomegang'sbasement.
“Nothing.Keepwalking.Don'tdoanythingunlessItellyouto.”
ThecarwasanoldbeatupVolvo,andwasmissingabackdoor,withonlyatarpcoveringitup.Itwasracingalong,andLilyhadhighhopesitwouldpassthem,butnosuchluck.Thedriverslammedonthebrakes,the
tiressquealingandleavingrubberontheasphalt.Marcstoppedwalking,soLilystoppedwalking,scootingbehindhimalittle.
“Marc,whatifthey-”shestartedtowhisper.
“Notaword.DowhateverItellyou,”hehissedback.
Lilywatchedastwoyoungmengotoutofthecar.Theycould'vebeenanywherebetweeneighteenyearsand
thirty.Lifehadn'tbeenkindtothem.Theyweresicklyskinny,thoughwhetherfrommalnutritionordrugs,shecouldn'ttell.Bothcarriedlarge,fullyautomaticrifles.BothweretalkingloudlytoMarcwhilegesturingtoher.
“Ah!”Marcwassmiling,anditwasactuallyscarierthantheglarehe'dbeenwearingformostoftheday.“Youlike?Youlikewhatyousee?”heasked,gesturingat
her.Shealmostgagged.
Somethingwasgoingon,themenweretalkingbackandforth,speakinginamish-mashofEnglish,Pidgin,andFrench.Alotoflooksandpointsandstareswerebeingdirectedather.Oneofthestrangerssteppedupclosetoher,reacheduptotouchherhair.
“Ilikered,”hesaidinabaritonevoice.Sheyanked
awayfromhim.“Whatisgoingon!?”she
demanded.TheystartedtalkinglouderandMarcpulledherinfrontofhim.
“Thisoneisdangerous,myfriends!Shehasclaws,shescratches,likeacat,”helaughed,wrappinganarmaroundherwaistandhuggingherclose.Itwasthefirsttimehe'dtouchedherinanintimatemannersincetheirnighttogetherinhisroom.
“Whatthefuckareyoutalkingabout!?”sheexclaimed,tryingtoturnherheadbacktolookathim.Thetwomenlaughed,andoneofthemstretchedoutanarm,pointingatherchest.
“Yes!Herbestfeature,Iagree.Evenbetternaked,Iguarantee.Wantataste?”Marcoffered,andLilywasbeyondshockedwhenbothhishandscameuptocupherbreasts.
“Getyourfuckinghandsoffofme!”shespitout,thrashingaroundinhisgrip.Themenjustlaughedevenmore.
“Howmuch?Howmuch?”theybeganasking,fishingaroundintheirpants.Lily'sangerturnedtopanic.
“Youcan'tsellme!PeopleknowI'mhere!Youcan'tdothis!”shescreamed,fullblownfearblossominginherchest.Marc'shands
movedtoherwaistandhegrippedher,squeezinghisfingers.Shecriedoutinpain.
“Shutupandtrustme,”hisvoicewaslownearherear.
“No!No!Youfuckingliar!Fuckingsellme!?Youfuckingliar!”sheshrieked,tryingtopullaway.
“Thecar!”Marcyelledoverher.“Givemethekeys,Ihandyouthegirl!”
Themenshooktheir
heads,andarguingcommenced.Lilygruntedandshrieked,stilltryingtobreakfreefromMarc.Eventually,hecuffedheracrossthebackoftheheadwiththegun.Theblowricochetedaroundinherskullandshedoubledoverinpain,herhandsonthebackofherhead.
“Nodeal!Nodeal!Youtakecash,orwetakegirl!”oneofthemenyelled,andheleveledhisgunonMarc's
head.“Yougivemethecar,I
giveyouthegirl!”Marcurged.
“No!”SomeonegrabbedLily's
handandshewasyankedforward.Shescreamedandimmediatelytriedtopullaway.Anarmwentaroundherwaist,shewasprettysureitwasMarc's,andatug-o-wargamestarted.Shewaspulledupandofftheground,
oneofthestranger'sgettinghisarmaroundhershoulders.ShekickedoutherlegsandmanagedtowrapthemaroundMarc'swaistandshelockedon,holdingonfordearlife.
“Lily!Calmdown!”Marc'svoicecutthroughthepandemonium.
“AREYOUFUCKINGSERIOUS!?I'MGETTINGKIDNAPPED!”shebellowed.
Despitethecommotion–
theyelling,theshouting,Lily'shighpitchedgirlyshrieking–thesoundofagunbeingcockedwasunmistakable,anditbrokethroughthecacophony.Everyonefroze,andwhensheliftedherhead,itwastoseeMarcpointingherGlockstraightahead.Sheswallowedthicklyandretightenedhergriponhiswaist.
“Asyoucansee,mylady
friendherelikestomakethingsdifficult.Wejustneedyourcar,”Marcexplainedinalowvoice.
Lilyglancedbehindher.Duringthestruggle,bothmenhadletgooftheirguns.Marchadthedroponthem,whichhadpossiblybeenhisplanthewholetime.Everyoneheldcompletelystill,eyesbouncingoffofeachother.
“Weputherdown,”onemanoffered,hisvoicequiet.
“No!Youdon'tmove.Lily,letgoofmywaist,”Marcinstructed.
“No,they'llpullmeaway.”
“Justtrustme.”Shedidn'ttrusthim,not
atall.Butsheloweredherfeettotheground.
She'dbarelymadecontactwiththeasphaltwhenallhellbrokeloose.Thetwomendroppedherupperhalfastheydovefortheirguns.
Marcshouted,thengunfirerangout.Lilycriedout,coveringherfacewithherhands.
Shedidn'tknowhowlongitwentonfor;itfeltlikeforever,butalsolikeitallhappenedintheblinkofaneye.She'dcurledintothefetalposition,andwhenshefeltahandonherleg,shescreamedandkicked.
“It'sme!It'sme,youidiot!”Marcshouted,
grippingontoherankleandpullinghardenoughtodragheracouplefeettowardshim.Sheopenedhereyesandhemovedtostandoverher.
“Where'dtheygo?”sheasked,pushingherselfupright.
“Youdidthis,”hesnapped.“Iwantyoutorememberthat.Ifyou'djustshutthefuckuponceandawhile,listentowhatIsay…fuck.”Hewasmumbling,
almosttalkingmoretohimselfthantoher.Shestoodupandturnedtofacehim,thengaspedatthesightinfrontofher.
Bothmenweredead.Onewasonhisfront,thankgod.Theother,Lilywasn'taslucky.He'dbeenshotthreetimesinthechestandafourthbullethadgrazedhishead,takingachunkoutofhisskull.Sheputahandoverhermouth.
“I'mgonnabesick,”shegroaned,tryingtoholdbackthevomit.Itwasonethingtoplanaman'sdeathforoverfiveyears–itwasquiteanothertoseedeathanddestructionlaidoutinfrontofher.
“Shutupandcomehelpme,”Marcsaid,yankingonherchain.Shestumbledforward.
“I'mnottouchingthem,”shereplieddefiantly.
“Oh,yes,youare.Youhelpedmakethismess,soyou'resureasshitcleaningitup,”hestated.
“Ididwhat!?Don'tyoudareputtheirdeathsonme!”sheshouted.“Youdidn'tsayanything!Youweregoingtosellme!HowdidyouthinkI'dreact!?”Hesteameduptoherandloweredhimselfsohisfacewasrightinherface.
“Itoldyoutokeepyourmouthshut.Itoldyounotto
doanything.Iwasn'tgoingtosellyou.Iwasdistractingthem,sowecouldgetthecar.IfyouhadjustlistenedtowhatIsaidandpaidattention,thesemenwouldbealiverightnow!”
Lilycouldn'tbelieveit.Hehadhither.Hehadchainedhertohim.Hehadmadeherwalkformiles.Hehadruinedherfive-years-longplan.Andnowhewasblamingthedeathsoftwo
menonher.Fuck.This.Despitelosinghershit
onlymomentsbefore,Lilywasnowiltingflower.Shehadextensivetraininginhand-to-handcombat.Sheletoutashriek,andthensheheadbuttedMarcashardasshepossiblycould.
Themovecaughthimoffguard,andLilytookhisstunandusedittoheradvantage,hikingherlegupand
stompingdownonhiskneecap.Hegaveastrangledshout,droppingtohisknees.Shethenknottedherfingersinhishairandslammedhisforeheadontoherownleg,causinghimtoflybackwards.
Sherushedtowardshim,kickinghimintheribcage.Once,twice,athirdandfourthtime,butwhenshewentforthefifthstomp,hemanagedtograbherfoot.Hetwistedandshewas
completelythrownoffbalance,fallingtotheground.
Theyrolledaroundforaminute,Marctryingtogetagriponherflailinglimbs,Lilytryingtothrowherweightaroundsoshecouldgaintheupperhand.Itdidn'twork,andsoonenoughhehadherpinnedfacedownontheground,thechainwrappedaroundherneck.Hepulledbacksohardherspinearched,liftingherchestoff
thepavement.Shegaggedandcoughed,fingerscurlingaroundthelinks.
“Fuckingspitonme,fuckinghitme,fuckingheadbuttedme!?Wherethefuckdidyoucomefrom!?”hewasyellingashechokedher.
Dosomethingoryou'regoingtoblackout.
Hewaskneelingoverherhips,whichputhimincloserang.Sherammedherelbowbackintohissolarplexus.He
madehisownweirdgaggingnoisesandpitchedforwardontopofher.Lilywentwithit,fallingwithhisweightandlettinghimrolloverher.Shescrambledtoherknees,andasshedidso,shesawit.Hergun.Ithadfallenfreeofhispantsandwaslayingonthepavement.
Shejumpedtoherfeet,scoopingitup.Butshedidn'tevenhaveenoughtimetocockitbeforeMarcwason
her,yankingoneofherlegsoutfromunderneathher.Shefelltoonekneeandwastreatedtosomeofthemovesshe'ddishedoutearlier;anelbowstraighttoherchest.Shegasped,pressingahandtohersternum.Hisownhandwentintoherhair,pullingherintoabackbend.Keepingherpalmflat,sherammedherhandupwards,shovingitupintohisnose.Hehowledandlethergo.
Sheagaingottoherfeetandstartedtorun,butsheforgotaboutthestupidchain.She'dbarelymadeitfivefeetwhenshewasviolentlyyankedbackwards.Asshespunaround,heslappedheracrosstheface,causinghertofallintothesideofthecar.Shemovedquickly,rackingtheslideandwhippingthegunoutinfrontofher,buthegrabbedherwrist,keepingthemuzzlepointedaway
fromhimasshefiredofftworounds.Hedrovehisotherfiststraightforherface,soshejerkedtotheside,causinghimtopunchoutthepassengerwindow.Thenshekneedhimintheballs.Sheexpectedittolayhimout,butsurprisingly,itdidn't.Hemadeafunnysoundinthebackofhisthroatandhiskneesbuckled,buthedidn'tgodown.
Hishandwasthroughthe
glass,stuckbetweenthejaggedshards.Hisotherhandwaswrappedaroundbothofherwrists,keepingthegunatbay.Whenhiskneeshadgivenout,they'dslammedintoherownlegs,effectivelypinningherintoplace.
Anotherstandoff.“Youwereactually
gonnashootme,”hewasbreathingheavy.Shewaspleasedtoseethathisnosewasbleeding.
“Onlyintheknee,don'tbesuchapussy,”shepantedbackathim.
“WhatwasitIsaidI'ddoifyoumessedwithmeagain?”heasked,hiseyesskatingdownherbody.Lilyswallowedthickly.
“Youwouldn't,”shewhispered,rememberinghisthreattocutthediamondsoutofher.
“Youtestedme.Maybeit'stimeyoufoundoutwhat
kindofmanyou'redealingwith.”
Lilyslammedallherweightagainsthisoutstretchedarm,grindinghisforearmintothejaggedglass.Hegrowledandhisgriponherwristslightenedenoughthatshewasabletobreakfree.Buthewasn'tstunnedenoughtolethergo,andshewasknockedtothegroundoncemore.Thegunwentflying.
Itwasaclawing,scratching,hairpullingraceafterthat,bothofthemcrawlingtowardstheweapon.Sheclimbedonhisbackatonepoint,bitingdownonhisshoulderhardenoughthatthecoppertasteofbloodstainedhertongue.Heflippedheroverforthattrick,butthatwasfinewithherbecauseitmeantshewasabletokickhislegsoutfromunderneathhim.Hewentdownaswell
andshescrambledtogetontopofhim.
Shesatonhischest,herkneesoneithersideofhishead,herfeetpinninghisarmstohisside.Thenshegavehimthebestrighthookshehad,straightacrosshisjaw.Withthesecondpunch,shedrewblood,andathird,shewaspositiveshe'dloosenedsometeeth.Shewasn'tgivenafourthchance,though;heyankedhisarms
freeandgrabbedherbythehips,rollingthemsoshewasunderneathhim.
Theylandedontopofthegun.Itdugpainfullyintoherspine.Theyrolledfromsidetoside,bothtryingtoreachunderhertogetatit.Shebuckedandmoved,tryingtoshakehimoff,buthedidn'tbudge.Hewasevenabletolockhiskneesdowntightagainstherhips,managingtoholdherinplace.She
screamedoutasshefelthimgripthebuttofthegun.Herlasthopewastopossiblyheadbutthimagain,buttoherhorror,justasshewasliftingherforehead,hewaspointingthebarrelstraightather.Thenhemoveditafractionofaninchandpulledthetriggertwice,rapidfire,oneithersideofherheadbeforepointingthemuzzlestraightdownatherchest,soclose,shecouldfeeltheheatfrom
it.“Don't.Move.”Itwasnotarequest,and
therewasnothingsoftinhisvoice.Shedidn'tmove,thoughshecouldn'tstopherpanting.Therewasalsoasharpringinginbothofherears.Shestaredatthegun,thenstaredathisface.Hewasglaringagain.Heseemedtoalwaysbeglaring.
“Doit,”shewhispered.“You'veruinedeverything,
anyway.Pullthetrigger.Notlikekillingmatterstoyou,right?Doit.”
Thegunwasloaded,thesafetywasoff,anditwascocked.Shepreparedherselffortheend.
Butitdidn'thappen.“Fromhereonout,you
dowhatIsay.Nowlet'sgetthefuckoutofhere.”
DAYTWOTheydroveforhours.
Theydidn'tspeakatall,exceptwhenLilygavehimdirections.Sheshowedhimwheretoturnontoadirtroad,whicheventuallyledtotheoldunusedarmyroad.GettingoutofLiberiaonlytookacouplehours,buttheydidn'tstopinGuinea.Marc
wasdeterminedtomakethetripasquicklyaspossibleandhedidn'twanttostopmoving,didn'twanttoruntheriskofdrawinganyattentiontothem.Hestolegasandfoodalongthewaywhereverhecould.HehadchainedLilytoherseat,nottrustingheranyfartherthanhecouldthrowher.Shestayedsilent,alookofresignationpaintedonherface.
Hecouldadmitit–the
chickwasgood.Itwasn'tsomuchtheheadbuttitself,butthesheershockthatshe'devenattemptedamovelikethatwaswhathadstunnedhim.Hisknee,hisstomach;sheknewwheretolandherblows.Afterthey'dgottenupanddustedthemselvesoff,he'dhadtospitoutacrownthatshe'dmanagedtoknockloose.Thegirlcouldhit.Heprobablywould'velostthatfightifshewould'veever
botheredtolearnhowtocontrolhertemper.
Heglancedacrossthecarather.She'dfinallyfallenasleep.Shealmostlookedsweetinhersleep.He'dneverseenherinreposebefore;atthesafehouseshe'dalwaysbeendoingsomething,onherwayinorout,orflirtingwithhim,talkingwithhim.Inhisroomithadbeennon-stopsex,withhimbeingtheonetofallasleep.Shewasalways
moving,alwaysgoing.HewonderedwhathadhappenedtoLilyinherlife.WhathadturnedstrawberryshortcakeintoafightingmachinethatdiddirtyworkforaRussianBratva?
AndwhydoesshewanttogettoMoscowsobadly?
Whateverherreason,itmusthavebeenadoozy.He'dbeatenher.He'dcapturedher.He'dthreatenedher.Andstill,she'dswallowedabunchof
diamondsliketheywereM&Msandthendoneherbesttokickhisass.
Hewasimpressed.Theypassedthrough
Guineawithoutincident,skirtinganycities,andcrossedovertheborderintoMali.Itwasdarkout,andhecouldn'tkeephiseyesopen,buthesureasshitwasn'tgoingtoletherdrive.She'dprobablylockthegaspedalinplace,thendrivehisassright
intoalake.Theywereonthe
outskirtsofBamako,thelargestcityinMali.Marcdidn'twanttoparticularlygothroughthecity–boththeBratvaandtheLiberiangangwouldhavecalledallies,askingthemtobeonthelookoutforhim.Evenpossiblythem,atthatpoint.Therehadbeenaphoneinthesafeinhercar,nodoubtLilyhadbeenmeanttocheckin.On
topofthat,thecarprobablyhadatrackingdeviceinit.HecouldpictureIvanovlosinghismind,wonderingwhythecarwassittinginoneplaceforsolong.
BeforetheycouldenterBamakoproper,Marctookadetour,drivingthecardownadark,muddyroad.Hewaslookingforsomethingveryspecific,andittookaboutanhourofsearchingbeforehefoundit.
Aboardinghouse.Sketchy,offthebeaten
path“hotels”,boardinghousestendedtobeveryrelaxed.Basicallyjustnormalhomes,wheretheownersrentedouttheirsparebedroomsforalittleextracash.Theownersoftenlookedtheotherwayfromtheirguests.Marccouldprobablywalkincarryingadeadbody,andaslongashepaid,theywouldn'taskany
questions.Itwasn'tideal.A
“sketchy”boardinghousewaslikelytodrawothercriminalelements,aswell.Justwhathewaslookingtoavoid.Butaproperhotelinanicepartoftownwasn'tagoodidea,either.Lilycould,andprobablywould,createascene,andnottomentionthefactthatbothofthemwerebangedupandbleeding.
Soboardinghouseit
was.MarckeptLilycloseto
hissideashetalkedtotheproprietor.Therewasonlyoneroomleft,andhetookit.Allhewantedwasapropershower,whichhedoubleandtriplecheckedthattheyhad;runningwaterwasaluxuryinalotofplacesinwesternAfrica.
“I'mnotsleepingwithyou.”
Theywerethefirstwords
Lilyhadspokentohimsincethey'dgottenofftheground,backinLiberia.
“Don'tflatteryourself,”hechuckled,leadingthewayinsidetheirroom.
“There'sonlyonebed,”shepointedout.
“Ihopeyoulikethefloor.”
“Ihonestlyactuallyhateyou.”
“Icanlivewiththat,”heevenlaughedashetookin
theirfurniture.Thebedhadanoldfashionedbrassframeandhewalkedover,shovingtheflimsymattressoffofit.Heuncoiledherleashfromhisarm,thenloopeditaroundtherailsofthefootboard,severaltimesover,beforepadlockingitintoplace.
“Really?Areyouthatscaredofme?”shesnapped.Henoddedashetookoffhispackandtosseditintothebathroom.
“Terrified,”heanswered.Sheglaredathim.Itwasalooksheworeoftenandhewonderedifshehadanyideathatitwasn'tscaryatall.Infact,itwaskindofadorable.Thewayshescruncheduphernose,shelookedlikeanangrykitten.
“WhatifIhavetopee?Ortakeashower?”shedemanded.
“I'mabouttotakeashower,feelfreetojoinme,”
hereplied,peelingoffhist-shirt.Whenhepulleditclearfromhishead,shewaslookingawayfromhim,ablushstaininghercheeks.Asmemoriesfromtheirnighttogetherrushedbacktohim,heknewexactlywhatshewasthinking.Hemayhavehatedher,butshoweringtogethersuddenlydidn'tsoundsobad.
“I'dratherstink.”“Finewithme.”Hewalkedintothe
adjoiningbathroombutdidn'tshutthedoor.Hewantedtobeabletohearanythingshemightgetupto;hearifshegotfreeanddecidedtokillhim.Whenhe'dstrippednaked,heglancedoverhisshoulder.Shewaslayingonthebedwithherbacktohim,curledintoaball.
Good,she'stired.Iwon'thavetofightwithherallnight.
Heletthewatercascade
downhisbody.Itwasn'theated,butitfeltgood.Hebracedhisforearmsagainstthewallandthewaterspilleddownhisback.Herubbedatachingmusclesandsorebones.Cleanedthebloodoutofhisfaceandhair.Alotofrustyredwaterswirleddownthedrain.
AllthejobsI'vehadoveralltheyears,andBigRedcomestheclosesttotakingmeoutofanyoneI'veever
known.Hespentasolidhalfan
hourintheshower,baskinginthefeelingofbeingclean.Thenhegrabbedthet-shirthe'dbeenwearingallday,washingitasbesthecouldusingabarofsoapandrubbingitagainstthetilesonthewall.Heonlyhadoneothert-shirtinhisbag,hisclothingoptionswerelimited,andhewantedtotakecareofthem.Amilliondifferent
diseasesandbacteriawerefloatingaroundAfrica,cleanlinesswasanecessity.
Hewasactuallyfeelingprettygoodwhenhegotoutoftheshower,soitwasanevenbiggerletdownwhenhewalkedintothemainroomandsawwhatshe'dbeenupto.Hewasn'tsurehowshe'ddoneitwithouthimhearing,butshe'dmanagedtogettheendframedetachedfromthemainpartofthebed.The
mattresswasrestingatadownwardangle.
Lilywasn'tnearthebed.Shewassittinginachairbythewindows,thelengthofchainpiledinherlap.Marcwasverygratefulthathe'dhadtheforethoughttoputhispackinthebathroomwithhim–ithadthegunandthediamondsinit.
“Istayed,”shestatedinastrongvoice.
“Inoticed.”
“Ididthistoproveapoint.Icould'veleft.Itwasaprettystupidplacetochainme.IknewthemomentyoudiditthatIcouldgetaway.ButIdidn't.Istayed.Iwantthisthingoffme,now,”Lilydemanded,yankingatthechainsaroundherwaist.
“No,”heshookhishead.“Ialsocould'vesnuckup
behindyouintheshowerandstabbedyouwithoneofthesebrassfittings.Brainedyou
withoneofthoselamps.Oreasiestofall,justtossedtheradiointothewaterwithyou.ButIdidn't.Ichosetosithereandwait,alltoprovethatIcanbetrusted.Takeoffthechain,”sheurged.Marcwalkedovertoher,oneeyebrowcockedup.
“Lasttimewemadeadealyouscrewedmeover,”heremindedher.
“SoIoweyouone.Takeoffthechain.”
“Idon'twanttobekilledinmysleep.”
“Me,neither.AndIdon'twanttokillyou.Ionlywanttokilloneman,”hervoicefellintoawhisper.
Somethinghadchanged.Marccouldn'tputhisfingeronit,butinthetimeittookhimtoshower,somethingaboutherhadchanged.
“Whatman?”Marcasked.
“Stankovski.”
“Why!?”“Idon'thavetotellyou
anything.Justknowthatit'snotaboutyou.Andit'snotaboutme.ForfiveyearsIhavebeenplanningthatman'sdeath.Fiveyearsofmylife,justtogetthisclosetohim.AndwhereamInow?Afuckingboardinghouseinthemiddleofnowhere,Mali.Please.JustletmedothisandIwillgiveyouthediamonds,”sheurged.
Marcstaredatherforawhile.Shehadbruisesallaroundherneckfromwherehe'dstrangledherwiththechain.Bruisingdownthesideofherjawfromwherehe'dhither.Alightbruisesatabovehereyebrowfromwhereshe'dheadbuttedhim.Heknewtheremustbemore,underherclothes.Allbruiseshe'dputonher,allmarkshe'dleft.
Howstrange,togofrom
onenightofgentlecaressing,tothenextfullofpunchesandjabs.
“TellmewhyyouneedtogettoMoscow,”hereplied.Shesighed.
“IfItellyou,willyouremovethechains?”
“Probablynot,butit'llgetyouastepclosertoit.”
“Fine.Butfirst,getmesomethingtoeat.”
*
Itwouldshockmost
peopletolearn,butMarccouldactuallybeacharmerwhenheputhismindtoit.Itwasthemiddleofthenight,butheconvincedtheowner'swifetolethimtrollaroundintheirkitchen.Hegrabbedanythingedibleandcarteditbackuptotheroom.Lilyhadputthebedframebacktogetherandshesatinthemiddleofthemattress,
waitingforhim.He'dchainedhertoaradiatorbeforehe'dleft.Shecouldn'tpullthatapart.
“Ifoundyoufood.Spill,”heoffered,droppingaplateoffruitinfrontofher.
Shedoveintotheplate,moaningassheliftedthefoodtoherlips.Marchadeateninthekitchen,butseeinghereatthefoodlikeitwasthebestshe'deverhad,watchingherlickthejuicesfromher
fingertips,hadhimthinkingofsomethingotherthanherpast.Heclearedhisthroat,glaringharderather.
“IneedtogettoMoscow,”shestartedtotalkaroundthefoodinhermouth,“becauseIneedtokillAnatolyStankovski.”
“Youknowwhothatis,right?”hechecked.
“Yup,”shenodded.“Thenyouknowit's
impossible.Stankovskiisa
verypowerfulman,andnotjustinhisBratva–alotofotherbrotherhood'slookuptohim,alotofcrimeringsallovertheworld.Notjustanybodycanwalkuptohishouseandknockonhisdoor,”Marcwarnedher.IthadtakenhimalotofjobsbeforeMarchadgottentomeetthebigman.
“YouthinkIdon'tknowthat?WhydoyouthinkI'mhere?BecauseIthought
Monroviawouldbeagreatplacetocatchatan?”sheaskedinasnidevoice.
“Don'tbecute.”“Fiveyears,Marcelle.I
workedatabankinCleveland,soItransferredtoabranchinNewYork.SpreaditaroundthatIcouldlaundermoney.Whentherightfishtookthebait,Iwasin,filteringmoneyforagangoutofBrightonBeach.Igottoknowpeople,startedto
insinuatemyselfintocertainsituationsandevents.Meanwhile,ItookeverykindofweaponsanddefenseclassesIcouldfind.Eventually,IworkedmywayallthewaytoMoscow,thoughIwasneverallowedwithinamileofStankovski.Thisjobwasgoingtobemyin,mywaytoprovemyloyaltyandmyworth.Fiveyears,onelastjob.Getthediamondstohim.Thenshoot
himinthehead.Done.”“Alright,soyou've
'trained'.WhyStankovski?”Marcprobeddeeper.Ifhewasgoingtotrusthertoholdupherendofthebargain,thenhehadtoknoweverything.
“MysisterKaylee,”sheansweredplainly.“ShewaskidnappedduringatriptoRomania.TheFBIandthelocalauthoritieswereabletotrackherdisappearancetoa
humanslavetradeoperationbeingrunbyStankovski'sBratva.WetrackedhertoMoscow,butbythetimewegotthere…well…anautopsyshowedthatithadbeenmassivetraumatothehead.Someonehadbeatenherwithabluntobjectofsomesort.Ontopofthat,shehadmassiveamountsofheroininhersystem.Theytoldusthatsheprobablywould'vediedwithinamatter
ofdays,anyway,”Lilyfinishedherstory.
Marcwould'velikedtohavesaidhishearthurtforher.Buthedidn'thavemuchofaheart.He'ddonealotofdastardlythingsinhislife.He'dneversoldanyone,orbeatenawomantodeath,buthe'dkilledpeople,he'dkidnappedpeopleforransom,andhe'dstolenfrompeople,andhe'dneveroncefeltbadaboutit.
“Soyoursistergotkilled.Yougotitintoyourheadtogetrevenge.WhyStankovski?Alotofpeopleoperateunderneathhim,”hepointedout.Sheshookherhead.
“Pictures.Witnesses.HekeptKayleeforhimself.Theonlyreasonhebeatherwasbecauseshetriedtoescape.Shesleptinhisroom,andonlyhisroom.Heboughther,heforcefedherdrugs,he
rapedher,andhebeathertodeath.Iwanttoendhim,”Lily'svoicegrewhard.“Thatspecialcaseinthecar?Thatgunyoutook,myGlock?Iboughtthatgunfiveyearsago,andImadeadecisionthatIwouldn'tstopuntilI'dusedittoendhim.ThatGlockhasbeenoneveryjobwithme,gonetoeverycountrywithme,justincaseIwoundupinthatasshole'spresence.ThatGlock
representseverythingI'veworkedforovertheyears.SoI'dlikeitback,andI'dliketofinishwhatIstarted.”
Marcstaredatherforasecond.Shewasdeadserious.Shehaddedicatedfiveyearsofherlifetokillingaman,andMarchadalmostruinedthatplan.Hecouldunderstandherfrustrationalittlebetternow.Shewasquickwithagun,anddeadlywithherbody,butstill.There
wassomethingoff.LittleLilyhadnocluewhatshewasgettingherselfinto,notreally.
“That'sit,huh.Done.Youreallythinkitworkslikethat?”heasked,snatchingapieceoffruitoffherplateandeatingit.
“Yeah,Ido.Unlesssomeassholepopsupinmybackseatandcarjacksmeandmakesmewalkamillion…ohyeah,thatdidhappen,”she
snapped.“Killingsomeoneisn't
evereasy.Youthinkyoucanshoothiminthefaceandjustwalkaway?”hedoublechecked.Therewasnohesitationinheranswer.
“Yes.”“Andeventhen,youjust
walkaway…towhat?GobacktoCleveland,workatthatbank?”
Thequestionseemedtothrowher.Shesatbackasher
eyebrowsshotup.Clearly,she'dneverthoughtabout“after”,she'donlyfocusedonheranger.
“I…Idon'tknow.Gohome,dosomething,”shestuttered.
“Youcangofromlivingalifeofcrimeanddangerforthelastfiveyears,fromkickingamercenary'sassandkillingamobboss,backtoaranchstylehouseandawhitepicketfence,twocatsinthe
yard?”hekeptpushing.“Mercenary,huh,”she
replied.“Isthatyourpolitewayofsaying'lowdowndirtyfuckingthief'?”Hesmirkedather,nottakingthebait.
“Morelikemywayofsayingjack-of-all-trades.Fortherightprice,Icandojustaboutanythingthatneedstobedone.”
“Sointheory,Icouldhireyoutokillthisguy,”sheseemedtobethinkingout
loud.“No,Iwouldn'ttakethis
job,notevenfortwicemyusualprice.ButIcouldfindyousomeonewhowould.”
“No,thanks.Iwantmyfacetobethelastonehesees.”
“You'remakingamistake,”hesighed,pullingthenowemptyplateawayfromher.“I'mbeinghonestwithyou–don'tdothis.Itwillruinyou.You'venever
killedanyone,haveyou?”“No.Buttrustme,Iwant
todothis.”“I'msureyoudo,butthat
doesn'tmeanit'sgoingtobeeasy,orthatit'llendonhisdoorstep.That'sgonnastickwithyouforever.Youdon'twantthat,Lily.Don'tdothis.Givemethediamonds,andwalkaway.Killinghimwon'tbringherback.Someoneelsewilljusttakehisplace.Don'tdothis,”Marcurged,ashe
gotoffthebedandputtheplateoutsidetheirdoor.Whenhelookedback,Lilywasrefusingtomeethiseyes.
“Youdon'tknowme,youdon'tknowwhatIwant.”
“Iknowyou.Wewerealmostfriends,”heremindedher.Shefinallylookedathimagain.
“YouonlysawthepartsofmeIletyousee.Youdon'tknowanything.Nowunchainme,”shedemanded,yanking
hardonherrestraints.Heshookhishead.
“Noway.”“Marc!Itoldyoumy
story,Ididn'tkillyouintheshower,whatelsedoIhavetodo!?”sheasked,almostyelling.
“Letmeputyouonaplanebacktothestates,”heanswered.
“Fuckyou.”“Finewithme.”“Youdisgustme,”she
snarled.“That'snotwhatyousaid
lastnight.”“Let'sgetonething
straight,”shestarted,movingtostandonherknees.“Thatwillneverhappenagain,okay?NotonlydidyouturnouttobethebiggestassholeI'veevermet,butsexjustfuckseverythingup,clearly.Nosex.Notbetweenus.Noteveragain.”
“Agreed.Definitelya
badidea.You'dprobablystabmerightinthemiddleofanorgasm,”hesuggested.
“Iwouldn'tevenletitgetthatfar.”
“Nosex.”“None,”sherepeated
herselfasshegotoffthebed.“Now,atleastunchainmelongenoughformetousethebathroom.”
“No.Thedoorstaysopen,Iholdthechain,”heinformedher.Sheglaredand
foldedherarmsoverherchest.
“Fine.ButIseriouslydoubtyou'regoingtowanttowitnessthis.”
Ittookasecondforthewheelstolineupinhishead.Shehadtousethebathroom.Itwasthemiddleofthenight.She'dswallowedthediamondsearlythatmorning.Hmmm.Hetriednottolaughwhileshecontinuedglaringandheunchainedher.Asshe
stompedintothebathroom,hefishedsomeplasticbagsoutofhisbackpack.
“Here.Theymaycomeinhandy,”heoffered,notabletoholdbackhissmileasheofferedthebags.Shetookthem,thenslammedthedoorinhisface.
Therewasnowindowinthebathroom,soshecouldn'tescape.Hesatonthefloorbythefrontdoor,incaseshetriedtomakeadashforit.He
finishedofftherestofthefoodhe'dbroughtupfromthekitchenandwaitedforhertogetdone.
Shewasgoneforalongtime,almosthalfanhour.Thewaterwasrunninginthesinkforthewholetime.Whenshefinallycameout,hecouldfeeldampnessintheairjustfromtheamountofwatershe'dletrun.She'dwashedherfaceandherarms,andherhairhadbeentamedbackinto
anormallookingponytail.Shedroppedoneoftheplasticbagsonthefloorbyhisfeet.
“Don't.Say.Aword,”shecautionedhimbeforesheclimbedontothebed.Heleanedforwardandpickedupthebag,feelingatthebottomofit.Therewerefoursubstantialsizeddiamondssittinginsideit.Hecackledashestoodup.
“Doesswallowingthem
seemlikesuchagoodidea,now?”helaughedather.Shewaslayingwithherbacktohimanddidn'trollover,justheldupherarm,givinghimthemiddlefinger.
Hethoughtshewouldputupafightwhenheapproachedher,butshedidn'tsayanything,sohemanagedtoworkthechainbackaroundherwaist.Hethenwoundtheotherendaroundhiswristbeforelayingdown
nexttoher.Hewasn'tsurehowlong
theyrestedthere.He'dturnedoutthelightsintheroom.Afloodlightfromthebackyardcastanorangeglowintothespace,butthatwasit.Hestaredupattheceiling,tryingnottothinkabouteverythingthathadhappened.Tryingnottothinkaboutthewomanlayingnexttohim.
Nosex.Nosex.She'saharpyfromhellwhotriedto
shootyouandkickedyouinthenuts.Whywouldyouwanttohavesexwiththat!?Well,shedoeshavenicetits,andthewayshewentdownon-NOSEX.
“Marc,”shesuddenlysaid,startlinghimalittle.He'dthoughtshe'dfallenasleep.
“What?”heaskedback,hisvoiceloudinthesmallroom.
“Weonlyhavetwodays.
Doyoureallythinkwe'llmakeit?”sheasked.
Herealizeditwasthefirsttimehervoicehadn'tbeencombativesincehe'dmadeherstophercar.
“Possibly.Ifthere'snohiccups,”heanswered.
“Andifthereisahiccup?”
“Thenwe'lldealwithit.Besides,therecan'tbeonlyoneferrytoBarcelona.”
“Thishastowork,Marc.
Youscreweditup.Nowyouhavetomakeithappen,”shewhispered.Hetookadeepbreath.
“Idon'thavetodoanything.Ijustwantthosediamonds.”
DAYTHREELilywokeupslowly,not
surewhereshewasforamoment.Itwaswarmandhumid,butAfricaalwaysfeltwarmandhumidtoher.Shestretchedherlegsandherfeetcameintocontactwithsomething.Shefrozeandopenedhereyes.
Shewascompletely
pressedupagainstMarc'sside.Hewassleepingonhisback,hishandsclaspedontopofhischest.Shewasonherside,herforeheadactuallytouchinghisbicep.Shemust'verolledintohiminhersleepbecauseshe'dgonetobedwithherbacktohim,withasmuchspacebetweenthemasshecouldmanage.
Shesatup,blinkingandtakingintheirroom.Shecouldn'tfigureoutwhathad
wokenherup,buttherehadbeensomething.Therewassoftlightcominginthewindows,sosheknewthesunwasjustrising.Shescowledandglanceddownathersleepingcaptor.Shereachedouttopushhimawake.
“Marc,areyou-”shebegantosay,buthishandsnatchedhers,holdingitjustabovehischest.
“Shutup,”hehissed.
“Didyouhearsomething,too?”shewhispered,ignoringhisrequest.
“Yes.”Bulletsrippedthrough
theroom,justabovetheirbed.LilyfellagainstthemattressandMarc'sarmswentaroundherasherolledthemoffthebed.Theylandedonthefloor,Lilyontopofhischest.Shecoveredherearswhilehishandscovered
herhead,holdingherflatagainsthim.
“Whatthefuckisgoingon!?”sheshouted.
“Someonefoundus!DidyoufuckingdosomethingwhileIwasasleep!?”heshoutedback.
“Areyoukidding!?I'mchainedtoyou,youidiot!WhatdoyouthinkIdid,poppedoutforaquickphonecall!?”shewasshrieking.
Thebulletsstoppedand
Marcimmediatelyshovedhertotheside.Hebegandoingaquickcrawlacrossthefloor,likeaspider,stayingaslowaspossiblewithoutactuallyslithering.Thechainwenttightandshewasyankedalongbehindhim.
“They'reintheback,”Marcexplained,hisvoicelowasshecameupnexttohim,“buttheywon'tstaythere.Someareprobablyalreadyinthehouse.We'regonnahave
tofightourwayout.Stayclosetome,stayatmyback,andstayquiet.Ifyougetinmyway,I'llshootyou.Ifyouslowmedown,I'llshootyou.”
“Unchainmeandgivemeagun!”shedemanded,pullingonthechainforemphasis.Hepulledtwohandgunsoutofhisbag,butneitherofthemwenttoher.Onewentintothebackofhispants,andtheotherhelaidat
hisfeet.ThenhepulledherGlockoutanditjoinedthefirstgunathisback,thebuttsstickingoutabovehisbelt.Hetookoutextraclips,storingtheminhispockets.Hehandedtwoclipstoherandsheletoutasighofrelief,expectingagunofherowntofollow.Butitdidn't.Hetookoutasetofkeysandzippedhisbagshut.
“Remember,stayatmyback,”heorderedherashe
unlockedthepadlockonhiswrist.Thechainfellfree.
“What!?Gun!Ineedagun!Ican'tgooutthereunarmed!Theyhaveafuckinganti-aircraftmachinegunoutthere!”shewasalmostyelling.
“Dealwithit.You'renotgettingaweapon.”
Andthatwasit,hewasmovingtowardstheirdoorwhileheputthebagonhisback.
“Hey!Hey!Chain!”shesnapped.
Heturnedjustenoughtotossthekeysather,butatthesametimethemachinegunfromoutsidestartedfiringagain.Startled,shemissedthecatchandthekeyshitherpalm,bouncingtothefloor.Shewatchedindismayastheyfellthroughacrackinthefloorboards.Shecursedandslammedherfistsagainstthewood,listeningasthegun
shotsdieddown.“Thisisit,sweetheart.
Keepup!”Marchadrisentostand
againstthewall,aguninhishand.Heyankedopenthedoor,waitedabeat,thenspunaround,thegunoutstretched.Lilystayedflatagainstthefloor,waitingforsomeonetofire.Whennothinghappened,shegotupandscurriedbehindhim,hunchingdownandmatchinghimstepfor
stepashemadehiswaydownthehall.
“Whichwayarewegoing?”shewhispered.
“Thefront.”“Isthatagoodidea?”“Haveyougotabetter
one!?Justshutupandkeepmoving!”
TherewasshoutingfromtheendofthehallandMarcimmediatelyhuggedthewallclosesttothem.Lilyfollowedsuit,tryingtocoilallthe
excesschainaroundherarm.Whoeverwasyelling,theywerespeakinginalanguageshedidn'tunderstand,amangledsortofFrench.Marcheldstill,hisheadcockedtowardsthevoice.
“Canyouunderstandwhatthey'resaying?”sheasked.
“Whatpartof'shutthefuckup'don'tyoufuckingunderstand!?”hegrowled,notlookingather.“Yes.He's
sayingheknowswe'rehereandheknowswhatIdid.He'ssayinghewantsthediamonds.AskmeanotherquestionandI'llshootyouintheleg.”
Lilykepthermouthshut.Astheygotclosertothe
voice,herbreathingpickedup.She'dtrainedindozensanddozensofclasses,butnothingevercomparedtoreallifeaction.Theywereheadingtowardspotential
death.Thosehadbeenrealbulletsrippingthroughthebuilding.Theyweresurroundedbyveryangrypeoplewithveryrealguns.Shecoulddie.Chanceswerehighthatshewoulddie.
No.Notyet.Remembereverythingyouweretaught.Youhavetomakeit.Youhaveto.Trusthimtogetyououtofthis.Youhavetomakeit.
Marconceagainhadthe
gunoutinfrontofhim.Theygottotheendofthehall.Whoeverwasyellingwasrightnexttothem.Lilysqueezedhereyesshuttight,pushingherforeheadagainstMarc'sshoulderblades.Shewouldkillforagun,butbothoftheotheroneshehadwerehiddenbythebagonhisback.Shetookadeepbreathandstoodupright.Heglancedatherandshenodded,staringstraightahead.
Well.Itwasagoodlife,forthemostpart.AtleastIgottohavefantasticsexonelasttimebeforeIdied.
Marcheldthegunup,atfirstatthesameheightashisownhead,andthenacoupleincheshigher.Hemoveditaroundforabit,thenhelditinplace.Atfirstshecouldn'tfigureoutwhathewasdoing,thensheunderstood,andafteratwocountbeat,hestuckthegunoutaroundthecorner.
Therewassilence,soMarcslowlymovedoutofthehall,notmovinghisarmatall.Lilyfollowedsuit.Thebarrelofhisgunwaspressedintothemiddleofatallman'sforehead.Themanlookedcrosseyed,staringstraightup.Marcclearedhisthroatandtheirattackerfinallylookedatthem.
“Youhavetwosecondstodropyourgun,”Marcwarnedinalowvoice.The
manglared.“Fuckyou,DeSant.We
knowwhoyouare,andthewhoreyou'vegotwithyou,andwe'regoing-”
BANG.Lilyhadheardgunsfired
before,ofcourse.She'dshotgunsplentyoftimes,infiringranges.There,inAfrica.AtMarc,specifically.Butitstillsoundeddifferentwhenhepulledthetrigger.
Maybebecauseshe'd
neverheardagunbeingfiredwhileshovedupagainstsomeone'sskull.Theshotwasloud,butshedidn'tmakeapeep.Notevenwhentheman'sbodyhitthefloor.
“Move.Theyhadtohaveheardthat,they'llbecoming,”Marctoldher.
Lilymoved.Theywentdownthe
stairsinacrouch,thegunonceagainleadingtheway.Therewasnobodyonthe
bottomfloor,butshecouldhearmovementinsomeofthebackrooms.Shetriedtorememberthelayoutfromthenightbefore–therewasalargegatheringroomatthefront,wheretheywereinnow.Beyondthatshehadseenalargediningroom,whichmeanttherehadtobeakitchen,andbothwereseparatedfromthegatheringroombyanarrowhallwaythatpossiblylettomore
rooms.Alltheguestroomshadbeenonupperfloors.
“Howmanyofthemdoyouthinkthereare?”Lilywhispered,crouchingbehindhimwhenhedroppeddownnexttotheentrancetothediningroom.
“Notmany.Smallgroup,maybethreeorfour.That'swhyonlyoneguywasonthestairs.They'retryingtoscareus,tryingtoholdushere,tillreinforcementsarrive.
Fuckingidiots,Ibettheyweren'tsupposedtodoanything,probablywerejustsupposedtowatchthehouse,butthetemptationtobagsuchalargecatchwastoomuch.Toobad.I'mgoingtokillallofthemandwe'regoingtostealwhatevercartheycamein,ditchthatpieceofshitwestoleyesterday,”Marcinformedher.
“Soonlythreeshootersleft?”sheasked.
“Ifwe'relucky.It'sgoingtogetharder.Twoofthemaredownhere,theywon'thesitatelikeourfriendupstairs.Staybehindme.Hitthefloorifthere'sgunfire,”heinstructed.
“OryoucouldgivemeagunandIcouldhelp!”
“No.You'llneverhaveagunwhileyou'reatmyback.Nowshutup,and-”
Henevergottofinishsnappingather.Bullets
pepperedtheframeofthedoorwaywheretheywerecrouching.Sheclutchedhisbackpackbetweenherhands,prayingforittoend.She'dneverpictureditbeingsoloud,sobig.Agunfight.Itfeltlikethewholehousewasshaking.
“Giveusdiamonds!Noonegethurt!”
Marcduckedaroundtheframe,firedfiveshots,rapidfire,thenquicklymovedback
nexttoher.Moreshotswerefiredfromthediningroom.Heseemedtoholdhisbreath,waitingthemout.
“Oneofthemisinthekitchen,firingoverabreakfastbar,”hewhisperedwhenthebulletsstopped.
“Noneothers?”“NotthatIcouldsee.”Asifthathadbeena
spokencue,thefrontdoortothehouseburstopen.Ascreamingmancamerunning
in,twomachinegunsinhishands.Lilydidn'tevenneedinstructions,shebeganscramblingbackwardsasthebulletsstartedflying.Marcdidthesame,movingdoubletime,shovingupbetweenherlegsastheyfellintothehallwaybetweenthekitchenandgatheringroom.Marclaiddownontopofher,forcingherflat,ashewhippedoutoneofhisothergunsandbeganfiringitinthe
directionofthelivingroom.“Go!Go!Lookforaway
out!”hewasyellingather.Sheyankedherselfout
fromunderneathhimjustastheassailantfromthediningroomcamerushingout.Twobulletstohischestdroppedhim,butLilydidn'tthinkaboutthat.Shepressedherbackagainstawallandmoveddownthehall,justasMarchaddoneearlier.
Two.That'stwodead.If
he'sright,thatmeansonlytwomore.Maninthelivingroom.Guywiththegunoutback.Onlytwo.Wecandothis.Wearedoingthis.
Themachinegunsfromthelivingroomeruptedonceagain,butshedidn'tlookback.Therewerethreedoors–onenexttoher,oneintheoppositewallaheadofher,andoneattheendofthehall.Twoofthemwereclosedandtheonethatleadintothe
kitchenwasopen.Shegrippedthedoorknobnexttoher,butfoundshewasscaredtoopenit.Whatifsomeonejumpedout?
Thechainwaswrappedaroundherleftarm,andsheletitfallloose.Shedoledoutaboutsixfeetworth,thendoubledit,leavingthreefeetofexcesshangingandmakingthechainseemtwiceasthick.ShecastoneglancebackatMarc.Hewaspressed
againstthesamewallasher,andhewasreloadinghisgun.Helookedbackather,flickedhiseyestoherchain,thenbacktoherface,andhenodded.Shecouldalmosthearhisvoiceinherhead.
Nowornever,sweetheart.
Shetwistedtheknobandshovedopenthedoor.Nobodyrushedout,soshedroppedintoasquatandpeekedintotheroom.A
coupleheadswerepeekingback,lookingoverthetopofalargemetaldesk.Thefamilywhoownedthehouse,maybesomerenters.Oneofthemstoodup,anoldman,holdingagunthatlookedevenolderthanhim.Lilyheldupherhand.Apeaceoffering.Therewashesitation,thenthemanhelduphishandaswell,andhegotbackbehindthedesk.Shestoodbackup,reachedinand
grabbedthedoor.Assheswungitclosed,gunshotsstartedbehindheragain.
“Isaidlookforawayout,sweetheart,notfuckingmakefriends!Moveyourfatass!”Marcstartedshouting.
Fatass!?Hersuccesswiththefirst
dooremboldenedher,soLilydashedtotheendofthehallandrepeatedtheactwiththatdoor.Broomcloset.Thatjustleftthekitchen.Thatmade
hernervous,becauseithadopenaccesstothediningroom,whichmeantthelivingroom.Also,thebackdoorwasinthekitchen,anditwasopenbythelooksofit.Allshehadwasherthreefeetofchain.
Fuckingmercenaryasshole.
Therewasnooneinthekitchen,butthemomentshesteppedfootinit,thebiggunoutsidestartedblazing.She
hitthefloor,droppingherchainandcoveringherears.Fuck,itsoundedlikethegunwasinthekitchenwithher,itwassoloud.Bulletsrippedeverythingtoshreds,blowingupappliances,takingcupboardsofftheirhinges,hittingthedoorwithsuchforceitbouncedshut,hittingherintheleg.
“Stopit!”shestartedscreaming,notevenrealizingshewasdoingso.“Stopit,
stopit,stopit!”Shedidn'tknowifitwas
becauseofherpleasornot,buttheburstofgunfireceased.Shebreathedasighofrelief,butthengunshotsfromthelivingroomstarted.Thatwasamuchshorterburst.Footstepscamepoundingdownthehallandshescurriedtogetoutoftheway,crouchinginfrontofshelves,tryingtostayhidden.Thedoorslammedopenand
sheheldherbreath.“Lily!?”Marcshouted,
stridingpasther.Shegrabbedthebackof
hispantsandyankedhimdown,justasthegunmanoutsideopenedfireagain.Marcscootedbackwards,sittingbackagainsttheshelvesnexttoher.Hehelduphisgun.
“I'mout,”wasallhesaid.Shepatteddownherlegs,foundoneoftheclips,
andpulleditout.Heslammedthegundownonit,thenslappeditagainsthispalm,lockingthemagazineintoplace.Theshootingoutsidestopped.
“Maninthelivingroom?”sheasked,breathinghard.
“Doesn'texistanymore.Whatwasintheroomacrossthehall?”
“Office.Familywhoownstheplace.Noexits.”
“Goodjob.Nowtotakeoutthisnutter,”Marcgrumbled,pullingouthissecondgunfromhisback.HerGlockfelloutofhispantsandhitthefloor,soshedovetograbit.
“Fucker!It'sempty,”shehissed,checkingtheclip.Shetuckedtheuselessgunintothebackofherownpants.
“It'sallyours,Iguess,”hebegancrawlingtowardsthebackdoor.
Lilywenttomoveafterhim,butonlygothalfwayacrossthefloorwhenshewaspulledtoastop.Shelookedbackandsawthatherdoubled-upchainwascaughtunderthedoor.Shecrawledbacktowardsitandbeganyanking,butitwouldn'tcomefree.Itwaslodgedunderthedoorinsuchawaythatitwouldn'tmove,andthedoorwouldn'tbudge.
“I'mstuck!”shehissed,
panicclawingatherchest.Ifshecouldn'tmove,thenshewasasittingduck.Shesatbackagainstherheels,pullingatthechainthatwasloopedaroundherwaist.
“I'llcomebackforyou!”Marcsnapped.
“No!No!Donotleavemehere!Youhavenocluehowmanyguystherecouldactuallybe!”Fuckwhispering,Lilywaspracticallyyellingnow.
“Shutthefuckup!”heyelledback,tryingtolookoutthedoorwaywithoutbeingseen.
Shewasabouttorespondwithsomethingwittyandcutting,butshewasinterruptedbyacrazymanthatcamerunning,screaming,intothekitchen.Sheshriekedandscootedbackwards,movingherselfupagainstthesameshelvesasbefore,watchingwhiletheguy
leveledasawedoffshotgunonMarc.Shedidn'teventhink,shegrabbedtheclosestthingtoherandlauncheditattheshooter'shead.Acastironskillethithim,causinghimtohowlinpain.Hespunaround,catchingherinthesideofthefacewiththebuttofhisgun.Itwasenoughtostunherandsendhertotheground.Moregunshotswerefiredwhileherbrainrattledaroundinherhead.
IwonderifIgotaconcussionwhenMarchitmethatfirstday,andthishasallbeenacomadream?
Therewasamuffledsortofquiet.ShecouldhearMarcshouting,shecouldseetheirnewpaldroppingtothetiledfloor,hisweaponclatteringontheground,butitwasallsortofsurreal.Fuzzy.Bloodspreadoutfromthedeadgangmember'shead,spreadingacrossthefloor.
Sheglancedbacktowardsthedoor,herhearingstartingtoclearup.Shecoulddetectfootstepsracingtowardsthem.Anotherperson.Shesatup,ignoringthedizzinessthatsweptoverher,andgrabbedherchain,pullingitastautaspossible.Itsprungupatanangle,hoveringacoupleinchesabovethefloor.
Whenthemanranthroughthedoor,hisfoot
caughtonthechain,sendinghimsprawlingtotheground.Theforcewithwhichhetrippedyankedherforward,towardshim.Heshoutedangrilyinanotherlanguage,thensawthechain.Hegrabbeditandstartedreelingherintohim.
Don'tlethimgetyou.Dosomething,Lily!Dosomething!
Theshotgunwasnearher,soLilygrabbedit,
swingingitinawidearc.Thebarrelclippedhiminthenose,causinghimtoshoutinpainanddropthehugemachetehe'dbeenwaving.Hesnatchedtheendofthegun,tryingtopullitfromher.Tug-o-warstarted,andshefoundherselfonceagainbeingpulledtowardshim.Soshedidtheonlyotherthingshecouldthinkof–shepulledthetrigger.
Hishandturnedinto
confetti,bloodrainingeverywhere.Thereleaseoftensionontheguncausedhertofallflatontoherback.Theinjuredmanfelltohisside,aswell,screaminginpainashestaredatwherehishandusedtobe.
“Youfuckingbitch!Ikillyou!Ikillyou,fuckingbitch!”hewasscreaminginEnglish,aswellasinhisownlanguage,whilehisremaininghandfeltaroundforhis
machete.Lilydidn'tgivehimthe
chance.Whilestilllayingflat,sheswungtheshotgunup,restingitonherchestandpointingitdirectlyinhisface.Thensheturnedherheadawayandpulledthetrigger.
Justlikethat.Nogoingbacknow.
Shedroppedtheshotgunandlaidstillforamomentbeforeopeninghereyes.Therewasyellingoutside,but
shedidn'tlistentoit.Shepulledherselftoherfeet,stillrefusingtolookdown.Shewalkedovertothekitchendoorandtriedtowiggleit.Nothing.Shegaveitasavagekickanditpoppedfree,swingingshut.Whileshewaspickingupthechain,Marccamejoggingbackintothekitchen.
Shehadn'tevenrealizedhe'dleft.
“Machinegunneroutside
isdead.Whatthefuckhappenedinhere!?”hesoundedshocked,staringdownatthemessonthekitchenfloorwhilehewalkedbacktowardsher.
“Yousaidfourmen.Fourmen.That'ssix,bymycount,”shesaidinalowvoice,glancingathim.
“IsaidIwasguessing.Didyoureallyshootthatguy?”heasked,comingtostandnexttoher.
“Yes.Nowunchainme,”shegrowled,shakingthelinksinhisface.
“Itakeitallback,princess,maybeyouarecutoutforthis,”hechuckled,thenshockedherbyyankinghercloseandbendingherintoadip,kissingherhard.
Shewasstunnedandshewasappalledandshewasangryandshewassotired.Sheslappedathisarms,butdidn'thavetheenergyto
activelyshovehimoff.Heputalotofforceintoit,kissingherlikeitwasthelastkisshewouldeverhaveinhislife.
“Don'tdothat!”shesnappedwhenhefinallylethergo.
“Whynot!?Aren'tyougladtobealive!?Wefuckingmadeit!”heactuallysoundedexcited.
“Idon'tcareifyoujustwonthelottery.Don'tfucking
touchme,”shewarnedhimasshestompedacrossthekitchen.
“Baby,Idon'tknowifyou'veforgotten,butmytonguehasbeeninalotmoreplacesonyouthanjustyourmouth,”heremindedher.
“Ihadforgotten.Youshould'vemadeitmemorablewhenyouhadthechance.Nowgetthisfuckingchainoffofme.”
Marcchuckled,butdidn't
reply,andtheywentoutside.Therewasalargemachinegunmountedtothetopofatruck.Amanhungoutthetopalongsideit,asmallgardenspadestickingoutofthesideofhisneck.Lilyshudderedandlookedaway.
TheyfoundapairofboltcuttersinthebackofthetruckandMarcsetherfree.Heputthechainintohisbag,threateningtolockherupagainifshegavehimany
attitude.Therewasalargewalkie
talkiealsointhetruck,andtheylistenedtothechatterforacoupleminutes,tryingtogleansomeinformation.Whatsoundedlikeasmallarmywasheadedtheirway.TheganginLiberiahadcalledinafavorfromaganginMali.AsmallgrouphadbeensentoutimmediatelytofindMarcandLily–thegroupthatwasnowbloody
andlayingallovertheboardinghouse.TheyweresupposedtokeepMarcandLilyattheirlocationuntilthelargergrouparrived,justlikeMarchadguessed.
Mission:Failed.Thetruckwouldbe
stupidtotake,themachinegunwasboltedtothetop.Marcwasintentonfiguringouthowtotakeitoff,butLilycouldn'tstandtowaitaroundandwatch.Shehadto
getoutofthere,now.Herskinwasreadytocrawloffherbodyandrunaway.Shehackedherwaythroughsomebushes,andsureenough,anothercarwasparkedofftothesidebehindthetruck.
ItwasanInternationalScoutII,anditwasactuallyinprettygoodcondition.Nicelargetires,itwouldbeperfectforoffroading.Andbestofall,thekeyswereintheignition.Sheclimbedbehind
thewheelandturnedthevehicleon,gunningtheengine.Marccameoutofthebrush,hisgunraised.Sherevvedtheengineagain,liftingherhandsinasignofimpatience.
“Noway!Getthefuckout,I'mdriving!”heyelled.
Sheputthecarinreverseandstartedtobackaway.
Hebitchedaboutbeinginthepassengerseatforthefirstcouplemiles,butLily
tunedhimout.Shehadtokeepmoving,hadtokeepgoingforward.Couldn'tstop.Couldn'tlookback.Justgoforward.
Morocco.HavetogettoMorocco.Don'tthinkabouttheblood.
Marcproducedamapatonepoint,toldherwheretoturn,whatdirectiontotake.Theywereoutofthesavannaandheadingintotruedesert.Itshould'vebeenscary;ifthe
carbrokedown,iftheygotlost,ifjustaboutanythinghappened,thatwasit.Africandesertinthesummer?Itwouldn'tbepretty.Itwouldbebesttostoptogetsupplies.Stoptoreevaluateherplan.
Don'tthinkabouttheblood.Somuchblood.Itwaseverywhere.Alloverthekitchen.Alloveryou.Hisbloodisonyou.Blood.Onyou.Blood.Onyourface.Blood.Onyou.
Lilyveeredofftheroad,causingMarctoshoutoutinsurprise.Shedidn'tevencuttheengine,justslammedontheemergencybrakebeforeopeningthedoorandfallingtotheground.Shemanagedtocrawlacouplefeetawayfromthecarbeforeshestartedvomiting.
Shehadn'twantedtokillanybody.JustStankovski.She'dbeenstupidtothinkshecouldgoallfiveyears
withouthurtinganyoneelse.Sherealizedthat,now.EvenwithoutMarcfuckingeverythingup,sheprobablywould'verunintocomplications.Shewascartingaroundashittonofstolenblooddiamonds.ShewastoolingaroundAfricaalone.Shewasasinglewoman.Thingscould'vebeenmuchworse,really.
Still.Ididn'twanttohurt
anybody.“Notsoeasy,isit,
sweetheart?”Marc'svoicewassoftashecametostandnexttoher.
“God,justfuckoff!”sheyelled,thenretchedsomemore.Heloweredintoasquatandshewasshockedwhenshefelthishandrubbingherback.
“It'sokay.It'snormal.Didyouwatchithappen?”heasked.Sheshookherhead,
wipingathermouthwiththebackofherwrist.Hehandedherabottleandshesplashedwaterinherface,tryingtowipeawaytheblood.
“No.Still.”“Yeah.Igetit.”“Youdon't.You're
awful.”“Iam.ButIstillgetit.”Shecried,then.She
hatedtocry.Shehadcriedathersister'sfuneral.Criedwhenshewasofficiallyhired
onforStankovski'sBratva.Thoseweretheonlytimes,infiveyears.
Andnow,thereshewas,inthesand,onthesideoftheroadinAfrica,herheadpressedtotheground,andshewassobbing.
Ididn'twanttohurtanybody.
Sheexpectedhimtobemean.Tomakefunofher.Topossiblyleaveherontheroadside.Buthedidnoneof
theabove.Marceventuallypickedherup.Heldherinhisarmsandwalkedheraroundthecar.Heslidherintothebackseat,thenwentaroundandgotbehindthewheel.Hesatthereforamoment,andshetriedtostopshaking.
“Itgetseasier,”wasallhesaid.
Thenhestarteddriving.
DAYTHREELilywassurprisedthat
Marcleftheraloneforthenextcouplehours.Nosmartassremarks,nothreatsofviolence,nonamecalling.Shelaidinthebackseatforawhile,hertanktoppulledupandoverhereyestoblockoutthesun.
Eventuallytheheatgotto
her.Theyhadn'teatenanything,andshehadn'thadanythingtodrinkallday.Shedugabottleofwateroutofhisbag,thencrawledbetweentheseatstojoinhimupfront.Shecouldtellhewaslookingather,butsherefusedtoreturnhisstare.Shejustlookedoutthewindow,chuggingwater.
“Better?”wasallheasked.Shenodded.
“Ijustneededaminute.”
“...oracouplehours.”“Shutup.Wereyou
alwaysthisannoying!?”“Probably.Mygood
looksjustblindedyoutoit.”Sheactuallylaughed.A
reallaugh,probablyforthefirsttimesincehe'dtakenherhostage.
“Probably.Wherearewe?”sheasked,pullingoutthemapfromunderneathher.
“ClosetoMopti,stillinMali.Wehaveachoiceto
make,”heinformedher,andshewasshocked.
“You'regivingmeasay?”shedoublechecked.
“Theillusionofone.Wecankeepheadingnorth,upintoAlgeria.Moredesert,moretime,butsafer.OrwecanheadwestintoMauritania,headuptowardsthecoast.Savetime,getustoTangierquicker,butmoredangerous.They'llexpectustogothatway,”Marc
explained.Shescowled.“Howmuchtimeis'more
time'?”shequestioned.“Algeriaaddsaround
fifteenhours,buteitherway,we'relookingatabouttwofulldays.Weshould'vedriventhroughthenight,”hesaid.Sherolledhereyes.
“You'retheonewhostopped.”
“Youneededtherest.”“Iwasfine.”“It'sdone,”hesnapped.
“Nopointinfuckingcryingaboutitnow.”
Shegloweredforamoment.
“Twodays,Marc.Howarewesupposedtodothis?”
“Sameplanasbefore.We'llgetyouthere.Youexplainthatyouranintohostileenemiesandhadtoevadeapsychoticmercenary,”hesaiditallwithateasingtoneofvoice,butreally,itwasheronlyoption.
“Okay.Okay,we'llhavetodothat.Wehavenochoice.Solet'splanoutournextstep,”shesaid.
“Whatdoyoumean?”“Ineedaplan.Ican'tfly
bytheseatofmypants.Ineedtoknowwhatwe'redoing,wherewe'regoing.What'stheplan,”shestressed.
“Dependsonwhichdirectionyouwanttogo.”
Sherolledhereyes.
“North.We'realreadyheadedinthatdirection,solet'skeepgoing.”
“Okay.We'vebeenontheroadsincearoundseventhismorning.It'salmost…two.Thatgivesusaboutfourmorehoursofsunlight,”hetoldher.
“Shouldwebedrivingatnight?Woulditbebetter?”shewonderedoutloud.
“No,we'dlookevenmoresuspicious.We'llgoas
lateaswecan.What'saboutsixhoursoutfromus?”heasked,glancingatthemap.Sheunfoldeditmore,followingdifferentroadswithherfinger.
“Gossiisaboutsix,”shetoldhim.
“Perfect.We'llstopthereforthenight.Boardinghousewasabust.We'llstayinafivestarhoteliftheyhaveone.Somethinggated,ifwecan,”hesaid.Shesnorted.
“Howarewesupposedtopayforthat?DidyoubringyourAmericanExpresscard?”
“No.Butyouhavealotofmoney.”
“InMoroccandirhams.IhavesomeWestAfricanfrancs,butnotenoughtocoverafivestarhotel,”sheexplained.
“We'lltradeinabundleofthosedirhams,thatshoulddofine.Getsomedinars,too,
forAlgeria,”hesuggested.“Ineedthismoneyto-”“Iwasn'tasking,Lily.
Howmuchdoyouhave?”hebarkedout.
“Idon'tknow,Ididn'taskhowmuchthebribewas.”
“Takeitoutandcountit.”
Shegrumbled,butdecidedtodoasshewastold.Shepulledarollofmoneyoutofasidepocketandcounteditout–tenthousand
dirhams.Therewerefivebundlestotal,andshefiguredtheywouldallbethesame,butshegrabbedthenextbundleanyway,notwantingtohearhimbitch.Shepeeledofftherubberbandandunrolledthebills,andwassurprisedwhensomethingfelloutoftheroll.
“Whatisthis?”sheaskedoutloud,pickingupasmallelectronicitemthathadablinkingredlight.
Marcslammedonthebrakesandsheshrieked,bracingherselfagainstthedashboard.Thebackendofthevehiclefishtailedalittle,swingingaroundsowhentheycametoastop,theywerestraightacrossthemiddleoftheroad.
“Areyoufuckingkiddingme!?Youreallyareastupidbitch,”hegrowled,grabbingtheitemoutofherhandandexaminingit.She
gasped.“Fuckyou,youdidn't
knowitwasinthere,either!”shecalledhimout.Heglared,butdidn'tsayanything.
“Theyweretrackingyouthroughthemoney.”
“And…whatdoesthatmeanforusnow?”
“Thatmeansatthispoint,theythinkwe'reheadingnorth.”
“So?”“Sonowwe'reheading
west,”Marcgrumbled,andhegunnedtheengineastheystartedmovingagain.
Actually,theykeptheadingnorth,toasmalltowncalledTonka.Oncethere,Marcleftthedeviceinatinyhotel.
Afterthat,theyhookedwest,straightintothedesert.Inhisbag,Marchadabeatupmapofthearea,mucholderthantheonehe'dtakenfromLily'scar.Therewasan
oldJeeptrailonthemap,ormaybeanoldtrackertrail,shecouldn'ttell.Justadottedlinethatledthroughthesand.Shewasnervous,buttrustedhimashedrovethemoffintothenight.
Theywentforhours,justheadlightsinthesand.Shetookoffherbootsandputherbarefeetonthedash,sinkingdowninherseat.Shechewedonthesideofherthumbnail,thenstopped,wonderinghow
longithadbeensinceshe'dwashedherhands.Sinceshe'dtakenapropershower.
Therewassomuchblood.Whoknewthehumanheadcouldholdsomuchblood?
“Howoldwereyou,”shesuddenlyspokeoutloud.Hervoicewashoarse,aftersomanyhoursofsilence.
“Huh?”heasked,lookingatherlikehe'dforgottenshewasthere.
“Howoldwereyou,thefirsttimeyoukilledsomeone?”sheaskedinfull,turningtolookathim.Itwasdiminthecar,butthedashlightscastaglowonhisfaceandshewatchedasheclenchedhisjawforamoment.
“Fifteen.”“Wow,soyoung.”“Itwasn'tajob,”hefilled
in.“Iwasn't…Iwasn'twhatIamnow.”
“Thenwhatwereyou?”“Youngandstupid.”Shesighed.“Tellmeyourstory,
Marc.”“Why?”“Becausewehavealot
oftimetokill,andmaybeit'llmakemehateyouless,”sheoffered,anditearnedherasmallsmile.
“IwasborninHaiti,”hestarted,andshewasshocked.
“Really?Inever
would'veguessed!”“Myparentswere
American.TheylivedinacommunetherewithabunchofotherAmericando-gooderhippytypes,taughtEnglishtolocalkids,taughtpeoplehowtofarm,howtoirrigate,shitlikethat.WespentfourmonthsinKeyWesteverysummer,Iwasn'texactlya'local'inHaiti,”heexplained.
“Yourparentswere'do-gooderhippytypes'and
you'reamercenary.Howdoessomethinglikethathappen?”sheasked.
“HowdoesaloanofficerfromClevelandbecomeatransporterforaRussianBratva?”hecountered.
“Touché.AndIwasn'taloanofficer.Iwasinbusinessaccounts.”
“Therewasahurricane,abigone.Welivedonthecoast,ithitushard.Myparentswerekilled,along
withmostofthecommune.Iwasbadlyinjured.Iwas,am,Americantechnically,soIshould'vebeentakenoutbyFEMAorRedCross,orsomeshit.ButIgotcartedoffwithabunchofthelocalkidsandleftinahospital,unconsciousforabouttwoweeks.TookmeevenlongertogetmymemorybackafterIwokeup.Bythen,though,alltheaidehadpulledout.Ididn'tknowwhattodo.Iwaseight,I
didn'tknowanybodyinthestates,didn'thaveanyfamilythere.Myfamilywasdead.Iwassenttoliveatasortoforphanage.Aweirdkidwhocouldn'tspeakFrenchwasn'thighontheirlistofpeopletohelp,”hetoldhisstory.
“ButI'veheardyouspeakFrench,”shepointedout.
“Oui.Ilearned.RanawayfromtheorphanagewhenIwastwelve.Joineda
streetgang,didsomedrugrunning.WhenIwasfifteenIgotmuggedwhileonarun.Ishovedaknifeintohisjugular.Didn'teventhinkaboutit.Hehadagun,Ihadaknife,IjustknewIhadtomakeitcount.
“ThatmademerealizeIwasbetterthanrunningdrugs.Ihadkilledsomeone.Suddenly,Iwasn'tascaredlittleboyanymore.Iwasacommodity,someone
unafraidofdeath.IstolewhatearningstherewerefromthedrugsandIgotthefuckoutofHaiti.StowedawayonaboattoJamaica,boughtanidentitywhilethere,thenhoppedanotherboattoPuertoRico.FlewtoMiami,thenstartedworkingmywaythroughthecrimecircuitthere.Honedmycraft,youcouldsay,”hefinishedexplaining.
“Howdoesaguygo
fromMiamicrimeringstoRussianBratvas?”shewascurious.Heshrugged.
“IgotreallygoodatwhatIdo.Pulledoffacouplebigjobs,workedmywayuptheeastcoast.WhileIwasinJersey,thePshenichnikovBratvagotintouchwithme.Hiredmeforahit.Theylikedmywork,wordspreadtootherBratvas.ImovedovertoEuropeandmyreputationfollowedme.Lotsofjobsin
Armenia,Syria,Ukraine,thatwholeeasternarealeadingintoRussia.”
“Howoldwereyouthen?WhenyoufirstgotinvolvedwithaBratva?”shewasfascinated.Fiveyearshadfeltlikealifetimetoher,andherewasamanwhohadliterallyspenthiswholelifeincrime.
“Pshenichnikov,Iwas…twenty-two?Twenty-three?”heguessed,rubbinghisjaw.
“Howoldareyounow?”“Thirty.”“Wow.”“Why?”“Youlookolder.”“Bitch.”Shesmiledanyway.“Nottoomuch.Butyou
likeit?Youreallylikebeingthisperson?”shecontinuedwithherquestions.
“Obviously.Imakeafucktonofmoney,Igettoseetheworld,andIliterally
gettodowhateverIwant,wheneverIwant.Yeah,Ifuckinglikeit,”hechuckled.Shewasquietforaminute,mullingoverhiswords.
“You'renotdoingwhateveryouwantrightnow,”shepointedout,hervoicesoftasshewentbacktolookingoutthewindshield.
“Yeah,well,everyjobhasitsmoments.”
Shedidn'trespond,staringhardatsomething
throughthewindshield.“Whatisthat?”she
finallyasked,leaningforwardandtryingtogetabetterlookintothedistance.Somethingwastwinkling.Heleanedforwardaswell,thenbarkedoutalaugh.
“Thatisatown.We'realmosthome,sweetheart.”
Callingitatownwasgenerous–Némawasmorelikeavillage.Allrocksandsandanddonkeys.Acouple
carsandacouplecamels,aswell.Peoplestaredastheirvehicletooledpast.Marcscowledandkeptgoing,andittookhardlyanytimebeforetheywereleavingthevillagebehindthem.
“Notstopping?”Lilyasked,workingtoputherbootsbackon.
“Notinthattown.Ifshitgoesdown,Idon'twantabunchoflocalsgettingshotup.We'llmoveon.Keepan
eyeout,”heinstructed.Drivingthroughthe
deserthadbeenslowgoing,soLilywashappytofinallybeonanactualroadagain.Butthenafteraboutfortyminutes,Marcspottedanotherdirtroadandheimmediatelyturnedontoit.
“Howdoyouknowwhereitleads?”Lilyasked,tryingtounfoldthemaptoseewhereinthehelltheyweregoing.
“Idon't,butIknowthere'salakearoundhere.Ibetthere'shouses,”hetoldher,turningofftheheadlights.Ahalfmoonwasout,lightingthemupjustenoughtoseewheretheyweregoing.Lilystruggledtoreadastheydrovealongforawhile.
“Yeah,okay,thereshouldbealake.”
“Looktoyourright.”Sheglancedouther
windowandsureenough,abodyofwaterhadappearednexttothem.Moonlightshinedacrossthesurface.
“Whatisit?Itjustlookslikeacircleonthemap,likeawateringholeorsomething.'Mahmouda',”shesoundedoutthenameasshereaditoffthemap.
“Idon'tcare.There'saroad,there'sabodyofwater,andwe'reinthedesert.Someonelivesouthere,”
Marcsoundedpositive.Hewasn'twrong.They
finallycameuponadecentsizedhome,andluckofalllucks,therewasageneratoralongsideit.Marcdrovepast,wentaboutaquarterofamile,thenorderedhertowaitinthecarwhilehecheckedoutthehouse.
“Iwantagun.”Lilyturnedtostareat
himasheopenedhisdoor.Heglaredbackather.She
heldherground.Shehadearnedaweapon,shethought.She'dhadhisbackinthatkitchen.Shecould'vedonenothing,could'venotthrowntheskillet,could'venottrippedthesecondguy.Shecouldhaveacleanconscience,couldhavelivedwithknowingshe'ddonenothing,thatshehadn'tactivelypulledatriggerandendedsomeone'slife.
Butshe'ddoneallthose
things,tosavehim.Tosaveherself.
Shewasfullypreparedtospewallthosethoughtsathim,buthecapitulated.Heyankedoneofhisgunsout,putafreshmagazineinit,thumbedonthesafety,andhandedittoher.Shewenttotakeit,butheheldfast.
“I'mtrustingyou,”hesaidinasoftvoice.Shenodded.
“Iknow.”
Thenhewasgone,joggingoffintothenight.
Lilygotoutofthecar.Stretchedherbody.Thensheclimbedontothehoodofthecarandkneltsoshewasleaningagainstthewindshield.Shebracedherarmsontopoftheroofandshewaited.IfMarchadanytroublefollowinghimwhenhecameback,shecouldhelp.
Afterabouthalfanhour,apersonappearedatthetop
ofthehill.Lilyfroze,butashegotcloser,sherecognizeditasMarc'sform.Hehadadistinctwayofwalking,almostaswagger,likehewasalwayscarryingweight.Probablyfromyearsofwearingaflakjacketandgearandabilliongunsonhimeverywherehewent.
“Whatdidyoufind?”shewhispered,slidingoffthehoodashejoggedupnexttoher.
“ExactlywhatIthought.”“Whichis…?”“Nopeople.”Lilywasshockedandshe
hurriedtogetbackinherseat.
“Howdidyouknowtherewouldn'tbeanypeople?”sheaskedashebackedupthecar,turningitaround.
“BecauseEidal-Fitristomorrow,”hesaid,asifthatexplainedanythingtoher.
“Andthatmeans?”sheprobed.
“It'saMuslimholiday–mostofMauritania,thecountrywe'renowin,isMuslim.Eidal-FitristhefestivalthatmarkstheendofRamadan.Hugecelebrations,peoplebreaktheirmonth-longfasts.Thishouseissoisolated,Ifiguredthepeoplewhoownedithadprobablytraveledelsewheretocelebratewithfriendsor
family,liketoMaliorAlgeria,”Marcexplainedashepulleduptothehouse.He'dgottenthegateopenduringhislittleexcursionandhedroverightintotheproperty.
“Howdoyouknowtheywon'tcomeback?”Lilyasked.
“Idon't,butthefestivalistomorrow,soIdoubtthey'llbecomingbackanytimesoon.Atleastnotuntilthe
dayafter,”heguessed.Hecircledthecararoundandpointedittowardsthegate,thenbackedupasclosetothefrontdoorashecouldget.
TheygotoutandLilywatchedwhileheranbacktothegate,pushingitclosed.Thensheleanedbackintothecar,grabbinghisbackpack.Whensheturnedaround,hewasrightinfrontofher,andhepluckedthebagoutofherhand.
“Somuchfortrust,”shesnorted.
“Idon'tthinkyou'llshootme,butIhavenodoubtthatyou'ddriveoffwiththosediamondsinaheartbeat,givenhalfthechance.”
Shedidn'tdenytheallegationandfollowedhimuptothefrontofthehouse.
He'dpickedthelockearlierandleftthedooropen,sotheywalkedrightin.Shewasnervous,butheassured
herthathe'd“sweptthewholehouse”–noonewashome.
“Doesthatthingoutsidework?”sheasked.
Afewminuteslaterandhehadthegeneratorgoing,thoughherecommendednotturningonanyofthelightsinthefrontofthehouse.
“Wannaknowthebestpart?”hisvoicealmostsoundedteasingasheleadherdownahallway.
“What?”sheasked,leery
ofnice-Marc.She'dgottentoousedtosurly-Marc.
“Twoseparaterooms.Youdon'thavetosullyyourselfwithmypresence,”heinformedherashepushedopenadoorandturnedonalight.
Lilystayedquietasshewanderedintotheroom.Itwasnice,anditwasclean.Therewasanactualbed,anditwasmadeup.Therewasawindowthatfacedoutover
thedesertbehindthehouse.Anditwasallhers,apparently.
Thesametimeyesterday,shewould'vekilledforaroomofherown.Fortenminutesawayfromhim.Butnow…theideaofbeingalonefeltlikeaweight.Likesomethingtobedreaded.Shedidn'twanttobealoneandclosehereyes.
AllIseeisblood.“Nice,”shemanagedto
say,foldingherarmsinfrontofherchest.
“Gee,sweetheart,ifIdidn'tknowanybetter,I'dthinkyouweresadattheideaofbeingawayfromme,”hesaid,andthistimehisvoicewasdefinitelyteasing.Sheturnedtofacehimandrolledhereyes.
“Whataboutfood?”Theylitcandlesandtore
thekitchenapart.Everynon-perishabletheycouldfind,
theystole,carryingitouttothecar.Theyhadsavedalltheiremptywaterbottlesandnowrefilledthem,puttingtheminthecar,aswell.Noonesaiditoutloud,butsheknewtheywerepreppingthevehicleincasetheyhadtoleaveinahurry.
Shedidn'trecognizealotofthefoodinthehouse,butshemadedowithwhatshecouldfindandscroungedtogetheradinnerofsorts.
Theysatatatable,onecandlebetweenthem,andatetogether.
“We'releavingatsunuptomorrow,”Marcinformedher.Shenodded.
“Whereto?”“Boujdourisabouta
daysdrive.It'sonthecoastofWesternSahara.Ifigureifwedriveinshifts,wecanmakeitinonepush.Thenstaythenight,thenonemoredayspushtoTangier,”hetoldher.
Shenodded.“HowisTangiergoingto
go?”sheasked.“Didn'tyouhavea
plan?”heresponded.“Well,yeah,butinmy
plan,I'dbegettingtheretomorrowmorning.Thingsarealittledifferentnow,”shepointedout.
“Sameplan,justtwodayslate.You'lldropmeoffsomewhereelse,andI'llmeetyouattheboat.Do
everythingelsethesame.”“Don'tyouthinkthatit's
gonnaseemkindaodd?Ishowupoutoftheblue,twodayslate,andactlikeeverythingisnormal?”shequestionedhisplan.
“Well,yeah.You'llcallIvanovwhenwegettoTangierandexplaintohimthatyouhadtoshakeme.Tellhimyoushotme,dumpedmybodyinthedesert,Idon'tcare.Whatever.You'llbe
there,andyourferryguycanconfirmthatyouhavethediamonds,that'sallhe'llcareabout,”Marcassuredher.Shenodded.
“Whataboutyou?”shecontinued.Shecouldn'tstopwiththequestions,couldn'tlettheconversationdrag.Couldn'tletsilencefallonher.
“Whataboutme?”heaskedaroundafullmouthasheshoveledinthelastofhis
food.“Igiveyouthe
diamonds,thenwhat?Poof?YoudisappearbackintodarkestAfrica?”sheguessed.Henodded.
“Somethinglikethat.”“What'syourplan?”“Jesus,isthistwenty
questions?”hesnapped,finallylookingather.Shestaredathimforasecond,atthewaythecandlelightpooledinthebottomofhis
eyes.“Justmaking
conversation,”shefinallyanswered.
“Isthishowyouhaveaconversation?Goddamn,you'renosy,”hegrumbled,shovinghisplateaway.
“Well,howdoyouhaveaconversation?Gruntingandshooting?”shesnappedathimassheleanedbackinherseat.Hefinallysmiled.
“Sometimes.Idon't
know.Justtalk.Aboutshit.Anything.Howoldareyou?”heasked,wipinganapkinacrosshislipsbeforetossingitonthetable.
“Twenty-seven.”“Huh,Iwasguessing
younger.”“Thankyou?”“Sowhatdidyoudo,
beforeallthis?”“Itoldyou,Iworkedina
bank.”“Imeantyourlife,Lily.
Areyoualwaysthisboring?”heasked.Shethrewaforkathim.
“No!Idon'tknow,maybe.Iwenttocollege,butleftbecausemoneyatthebankwassogood.Igraduatedfromhighschool.Iwasacheerleader,Iwasvotedrunnerupforhomecomingqueen.IlikeoldmoviesandIlikereggaemusic.Ilikethebeach,butIalsoliketoski.Anything
else?”sheprattledstuffoff.“Beaches,huh.Where's
yourfavoriteplacetovacation?”heasked.Shethoughtforasecond.
“Idon'tknow,haven'treallybeenonmanyvacations.IactuallyliketheOregoncoastalot.Notcrazybusy,milesofsand,wildocean.MaybelikeCannonBeach,”shewasmorethinkingoutloudthanansweringhim,remembering
vacationstherefromwhenshewaslittle.Vacationswithherfamily.
“CannonBeach,I'vebeenthere.Goodchoice.There'sthislittleislandoffthecoastofTanzania,calledPembaIsland.Iloveitthere,”Marcsighed.Lilysmiled.
“Neverheardofit.It'snice?”
“Beautiful.Ifyoulikebeaches,you'dloveit.Whitesand.Peaceful.”
“Soundsnice.”“Maybe,”Marcstarted,
runninghisfingeracrosshisplatetocatchstraycrumbs.“Maybeifwegetoutofthisalive,wecangothere.”
Sheraisedhereyebrows.“'We'?”shequestioned
hisuseofthepronoun.Heshrugged,runninghiscrumbfingeracrosshistongue.
“Yeah,whynot.Thishasbeenashitjob,forbothofus.Ithinkwedeservea
vacation,”hetoldher.Shesmiled.
“Theotherday,youthreatenedto…whatdidyousay?'Gutyoulikeafish',Ibelievewereyourwords.Nowyouwannagoonvacationwithme?”shelaughed.
“WhatcanIsay,wemadeagoodteamtoday.AndIdon'tfeelbadoften,butIfeelbadaboutthisfuckedupsituation.Aweekonabeach
inPemba,onme,”hesaid.Shenodded.
“Alright,Marcelle.Ifyoucangetmethroughthisalive,andyousurviveyourownpersonalwarwiththeBratvaandtheLiberians,IwillmeetyouonPembaIsland,yourtreat,”sheagreed.
“Onlyifyoupromisetonevercallme'Marcelle'again,”hegrumbled.Shestoodupandgrabbedtheir
plates,carryingthemtoacounter.
“Why?Isthatnotyourrealname?”sheasked.
“No,it'smyrealname,Ijustdon'tcareforit,”heexplained,standingaswell.
“Really?Ithinkit'skindofpretty.”
“Exactly.DoIlooklikea'pretty'guy?”heasked.
Lilyturnedbackaroundandleanedagainstthecounter,lettinghereyes
wanderoverhim.Hewasdirty,theyhadn'thadachancetoreallycleanupsincetheirbattlebackinBamako.Hisarmhadstartedbleedingagain,fromwhereithadgottencutonthewindow,duringtheirfightbackinLiberia.Itreallyshouldgetstitchedup.Healsohadthreedeepscratches,likehe'dgottenhitwithshrapnel,justabovehisrighteyebrow.He'dalsobeen
meantoher,threatenedher,knockedheraround,andalmostgottenherkilled,onseveraldifferentoccasions.
Butallshecouldthinkaboutwashisstoryfromthecar,theboyinHaiti.AndtheguyinMali,pickingherupfromthesideoftheroadandtellingheritwouldgeteasier.ThemanfromLiberia,makingeverycellinherbodycomebacktolife,afterfiveyearsofdormancy.
“No,”sheagreed,hervoicesoft.“Prettyisn'tawordIwouldusetodescribeyou.”
Hegaveheratightsmile.“I'mbeat.Yougonna
shower?”heasked,leaningovertoblowoutthecandle.
“Yeah.Yeah,Iprobablyshould,Ihaven'tsinceLiberia,”sheanswered,wrappingherarmsaroundherselfandglancingoutthewindow.Thedarkmadeher
nervousnow.“Okay.Ichecked,the
watertankisfull,thoughIdoubtthere'shotwater.I'llhopinwhenyou'redone.Ifyouwakeupbeforemeinthemorning,comegetme,okay?Don'twanderaroundoutside.Ifyouhearanything,stayinyourroom.Blockthedoor.I'llcometoyou,”hegaveherinstructions.
“Gotit.”“Seeyouinthe
morning.”Andjustlikethat,he
strodeoutofthekitchen,leavingherallalone.
Lilyscurriedtothebackofthehouse.Marchadhisdoorshut.Shedidn'tbotherwithherroom,justwentstraightintothebathroomandturnedontheshower.Theroomwasintheback,aswell,soshewentaheadandturnedonthelights.Shedidn'twanttobeinthedark
anymorethanwasnecessary.Youwereplanningon
killingsomeone,anyway.Whatdoesitmatterifyoukilledsomeoneelse?Someonewhowasgoingtokillyou,first.Noquestionsasked.Itwasnothing.Itmeantnothing.
Lilywashedherbodyfirst,wincingateverynewcutandbruiseshefound.Thensheusedsoaptowashherhairasbestaspossible,
scrubbingawayanytraceofbloodfromeveryinchofherbeing.
Itmeantnothing.Itmeantnothing.Twomoredays.Holdittogetherfortwomoredays.Thenyoucancryallyouwant.Twomoredays.
Theshowerwasbasicallyastallwithnodoor,anditwasbuiltoutofstoutcementbricks.Shesatonthefloorandpressedherbackagainstawall,huggingherkneesto
herchest.Sheshovedherforeheadagainstherkneecaps,prayingforsleep.Prayingtofaint.Butneitherhappened.Instead,shedidwhatshehatedmost.
Shecried.Fake.Phony.Allthese
years.Youconvincedyourselfthatyouweresomethingyou'renot.MarcelleDeSantistherealdeal,hedidn'tevenblink.Butyou,you'reweak.Cryingonashowerfloor.
Howcouldyouthinkyoucoulddothis?Soweak.
Shewasn'tsurehowlongshewasonthefloorfor;quiteawhile.Longenoughtostopcrying,butnotlongenoughfortheimagesofbloodtoleaveherbrain.Shewantedthemtobewashedaway.Tonotexistanymore.
“Howlonghaveyoubeenlikethis?”
Sheliftedherhead,startledtofindMarc
squattingdownnearher.Shestayedhunchedoverherkneesandliftedherhands,slickingherhairoutofherface.
“Um,Idon'tknow.Ikindofdriftedoff,sorry.I'llgetout,youcangetin,”shesaid,twistingawayfromhimandstandingup,movingbackunderthespray.
“Lily,you'reno-”“Ican'thearyou!Two
minutes,canyouwait
outside?Thanks,”shecuthimoff,rakinghernailsoverherhead.
Therewassilence,andshefiguredhe'dleftheralone,butthensheheardasqueakandfelthimmovingrightbehindher.Hegrabbedherbytheshouldersandforcedhertoturnaroundtofacehim.Hewasfullydressed,standingintheshowerwithher.
“Stop,”hesaidsimply.
Shefoldedherarmsacrossherchest.
“Marc!Getthefuckout!”shesnapped.Helaughed.
“Babe,Ihatetoremindyou,butI'vealreadyseenit,”heteased.Sheshovedathischest.
“Idon'tcare!Thisismyspace,mytime!Youhadmechainedtoyouforafuckingday,justgivemesomegoddamnspace!”sheshouted
athim.“Idon'tthinkyouwant
that,”hisvoicewassoft,andhemovedhishandstopushherhairoverhershoulders.
“Ido.Idowantthat.Ijustwanttobealone,”shebreathed,lettingherhandsfallawayfromhimasshedroppedherheadtohischest.
“WhatamIgoingtodowithyou,sweetheart?”hesighed,wrappinghisarmsaroundher.
“You'realreadydonetoomuch.Maybecuttingmeabreakwouldbeagoodidea,”shemumbled.Hesnorted.
“Smartass.”“Ididn'twanttokill
him,”Lilywhispered.Hisfingerstrailedupanddownherspine.
“Iknow.”“Ionlywantedtokillone
person.Anditwasn'thim.”“Iknow.”“Hewasgoingtokillme.
Hewasgoingtokillyou.”“Iknow.”“Butstill…Ididn'twant
tokillhim.”“Iknow.”Shegrippedhist-shirtin
herfists.“Sayitagain.Tellmeit
getseasier,”shebegged.Shefelthimnod.
“Itgetseasier.Youlearntoshutitout.Tonotcare.Torecognizewhodeservesit,andwhodoesn't,”heassured
her.“That'swhatyoudo?
Onlykillthosewhodeserveit?”sheasked.
“WhoIthinkdeserveit,yes,”hetoldher.Sheshuddered.
“Yousaidyouwouldkillme.”
“Iwasbluffing.”Whensheliftedherhead
toseeifhewasjoking,hekissedher.Shewasabsolutelyfloored.She'd
figuredtheirnighttogetherhadbeensomewhatofascam.Awayforhimtofigureherout,tolearnmoreaboutherjob,sohecouldstealthediamondsfromher.Thenwhenithadbecomeobviousthathewasn'tlying,thathereallyhadbeensetup,thingsweretoofargone.Everythingwasfucked.Sexwasofflimits.Itwouldmakeeverythingevenworse.
Thiswasabadidea.A
huge,monumentallybadidea.Jokingaboutvacationingtogetherwasonething.Actuallysleepingwiththemanwho,adayago,hadthreatenedherwithbodilyharmmultipletimes,andactuallyhitherseveraltimes,wasabad,bad,badidea.Hewasn'texactlyaguyshecouldtakehometomeetherparents.
Youcaneitherspendthenexttwodaysfeelingalone
andterrified,ormaybefortonight,youcanfeelthatmomentinheavenagain.Yourchoice.Realityoroblivion.
Lilymoanedandworkedherhandsunderhiswetshirt,draggingtheheavymaterialuphisbody.Hebrokeawaylongenoughforittogooverhishead,thenhismouthwasonhersagain,anditwasn'tgentlethistime.Hegrippedherheadbetweenhishands,
pushingherbackagainsttheshowerwall,histonguedivingintohermouth.
“Youknow,”hebreathed,hismouthmovingdowntoherchest,kissingthetopsofherbreasts,“thebruisesactuallylookkindofsexy.”Shelookeddown,watchingashislipssweptoverabruiseinthemiddleofhersternum.
“Shutup.Youputmostofthosethere,”shepointed
out.“Youmademeputmost
ofthemthere,andI'msureIhavemore,”heretorted.
“Youdeservedthem.”“Shutup.”Whilehecuppedher
breastsandnibbledonhernipples,sheyankedhisbeltapart.Shedidn'tevenbotherwithhisfly,justshovedherhanddownhispants.Theybothmoanedwhenshegrabbedaholdofhishardon,
herwethandslickagainsthisskin,slidingbackandforth.
“Youknowthisisabadidea,right,”shechecked,hervoicebarelyaboveawhisperasherhandpumpedfaster.
“AllIknowisthatifyoustop,Iactuallywillkillyou,”hethreatened,restinghisforeheadagainsthercollarbone.
“Thisisjustsex,”shewasremindingherself,morethansayingittohim
“Thisisjustamazingsex,”hecorrectedher.
Beforeshecouldsayanythingelse,hismouthwasbackonhers,andhewaspushinghiswholebodyagainsthers,forcingherintothewallagain.Shecouldn'tmoveherhandanymore,butitdidn'tmatter,becausehegrabbedherwristandpulledherfreeofhispants.Thenhishandswereonherhips,guidingheroutoftheshower.
Theyslippedonthewetfloor,slidingintothewallinthehallway.Hewrappedhisarmsaroundherwaistandpickedherup,haulingherintoherbedroomthatway,herlegsdangling.Thenheputheronherbedbeforehestartedpeelingoffhispants.
“Whatifsomeonecomeshome?”sheasked,leaningforwardtohelphimtugatthewetmaterial.
“I'llshootthem,”he
growled,fightingtogethisfootfree.
“Ithoughtyouonlykillpeoplewhodeserveit?”
“Ifsomeoneinterruptsthis,thentheydeserveit.”
Hepushedheraway,causinghertofallbackagainstthemattress.Hegothisotherlegfreeandhekickedthepantsacrosstherooms,thenhestareddownather.
“What?”sheasked,
proppingherselfuponherelbows.
“You'resofuckingbeautiful.”
Hisvoicewassoftandsimple,anditwasn'texactlypoetry,butitcausedapaininherchest.Thewayhe'dsaidit,socandidly.Likehewasn'tusedtoseeingbeautifulthings.
Likeshewasagift.“Comehere.”Hepracticallyfellonher,
histongueinhermouthbeforehiskneeshadevenhitthemattress.Onehandwasonthebackofherhead,holdingherinplace,andshefeltlikehewasstealingtheairfromherlungs.
Theyrolledaround.Shepinnedhimdown,kissinghischestwhileherhandwentbacktohiserection.Hemoaned,hishandmovingoverherown,showingherhowtotouchhim.Howfast
tomove.Thenheshovedher
away,forcingherontoherback,andhereturnedthefavor.Whilehistonguelearnedthecontoursofherjaw,hishandtraileddownherbody.Scratchedoverherstomach.Slidthroughherwetness.Heflutteredhisfingers,playingherlikeaguitar,andshegasped,herhipsjerkingtowardshim.Helistenedtoherbody's
demandsandtwofingersthrustinsideofher,immediatelypumpingaway.
“ThisisthesecondtimeI'vehadyouwetandneedybeneathme,”hewhisperedinherear.
“Countyourblessings,itmaynothappenagain,”shecountered.
Hemovedaway,kissinghercollarbone,thenthetipsofherbreasts.Gentle,featherykisses,alloverher
stomach.Hetookhisfingersawayandshegroanedattheloss,thenmoanedindelightashekissedherhipbone.Thenthetopofherbikiniline.Heforcedherlegsapartandsheheldherbreathashekissedtheuppermostpartofherthigh.Butthenhemovedfarthersouth,kissingandlickingallthewaytoherknee.Shebegantopantandherhandswenttohishair,tryingtopullhimbackupher
body.“Whatareyoutryingto
tellme,”hebreathed,movingtoherotherkneeandsuckingatthesensitivefleshbehindit.Shejerkedaway.
“Please,please,Ineedyou,”shepanted.Heliftedherleg,pointingitstraightup,andhestoodonhisknees,dragginghisteethalonghercalfatthesametime.
“Needmetowhat?”Heputherlegback
down,aswideasitwouldgoandbentattheknee.
“Please,Marc.”“Tellme.”Herepeatedthesame
actionwithherotherlegandshewascompletelyopentohim.
“Please.”“You'renotsaying
anything.”Shecouldn'tstandit.She
feltlikeshewasgoingtoburst.Shemovedherfingers
tohermoltenhotcore,tryingtorelievethepressure.
“Anything.I'llsayanything,justplease.”
“Stillwaitingforthemagicwords.”
Shehadtwofingersinsideofherself.Herotherhandwascuppingherbreast.Shecouldfeelhishandsonherankles,squeezingforamoment,thenhewasscratchinghiswayuptoherknees.Thenbackdown.Her
thighsstartedtoshake.“God,Marc,please,
please,justfuckme.”Apparently,thosewere
themagicwords.Hegrabbedheranklesandyankedhard,draggingherdownthebed.Shegasped,caughtbysurprise,andbeforeshecouldevencatchherbreath,hewasslamminginsideofher.Nopausenecessary.
Shescreamed,clawinghernailsdownhisbackhard
enoughtobreakskin.Hehissed,thenclampedhisteethdownwhereherneckmethershoulder.
Theywerebothsoakingwet,herinmorewaysthanone,andtheirskinslideffortlesslyagainsteachother.Shepressedherhandsagainsteithersideofhisface,kissinghimthesamewayhekissedher,likehewasanoxygentank.
“Fuck,thankyouforthis.
Whatawaytoendashittyfuckingweekend,”hegroaned,pressinghisforeheadtohers.
“It'syourfaultitwasshitty,”shebreathed,lickingherlips.Hegrowledandgrabbedthebackofherknee,roughlyyankingherlegupsoitwaspressedagainstherchest.
“Shutthefuckup,”hesnapped,swivelinghiships,hispelvisslappingagainsther
ass.Sheshriekedintimetohisthrusts,turningherheadawayfromhim.
“Marc…Marc…Ican't…I'maboutto…please…,”fullyformedsentenceswereoutofherreach.
“God,yes,please,Ineedtofeelthisagain.Yourpussyismagic,”heswore,liftinghisheadtolookdownbetweentheirbodies.
Hiswordsweretoomuch.Knowinghiseyeswere
onthatmostintimatepartofthemwastoomuch.Justpicturinghimmovinginandoutofherwastoomuch.Sheletoutasob,cominghardenoughthatshewassureherheartactuallydidstop.Allofhermuscleslockedtogetherinanorgasmicseizure,herbodytwistingawayfromhim,awayfromtheoverstimulationashecontinuedtomovehiscockinandoutofher.
“Please,please,”shewhimperedthewordoverandoveragain,thoughshewasn'tevensurewhy.
“See?Puremagic,”hesighed,kissinghertemple.
Hemovedoffofher,andshewastoolimptocare.Heslowlymovedherontoherstomach,andshedidn'tcareaboutthat,either.Butwhenhisfingersdugintoherback,massagingherbruisedandachingmuscles,shemoaned,
stretchingoutunderneathhim.Hemovedhishandsdowntoherass,massagingitaswell,thenheleaneddown,bitingthesuppleflesh.Shelaughed,thenheldherbreathagainwhenhehikedherleguptotheside.Heldherselfstillasheenteredherfrombehind.
Hetookitslow,andshewasthankful.Then,slowlybutsurely,hercellsstartedtocometolifeagain.Shebegan
tomoanandmove,workingherassbackagainsthiships.Hepickeduponhersubtlecuesandbegantothrustharder,faster.Whensheliftedherheadtolookoverhershoulder,hereachedoutandgrabbedahandfulofhair,pullinggently.
“Youfeelsogoodtome,”shemoaned,meetinghiseyes.
“Good,”hegrunted.“Iwantyoutofeelgood,
too,”shetoldhim.Hegroanedandpulled
harderonherhair,slammedharderagainstherhips.Shewentcrazy,beganspoutingoffallkindsoffilth,sayingthingsshe'dneversaidbefore;begginghimtodothingstoherthatnooneelsehadeverdone.
Beforelong,theywerebothcompletelydrenchedinsweat.Hehadmovedherontoherkneesproperly,
thoughkeepingthemwideapart.Heputhishandsflatonhershoulderblades,forcinghertophalfflatagainstthemattress,thenhedemandedthatshetouchherself.Shecomplied,workingherfingersaroundherselfandhim.Hisonehandmovedtogripontoherass,hisfingersdiggingintoherfleshinawaythatsheknewwouldleavemarks.Hisotherhandheldontohershoulderandhe
fuckedhersohard,shewonderedifshe'dbeabletowalkinthemorning.Shescreamedhisname,herorgasmcomingoutofnowhere,it'ssizeshockingher.Herpussyshutdown,completelyimmobilizinghim.Heshoutedaswellandjerkedforward,cominginthenextinstant,sohardshefelteveryburst.
“Fuck.I'msorry,Lily,but…fuck,”Markpanted.
“Don'tbesorryforthat,”shebreathedashefellflatontopofherback.
“Icouldn'tstop,”hekeptgoing.
“Ididn'twantyouto.”“You'retoomuchfor
me.”“Likewise.”Theylaidthatwayfora
while,andthesamecalmthathadfallenoverherthefirsttimethey'dhadsexwasbackagain.Itwaslikeafter
runningalongrace,thenjustlayinginthegrass.Everymuscle,unwinding,poolingintolethargybeneathherskin.She'dbeentiredandrunraggedforthelasttwodays,socrazysexshouldn'thavebeenagoodidea.Rightthen,though,itfeltlikethebestidea.
Eventually,Marcrolledoffofher.Shemoanedandpulledherselfoffthebed,draggingherfeetasshewent
backintotheshower.Itwasstillrunningandshesteppedunderthespray,justtorinseoff.ButaminutelaterMarcjoinedher,sayinghe'dhelpwashherback.
Ishouldbedeadtired!Howcanhemakemewanthimsobad!?
Despitefallingintheshower,twice,theymanagedtocomeacouplemoretimesbeforecallingatruce.Theyseemedtobeworkingout
theirdemonsbydivingintoeachothersskin,andshewasfinewiththat–itseemedtobeworking.Butshealsoneededtolaydownandgetthefeelingbackinherlegs.
“Wheredoyougetallyourenergy!?”sheasked,pullingononeofhist-shirtsbeforeshecollapsedintobed.Hecameintoherroom,carryingabowlwithonehandwhilehikingupapairofpantswiththeother.Heleft
themundoneandlaidonthebednexttoher.
“Justblessedthatway,”hesighed,holdingthebowlouttoher.Itwasfullofdates,soshetookone.
“Icouldsleepfordays,”shetoldhim.
“Toobad.Yougetsixhours.”
“Slavedriver.”“Youloveit.”Sheclearedherthroat,
toyingwithherdate.
“Whatdoesthismean,now?”sheasked.
“Whatdoyoumean?”“Yesterday,wewere
readytokilleachother.Tonight,wejusthadsexfortwohoursstraight.What'stomorrow?Pistolsatdawn?”shejoked.
“Noway,”hestartedlaughing.“I'veseenyouwithagun,you'dwin.”
“Probably.”“Itdoesn'tmean
anything,Lily.It'sjustsex.Iliketofuck.You'reamazing.Webothfeellikeshit–thismadeusfeelbetter.LikeIsaidearlier,we'reagoodteam.Weparticularlyexcelinthisdepartment,”heinformedher.
Shecouldn'tdenyit.“Okay.Aslongasthat's
allitis–wecan'tdothisagain,”shestated.
“That'sallitcanbe,andifyousayso.”
“Ido.It'lljustmakethingsworse.Ionlyhaveoneplan,”shestartedremindinghim.“Ihavetogetthere,Marc.Ihavetokill-”
“Youreallythinkyoucanpullthatoff?”Marcasked,lookingbackather.Hewasloweronthebed,hisheadnearherthigh.
“Yes.”“Youdidn'thandle
earliersowell,”hepointedout.Shekneedhiminthe
shoulder.“Ihandledearlierjust
fine,itwastheafterIdidn'thandlesowell.Duringisallthatmatters.AslongasIcangetthroughit,whichIalreadyprovedthatIcan,thenI'mgood,”shebabbled,tryingtoconvinceherselfmorethananythingelse.
Theyweresilentforacoupleminutes,Marcmunchingawayatthedates.Shefiddledwiththehemof
hisshirt,staringattheceiling.“Youhavetochange
yourwayofthinking,”hisgruffvoicecutthroughthesilence.
“Whatdoyoumean?”“You'reupsetthatyou
killedthatguy.”Itwasastatement,andshenodded.
“Yes.”“Becauseyouthinkhe
didn'tdeserveit.Becausehewasjustdoingajob.Becausehewasactingunderorders.
Becauseit'sahumanlifeandthat'ssacred,”Marcfilledin.Shewassurprised;he'dcapturedherthoughtsperfectly.
“Yeah,allofthat,”sheagreed.
“Andthat'salltrue,butifyouthinkofitthatway,it'lldriveyoucrazy.”
“Ifiguredthatmuchout,butitdoesn'tstopitfrombeingtrue.”
“No,butthinkofitthis
way.Howmanypeoplehadthatmankilled?Howmanywomenhadheraped?Howmanydrugshadhesold?Howmanyliveshadhehelpedtoruin?”Marcprattledoffquestions.
“Butyoudon'tknowifanyofthat'strue,”shepointedout.Heburstoutlaughing.
“Youreallyarefuckingstupid.Doyouknowwhatthegangsarelikeoverhere?
Didn'tyoulistenwhenItoldyouwhatIsawinLiberia?There'snolawouthere,sweetheart.Ifhe'sinagang,he'sdonebadshit.Wheredoyouthinkyourdiamondscamefrom?”heasked,glancingupatheragain.
“My…what?”shewascaughtoffguard.
“Thosediamonds.YourpreciouspassporttoMoscow.Sointentonavengingtheunjustmurderofyoursister,”
Marcsaidinacomicallyseriousvoice.“Howmanypeopledoyouthinkdiedforthosestones?ThosearetheclearestdiamondstoevercomeoutoftheIvoryCoast,doyouthinktheyweretakenwillingly?No.Theyweretakenfromanotheroutfit,whogotthemfromsomewhereelse,leadingallthewaybacktoamine.Whodoyouthinkworksthatmine?Happylittleelves?
Whistlingaway?Trykids.Sickpeople.Indenturedslaves.Andit'snotexactlyfunwork,”Marcenlightenedher.Shefurrowedherbrow.
“That'snotmybattle.Icamehereforonereason,nottosavetheworld,”shesnapped.Hechuckledandtossedadateintotheair,catchingitinhismouth.
“Nowyou'retalkinglikeamercenary.”
Shedidn'tknowwhether
thatmadeherhappyorsad.“That'sthegoal,I
suppose.”“Sonowthatyou'reon
thisroadtoaheartlessactofviolence,doyouthinkyoucangobacktoyouroldlife?”herepeatedhisquestionfromtheotherday.Shesighed,rubbingherhandsdownherface.
“Idon'tknow.IthoughtIcould.Aftertoday…Idon'tknow.Ican'tunseeallthat.
HowamIsupposedtogobacktoworkinginabank?”sheasked,spearingherhandsthroughherhair.Hemovedandsheheardthebowlclatteronthefloor.
“Youdon't,”hesaiditasifitwassimple.
“ThenwhatdoIdo?”“This.”“What?”“This.”Itactuallytookhera
secondtocatchon.
“KeepdoingwhatI'vebeendoing?”shechecked.Hisarmmovedandhelaiditbetweenherlegs,grippingherrightfootinhishandandmassagingherarch.
“Whynot?You'regoodatit,obviously.You'regoingthroughhell,andwhenyoucomeouttheotherside,you'llbeevenbetter.Youcangetpaidalotofmoneyforthethingsyou'llbeabletodo,”heexplained.
“ButdoIwanttodothosethings?”shewhispered.
“Youdon'thavetokill.Youcankeeptransporting.Keeplaundering.Keepmoving,”hesuggested.
“Hmmm,”wasallshesaidinresponse.Heclearedhisthroat,squeezingherfoot.
“Howlonghaveweknowneachothernow?”heasked.Shewasthrownforasecondandhadtothink.
“Idon'tknow,likefive
weeks?”shetriedtothinkbackoverthedays.
“Thatlong?Jesus,thinkofallthenakedtimewemissedouton.Ishould'vefuckedyouonthefirstday.”
“Shoulda,coulda,woulda.”
“KnowwhatthefirstthingIthoughtwas,whenIsawyou?”heswitchedagain.Shesmiled.
“I'malmostscaredtoask.”
“Ithoughtyouwereanescort.”
Shekneedhisshoulderagain.
“Shutup.”“No,really.Youwereso
clean,andsogorgeous.WhatthefuckwassomeonelikeyoudoingataBratvasafehouse,inAfricaofallplaces?Allthatcreamyskin,thatdarkredhair.Naughtyaccountant,thatwasmyotherthought,”hetoldher.
“Prettyclose.Naughtybanker,”shecorrectedhim,laughing.
“WhatI'mtryingtosayis'badassbitchwhowillshootfirstandaskquestionslater'doesnotcometomindwhensomeonelooksatyou.That'sgood.You'reunassuminglooking.Youcangoalotofplacesaguylikemecan't,”heexplained.Shenodded.
“Ihadn'tthoughtofit
thatway.Youdolooklikeabadassbitchwhowillshootfirst,”sheagreed.Hisfingersdugintothebottomofherfootandsheyelped,yankingaway.Bothofthemlaughedandherubbedawaythesting.
“Exactly.Thinkofthedamagewecoulddotogether.”
Lilywentcompletelystill,soakinginhiswords.
“Whatareyousaying?”sheaskedinalowvoice.
“Itoldyou–wemakeagreatteam,”herepeated.
Shesatup,lookingdownathim.
“Areyouserious?Areyouaskingmeto,like,beyourpartnerincrime?”shewasshocked.Heshrugged.
“Sortof.Icanhelpyou,Icanmakeyoubetter.Youcantakejobs.IfIneedyourhelponsomething,Icancallyou.Youneedmyhelp,youcancallme,”hebrokeitdown.
Lilywasbeyondshocked.Shelaidbackdown,tryingtofocusontheceiling.
Fiveyears.AfterStankovskiwasdead,theplanhadbeentogobackhome.Seeherparentsforthefirsttimeintwoyears.Seeherfriends,ifshestillhadany.Trytogobacktosomeformofnormalcy.
Butnow,whenshereallytriedtopictureit,shecouldn't.What,shewasgoing
toblowaman'sheadoff,thengositdowntoThanksgivingdinner?Worknine-to-fiveinsomebank,afterdaysandyearsoftravelingtheworld?Goingwhereshewanted,whenshewanted,becausesheknewshehadtheweightofsomethingbiggerthanherselftobackherup.
WhathadMarcsaidearlier?Lawless.That'swhatshewasnow.Couldshegobacktolivingwithinthelaw?
Itwaslikeaskingawolftogobackandliveasahousedog.She'drunwildfortoolong.Maybeshewasn'tfittoliveinsocietyanymore.
“Idon'tknow,Marc,”shewhispered.“Idon'tknowwhatIwantanymore.”
Heshiftedaroundonthemattress,thenhewascrawlingoverher.Hepushedtheshirtupashewent,runninghistonguealongherbreastbone.Shelethimpush
andyankthematerialoverherheadandfreeofherarms.
“It'snotlikeyouhavetomakeadecisionnow,Lily.GettoMoroccofirst,getonthatferry.Ifyoucandoit,ifyoucankillhim,thenmaybeyou'llknowwhatyouwant,”hesuggested,layinghisfullweightonherandkissingthesideofherneck.Shesighedandwrappedherarmsaroundhisshoulders.
“IfIcan,huh.Alotof
faithyouhaveinme,”shepointedouthisphrasing.Heheldstillforamoment,thenhislipsmoveddowntohershoulder.
“Youdon'thavetodoit,”hewhispered.
“What?”“Youdon'thavetodo
this,”herepeatedhimself.“Youdon'thavetodoanyofit.”
“Wait,”shewasalmostmoreshockedthanwhenhe'd
offeredherapartnership.Shepushedathisshoulders,forcinghimtoleanawayfromher.“Whatareyousaying!?”
“I'msaying,youdon'thavetodothis.Rememberwhatyoutoldme,backbeforetheboardinghouse?Icouldjustwalkaway,”hestartedtoexplain,hisfingersdrawinglazycirclesaroundoneofhernipples.Shegrabbedhishand.
“Walkingaway?”“Thosediamonds,Lily.
Doyouhaveanyideahowmuchthey'reworth?”heasked.Sheshookherhead.
“No.Imean,alot,obviously,Iunderstandthat,butnottheexactamount,”sheexplained.
“Millions.Somanymillionsofdollars.Wecouldturnintosomethingelse.Noonewouldeverknow.LilyandMarcwouldn'texist
anymore,”hetoldher.“Wait.Wait,wait,wait.
You'resuggestingwe…runawaytogether?Keepthediamonds,sellthemourselves?”shechecked.
“Basically.”“Youwanttorunaway
withme?”Shewasofficiallybeyondshocked.
“Jesus,I'mnotaskingyoutogetmarried.Wecouldleave,splitupthediamonds,andneverspeakagain.Orwe
couldgooffandfuckforthenextthreeyears.I'mjusttryingtosay,wedon'tneedtobethesepeopleanymore,”hestressed.
Shefinallylookedstraightupathimandhewasglaringbackdownather.Shecouldn'tbelievewhatshewashearing.Howhadtheygottentothispoint?
Hehaddescribedthefirsttimehe'dseenher;shetriedtorememberthefirsttime
she'dseenhim.IthadonlybeenherseconddayinAfrica,andshe'dbeentakingatourofthesafehouse.Thecompoundhadalargebackyardthatwrappedaroundthesideofthehouse,whichwaswherehercarhadbeenkept.Whilebeingwalkedtoit,shehadseenhim.
Ofcoursehecaughthereye.Hewasacommandingpresence,evenwhenhe
wasn'tmovingorsayinganything.Butwhenhewasmoving,whenhewasinaction,hewasimpossiblenottonotice.He'dbeencarryingalargebagacrosstheyard,laughingloudlywithoneofthebodyguards.He'dglancedatLilyandtheireyeshadcaughtforamoment.Justamoment.Hehadn'tbeenabletoguesswhatherjobwas,butshe'dknownimmediatelywhatpurposehewasserving
fortheBratva.He'ssostrong.Hecould
doit.Hecouldjusttakeitallandleaveeverythingbehind.Eventakemewithhim.Takeeverything.
“Ican't,”shechokedout,thenclearedherthroat.“Ijustcan't.Fiveyears.Imadepromisestoyesterday.Ican'tstartgivingawaymytomorrows.”
Marcnoddedandlookedawayfromher,staringatthe
wallforasecond.Thenoverherhead,aroundtheroom.Thenhenoddedagainandlookedbackdownather.
“Okaythen.We'llgetyoutoMoscow,”hesaid,hisvoicestrongandclear.Sheletoutabreaththatshehadn'trealizedshe'dbeenholding.
“Thankyou,Marc.”“Andtechnically,since
we'vealreadyhadsextonight,andit'sstilltonight,”hisvoiceloweredtoagrowland
helaidbackdownonher,histeethonhercollarbone,“thenthe'nosex'thingdoesn'tstartbackuptilltomorrow.”
Shelaughedandscratchedhernailsacrosshisshoulderblades.
“Onlybecauseyousaiditsonicely.”
DAYFOURLilysatupinbed,
huggingtheblankettoherchest.Sheshovedherhairoutofherfaceandlookedaround.Theroomwasempty.
ShewenttocalloutforMarc,butthenthoughtbetterofitandstoodup,shufflingacrosstheroom.They'dwashedtheirclothesthenight
before,scrubbingthemintheshower.Marchadstressedtheimportanceofkeepingtheirclothesascleanaspossible–neitherofthemhadanythingelsetowear,andtheycouldn'taffordtogetinfectionsinanyofthemultiplewoundstheybothhadpepperedacrosstheirbodies.
ShecursedatherselffornotaskingMarcforaweaponthenightbefore;allshehad
washerGlock,whichwasempty.Shetuckeditintoherbeltanyway,figuringloadedornotloaded,itwasatleastscarylooking.
Shecreptintothehallway,stayingsilentandlisteningtothehouse.Therewasnonoise,soshekeptmoving.Shewentthrougheveryroomwithhergunout,butshewasaloneinthebuilding.Shestoodinthebathroom,herhandsonher
hips,wonderingwherethefuckhe'dgone.
Hewouldn't…Sheranbackintohis
room,shovingthroughthedoor.Itwasempty,thebedmadeup.Ofcourseitwas,hehadn'tsleptinit.He'dspentthewholenightwithher.Buttherewasnothingelseintheroom.Noweapons,noclothing,andnothisstupidbackpack.
Hedidn't!
Sheranthroughthehouse,notevenworryingifanyonewasoutside.Somewhereinthebackofhermind,shealreadyknewwhatwaswaitingoutthere.
Hecouldn't.Lilyburstintothefront
yard,skiddingonthepebblesandlooserocks.Shebentforward,herhandsonherthighs,breathinghard.Hergunfelltotheground.Thenshefollowedsuit,droppingto
herknees.Sheshovedherhandsintoherhair,pullingattheroots.
“Hedid,”shesighed,staringattheemptydriveway.
Nocar.NoMarc.Noanything.
*
Lilysighed,sippingat
thecoffeeshe'dmanagedto
make.Shewedgedthecupbehindherfoot,thenadjustedthewhitesheetshehaddrapedoverher.Itwashelpingtokeepthesunatbay.
Shewassittingontheroofofthehouse.Itwasthebestvantagepoint,shefigured.Thehousewasatthetopofasmallhill.Shecouldseeformilesineverydirection,soshewouldknowacarwascomingbefore
they'dknowshewasatthehouse.
Theownershadtoturnupatsomepoint.Andiftheydidn't,maybeshe'dluckoutandanothercarwoulddrivepast.Thedirtroadtheywereonseemedtocirclebackaroundtothemainroad,andfurtherdowntheway,shesawanotherhouse.
Someonehadtogobyatsomepoint.
Shewantedtobeangry
atMarc,butshewasn't.Shewasangryatherself.She'dfallenforitagain.Anicebodyandgooddick,goodgod,Lily.Sheexpectedbetterfromherself.He'dlulledherrightbackintothatsecurefeeling,allthosetouches,allthosewords.
“…wedon'tneedtobethesepeopleanymore...”
Themanwasgood.She'dcompletelyfallenforit.She'dbelievedhim,everyword.
Suchanawfulday.Suchawonderfulnight.Hersoulhadbeenbeggingtohearsomeonetalktoherthatway.
Whatwouldhehavedoneifshe'dtakenhimuponit?
Hewasgone.He'dtakenthecarandthediamonds.Alltheweapons.Everything.Hewasprobablyinawholedifferentcountryalready,probablybackinMali.Meanwhile,shewasalonein
ahouseinastrangecountry,withnomeansofcommunications.Nowaytodefendherself.Almostnofoodleft,aswell.
Wheneverthehomeownersreturned,shewouldhavetostealtheircar.HavetopraythatheremptyGlockwouldbeenoughtoscarethem.Shefeltbad,leavingthemcarless,butshehadtogetoutofthere.Hadtogetanywhereelse,shestillhad
allthemoneyinherpants,andthenmakeaplan.Figureoutwhatshecoulddonext.Whatoptionswerelefttoher.
Shewenttotakeanothersipofcoffee,thennearlydroppedthemug.Therewasadusttrailwayoffinthedistance,anditwasheadingherway.She'dbeenouttherefortwohoursandnothinginthedeserthadmoved.Itcouldonlybeonething.
Lilyscrambledtothe
backoftheroof,thencursed.She'dfoundawoodenladderonthesideofthehouseandhadusedittoclimbtoherperch.Ithadgottenknockedoversomehowandwasnowrestingontheground.
Shechuckedthesheetdownfirst,thensatdown,herlegsdanglingoverthesideofthehouse.Prayingthatallthosehoursinthegymhadreallypaidoff,shegrippedtheedgeoftheroofand
slowlytwisted,carefulassheloweredherself.
Herarmsdidherproudandshewasabletolowerherselftillshewasdangling.Itwasonlyaonestory,soshedroppedtotheground.Shekeptswearingunderherbreath,wonderinghowlongthatlittlejaunthadtakenher.Thensheclimbedthroughthewindowintoherbedroom,fightingwiththecurtains.
Justasshebrokefreeof
thefabric,sheheardthefrontdooropen.Shecursed.Some“badass”shewasturningouttobe;shewasuselesswithoutMarc.Herplanwasfallingtoshit.Keepingherfootstepslight,shedashedacrosstheroom,pressingherbackagainstthewallbythedoor.SheheldtheGlockupbyherheadandshetriedtocatchherbreath.Triedtoslowherheartbeat.
Youcandothis.Youcan
dothis.Youkilledagangmemberyesterday.Youcantakesomefamilyhostage.Yougotthis.
Heavyfootstepsmovedthroughthehouse.Slowly,almostlikethepersonwaslookingforsomething.Maybeitwasn'tthehomeowner.MaybeitwasaBratvamember,someonewho'dtrackedherdown.
Itdidn'tmatter.Shewidenedherstance,readyto
pivotforward,allherweightonherrightleg.Shelockedherarmsintoplace,readytosnapthegunout.Shewouldn'tgodownwithoutafight.Shewouldn'tletherselfbetaken.
Thefootstepswereinthehall,outsidetheotherbedroom.Pause.Thentheymoved,drawingnearer.Pausedoutsideherdoor.Lilyheldherbreath,staredattheceilingforasecond.Saida
smallprayer.Thensheheardit.
Theknobstartedtoturn.Shespunaroundasthe
doorfellopenandsheshovedhergunforward,holdingitupatanangle.Itpushedupunderneathachinandshemadeabigshowofrackingtheslide.Everythingfroze.
“IfIdidn'tknowanybetter,I'dsayyoumissedme,sweetheart.”
Marcwassmiling,but
Lilykepttheguninplace.“Youleftme,”she
hissed.“Thatgunisn'tloaded.”Fiveyearsoftraining
withthatspecificgunhadn'tgonetowaste.Almostfasterthaneitherofthemcouldblink,sheyankedthegunaway,rippedofftheslide,andshovedtheframeintothesideofhisneck.Shebracedherfreehandbehindit,herpalmflatagainstthebackof
thegun.Onesharpshoveandanarterialspraywouldredecoratethewallsoftheroom.
“Stillaweapon.Wherethefuckdidyougo!?”shedemanded.Heblinkeddownather,standingcompletelystill.
“Youweresnoringlikeafuckingpig,Idecidedtogodosomerecon,”heexplained.Sheglared.
“Idon'tsnore.Why
didn'tyouwakemeup?”“Princess,I-”Shejerkedagainstthe
frame,causinghimtochokeonhiswords.
“MyfuckingnameisLily!”
“Alright,Lily,IwenttogosearchtheotherhousestoseeifIcouldfindaphone.IdrovebacktoNématoseeifIcouldgetsomeammo,somemoreguns,”heexplained,hisvoicesoftasheraisedhis
hands,holdingthemuplikehewasunderarrest.
“Whydidn'tyoutakemewithyou?”sheasked.
“Youwereasleep.”“Fuckingliar.”“It'sthetruth.”“Youshould'vewoken
meup,”shetoldhim.Hesmiledather.
“I'mrealizingthatnow.”Shehesitated.Should
neverhesitate.Butshewasn'tsurewhetherornotshe
shouldbelievehim.Hisstorysoundedlegit–he'dcomeback,afterall.Andinthatmomentoftryingtodecide,hesawherhesitance,andheacted.
Andthat'swhyhe'sbetterthanyou.
Hegrabbedherwrist,twistingthegunawayfromhisthroat.Shewasforcedtomovewithherarm,andinanotherinstantshewasbentoverinfrontofhim,her
wristssecuredbehindherback.
“Jesus,I'mimpressed,sweetheart!Talkaboutgettingthedroponme.Ithoughtthiswasgoingtobecomeapermanentpartofmyanatomy,”Marcchuckled,andshesawthegunframegettossedontothebed.
“Obviouslywasn'tgoodenough,”shesnapped,strugglingagainsthishold.
Hejerkedharderonherarms,forcingherheadevenlower.Shecouldn'tmaintainherbalance,shewasalmostcompletelybentinhalf.Ifhelethergo,shewouldfallonherface.
“Idon'tknow.Thisisworkingoutprettygoodforme,”hesaid,andshefelthishandmoveacrossherass.Shetriedtojerkaway.
“Cutitout!”Hefinallylethergo,
helpinghertostandupright.Shepulledawayfromhim,madeaproductionofstraighteningoutherclothing.
“Iwasserious,”hesaid,headingbackintothelivingroom.Lilyfollowedandwatchedashepickedupalargebag.“Thatwasgood,usingthegunwasgood.IfIwasastranger,youwould'vescaredtheshitoutofme.”
“Istilldon'tunderstandwhyyoudidn'twakemeup,”
shegrumbled,standingnexttohimwhenhedroppedthebagonatable.
“Becauseyoulookadorablewhenyousleep.”
“Fuckoff.”Heopenedthebag,and
Lily'seyesbulgedasshetookinthearrayofweaponsandammothatwereinside.Hetossedaboxtoherandshecaughtit,lookingitover.BulletsthatwouldfitinherGlock.
“Ialsogotussomejugs,wecanfillthemupwithwaterandgas,Isawsomedrumsoutback.I'llgetstartedonthatwhileyousortthisshitout,”Marctoldher.
Itwasahugegesture.He'djustbarelytrustedherwithaloadedgunthenightbefore–nowhewasleavingherwithawholebagfullofweapons.HewenttoheadbacktowardsthefrontdoorandLilygrabbedhisshirt,
stoppinghimbeforehecouldgetpasther.
“Ithoughtyouleftme,”shestateditsimply,buthopedhervoiceconveyedhowupsetshereallywas.Hisbrowsfurrowedtogether.
“Ionlywent-”hestarted,butsheshookherhead.
“Youtookeverything.Thecar.Theguns.Thediamonds.Everything.Ithoughtyouhadlied,andI
thoughtyouhadleftme.Don'tdoitagain,”sheinstructedhim.Hestaredatherforasecond.
“Iwouldn'tleaveyou,Lily.Notnow,”hekepthisvoicesoft.Shenoddedandletgoofhist-shirt.
“Good.”Shewenttoturnaway
andheslappedherontheass,thengrabbedherbelt,pullingherbackintohim.
“NotnowthatIknow
howaccommodatingyoucanbe,”hegrowledinherear,buthistonewasteasingandhewrappedanarmaroundherwaist,holdingherclose.
“Getoffofme,nomoreofthat,”shesnapped,pushinghishandsway.
LilytookinventoryoftheweaponswhileMarcloadedupthejugs.Shesatinthedoorway,thegunsspreadoutonthegroundinfrontofher.Shelookedupeverynow
andthen,watchingMarcmovearoundtheyard.Theheatwasstifling,andhetookoffhist-shirtatonepoint,wrappingitaroundhishead.Shetriednottostare.
Whatwereyouthinking!?Lasttimeyousleptwithhim,everythinggotruined.What'llhappenthistime!?Neveragain,Liliana.Neveragain.
Butasshewatchedhimhoisthimselfupontopofthe
largecar,watchedthedifferentbatchesofmusclesstretchandconstrict,shecouldfeelhermouthstarttowaterandherresolvestarttoslip.
“Stopundressingmewithyoureyes,let'sgetoutofhere!”
Sheprattledofftheirweaponry,discardingtwogunsthatwouldn'twork–turnedouthe'dboughtthebagasasortoftake-it-as-is
bundle.WhilesheloadedherGlock,heexplainedthathe'dtakensomeofthebribemoneyfromherpantsinordertopayforeverything.
“Youwhat!?”sheexclaimed,climbingintothepassengerseatoftheScout.
“Weneededit,”hesaidsimply,tossingthebag-o-gunsbehindherseatbeforewalkingaroundandgettingbehindthewheel.
“Ineedthatmoney,
Marc,ithasaspecificpurpose.”
“Weneededitforthis,too.”
Heturnedtheignition,butshereachedoverandgrabbedhisarmbeforethecarcouldmove.
“Iwanttoseethediamonds.”
Theyweresilentforasecond,staringateachother.Heglaredather.
“Areyouserious?After
lastnight?”heasked.Sheswallowedthicklyandnodded.
“Yes.Youleftme.Youdidn'tsayanything,justleftme.Iwanttoseethediamonds,”sherepeatedherrequest.
Hegrumbled,buthedugaroundbehindhisseat.Heproducedthebackpackthatneverseemedtobefarfromhimanddroppeditinherlap.Thenhegunnedtheengine,
peelingoutofthedriveway.Lilyyankedthegallon
baggiefreefromthepack.Shehadn'tseenthediamondssinceLiberia,andeventhen,shehadn'tgottenaverygoodlookatthem.Notintheirentirety.Shespunthebagaroundinherhand,watchingthelightbounceoffallthelittlestones.
“Happy!?”hesnapped.“Somuchtrouble,fora
bunchofrocks,”shesighed,
diggingherfingersintothesidesofthebag.
“Abunchofrocksworthalotofmoney,”Marcadded,glancingather.
“Inevercaredaboutthemoney,”shesaid,thenbegantuckingthebagbackintothebottomofhispack.
“Howmuchdidyougetpaidforthistransportjob?”heasked.
“Howmuchdidyougetpaidtostealthediamonds?”
shecounterasked.“Whyiseverythinga
fuckingbattlewithyou?IfeellikeIneedtoconstantlybekickingyourassjusttogetanythingIwant,”hecomplained.Shesmiled.
“Technically,youhaveyettokickmyass,”shecorrectedhim.
“Um,IknockedyouonyourassinLiberia.”
“Suckerpunch,Iwasn'tevenlooking.Whatkindof
mansuckerpunchesagirl!?”“Thenextmorning,when
youpulledyourswallowingtrick.”
“You'veyettoseemy'swallowingtrick',andagain,youtookmewhenIwasn'tonguardandwhenIwaschainedtoyou.Pussy,”shetauntedhim.
“WhenyoufreakedthefuckoutandthoughtIwassellingyou.”
“Oh,c'mon!”sheburst
out.“Thatwasaprettyevenfight,andyoumayhavewon,butonlybecauseofthegun.Youdefinitelygotyourasskickedwayharder!”
“Iwouldn'tsay'way'.”“Youspitoutatooth.”“Itwasacrown.”“That'salmostworse.”“Itwasalreadyloose.”“Jesus!Ikickedyourass,
sevendifferentwaystoSunday,andifyoucan'tadmitthatagirlkickedyour
ass,thenit'sfine,butthatdoesn'tmakeitnottrue,becauseIdefinitely-”
Shewassittingonherkneesinherseat,turnedtofacehim.Shewaspickingathernail,notpayingattention,soshewasn'tpreparedatallwhenhegrabbedherbythebackoftheneckandyankedherforward.Shesquealedinthesecondbeforehislipscoveredherown,hishandmovingaroundtocupher
jaw.Again,thatfeelingofherbreathbeingsuckedaway.Tossedintothewind.Rightalongwithhercares.
“I'malmostbeginningtolikeyourfeistiness,”hesighed,thenhisfingersdugintohercheeks.“Butdon'tfuckingpushit.”
Sheknockedhishandaway.
“You'regoingtomissmy'feistiness'whenI'mgone,admitit,”shelaughed,falling
backintoherseat.“No,Iwon't.”“Is'feistiness'evena
word?”“Lily,shutup.”“I'mjustaskingif-”Anexplosionrang
throughtheair,causingbothofthemtoduckandLilytoshriek.Marcswervedalittle,tryingtolookintherearviewmirror.Shescrambledtoturnaroundinherseat.
“Whatthefuckwas
that!?”hedemanded.“I'mchecking,”shewas
alreadyclimbingbetweentheseatsassheansweredhim.
SheknewtherewasasmallpairofbinocularsinMarc'sbag,soshefishedthemoutbeforeleaningoverthebackseat.Shecouldseeablackcloudrisingupfrombehindahillthey'djustgoneover,andsheconcentratedonthatwhensheliftedthebinoculars.
“Whatdoyousee?”Marcasked.
“Isee…acloud.Maybeflames.Somethingblewup.”
“Noshit.Whatwasit?”“Ican'tbesure,butit
lookslikeitcamefromthedirectionofthehouse,”shesaidslowly.
“Shit.Areyousure?”Lilyadjustedthefocus,
didcalculationsinhermind.Shecouldn'tbepositive,but…
“Yeah,I'mprettysure.Ithinksomeonejustblewupthathouse,”shetoldhim.
“Fuck.”“Itgetsworse.”“Worse!?”“There'sacarcoming.”“Fuck.”AnSUVcameoverthe
hillbehindthem.Itwasquiteawaysoff,butitwasreallyhaulingass.
“Whatdidyoudoonyourlittlejauntthis
morning!?”Lilysnapped,slidingbackintothefront.
“Nothing!Ifuckingsearchedtheonlyotherhouseonthatroad,thenIdrovebacktothatdustbowlofavillage,foundsomeonetobuygunsoffof!”hesnappedback.
“Well,clearly,thatwasabadfuckingidea!Someonespottedyou!”sheyelled.Hetookadeepbreath.
“Maybe,”heagreed,and
shewasshockedintosilence.“TheymusthavelostmewhenIleft,thenfoundthatroad.”
“Youfuckingidiot!”Lilyswore,rubbingherforehead.
“Hey!Nousefuckingcryingaboutitnow,sosuckitthefuckup,sweetheart,andgetyourbiggirlpantieson.We'reabouttodealwithalotoffireandIwouldappreciatenothavingtolistentoyoubitchthewholetime,”he
informedher.“Maybethey'renotafter
us.Maybeit'ssomeoneelseentirely,”Lilymumbled,staringintothesideview.
“Pleasedon'tsaystupidthingsrightnow.Switchseatswithme,”hereplied.
“Huh?”“Move.”Italwayslookedsoeasy
inthemovies,butswitchingseatswhiledoingeightymilesperhourwasnoeasy
task.Marcwasabigguy,Lilyhadtomaneuveroverhim,meanwhilebothofthemhadtoworkaroundthegearshift.Theirspeeddroppedaboutinhalf,thentheyalmostwentofftheroadwhenshehitthebrakeinsteadoftheclutch.
“Sorry!Sorry,”shesaidquickly,beforehecouldyellather.Heglaredforasecond,thenreachedbehindtheseat.
“Wherearethey?”he
askedashepickedupthebagofguns.Sheglancedintherearviewmirror.
“Maybefivehundredfeetandclosing,”sheguesstimated.Heproppedupapumpactionshotgunbetweenthem,thenputthebagonthefloorunderhisfeet.
“Okay.Beready.Itcouldbesimple.Maybethey'rejusttailingus.Theymostlikelywantusalive,incasewe-”
Therewasthesoundofagunshotandthebackwindowexploded.
“Stillthinktheywantusalive!?”Lilyshouted.
“Fuckoff,worryaboutthedriving!”hesnappedback.
Moreshotswerefired,riddlingthebackendoftheircarwithbullets.Lilyduckeddownasfarasshecould,huggingthedoor.Thecartheyweredrivingwasan
oldermodelSUVtype,andwhileitwasaniceenoughcar,itwasn'texactlyinperfectcondition.Itwasold.Itwasbeatup.Theywerepushingmaximumspeed.Theirpursuersweredrivingablacksuburban,soshinynewthatitlookedoutofplace.Itwasabletospeedupandramintotheirbumper.Lilycursed,andwhenMarcleanedoverhisseatandbeganfiringback,she
coveredherrightearwithherhand.
“Onedown!”heshouted,leaningbacktograbanotherfullyloadedclip.
“Really!?”Lilywassurprised,butas
shelookedintherearview,shecouldseethepassengerdooronthesuburbanopenup.Amomentlater,andabodywaspushedoutandontotheroad.Thenthecarspedupagain,rammingtheir
bumperonemoretime.“Ithinkthere'ssixof
them!Well,fivenow.Donotletthemgetinfrontofus,”Marcinstructed.
“I'lldomybest,”sheanswered.
“Your'best'!?You'reafuckingtransporter,sodoyourjob,”wasallhesaidbeforegoingbacktoshooting.
Lilyhaddoneallhertrainingonsmallercars.She'd
takenmultiplecoursesinstuntdrivingandracecardriving,soshefeltcomfortablebehindjustaboutanywheel.ButthemajorityofhertimehadbeenspentdrivingBMWsandAudis.Littlefastcars.
Withbulletswhizzingpastherhead,Lilywatchedhermirrorsasbestshecould,shadowingthelargercar'smovement.Hewantedtogetaroundher,soshedrove
downthecenterlane,takingupthewholeroadasbestshecould.Itwasmurderonherspeed,butitkeptherinfront.
“Ifyoucouldhitthedriver,thatwouldbeswell!”sheshoutedoverthewindthatwasrushingthroughthecar.
“Youwannacomeoverhereandtry,princess!?”heyelledback,pickingupanothergun.
“Shit!”
Theyweregoingaroundacurveandontheotherside,abrokendownvehicletookupthewholerightlaneoftheroad,withagroupofpeoplestandingonthecenterline.
Lilyyankedthewheeltotheleft,causingMarctoslamintoherside.Theyrodealongwithtwotiresoffthepavement,threateningtoslidedownasmallembankment.Sheglancedtothesideandsawthatthesuburbanhad
splitright,andwasnowjumpingandcruisingovershrubsandbushes.
Don'tletthemgetahead.Don'tletthemgetahead.
Shefoughttogetthecarbackontheroadandcrankedthewheelhardtotheright.Thesuburbanpulledthesamemoveandtheyslammedintoeachother.Metalwasgrindingonmetal,makingadeafeningroar.
Thebackseatofthe
suburbanwasevenwiththeirfrontseats,andasatintedwindowbegantorolldown,Marcgrabbedtheshotgun.Hejammeditthroughthegap,andbeforetheirguestscouldrolltheirwindowbackup,hepulledthetrigger.Theotherdrivermusthavehitthebrakes,becausethelargercarfellbehind,theshotgunandthesoundsofyellinggoingwithit.
“Ithinkthere'sonlytwo
leftnow,”Marcsaid,sittinginhisseatanddiggingthroughthegunsathisfeet.“We'reallovertheplace,Ican'tgetanycleanshots.”
“Oh,I'msorry,wouldyoulikemetopullover?”Lilyasked.
“I'dlikeyoutohavelessfuckingattitudeandfuckingfiguresomethingout.”
Lilythoughtforasecond,thenfeltalightbulbgooffoverherhead.
“Takeoffthetop!”shecalledout.
“Excuseme!?”“Thetop,overtheback!
It'sremovable!Takeitoff,”sheinstructed.
Shewassurprisedthathedidn'taskanymorequestions.Mostofthesnapsthatheldthetopdownwerebrokenoff,sogettingitloosewasn'taproblem.Acoupleflips,acouplepoundsfromhisfist,andthewinddidtherest,
rippingthetopoffandblowingitawaybehindthem.
Assoonasithappened,Lilydownshifted,yankedthewheel,andpresseddownontheemergencybrake.Thebackendofthecarspunaroundina180,andbeforeitcouldfullycometoastop,sheslammedthegearshiftintoreverseandhitthegasatthesametimeaspoppingthebrake.Whitesmokecurledaroundthemasthetires
screamedandsoughtforpurchaseonthehotasphalt.
“Thankyou!”Marcshouted,movingbacktostandonhisseat,leaningagainsttherollbar.
“Makeitcount,Idon'twanttogetshottoday,”shereplied,lookingbehindthemwhileholdingontohisbelt.
Whileshesteeredasbestshecould,shelistenedashisbulletspingedoffofmetal.Penetratedthroughglass.She
keptwaitingforhimtoannouncethateveryonewasdead,thathehadonceagainsavedtheday,butitdidn'thappen.
“Goddamngunisjammed!”Marcyelled.
“Figureitout,I'mabouttoburnoutourtransmission!”Lilyshoutedback,glancingatthedialsonthedashboard.
“Handmesomethingelse!”
Grumbling,Lilyleaned
asbestshecouldtothesidewhilemaintaininganeyeontheroad.Sherifledthroughthebag,thenherhandcameacrosssomething.Itfeltlikeahandgun,onlybigger.Almostcartoonish.Ittookherasecond,thenshegotit.Shegasped,gettinganotheridea.
“Sitdown!”sheurged,pullingtheweaponfreeofthebagandjugglingitaroundsoitwaspointingoutherwindow.
“Why?Andareyouslowingdown!?”hesoundedbeyondshocked.
“Trustme.”Marcsatdownjustasthe
suburbanpulledupevenwiththem.Awindowslowlyrolleddownandthedriversmiledather,severalgoldteethwinkinginthesun.Lilysmiledback,thenshepulledthetrigger.
Aflaregunseemedlikeasillychoice,andhowithad
gottenmixedupwithalltheotherweapons,shedidn'tknow.Butasaburningflareshotintotheothercar,shewasgladithadfounditswaytothem.
Thereactionwasinstantaneous.Therewereshoutsandscreams,smokebillowingoutofthewindows.Thecarjerkedbackandforth,thenbegantoswerveaway.Lilyletoutasighofreliefatfirst,butthentheother
vehicleswervedback,almostcompletelycuttingacrossthelanes.Lilyhadtimetoyellonegoodswearwordbeforethesuburbanrammedintothefrontpaneloftheircar.
Theydidn'tflip,thankgod,buttheydidspinaroundinseveralcircles.Thebackendlostcontrol,leadingthemutiny,andeventuallyitdraggedthemintotheditchthatranalongsidetheroad.Lilywaswearingherseat
belt,butshestillslammedherheadagainstthesteeringwheel.Noairbagdeployedforher,thoughaboutaminuteafterthecrash,apassengerairbagwentoff.
Awesomesafetyfeatures.I'msotiredofgettinghitinthehead.
“Fuck.Princess,”Marcgrumbled,andshecouldhearhimmovingaround.Shemoaned,wonderingwhatthewailingsoundwasthat
seemedtobesurroundingher.Asshefelthishandslitheringbetweenherchestandthewheel,sherealizedshewasleaningagainstthehorn.
“Ijustwanttopassout,justforlikeaminute,”shewhisperedashepushedherback.Hewasgentle,supportingthebackofherheadwhilehemovedher.Hegotupontohisknees,leaningovertoinspecther.
“Justascratch.Lookat
me,”heordered,andshetrainedhereyesonhis.“Good.Idon'tthinkthere'saconcussion.”
“Areyousure?Thisreallyhurts,”shecomplained,anditgothimtolaugh.Hepickedupthehemofhist-shirtandpressedittothetoprightsideofherforehead.Whenhepulledaway,shesawtherewasbloodonthematerial.
“Youdidgood.I'm
gonnagoseeifthosescumbagsarealive,”Marctoldher,thenheallbutleaptoutofthecar.
Lilywasnotasenthusiasticaboutgoingaftertheirattackers.Shegingerlyclimbedoutofthecar,thengroanedwhenshesawallthedamage.Abackrearwheelhadbeencompletelyshreddedandrippedofftherim.Ontheotherside,wherethesuburbanhadrammed
intothem,themetalwascompletelyconcave,pinningthetireinsidethewheelwell.
Theregoesanothervehicle.Howmanyisthatnow?
“Fuck,”shewhispered,wipingsweatoffherforehead.Whensherubbedherhandonhertanktop,arustyredcolorsmeareddownthewhitefront.Shefrowned.Notsweat,blood.Shewasstillbleeding.Probablynota
goodsign.Therewasshouting
comingfromsomewhere,sosheclimbedoutoftheditchandwinced.Thesuburbanwasdeadontheroad,facingtheoppositedirection.Thedriver'ssidecornerinthefronthadbeencompletelycrunchedin,thefenderhangingatanawkwardangle.Thepassengerseatseemedtobeonfireandallthewindowswereshotout,the
windshieldonemassivespiderwebofcracks.
Pressingtheheelofherhandtoherheadwound,shebracedonearmagainstthecrumpleduphoodandwalkedaroundthevehicle.Therewasadeadguyontheground–thegold-tootheddriverwho'dsmiledather.Marchadanothermanpinnedagainstthesideofthecar,agunpressedtotheguy'sforehead.
“Howdidyoufindus!?”Marcdemanded.
ThemanspitinhisfaceandLilygrimaced.Thathadn'tworkedoutsowellforher,whenshe'ddoneittoMarc.Hecrackedhisgunacrosstheman'snose,thenwentbacktopointingthebarrelathim.
“Idonotanswertoyou,”themananswered,aRussianaccentveryevidentinhisvoice.
“Maybenotme,butI'vegotninebulletsinherethatthinkyou'lltalktothem,”Marcreplied.
Themansaidsomethinginanotherlanguage,anditdidn'tsoundpleasant.Hewasgivenanotherhitacrossthenose.
Lilydidn'twanttowatchanymore.Shefeltdizzy,andshecouldn'tcarelesswhosentthem.ItwasIvanov,orsomeoneabovehim.Maybe
evenbigbossStankovski.Allshecaredaboutwashowinvolvedshelooked–didStankovskiknowthatsheandMarcweretryingtostealhisdiamonds?
“Jesus,canwejustgetoutofhere!?”sheshouted.
“Notuntilhetellsme-”Marcdidn'tgettofinish
hisstatement.Lilygaveastrangledyellasanarmwrappedaroundherthroat.Shewenttoswingherarm
backatwhoeverwasholdingher,butagunwassuddenlypressedintothesideofherhead.Shefroze,holdingupherhands.
“Alright!Giveusthediamonds!”
Lilypausedforamoment,alittlesurprised–themanholdingherhostagehadathickcockneyaccent.
“Thisdoesn'tneedtogetmessy,”Marcstartedinaslowvoice.“Lethergo.Ilet
himgo.”“Idon'tgivetwoshits
abouthim,orthisbitch!Youtellmewherethosefuckin'diamondsare,orthelastthingyou'llseeismeputtingabulletthroughyourgirlfriend'shead!”
Marcnarrowedhiseyes.“Lethergo,orthelast
thingyou'llseeismeputtingabulletthroughyourfriend'shead,”Marccounterthreatened.
Theguyholdingherjerkedtotheside,andforasecond,Lilythoughtshewasdead.Butthegunwaspulledawayfromherheadandpointedstraightout.MarcdovebackwardsandLilyscreamedbeforebitingdownonthearmthatwasrestrainingher.Herassailantletoutagrowl,butdidn'tletgoofher.Instead,hepulledthetrigger,shootinghispartnerinthebackofthe
head.Thenheslammedthebuttofthegunagainstthesideofherskull.Herrealityspunaroundinacircleandshestoppedbitingdown,almostgoinglimpinhisgrasp.
“Notaproblemanymore,nowisit!?Getmethosefuckin'stones!”hewasshoutingsoloudhewasspittingashetalked,sprayingagainstLily'sshoulder.Shedidn'tcare.Itwastakingall
herenergyandfocusjusttostaystanding.ShetriedtokeephereyesonMarc,butthereseemedtobetwoofhimgettingupofftheground.
“Alright,alright,”hesighed,dustinghimselfoff.“Youwantthestones.Ihavethestones.Lethergo,she'snotpartofthis.I'vejustbeenholdingherhostage,shedoesn'tmeananything.”
“DoIfuckinglookstupid!?”
“Isthatarealquestion?”“Ichangedmymind,
mate.Thelastthingyou'llsee–afterIshootyouinbothyourkneecaps–ismefuckingyourgirlfriend'sface.You'dlikethat,wouldn'tyou,sweetheart?”hernewfriendgrowledinherear.Shetookadeepbreath.
“Whateverendsthisquicker,sure,”shemanagedtosay,thoughitfeltlikeittookallherenergyjustto
pushthewordsout.“Oi!Mykindofwoman!
Now,beforeIhavetomakegoodonmyword,bealoveandtellmewherethosediamondsare,”heasked.Lilynoddedagain,hereyesfallingshut.
“Hey!Princess,lookatme!”Marcsnapped.Hereyelidsflutteredopenandagain,ittookamomentbeforethreeofhimturnedintojustone.“Keepthoseprettygreeneyes
onme,okay?”“Ican'tmakeany
promises,”shemumbled.“Thisisn'tthefamily
fuckin'feud!YouthinkIcameallthewaytoAfricatohaveafuckin'chat!?Thediamonds,friend!GetmeStankovski'sdiamonds!”
“DidIevertellyouthat,Lily?”Marcasked,standingcasuallywithhishandsclaspedbehindhisback.
“Tellmewhat?”she
askedback.Thearmaroundherneckgottighter,themanbehindherangrier,screamingoutslangcursewordsthatshedidn'tunderstand.Sheignoredhim,justconcentratedonMarc,justlikehe'daskedher.
“ThatyouhavetheabsolutelymostgorgeouseyesI'veeverseen,”Marcanswered.Shesmiled.
“Really?”“Really.Don'teverstop
lookingatme,okay?”“Okay.”Ithappenedsofast.She
didn'tblink.Didn'tlookaway.WhiletheangryBritwasspittingandswearing,Marcwhippedhisrightarmforward.Afractionofasecond,andhepulledthetrigger.Afractionofaninch,andLilywould'vebeenshot.Afractionofaheartbeat,andthemanbehindherwasdead.Hefellbackwards,thegun
slidingoutofhishand,hisarmaroundherneckpullingtight.Shealmostwentdownwithhim,butshestaggeredbackwardsandgrabbedtheruinedhoodofthesuburban,managingtoshrughimoff.
“Areyouokay?”Marcwassuddenlyatherside.
“What?Yeah.Fine.Okay.Niceshot,”shemumbled,rubbingthesideofherhead.
“Fuck,therewentany
leads.Ican'tbelieveheshothisfriend,”Marcsaid,cuppingherfaceinhishandsandtiltingituptowardshim.
“Hewaskindofadick,”Lilyagreed,lettinghereyesrollupsoshecouldstareatthesky.
“MaybeIwaswrong,maybeyoudohaveaconcussion,”Marcmumbled,puttinghisthumbsunderhereyesandpullingdownonherskin.Shefinallylookedat
him.“DoyoureallythinkI
havegorgeouseyes?”sheasked.Hesmiledather.
“Sweetheart,youhavebeautifuleyes.Likeemeralds.”
“Alwaysjewelswithyou.”
“WhatcanIsay,princess,Ialwaysdidlikeemeraldsmorethandiamonds.”
“Ihatethat,”shesighed.
“MynameisLily.Whycan'tyoujustcallmeLily?”
“Becausesayingyournamefeelstoocomfortable,sweetheart.AndI'mthekindofmanwhocan'taffordtogettoocomfortable,”heexplained.Shelaughed.
“You'vesaidmynamelots.Ithinkyou'realreadytoocomfortable,”sheteased.Hefrowned.
“IthinkIam,too.”Shewantedtoexamine
thatstatement.Topullitapartandunderstandhim.Understandsuchadangerous,complicatedman.Wantedhimtobecomfortable.Wantedhimtocurlupinhersoulandmakeherunderstandherowndangers,herowncomplications.Wantedhimtochangeher.Tochangeforher.Tochangeeverything.
…wanthimtocatchmebeforeIhittheground…
Thatwasherlastthought
ashereyesrolledbackinherheadandshepassedout.
DAYFOURMarcgrimaced,rubbing
ahandacrosshisjaw.Hehadn'tshavedinfourdays,notsincethemorningoftheheist.Hewouldkillforarazorandsomesoap.
Andjustabreak.Agoddamnfuckingbreak,forfivefuckingminutes.
Therewasanoisebehind
himandheglancedawayfromtheroad,intothebackseat.Lilywasstretchedoutontheseat,mostlyhiddenunderneathablanket.Onlyherarmhadworkeditswayoutandintoview,stretchingtowardsthedoor.Hesmiledandwentbacktowatchingtheroad.
She'dbeenunconsciousforhours,eversinceshe'dpassedoutaftertheircarchase.Ithadbeeneleven
hours,he'dstartedtogetworried,buttherewasn'tawholelothecoulddo–itwasn'tliketherewasahospitaleverycouplemiles,andeveniftherehadbeen,stoppingwasn'tnecessarilyintheirbestinterest.Mauritaniahadastrongterroristpresence,particularlyinitsborderregions.Terroriststhatdelightedinkidnappingwesterners.Marcwasconfidentinhisabilitytogive
offa“justtryandkidnapme”vibe,butLilywaslikeabeacon,justbeggingtobecaptured.Tall,redhead,fairskin,andaboutasAll-Americanasapersoncouldcome;allsheneededtocompletethelookwasanapplepieinonehand.
No,stoppingforaCATscanwasoutofthequestion.
“WherethefuckamI?”Marcchuckledand
lookedbackagain.Shewas
strugglingtopushtheblanketawayfromherfaceassheattemptedtositup.
“Takeiteasythere,sweetheart.Iputyouinthebackseatsoyoucouldstretchout,”Marcexplained.Shebrushedhermessyoutofherface,thenwinced.Herfingersmusthaverubbedagainstthecutonherforehead.Itwasupnearherhairline,almostunnoticeablewithherhairdown.
“Wherearewe?Didn'twecrashourcar?”sheasked,hervoicescratchy.
“Yeah.Itooktheothercar,butI'mnotsurehowlongit'sgoingtolast.Here,”hesaid,passingawaterbottlebacktoher.
“Yes,thankgod,”shegroaned,liftingittoherlips.Sheguzzleditdown,theliquidspillingoverherchinanddownherfront.
“Careful,don'tmake
yourselfsick,”hewarnedher.Shewavedhimawayandpolishedoffthewholebottle.
“Okay.First,Ineedfood.I'mstarving,”shestressed,tossingtheblanketasidebeforecrawlingbetweenthefrontseatsandsittingnexttohim.
“Ifiguredyouwouldbe,”hereplied,movingabagoutfromunderherfeetanddroppingitinherlap.“Mostlydriedfruits,some
bread.Wecanfindyousomethingmoresubstantialwhenwepickupanothercar.We'rerightoutsideofNouakchott.”
Thecapitalcityoftheentirecountry,itsatrightontheAtlanticoceanandwasjustafewmilessouthofWesternSahara.IfLilyhadn'twokenup,hewould'vegottenthemahotelforthenight.Butshe'dsleptcleanthroughtheday–she'dbegoodtodrive
allnight.TheycouldmakeitallthewaytotheborderofMoroccowithoutstopping,thenjustonemoredaytilltheycouldreachTangier.Tillitwouldbeoverandhecouldhavehisdiamonds.Clearhisname.
Becausethat'swhat'simportantstill.Right.Doyouactuallybuythat?
“Wow,youdroveallthatway?Inthispieceofshit?”sheasked,hereyes
wanderingoverthehoodwhileshedugfoodoutofthebag.
TheScoutthey'dbeendrivinghadbeenuseless.Marchadloadedeverythingupintothesuburban,thendroveoff,hopingforthebest.Thewindshieldhadbeensobadlycrackedthathehadjustkickeditout.Theyhadnowindows,atall.Itmadeagodawfulsquealingsound,andwhitesmokewasconstantly
belchingoutfromunderneaththehood,andwhenhehitfiftymilesperhour,itfeltlikeitwasgoingtoshakeapart.Butitkeptrunning,andthatwasallthatmattered.
“Yup.How'syourhead?Whatalldoyouremember?”heasked,cuppingherchinandmovingherheadsoshefacedhim.
“Eh,kindahurts.Iremembercrashing.Iremember…gettingoutof
theScout.Iremember…you,andaguy.Shooting?Youtalkingtome.Something,”hervoicetrailedoffasshesearchedhermemory.
“Closeenough,”hefigureditmightbebetterthatshedidn'tremembereverything.
Ithadbeenaboldmove,toshootamanwhowasholdingaguntoherhead.Risky.Marcwasagoodshot,
butsomanythingscouldhavegonewrong.Justonewrongbreath,andLilywould'vegottenshot.Byhim,orbythehiredgunman.
Never.Iwouldneverletthathappen.
SometimebetweenleavingtheboardinghouseinMaliandtheircarchaseearlierthatday,thingshadchanged.Atfirst,Lilyhadbeenachewtoy.Somethingtoplaywith,somethingtotie
inknots.Thenshehadbeenanadversary.Anenemy.Anagentofbetrayal,senttoruinhiscareeratbest,andendhislifeatworst.Lateronstill,anuisance.Swallowingthediamonds.Arguingwithhim.Punchinghimintheface.Tryingtoshoothim.
Butshehadalsoprovenherworth.Originallyunarmed,shehadstoppedtwoassailantsatthatboardinghouse,andkilled
one.Shehadneverbeenscaredofhim,notonce.Andshe'dalsoalmostkickedhisass,onseveraloccasions.Healmostadmiredher.Wasdefinitelyamusedbyher.
Undeniablyattractedtoher.
Seeingherhelpless,though,hadtrumpedanyandallofthosethoughts.Wantedornot,shehadbecomemorethanjusthispartnerintheirlittleadventure.Herbodyhad
belongedtohimontwoseparateoccasions,andapparentlythatwasmorethanenoughforhimtotakecompletepossessionofit,inhismind.Seeingtheothermanleerather,threateningtosexuallyassaulther...shootingwasn'tgoodenough.ItmadeMarclongforhisknifekit.He'dwantedtoevisceratetheotherman.Removehisintestineswhilehewasstillalive.Makehim
regretevennoticingthatLilyexisted,letalonethreateningher.Touchingher.
Motherfucker.Bad,bad,bad.Marc
lovedwomenbecausehelikedtofuck–thatwasit.Lilywasagoodfuckandahellofafighter.Thatwasallitcouldeverbe,nothingelse.ShewasgoingtoMoscowonsomestupidsuicidemissiontokillthePakhanoftheBratva.Marcwasreturningto
provehisinnocenceandtokillIvanov.Theyweredestinedfortwoverydifferentpaths.
Maybenotsodifferent…Heshookhishead.A
redheadwithbiggreeneyeswasnotgoingtoderailhislife.Hejusthadtokeephisheadstraight.Nomorethinkingaboutthatredhairorthosegreeneyes.Nomoresex.GettoTangier.Getthediamonds.GettoLiberia.Get
thefuckoutofAfrica.Getthefuckbacktowork.Therewouldbeplentyoftimeforsexwithlotsofotherwomen,ifhecouldjustfinishthisonejob.
Butnoneofthoseotherwomenwillbelikeher.
“We'regoingtodieofcarbonmonoxidepoisoningbeforewegetanywhere,”Lily'svoiceinterruptedhisthoughts.Shecoughedandwavedherhandinfrontof
herface.“We'refine,wehave
plentyofventilation.”“Youdidn'tseeanyother
carsalongtheway?”“ExcusemeifIdidn't
havetimetogotraipsingaroundAfricawithyourdeadweightslungovermyshoulder,searchingforastretchlimoforyou,”hesnapped,hisangerattheirattractionbubblingoverontoher.
“Wantmetodrive?”shesuddenlyasked.
“Why?”“Becauseyou'rebitching
likeacrankyfiveyearold.Ithinkyouneedanap,”sheinformedhim,andheburstoutlaughing.
“Shutup.NotonlydidInotwanttowastetimesincethiscarwasstillrunning,butthisareaissuperfuckedup.Terrorists,gangs,landmines.Ididn'treallyfeellike
wanderingoffthebeatenpath,”heexplained.Shegrimaced.
“God,Ihatethisplace,”shegrumbled.
“Youvolunteeredforthejob,”heremindedher.Shesighedandnodded.
“Meanstoanend.Ialwaysremindmyselfofthat.”
Theydroveinsilenceforawhile.Themoresheate,themorehercolorandgeneral
attitudeimproved.Shealmostseemedchipper.Itprobablyalsohelpedthatshe'dgottenthemostsleepeitherofthemhadseensinceLiberia,beforetheheist.ShealmostseemedlikethewomanhehadfirstmetbackattheBratva'ssafehouse.
Fiveweeksago.Amillionyearsago.Whentheyenteredthe
centerofthecityofNouakchott,Marchooked
southanddrovetillhecameuponthedistrictofElMina.He'dbeentherebefore,whenhe'dbeenalotyounger.Himandafriend,visitingthecity's“secret”redlightdistrict–ElMinawasknownforprostitution.Theneighborhoodwasrough,dangerous,butperfectforwhatheneededtodo.MauritaniawasanIslamiccountryandNouakchotthadverystrictrulesandlaws
pertainingtoitsgoverningreligion.Aforeignerstealingacarwouldnotgooverwell.BeinginElMinawasrisky,buthedecideditwaslessthantheriskthatwouldcomefromstealingwherecopswouldbelikelytocatchhim.
“Doyouthinkthisisagoodidea?”Lilyasked,peeringouthersideofthecarastheycametoastop.Shewashunchedlowinherseat,withtheblanketcurled
aroundherheadanddrapedacrossherfront.
“No.ButIthinkit'sthebestoptionwe'vegot,”hereplied,reloadinghisgunbeforetuckingitintothewaistofhispants.Whathewouldn'tgiveforoneofhisholsters.
“Ireadthisarticle,”Lilystarted,hervoicebarelyaboveawhisper,“abouthowcarjackingissuchanissueinSouthAfricathatpeopledo
crazythingstoprotecttheircars.Rigitsoiftheirdoorsareopenedfromtheoutside,shitlikelyeandmaceorevenexplosionswillgooffinthecarjacker'sface.”
Marcsnortedandleanedoverthewheel,watchingthetrafficinfrontofthem.Therewereafewpeopleoutandabout,buttheywereallmen.Notonesinglewoman.Everynowandthen,abeatupcarrolledpast,oratruck.Oncea
donkeypullingacart.“Goodthingwe'renotin
SouthAfrica.OnceIgetthecar,followme.Ifyouseeanythinghappen,justdrive,”Marcinstructedasheopenedhisdoorandgotoutofthecar.
“I'mnotjustgonnaleave-”
“Drive,”hesnapped,slammingthedoorshutbeforeleaningintheopenwindow.“Findthenicest
hotelintownandwaitthere.I'llfindyou.”
“Thisisstupid.”“Shutup,Lily,andjust
wishmeluck.”“Goodluck.”Marcjoggedawayfrom
thecar,hurryingtothesideofabuildingandhuggingthewall.Theredidn'tseemtobeanypeopleanywherenear,andhepokedhisheadaroundthecorner,lookingupanddownthestreet.Acouple
menattheendoftheblock.Anotheryoungmansittingonastoopattheotherendofthestreet.
Perfect.Marctookhisgunoutof
hispantsandflickedoffthesafety,restinghisfingeralongsidethetrigger.Hedidn'tthinkhe'dhavetouseit,butapersoncouldneverbetoocareful.Heexpectedittobeaquickinandout.Scarethedriver,yankhimoutof
hisseat,thentakethecar.CirclebacksoLilycouldfollowhim.Easy,peezy,lemonsqueezy.Hehurriedoutintotheroad,pointingthegunatthecarcomingtowardshim.
AKalashnikovriflejuttedoutthewindowandMarcduckedasbulletslacedthegroundinfrontofhim,astaccatobeatinthenightair.Hecrabwalkedbackwards,shufflingbehindan
abandonedvehicle.Afewmoreshotswerefired,thentheothercarspedoff.Marcstayeddown,holdinghisgunup,readytofireback.
Therewasafamiliarsquealingsoundandsuddenlythesuburbanpulledupnexttowherehewashiding.Heglaredasheranaroundandhoppedinthecar.Lilydidn'tsayanything,justspedoffdownthestreet.
“Notafuckingword,”he
swore.“Itoldyouso.”“Fuckyou.”“Whatthefuckdidyou
thinkwouldhappen!?We'reinthefucking'hood'ofoneofthecountriesthathasapermanentspotonthe'don'tfuckinggothere'listfromtheU.N.!Didyouthinktheywerereallyjustgoingtogiveuptheircar!?”shesnapped.
“Enough!Idon'thearanybrightfuckingideas
comingoutofyourmouth!”heshoutedather.Sheglaredathimforamoment,hereyesjustaflashofgreenastheydroveunderalonestreetlight.
“Youknowwhat?Yeah,Idohaveanidea.”
Theydroveforabouttwentyminutes,gettinglostatonepoint.Eventually,though,shefoundthewaytoabusystreetthatwaslinedwithlarge,importantlooking
buildings.Henarrowedhiseyesashewatchedsignaftersigngopast.
“Isthisajoke?”heasked,turningtowardsher.
“No.”“Lily.Wehavemillions
ofdollarsworthofconflictdiamonds,nottomentionashittonofillegalweapons,nopassports,andnovisas.Idon'tthinkdrivingdownembassyrowissuchasmartfuckingidea,”hegrowled.
“Howaboutyoushutupandjusttrustmeforonce!?”
ShefoundanicehotelneartheFrenchembassyandparkeddownthestreet.Marccouldn'tfigureitout–shewasgoingtoseekhelpfromtheFrench?Butshedidn'tgetoutofthecar.Sheclimbedintothebackseat,discardingtheblanketasshewent.Marcturnedandwatchedasshetookoffherboots.
“Whatareyoudoing?”
hequestioned.Sheheldoutherhand.
“Givemeaknife.”Hedugoneoutoftheir
weaponsbagandhandedittoher,thenwatchedinsurpriseassheusedittoripaholenearthetopofonepantleg.Shedraggedtheknifethroughthematerial,liftingherhipssoshecouldgetunderneathherthigh.Whenitwasalmostacompletecircle,shedroppedtheknifeandjust
rippedthepantlegaway.“Whatthefuckareyou
doing!?”herepeatedthequestionasshedidthesametoherotherpantleg.Thesensiblecargopantsshe'dbeenwearingduringtheirentiretimetogetherwerenowapairofincrediblyshortshorts.Shehandedtheknifebacktohim.
“Comingupwithaplanthatwillactuallyworkandwon'tgetanyonekilled,”she
said,scootingtotheedgeoftheseat.Shescrunchedupthebottomofhertanktop,thengathereditatherback,pullingittightandknottingit,creatingamid-riffshirtthatendedjustbelowherbreasts.Thensheyankedontheneckline,pullingonittillitshowedwellpastthetopofherbra.
“Whilethisisalovelyshow,Ihavenofuckingcluewhatyou'redoing,”hetold
her.Shemovedtothefloorofthecar,standingonherkneeswhilesherearrangedherauburnlocks,pilingthemintoamessybunontopofherhead.
“HowdoIlook?”sheasked,reachingintothefrontofthecarandtiltingtherearviewmirrorsoshecouldseeherreflection.
“Hot.Yourlegslookamazing,butnotasgoodasyourtits,”heanswered
honestly.Sherubbedatherneck,atthefadingmarks.
“Whataboutthebruises?Toomuch?”shemumbledtohimassheputherbootsbackon.
“Toomuchforwhat?Youlooklikeyouhadaroughday,butnotcrazy,”heanswered,hiseyessweepingoverherform.Thebruiseonherchestwasburiedinhercleavage,herbraaidinginhidingit.Mostofherother
bruiseswerehighuponherribcage,stillhiddenbyhershirt.Therewasnothingshecoulddoaboutherneck,butluckilyherlegshadgottenawayunscathed.Helethiseyeswanderovereveryinchofcreamyskin.
Focus!“Oh,well.Doesn't
matter,”shemumbled,thenpushedopenthedoorandhoppedout.
“Hey!Whatareyou
doing?”heaskedforthethirdtime,beginningtogetannoyedasheclimbedoutofthecarrightbehindher.Shepushedpasthimandleanedacrossthepassengerseat.Hestaredatherass,whichhershortsdidn'tquitecoveranymore.
“Sohere'stheplan,”shestarted,turningaround,holdinghismapinherhands.“Donotletmeoutofyoursight,butdon'tsayafucking
word.Wearegoingtowaitouthere.Whentherichest,stupidestlookingguypullsup,I'mgoingtofollowhim.I'mgoingtomake'friends'withhim.I'mgoingtogethimtotakemebacktohiscar.Thenyoucancomeinallguns-a-blazing,gotit?Good.Let'sgo.”
Shestartedwalkingaway,andMarcwasalmoststunnedenoughtolethergo.Buthereachedoutand
grabbedherarm,roughlyyankinghertohim.
“Letmegetthisstraight–you'regonnafucksomeguytogetusacar?”heclarified.Hedidn'tknowwhatwasmoreshocking;theplanthatshe'dcomeupwith,orhowangryhewasattheideaofhersleepingwithsomeoneelse.
“No!Areyoukidding!?Jesus,I'mgoingtopretendtobeahooker,I'mnotactually
goingtofuckanybody!”shehissed,slappinghiminthechest.
“Youthinkthiswillreallyfuckingwork?”hesnapped.Sheglaredandfoldedherarmsinfrontofherchest.
“Listen,Marcelle.IspentamonthinLiberiaplanningforthistrip,figuringoutbackupplans,researchingthedifferentcitiesI'dbegoingthrough.OnethingIlearned?
Ifyou'reinAfricaandyouwantahighendprostitute,ifyouwantawesterner,ifyouwanttopaytofuckawhitewoman,youfindtheminexpensive,poshhotelsthatcatertowesterners.IfIhadasexydress,I'dputiton.ButthisisallIgot.Sluttytourist.Let'sprayitworks.”
“Idon'tlikethisplan,”hestated.
“Idon'tcare.YouthinkIwanttodothis?YouthinkI
likelookinglikethis?Likeyousaid,it'snotagoodidea–it'sjustthebestwe'vegot.Nowgetbackinthecar.”
Marcsatinthepassengerseat,staringinthesideview.Lilyleanedagainstthebackofthecar,themapunfoldedinfrontofher.Shelookedlikeshewaslost.JustasillyAmericangirl,indesperateneedofhelp.
Suchabadfuckingplan.Severalmencameand
leftfromthehotel,butshedidn'tmove.NotuntiladarkgreenFordExplorerpulledup.Thehotelwasgatedwithasecuritystandinthefront.Peoplehadtostoptogivetheirnameandroomnumberbeforetheycouldbeallowedonthepremises.ThereweretwocarsaheadoftheExplorer.LilyjoggeduptotheSUVandMarcleanedclosetohiswindowsohecouldlisten.
“Excuseme!”hervoicewassoft.“I'msosorry.I'msolost!Couldyouhelpme?”
Shegiggled.Marcwasprettysurehe'dneverheardthatsoundcomeoutofherbefore–itwaslikefindingoutabobcatcouldgiggle.Bizarre.
Shestoodonhertoes,leaningintotheman'swindow.Marccouldseehisface,couldwatchasthemandirectedallhisanswersto
Lily'schest.Therewassomemorechatting,somemoregiggling,andsomelighttouching;thestrangerranhisfingerupanddownLily'sarm.Marchadbeenfiddlingwithapencilduringthewholeinteraction,andnowsnappeditinhalf.Hewasannoyed,buthealsorecognizedthatLilywasprettymuchinwiththeman,soMarcleanedbackandgrabbedthepackthatheldthe
diamondsandhisgear,strappingitacrosshisback.
AnagreementseemedtohavebeenmadebecauseLilyjumpedupanddownacoupletimes,thenbegantoscurryaroundtheotherman'svehicle.Marcdidn'twasteanytimeandhehoppedoutofthesuburban,keepinghiseyesonthesecuritystand.Theguardswerebusy,havingsomedifficultywithaguestinthefirstcar.Marcjogged
tothebackendoftheExplorerandheeffortlesslycrawledunderneathit.Herolledontohisbackandwasabletolatchontosomeofthefittingsbetweenthefronttiresandheheldontightasthelargevehiclebegantomove.
Hegrittedhisteethastheydrovethroughsecurity,thenwentinacirclearoundwhatcouldonlybearoundabout.Thecarstopped,buttheenginedidn'tdie,and
hewatchedasLily'sfeethitthegroundandbeganwalkingtowardsapairofdoors,escortedbyaman'sfeet.Thenthecarstartedmovingforwardagain.
Valet.Itwasdarkoutandhe
couldn'tseeanyothercarsorpeople,soMarctookachanceandloweredhimselftotheground,lettingthevehiclepassoverhim.Hewasnexttoahedgeandhe
immediatelyrolledintoit,hidinghimselfbeforehescannedthearea.
Hewasinthefrontofthehotel,rightbeforeanentrancetoabasementgarage.Theentrancetothehotelwasmaybeahundredfeetaway.Severalbellhopsandotherhotelstafflingeredoutfront,waitingformoreguests.Acrossfromtheentrancewasacircularfountain,thethingtheymusthavedriven
around,andacrossfromitwasanotherbuilding,thoughwhatpurposeitserved,Marchadnoclue.Allheknewwasthathehadtogettheguysawayfromthedoor.
Thedrivewaslinedentirelywithdecorativepebbles,andhepickedoneup.Heeyedawindowacrosstheway,thenstoodupquicklyandlaunchedtherock.Heduckedbackdownasawindowshattered.
Ithadthedesiredeffect.Thestaffallturnedtowardsthesound,theneventuallysaunteredofftoinvestigate.Marksteppedoutofthehedgesandmadeabeelineforthedoors.Hedidn'trun–hedidn'twanttolooksuspicious,buthedidn'twanttogetcaught,either.
HemadeitinsidewithoutincidentandletoutadeepbreathwhenhesawLily'sredhair.Shewas
sittingonasofainaloungearea,acrossfromthereceptiondesk.Smartgirl,shehadwaitedforhim.Amansatnexttoherandshewascuddledupclosetohim,herchestpressedagainsthisarmwhileshegiggledinhisear.
Fuckinggiggling.I'mgoingtopuke.
Marcgrabbedanewspaperoffatable,thenmadeabigproductionof
sittingonacouchthatbackeduptotheoneLilyandherguestwereoccupying.Herustledthepaperandclearedhisthroat.Amomentlaterhefeltasharpnailscratchacrossthebackofhisneck.Hispresencewasknown.
“...can'tbelieveagirllikeyouishere,doingworklikethis,”themanwassayinginaFrenchaccent.
“Work?IwouldnevercallwhatIdo'work',it'stoo
muchfun,”Lilylaughed.“Ithinkwecouldhavea
lotoffuntogether,”hermarkagreed.
“Mmmm,me,too,”allthegigglingwasgonefromhervoice,replacedbyasexy,huskytonethatMarcknewverywell.Theedgesofthepapercrinkledinhisgripasheclenchedhisfists.
“Ihaveawonderfulroom,kingsizedbed.ButifIpay,youmustdowhateverI
want,”themaninformedher.“Ofcourse.”“Ihaveveryspecific
tastesthatmustbemet,orIwillnotpay.”
“Icompletelyunderstand.ButIhaveonedemand,myself,”shebegantowarnhim.
“Ahookermakingademand?”
“Ilovehavingsexincars,”shetoldhim.
“Cars!?”
“Mmmmhmmm.Sohot.Knowinganyonecouldcatchus.Beingsonaughty,”sheexplained.
“Youwanttohavesexwithmeinmycar?”theFrenchmandoublechecked.LilyleanedcloseandMarccouldfeelherwarmthagainstthebackofhisneck.
“Iwantyoutofuckmeinyourcar,”shewhisperedinsuchasexy,breathyvoicethatevenMarcgotalittlehot.
Nomorediscussionwasneededafterthat,themanjumpedupandbustledhertothelift.Shedidn'tgiveonelooktoMarc,justlaughedandpushedherselfagainstthestranger,herbreastsalmostspillingoutofhertop.
Hegavethemaboutaminuteheadstart,thenMarcfoldeduphispaperandgotupoffthecouch.Wentovertothesameelevatortheyhadtakenandpressedthedown
button,justliketheyhadpushed.Thehotelonlyhadfourlevels–ground,tworoomlevels,andgarage.Sodownhewent.
Itwasn'tabiggarage,thehoteldidn'taccommodatethatmanypeople.HecouldhearLily'sstupidgigglingandhefollowedit.Thelovebirdswereontheothersideofthegarage,stumblingtowardstheExplorer,themanpawingather,grabbingherass,
workinghishandunderneaththelegofhershorts.Shelaughedlouder,wrappingherarmaroundhisshouldersastheyfellagainstthevehicle.Marccreptalong,dodginginbetweencars,stayingoutofsite.
“Please,comeon,takeeverythingoff,”theguywasbegging.Marcgotbehindthetrunkofthecarnexttothemandpeeredoverthetop.
“ButIwantyoutoturnit
on,”Lilywaswhining,grabbinghislapelsandsqueezingherarmstogether,forcingherbreastshigher.
“Whydoyouwantthis?”“Becauseitturnsmeon,
thatbigengine,justpumpingaway,”shesighed.Marcrolledhiseyes.
Goodgod,ishereallygoingtofallforthisbullshit!?
WhenLilyleanedforward,placingaslowlickupthesideoftheman'sneck
whilerubbingatthefrontofhiscrotch,Marcrealizedherbullshitwoulddefinitelywork.ShecouldstartprattlingofftheABCsandanymanwoulddojustaboutanythingshewanted.
Frenchiefumbledwithhiskeysanddroppedthem,butashebentdowntograbthem,temptationbecametoomuch.Hedoveheadfirstintohercleavage,almostknockingheroffbalance.She
fellagainstthecar,staringdownathim.Marcstoodupandglaredather.
“Endthisnow,”hemouthed,dragginghisthumbacrosshisneckinakillsign.Sheraisedherarmsina“whatever”gesture,thenbeganpushingatthemanwhowasmaulingherbreasts.
“No,no,no,baby,youwantedashow,right?Letmegiveyouashow,”shesaid,managingtofinallygethim
offofher.“Yes,yes,ashow.Ilike
ashow.Takeitalloff,slowly.”
Marcwascompletelyflooredwhensheseemedtocomply.Shesteppedbackandunbuttonedhershorts,thenworkeddownthezipper.Slowlypeeledthematerialoverhercurvyhips,thenturnedandbentatthewaist,herperfect,roundasspointingstraightatthe
stranger.Shewasalmostcompletelyinhalf,workinghershortstoheranklesandcarefullysteppingoutofthem.
Whenthemanslappedherontheass,Marccouldn'ttakeitanymore.Hewasgoingtokillhim,hedidn'tcare.Butashestartedtostandupagain,hesawwhatshewasdoing.Whilethepervertwasmassagingherass,Lilywastryingher
damnedesttogetthekeys,whichhadfallenbehindthewheel.BeforeMarccouldtakeastepforward,shehadthem.Shehookedthemintoherhand,thenimmediatelystoodup,spinningaround.
“Ichangedmymind,”shestatedinaloudvoice,steppingoutofarm'sreachoftheguy.
“Excusez-moi?”themanwassocaughtoffguard,hedidn'tknowwhatlanguageto
speak.“Isaid,Ichangedmy
mind.I'mnotgoingtofuckyou.ButIamgoingtotakeyourcar,I'mverysorry,”shesaidsimply.
Themanwasalargeguy,heavyset.Hehadgrayhairandwasbalding,andwaswearingacheapsuit.Veryunassuming.SoMarcfigureditwassafetosaythattheywereallalittleshockedwhenthemanleaptforwardand
wrappedhishandsaroundLily'sneck,allwhilescreamingobscenitiesinFrench.
ShescreamedandMarcjumpedtoherrescue,butheshould'veknownbetter.Beforehecouldevenreachher,shehadkickedtheguyinthenutsandthentheface,layinghimoutflat.BythetimeMarcgottoherside,itwasover.Shewascoughingandrubbingatherneck.
“Ididnotseethatcoming,”shesaid,clearingherthroat.
“Me,neither.Butdidyouhavetogethalffuckingnaked!?”heasked,glaringdownatherpeachcoloredpanties.
“Hey!Iwouldlikeitnotedthatinmyplan,noonegotshotatandwegotthecar!Nowshutthefuckupanddrive!”shesnapped,snatchinghershortsoffthe
groundandstompingaroundthecar.
“Don'tyoufuckinggetlippywithme!Hewasabouttoeatoneofyourtits,andyouwould'velethim!Youcould'vejustknockedhimoutandtakenhiskeys!”Marcpointedoutwhentheywerebothinthecar.Shethrewthekeysathim.
“Violenceisn'talwaysnecessary,Mr.Caveman!”
“Judgingbythefactthat
theassholeisnowunconsciousontheground,I'dsayitis.Youjustfuckinglikedit,didn'tyou?”Marccalledherout.Shethrewherheadbackandlaughed.
“Forfuck'ssake,you'rejealous!Ofsomefatguyincheappolyester!Ohyeah,you'retotallyright,Ilovedit.Ifonlyyouweren'there,Icouldbehappilyboinkingmybrainsoutrightnow,”Lilytauntedhim.
“YouarethemostannoyingwomanI'veevermet.”
“Yeah?Wellthefeelingisentirelymutual.”
Marcwasabouttorespondwhenhecluedintothefactthattheyweren'ttheonlyonestalking.Heblinkedatherforasecond,thentwistedaround,lookingoutthedoor.TheFrenchmanwasontheground,barkingintoacellphoneashe
scootedbackwardsawayfromtheExplorer.Marcgroanedandslammedhisdoorshut.
“Nothingisevereasywithyou,”hegrowled,jammingthekeysintheignitionandfiringuptheengine.
“Onlybecauseit'syouwhoslowsusdown,”shedishedrightbacktohim.
Thetiressquealedashetoreuptherampoutofthe
garage.Severalguardswererunningdowntheramp,andtheydoveoutoftheway.Thefrontgatewasopeningup,lettingseveralguardcarsraceintothehotel'sgrounds.Marcwentaroundthefountainonce,thenzippedoutpastthegate.
“Fuck,”heswore,watchinginthemirrorsasseveralcarsfollowedthemdownthestreets,lightsblazing.
“Thiswouldhavebeentheperfectplan,”Lilygrumbledassheclimbedontoherknees,watchingtheirpursuersoverthebackofherseat.Heglancedather,didadoubletakeathermostlybareass,thenwentbacktotheroad.
“Canyoustopbitchingforamomentandusethatbigbrainofyourstogetusoutofthissituation?Seeingashowyou'resogoodatit,”he
remindedher.Shesmackedhiminthearm.
“Shutup.Ileftthemapinthehotel,Ihavenocluewheretogo.Doyouhaveanyguns?”sheasked.
“One.”“ThenIguesswe'dbetter
makeitcount.Giveittome,”shesaid,andhehandeditover.
“Don'tdoanythingcrazy.Ifwebreakthiscar,youcanfuckingwalktoMorocco.”
“Whatever,justslowdown.”
Sherolleddownherwindowashedroppedspeed.ShepulledherselfoutofthecarsoshewassittingonthedoorandMarcautomaticallygrabbedherleg,holdingherbehindherknee,incaseshefell.
“Goforatire!”heshoutedoverthewind.“Thesestreetsaresonarrow,ifthecarflips,it'llblockall
therestfromgettingthrough!”
“Gotit!”Therewassilence.No
gunshots.Marcwatchedasthesecuritycarsgotcloserandcloser.Heglancedather,thenglancedatthemirrors.Thenbacktoher.Backtothemirrors.Theclosestcarwasrightbehindthem,almosttouchingtheirbumper.Helosthispatience.
“Whatthefuckareyou
waitingfor!?”BAM.Onegunshot,andhe
watchedasthecarbehindthemswerveddramaticallybackandforthbeforerammingintoapost.Oneofthecarsfollowingbehinditdidn'thavetimetostopandrammedintoit,flippingitonitsside,completelyblockingtheroad.Twomorecarsaddedtothemess,anditwassoonobviousthatnoone
wouldbefollowingthem.Admitit,she'sgood.
Betterthanyoueventhoughtpossible.
Marcpunchedthegaspedalandcrankedthewheel,takingasharprightdownanarrowstreet.Lilymanagedtoslowlyslidebackinsideashetookfourmoreturns,tryingtoputasmuchdistancebetweenthemandthehotel,asquicklyaspossible,butwithoutgettingsofaraway
thathecouldn'tfindhiswaybackwithoutthemap.
“Thatwasamazing!”Lilyshoutedwhentheyscreechedtoastopbehindadumpster,outofsightoftheroad.
“Ican'tbelieveyoumadethatshot!”heexclaimed,leaningforwardtopresshisheadagainstthewheel.
“Ican't,either!Didyouseeit!?”shesoundedamazed,andshegotbackontoher
knees,lookingoutthebackofthecar.Hesatupagain.
“OfcourseIfuckingsawit.Itwasanamazingshot,”heagreed.
“Itwasanamazingplan!Wepulledsomethingoff,asplanned,finally!”shelaughed,turningtowardshim.
“Aboutfuckingtime,”heagreed,smilingbackather.
Theystaredateachotherforaminute,andthenitwaslikesomeonehitabell.
Ding!RoundOne:Marcvs.Lily
Theycrashedintoeachother,barelymeetingatthemouths.Hertonguesweptacrossthefrontofhisteethashishandsdoveintothebackofherunderwear,forcinghercloser.Shetriedtocrawlovertheconsolebetweenthem,buthisseatwastooclosetothewheelandherasssetoffthehornforamoment.Hewrappedhisarmaroundher
waistandleanedthembackwards,forcingthembetweentheseats.
Theywiggledandmovedandstretched,fallingintothebackseatallwhilestillgropingeachother.Hemanagedtosituprightandshewasonhimimmediately,straddlinghislap.Shepulledhist-shirtoffandwhilehernailsscratchedacrosshischest,heshovedhishandintoherunderwear,findingher
burninghotandreadyforhim.
“Youshouldshootouttiresmoreoftenifitgetsyouthiswet,”hesaidasshepantedinhisear.
“Goodidea.MaybeIshouldalsohitonothermenmoreoften,sinceitseemstohavegottenyousohot,”shereplied.Heknottedhisfreehandinthehaironthebackofherheadandyanked.
“Notfuckingfunny.No
moreplanslikethat,”heinformedher.
“Nomore.”Thenherhandwasdown
hispants,squeezingthebaseofhisdick,anditwasadifferentkindofbattle.Hehadtheadvantage;withhishandunderneathher,hecouldmanipulatemultiplefingersinmultipledifferentways.Shewasonlyabletostrokehimacoupletimesbeforeshewasn'tabletocontrolher
movements.“Notyet,”hewhispered,
pullinghishandaway.Sheletoutafrustratedcry,butheswalloweditwithhismouth,kissingherhardwhileheworkedhispantsdownhiships.
Shepulledhertanktopoffwhilehepushedthecrotchofherpantiestotheside.Shewasworkingontakingherbraoff,buthecouldn'twait.Heheldhis
dickwithonehand,thenwrappedhisarmaroundherwaistandforcedherdownontopofhim.Alloverhim.Sheshudderedandgroaned,herhandsdroppingtohisshoulders,nailsdiggingintohisskin.
“God,thisalwaysfeelssogood,”shewhispered.Henodded,movinghishandstoherwaist.
“Youalwaysfeelsogood.”
Sherockedherhipsslowlyatfirst,herheadrollingbackonhershoulders.Marccuppedherbreastinonehand,suckingonhernipplethroughthematerialofherbra.Thenshepickedupspeed,usingherlegstoliftupanddown,allwhilestillrockingherhipstomeethiswitheverythrust.
“Marc,”shecriedouthisname,andhelovedthewayitsoundedonherlips.
“Yes,”heresponded,notcaringwhathewassaying.Sheleanedaway,bracingonehandagainsttheseatbackbehindher,whichenabledhertothrustevenharder.Hegroanedandreachedaroundtoholdontoherass.
“Please,”shepanted,herotherhandpressingflatagainsthischest.“Please.”
Heslidoneofhishandsaroundtowheretheirpelvisesweremeeting.Hetwistedhis
thumbinthelaceofherpanties,thenusedthematerialagainsther,usedthefrictionagainsthersensitivity.Sheshrieked,almostjumpingoffofhim,herwholebodyshakingforamoment.
“Whoanow,you'renotgoinganywhere,sweetheart,”hegrowled,yankingherbackdownontopofhim.Impalingheronhim.
“I'm…I'm…I'm…,”
shechanted,bothherhandsmovingtoholdontothebackofhisneck.
“You'regonnacome.Please,please,please,comeforme,Lily,”hebegged,movinghisthumbfaster,pumpinghishipsharder.
Hecouldfeelitstart.Hewasn'tasmallguy,andshewasatightgirl–hecouldfeeleverymuscletwitchandspasm.Hercriesgotlouder,hershudderinggrewmore
intense,andevenintheflickeringstreetlight,hecouldseeherpalechestturninganalmostcrimsonred.Herbouncinggrewerraticandsheclosedhereyes,shovingherforeheadagainsthisown.
Awoman'sorgasmwassuchastrangethingtohim.Itwaslikeanexplosion,thescreaming,thegasping,theshaking.Yeteverythingconstrictedatthesametime,
herarmscoilingaroundhim,herlegmusclesfreezing,herpussylockinghimintoplace,almostmakinghimcomeatthesametimeasher.
Suchanamazingthing.“Ican't…Ican'teven,”
shebreathedafterasolidminutehadpassed.Hechuckled.
“Iwasbeginningtowonderifyouwerestillalive.”
Helaidherdownflaton
theseatandworkedaboveher.Nogentlethrustingaftersuchabigorgasm–heimmediatelypoundedintoher,elicitingmoreshrieks.Hegroanedandworkedhishandunderneathherbra,clenchinghisfingersaroundherbreast.Hewantedallofher,everyinchofher,rightnow,fiveminutesago,yesterday.
Hewaswellawarethattheywereonastreet,inacar,
fuckinginpublic,inacitywherewomenweren'tevensupposedtobeoutsideafterdark.Buthedidn'tcare.Theonlythinghecouldthinkaboutwascominguntilshewasoverflowing.
Hewasbeinggreedy,heknewthat;onlythinkingabouthisownpleasureinthatmoment.Sowhenshecameforasecondtime,itcompletelycaughthimoffguard.Hehadworkedherbra
upherchestandhehadhernippleinhismouthwhenithappened,andhegroaned,bitingdownontheedgeofherareola.Ithadanobviouseffectonherandshescreamed,herbackarchingofftheseatasherorgasmintensified.Hecouldn'ttakeitandhecamewithashout,wrappinghisarmstightlyaroundherwaistashishipskeptjerkinginvoluntarily,tilltherewasnomoreofhimto
give.Dingding!Roundone
over!Marc:One.Lily:Two.“Thiswasabad
decision,”shepanted.Hecollapsedontopofher,allofhisweightflatteningherontheseat.
“Horrible.Terrible.I'mashamedofmyself.Givemefifteenminutes,andwe'llmakeanevenworsedecision,”hereplied.
“Fifteenminutes,huh.”
Helaughed,andthenshelaughed.Shecombedherfingersthroughhishair.Hepulledonherhair.Shesighedhisname.Hisbitdownonherbottomlip.Shemanagedtoworkherbraoff.Herippedherunderwearoff.
Fifteenminuteswasanoverestimation–heonlyneededten.
DAYFIVETheyspenttherestofthe
night,andmostofthenextmorning,drivingtoDakhla–acoastalcity,aboutathirdofthewayintoWesternSahara.Marcdrovethemacrosstheborder.Apparently,hiscommentaboutlandmineshadn'tbeenajoke.Theareawasriddledwiththem,andhe
wantedtotakeitslowandeasy.
Afterfinallywearingeachotheroutinthebackseat,they'dgottendressedandheadedbacktowardstheFrenchembassy.Astheydrovealong,Lilyflungherruinedunderwearoutawindow,earningasmirkfromMarc.Sheshimmiedbackintohershorts,regrettingnothavinganyotherclothing.Shedid,
however,untiehertanktopandreturnittonormal.
Theywentbackfortheirgear.Marchoppedoutacouplestreetsdown,withapromisetomeetherontheoutskirtsoftown.Lilyhadparkedattheirdesignatedmeetingspot,thenshesatandchewedonherfingernails,duckingdowninherseat.Worriedthathewouldn'tshowup.Worriedthatsomeonewouldinvestigate
hercar.Worriedthecopswouldpopupandquestionher.
Noneofthosethingshappened,andaftertwentyminutes,Marcpulledupinthebeatupsuburban.TheytransferredeverythingtothestolenExplorer,thenhittheroad,drivingoffintothenight.
Whenthesunbegantorise,theyswitchedplaces,andastheyapproached
Dakhla,Marcsuggestedthattheystopandtakeabreather.
“Forhowlong?”Lilyasked,glancingaroundthedesertoneithersideofthem.WesternSaharawasn'texactlyanidealvacationspot.Therewerethreedifferentcountries,andinsidefactions,thatwereconstantlyfightingoverownershipofthetinycountry.ThenorthernareahadbeenclaimedbyMorocco,andLilywantedto
getupthereasquicklyaspossible.
“Justforanight.I'mbeat,you'rebeat,andIdon'twantoneofusdrivingofftheroadhere.Gettingblownupprobablyisn'tasfunasitsounds,”hetoldher.
“Yousleptmostofthewaytotheborder,”shepointedout.
“Shutup.You'llloveithere.”
Apparently,itwasn'tso
muchasuggestionasastatement.Theywerestopping,andthatwasit.
Lilywasshockedwhentheyfinallymadetheirwayintothesmallcity.Dakhlawasactuallyverypretty.Palmtreeslinedthedustystreets,andtotheirleft,blue-greenwaterlinedanexpansivestripofbeach.Itwasreallyquitepicturesque.
Butsometimesnastythingscancomeinpretty
packages.Lilyherselfwasproofofthat.SheclearedherthroatasMarclookedaroundforahotel.
“Everytimewe'vestopped,”shestarted,keepinghervoiceevensoshewouldn'tcomeoffasbrattyorcondescending,“somethingbadhashappened.TheboardinghouseinMali,thehomeinMauritania.Itseemslikewheneverwestoptocatchourbreath,trouble
catchesuptous.Ithinkthisisareallybadidea.”
“Maybeso,andmaybeitwillcatchuptous,butsweetheart,westillneedtocatchourbreath.Thisisanewcar,soit'snotpossiblethatitwouldbebugged.Noonewouldthinktolookforushere,sincewehadtogetoffthemainroad.TheywouldassumewedrovestraightonintothecityofLaayoune,oreveninto
Moroccoproper.Wehavetostop,Lily.Ineedtobreathe,”hesaidsimply.
ItstruckLilythatMarcdidn'tlikebeinginthecar.Ithadn'toccurredtoherbefore,butitkindofmadesense.Hedidmostofhisworkonhisfeet,creepingaroundinshadows.Hewasmovementpersonified.Sittingstillforhoursonendmusthavebeenhardonhim.
“Alright.Butwehaveto
moveon,firstthinginthemorning,”shestressed.
“Yes,mistress,anythingyousay,mistress.”
“Ilikethat.Keepcallingmethat.”
Theysplurgedandstoppedatwhatseemedtobethenicesthotelinthesmallcity.Itsatonthebeach,andhadaquaintfeeltoitthathadLilyrememberingvacationsinMexico.Asurrealqualitythathadherforgettingthe
hereandnow,thewhyandthewhatforoftheirsituation.
“Ihopeyoudon'tmindsharingabed,”Marccommented,barelyholdingthedooropenlongenoughforhertomakeitthroughintotheroom.Shesnortedathim.
“IguessIcandealwithit,ifyoumakeitworthmywhile.”
Denyingtheirattractiontoeachotherwasstupidand
pointless.Theyobviouslycouldn'tkeeptheirhandsoffeachother,sothey'ddecidedtojustgowithit.Sexrelievedtension,andtensionhadbecomeawayoflife.
“Wecanjustgetdinnerhere,laylow,”Marccalledoutasshewanderedaroundthespaceandintothebathroom.Shegasped.
“Ohmygod,abathtub,”shemoaned,fallingagainstthedoorframe.Therewere
footsteps,thenMarcwasrightbehindher.
“Youtakeabath,”hesuggested,“andI'llgooutandscroungeupsomemoresupplies.Webarelyhaveanyfoodleft,andit'slikeafifteenhourdrivetoTangier.”
Lilyfrowned.Tangier,Morocco.WhereshewouldgetonaferrytogotoBarcelona,Spain.Whereshewouldheadofftoendaveryuglychapterinherlife.
Whereshewouldleavebehindaveryworthyopponent.
Averyworthyfriend.MarcleftandLilyturned
onthewater.Thensheblockadedthefrontdoortotheroom.Ifshewasgoingtogetanysortofrest,shewouldneedtofeelsecureandlikeshecouldactuallyrelax.Soshejammedachairunderthedoorhandle,andevenshovedahugedresserinfrontofthe
entrance,aswell.Sheleftatrailofclothing
acrossthefloorasshedraggedherselfbackintothebathroom.Thewaterwasalmostscaldinghot,butshedidn'tevencare.Shecouldn'trememberthelasttimeshe'dfeltwarmwateronherbody.Hotwater.Shegroaned,scootingasmuchofherselfunderthewaterasshecouldanddunkingherwholehead.
Aftercleaningeveryinch
ofherskinwitharoughsponge,shelaidherheadbackagainstatowelandjustrelaxed,lettinghermindwander.
Whatareyoudoing,Liliana?
Itwasaquestionshe'dbeenaskingherselfsincetheirnighttogetheratthehousethey'dbrokeninto,thoughithadbeenonnon-stoprepeatsincethenightbefore,sincetheirnightinthe
backseatoftheExplorer.Forfiveyears,shehadn't
beenabletoseebeyondheronegoal.BeyondgettingcloseenoughtoStankovskitokillhim.She'dsleptwithplentyofguysinthattimeperiod.Guysshewasattractedto,guysshewasjustusingtogetaheadintheunderworld.Noneofthemmattered,noneofthemstuck.Whenshe'dhadsexwithMarcbackinLiberia,ithad
beenwiththeintentionthathewouldjustbeanotheroneofthemany.Nothingspecial.
Whichitwasn't…wasit?
Theywerelikemagnets,fightingagainsteachotheroneminute,thenstucktogetherthenext.Whateveritwas,itwastangible,andpowerful,andveryreal,andverypresent.Hewasthefirstpersontoevermakeherquestionherplan.Toever
makeherwonderifmayberevengewasn'ttheanswer.
“...wedon'thavetobethesepeopleanymore...”
Whowasshe,anyway?Andmoreimportantly,
whoevershewas,didsheevenwanttobethatpersonwithouthim?Maybeitwouldbeeasiertobesomeoneelsewithhim.Maybe,justmaybe,revengewasn'ttheanswer.Herrevengeplanhadalmostgottenthembothkilled,
severaldifferenttimes.Wasitworthit?AndMarcwasright,killingStankovskiwouldn'tbringKayleeback–hersisterwouldstillbedead.Killinghimwouldn'tchangeanything,exceptLily'sperceptionofherself.Anddidshewanttobethatperson?
WhoamI,anyway?
*
Lilywokeupwithastart,
jerkingawayatthesoundofsomethinghittingtheground.Shesatup,splashingwaterinherface.She'dfallenasleepinthetub.Sherubbedathereyesandblinkedaround.
“Youblockedthedoor.”Shelookedupandtook
inMarc,standinginthebathroomdoorway.
“Iwantedtorelax,”sheyawned,gatheringherwethairinonehandandwringingouttheends.
“Ihadtopickthelockontheslidingglassentry.Youdidn'tblockthatdoor,”hepointedout.Sheshruggedandturnedthehotwaterfauceton.
“Wastootiredtoremember.Whattimeisit?”
“Liketwoorso.Igotyousomethings,”hesaid,bendingdowntodiginthebaghe'ddroppedathisfeet.Hepulledoutsomethingsforhimself,thenkickedthebag
tothesideofthetub.“Likewhat?”sheasked,
pickingthroughtheitems.Shewashappytoseeapairofpantsandashirt,andshockedtofindabathingsuit.
“Essentials.Yourhookershortsaretoomuch,we'llgetshotifyoukeepwalkingaroundinthem,”hetoldher.
“Essentials,huh.Underwearshould'vemadethelistoverabikini,”shereplied,chuckingthebottoms
athim.Hewasstandinginfrontofthemirror,spreadingashavingcreamoverhisscruffybeard.
“Pffft,maybeonyourlist.Underweardidn'tevenmakeitontomylist.What'sthepointofthem,anyway.Theyjustgetinmyway,”hereplied.Shelaughedandsettledbackintothewater.
“Idon'tthinkthere'smuchthatgetsinyourway,Marcelle,”sheteasedhim.
“Damnstraight.”Theywerequietfora
while.Marcshavedwhilesheturnedoffherhotwaterandtriedtopretendthatshewasn'tridiculouslyhappytoseehim.Everytimehelefther,shehadasmallfearthathewouldn'tcomeback.Thattheultimatebetrayalwasyettohappen,anditwasonlyamatteroftimebeforehestolethediamondsandleftherinnowheres-ville,Africa.But
healwayscamebackforher,andshewasbeginningtothinkthatmaybehealwayswould.
“Scootover.”Sheliftedherheadto
findhimstandingnexttoher,pullinghist-shirtoff.Shescootedforwardwhilehedroppedhispants,thenheclimbedintothewaterbehindher,stretchinghislegsoutoneithersideofher.Ittooksomeadjusting,but
eventuallytheyweresituatedwithherstretchedoutonhislegs,herbacktohischest,hisarmsaroundherwaist.
“Thisisnice,”shewhispered,leaningherheadbacksoitrestedonhisshoulder.
“God.IthinkI'dactuallyforgottenwhathotwaterfeelslike,”hemoaned,echoingherthoughtsfromwhenshe'dfirstgotteninthebath.Sheturnedherhead,glancingat
hisface.“I'dforgottenwhatyou
looklikewithoutshitalloveryourface,”shereplied,andhelaughedassheranherfingersdownhischeek.
“'Shitalloveryourface'.Youareawordsmith,sweetheart,”hesighed.
“Damnstraight.”Theychattedforawhile,
aboutnonsense.Itwasalmostlikeoldtimes,likebackintheBratvasafehouse.Onlymore
nudity.Butthentheirpausesgotlongerandlonger,Marc'svoicegotheavierandheavier.Eventuallyhedidn'trespondtoaquestion,andLilylookeduptofindhe'dfallenasleep.
I'dforgottenwhathelookslikewithoutallthatscruff.Forgottenthathe'ssogoodlooking.
Scruffornoscruff,Marcwassexy.Butwithoutit,helookedsharper.Lesscrazy,morecunning.Hisbrows
wereknittedtogetherinhissleep,andhisjawwasclenched.Shewonderedwhathewasdreamingabout,whatwasmakinghimsotense,eveninhissleep.
Shetwistedaroundinthebathtub,layingagainsthim,pressingherbreastsagainsthisabdomen.Shehuggedhimclose,managingtoslideherhandsaroundhisback.
“Tellmewhatdo,Marc,”shebreathedagainsthisskin.
“I'vebeenmakingdecisionsfortoolong.Havetheyallbeenwrong?Tellmewhatdo.”
Ridiculously,shefelttearyeyed.Shetookthatasasignthatthey'dbeeninthewatertoolong,andsheclimbedout,wakinghimupintheprocess.Sheputthebikinion,thenfoundanancientblowdryerinabottomdrawerofthevanity.Aluxury.Sheblewouther
hair,usingacombtotamethelocks.
“Mygod,youalmostlooknice,”Marccommented,lookingoverherreflectionashewalkedupbehindher.Sheelbowedhiminthestomach.
“Shutup.”Whilehegotdressed,she
headedoutoftheroom.Theyhadaglassdoorthatledouttoasmall,fencedinpatio.Lilystopped,glancedaround,thensimplyhikedalegover
thewroughtironfencing.Onemorestep,andshewasatthesideofthehotel'spool.Beyondthat,abeachstretchedoutinfrontofher,disappearinginahazewhereitmettheocean.Sheheadedacrossthesand.
Shecouldn'tgetoverit.Infrontofherwasoneofthemostgorgeoussightsshe'deverseen.Behindherwasoneofthemostterrifyingplacesshe'deverbeen.
Everywherethey'dbeenwas“themostterrifying”;goingintothejob,she'dknownwesternAfricawasdangerous.Butapersoncouldn'treallygraspthebreadthofsomethinglikethattillitwasrightinfrontofthem.Allaroundthem.
Wow,talkaboutananalogyforthiswholefuckedupsituation…
“Whatthefuckareyoudoing!?”
SheheardMarcshoutingfrombehindher,andsheturnedaround,shieldinghereyesfromthesun.Shehadgonerightuptothewaterandhelookedtiny,standinginfrontoftheirhotelroom.
“Comejoinme!”sheyelledback,wavinghimforward.
“Getinhere,rightnow!”“What!?No,it's
gorgeousouthere!Justcomehere!”
“Youfuckhead,it'snotsafeoutthere!Getinhere,NOW!”
Whensheflippedhimthebird,hestartedcomingafterher.Sheturnedherbacktohimandcontinuedwatchingthewaterasitlappedatherfeet.
“We'vebeenmoving,nonstop,forthelastfourdays,Ijustwant-”shebeganwhensheheardhimrightbehindher.
“Iknow,believeme.Butit'snotsafetobeoutside.Anyonecouldseeus,”heinformedher.Hedidn'tcomearoundtoherfront,oreventoherside.Hestayeddirectlybehindher.
“Whatdoyoumean?Likewho?Abellboy?Alocal?Ohno,godforbidtheyseeus!”shelaughed.
“I'mfuckingserious.”“Me,too.I'msopale,I
mightblindsomeoneifthey
lookdirectlyatme,”shejoked,lookingdownthelengthofherbody.Shestillthoughttheywereteasing,buttherewasnothingfunnyinthewayMarcgrabbedherandspunheraround.
“Doyouwanttogetfuckingshot?Standingouthere,halfnaked,thatredfuckinghaireverywhere.Wantasignthatsays'shootme'?”hedemanded,hisfingerssqueezingherbiceps
painfully.“You'rehurtingme!”she
snapped.Hegaveonemoresharpsqueeze,thenlethergo.
“Good.There'speopleouttherethatwoulddoalotworsethananythingI'vedonetoyou.I'mjusttryingtoprotectyou,”heexplained.
“Well,thankyouverymuch,Mr.DeSant,butIthinkI'veshownthatI'mverycapableoftakingcareofmyself,”sheremindedhim.
“No,youthinkyou're'verycapable',whichisworsethanknowingyou'renot,”hesnapped.
Lily'sfirstreactionwastogetmad,totellhimtogofuckhimself.Butshepausedforasecondandstaredupathim.Hewasupset,irrationallyso.Ithadbeenhisideatostopandtakeabreather–whatwasbetterfortakingabreaththantheseaside?Shewasonabeach,
atabeachsidehotel,inherbathingsuit.Therewereotherpeoplescatteredaboutthebeach,alsoinbathingsuits.Therewereblackpeopleandwhitepeopleandtanpeople,allsortsofdifferentcolors.Shedidn'tstandoutthatmuch,hewascompletelyoverreacting.
AndMarcdidn'toverreact.
“What'sgoingon?”sheasked,cockingherheadto
theside.“Huh?”“You'refreakingout.
What'sthebigdeal?Didsomethinghappenwhenyouwereoutandabout?”shecontinued.
Heglareddownatherforanothermoment,thensighedandlookedaway,scanningthehorizonbehindher.
“No,”heanswered.“It'sbeenalongweekend,sweetheart.I'veinvestedalot
energyinthismission.Itwouldbeashameifwegotthisclosetotheend,onlyforyoutogetshotorkidnapped.”
He'sworriedaboutme!?“That'salmostsweet,
Marc,butI'mfineouthere.Ifthisiswearingyououtsomuch,youdon'thavetocontinue,youknow.Youcouldstilljustleave,”shepointedout,thoughonceitwasoutofhermouth,she
wasnervous.Shedidn'twanthimtogo.
“Notgettingridofmethateasily,I'mgettingthosediamonds,wehadadeal,”hesaidquickly.Shesmiled,thoughshealmostfeltworsethanbefore;itwasn'texactlyaproclamationofloveanddevotion,asonnetdedicatedtohowhefeltaburningneedtobeinherpresence.
NotthatIwantthosethingsfromhim…
“Alright,then.Ipromisenottogetshotorkidnapped,atleastnotanytimesoon.Canwegetsomethingtoeatnow,oristhattoodangerous?”sheasked,hertonemocking.
Hewrappedanarmaroundhershouldersandguidedherbacktowardsthehotel.Hehuggedherclosetohisside,babblingaboutsomeshophe'dbeeninwhileonhisjauntabouttown.Butwhenshelookedupathim,he
wasn'tlookingather.Wasn'tlookingaheadofthem.Hiseyesseemedtobescanningthetopfloorthehotel.Shefollowedhisgaze,searchingthewindowsforanysignofmovement.
“...maybewecanhavethemdeliverlunchtoourrooms,”Marcwasfinishingastheywalkedaroundtheedgeofthepool.
“Marc,”shestarted,beforeclimbingoverthe
railingtotheirpatioarea.“Istheresomeonefollowingyou?”
“Whywouldyouaskmethat?”
“Becauseyou'realltwitchyandyouwerestaringatthetopfloor.”
“Iwasn'tstaring,andI'mnottwitchy.”
“You'reverytwitchy.”“Shutup,Lily.”“Lookatyou,you'reall
nervous,and-”
Hegrabbedherarmagainandpulledherclose,catchingheroffguard.Shestumbledintohimandheimmediatelykissedher,walkingherbackwardsthroughtheslidingglassdoor.Shemoanedandpressedherhandsagainsthisface,standingonhertoestokisshimback.
“Youtalktoomuch,”hebreathedwhenhefinallypulledaway,slammingthe
glassdoorclosedandlockingit.
“YouhavetheworstgameofanymanI'veevermet.You'realwaysinsultingme.Youmustnevergetassonyourown,”shepointedout.Hewrappedanarmaroundherwaist,pullinghertowardsthebathroom.
“Igotyou.”“Lackofoptions.You
weretheonlymaninLiberiaworthfucking.”
“ItakewhatIcanget.”Onceintheroom,he
pushedherupagainstawall,shovedhistonguedownherthroat.Workedhislegbetweenhers,forcinghertostraddlehisthigh.Everytimeshemoved,itcausedsensitiveareastorubandmoveandcomealive.
“Why'dyougetmeabathingsuitifyoudidn'twantmeonthebeach?”shestruggledtobreathewhilehis
teethworkedattheoutlineofherclavicle.
“There'sthattalkingproblemagain,”hemumbled,untyingthebikinistrapfrombehindherneck.
“Didyouonlywanttorentahotelroomtodothis?”shequestioned.She'dalwaysthoughthisrequesttostophadbeenstrange–hadhedoneitfornookie?
“Beatsthebackseatofacar.”
“Yeah,butatleastinthecar,wewouldn'tneedtostopforawhole-”
“Seriously,Lily.Shutyourmouth,orI'mgoingtofindsomethingmoreusefulforit.”
“Bigtalk.”Whenhegrabbedher
hairandforcedhertoherknees,itdidn'tseemlikesuchbigtalkanymore.
Maybestoppingforthenightisn'tsuchabadidea.
*
Lilytwitchedandrubbed
athernose,stillhalfasleep.Shewaslayingonherstomach,thesheetsyankedawayfromherbodyandtwistedaroundherlegs.Sheyawnedandstretchedoutherleftarm,feelingaroundforMarc.Butthebednexttoherwasempty.Shetwistedherheadtothesideandcracked
openaneyelid.“Marc?”shecroakedout,
thenclearedherthroat.Shehadn'tsomuchfallen
asleep,itwasmorelikepassingout.Marc'senergywasneverending,andhehadhardonstomatch.Theywentthroughlunch,fooledaroundintheshower,thenhebentheroverthebedanddidn'tletuptillsheliterallybeggedhimtostop.Andeventhen,asshewasalmostasleep,his
fingerswerebackbetweenherthighs,andbeforeshecouldsayyayornay,hisheadhadreplacedhisfingers,andwell,agirlsimplycouldn'tsaynotothat,notwhenamanwassogoodwithhistongue.
Lilyrolledoverontoherbackandproppedherselfuponherelbows,glaringaroundtheroom.Shewasn'tsurehowlongshe'dbeenasleep.Thelastthingshe
rememberedwasgoingtothebathroomandputtinghert-shirtandbikinibottomsbackon,withtheintentionofstayingawake.Butthenshe'dlaiddown,justforasecond,andthatwasit.Lightsout.Ithadtohavebeenanhoursincethen,atleast.
Itwasdarkintheroom,thesunhadset,andshewasstarving–theyhadnevergottenaroundtoeatinganything.Shetriedtolook
outtheglassdoorsoftheroom,toseeifhewassittingontheirterrace,andwonderedwhyhehadn'twokenherup.Thenshelookedoutthewindow,whichofferedaviewofthepool,andwonderedwhyhe'dlethersleepforsolong.Thensheturnedherheadtotheothersideoftheroom.
Oh,andIdefinitelywonderwhythere'sastrangemanintheroomwithme.
Sheimmediatelystartedscramblingsidewaysacrossthebed,buthewasquick,leapingforwardandgrabbingherarm.Hewasalsostrong–onegoodyank,andshewaspulledoffthemattress,landinginaheaponthefloor.Ashetuggedhertoherfeet,sheswungherfreearm,directingherelbowtowardshishead,buthemanagedtoduck,andgrabbedthatarm,aswell.Bothherwristswere
pinnedbehindherbackandhisfreehandgrippedontohershoulder,squeezingpainfully.
“Let'snotmakethisdifficult,shallwe?”
Whoeverhewas,hehadaveryposhBritishaccent.Veryculturedsounding,veryrefined.Shegrowledandyankedaround,tryingtopullfree.
“Fuckyou.”“Lovely,acharmer.Let's
go,darling.”
Hepressedherwristshardintoherspine,forcingherbacktoarch,andhisfingerspulledonhershoulder,pullingherintoanawkwardbackbendofsorts.Shehadtowalkonhertoesasshewaspushedaroundthebed.
“Wait,wait,wait,”shebreathed,refusingtomove.
“Nowaiting.”“Please.Youdon't
understand.Iknowwhy
you'rehere,”shetriedtokilltime,hopingMarcwouldshowup.OrwasMarcalreadydead?
Ordidheleaveyou?Hewasactingsostrange.Maybehesawthiscoming.Maybeheleftyouandtookthediamonds.
“Idon'tthinkyouknowanything.Please,keepwalking,”themaninstructed.
“I'mnotstealingthediamonds.I'mstillgoingto
Morocco.I'mstilldoingthejob,”sheinsisted.
“Really?Didn'tlooklikeyouwereonthejobthisafternoon,”hecalledherout.Shescowled.
“Oh,ahitmanandapeepingtom.Versatile,”shedidn'thidethedisdaininhervoice.
“Whenashowisthatgood,darling,youdon'tlookaway.Youwereveryimpressive.Veryflexible,”
hisvoicewasalmostteasing.Shepressedbackintohim,stickingherbuttoutasmuchaswaspossibleinherposition,pushingdirectlyintohiscrotch.
“YouhavenoideahowflexibleIcanbe,”shewhispered.
“Don'tfallforit,she'llfuckyouup.”
Marc'svoicestartledherandsheimmediatelystartedlookingforhim.Hercaptor
twistedthemaround,pointingthembacktowardstheglassdoors.Oneofthemwasopen,andtheyturnedjustintimetoseeMarcdroptotheground.He'dbeenhidinginthetrellisthatextendedbeyondtheirlittlepatioarea.Ashewalkedforward,shesawlightfromthepoolareaglintingoffthebarrelofthegunhehadpointedatthem.
“Yousaythat,buthowdoIknowyou'renotjust
keepingthegoodstoyourself?”theirintrudercommented.ItthrewLilyoff.TherewasafamiliarityinthewayhetalkedtoMarc.
“Iamdoingthat,butI'malsonotlying.Thatwildcatyou'reholdinghaskickedmyassonseveraldifferentoccasions.She'llsayanythingyouwanttohearandthenshe'llhandyouyournuts,”heexplained.
“Shedidn'tlookso
threateningearlier–youhandledherprettywell.”
“Ihaveamagictouch.Subduesherlikenothingelse.”
“Hey!”shefinallyyelled.“Iamactuallyintheroom!Isthisakidnappingornot!?Becauseifnot,I'dreallyloveitifyoucouldtakeyourfuckinghandsoffofme!”
Therewassilenceforasecond,thenshewasabruptlyshovedforward.Shefellto
herknees,catchingherselfwithherhands.Whenshelookedup,themanhadusedthedistractiontopulloutafirearmofhisown.Marcwasfullyintheroomandthetwomenglaredateachother,gunspointedandreadytofire.
“Ican'tbelieveit,”Marcwasgrowling.“Howmuchisthebounty,huh?Mustbeprettyfuckingbigtogetyouhere.”
“Thathurts.WhenIsawyournamecomeacrosstheboard,Ididn'tevenlookattheprice.AnopportunitytotakeouttheMarcelleDeSant?Couldn'tresist,mate,”themancommented.
“Pityyouwastedtheopportunity.Whateverhappenedtobeingfriends,huh?”Marcasked.
“Whateverhappenedtohonor?Iknowyou'reathief,DeSant,butstealingfromthe
handthatfeedsyou?Tsktsk,”theguycluckedhistongue.Marcglared.
“Easytodowhenthehandthatwasfeedingmeturnedaroundandtriedtosetmeupandhavemekilled,afterIcompletedthejob,”hecountered.
“Isthatthetruth?”“DoyoureallythinkI'd
lieaboutthis?”Therewasalongpause.
Thewaytheywerestaringat
eachotherwasintense.Lilyheldstill,sittingonthefloorinfrontoftheBritishman.Theyclearlykneweachothersomehow.AhithadbeentakenoutonMarc,obviouslyfromtheBratva.Thestrangerhadtakenthejob.AndhewasafriendofMarc's.Orcolleague?Something.
Whatanasshole.Lilywassittingatan
angle,onherlefthip,herlegsbentatherside.Thetwomen
weredistractedbyangrilyglaringateachother,soshedecidedtoactfast.Pushingoffthegroundwithherhands,shejabbedherrightlegout,slammingherfootintotheotherman'sknee.Heletoutasurprisedshout,bendingforward,andshesweptherlegbehindhisankles,sendinghimtohisass.
Shewasonhiminasecond,grabbinghimbythe
hairandslamminghisheadintotheground.Hedroppedhisgunandhishandswenttoherhips,holdinghertightagainsthiswaist.Shestillhadherhandsinhishairwhenhesurgedforward,rollingthembackwards.Suddenly,hewasontop,withherlegswrappedaroundhiswaist.
“Christ,wheredidyoufindthiswoman!?”heshouted.Shepulledhisheadtowardsherandbitdownon
hisear,earningherastrangledcry.
“Toldyoushe'dkickyourass!”Marcshoutedfromabovethem.
Whyisn'thedoinganything!?
Theintruderpulledaway,hisearbleeding.Lilydugherfingersintothesensitiveundersideofhisarm,tryingtopinchskinthroughhisknitsweater,butbeforeshecouldgetagood
grip,hishandswentaroundherneck.Hewasn'tfuckingaround–herwindpipefeltlikeitwaspinchedinhalf.
“Youwereright,DeSant.Awildcat.She'spracticallyferal.Besttoputherdown,”theguysaidthroughgrittedteeth,hisfingerssqueezingharder.
IdidnotlivethroughBratvasandLiberiangangsanddarkestAfricaandMarcelleDefuckingSant,
justtogetstrangledtodeathinaposhhotelroom.Howembarrassing.
Therewasthesoundofaslidebeingrackedandeverythingfroze.Lilyandherattackerbothlookedupatthesametime.Marcwasstandingoverthem,thebarrelofthegunpressedupagainstthebackoftheman'shead.
“Maybeso,butyousee,that'smywildcat,andI'dreallyappreciateitifyougot
thefuckoffofher,now.”Theguyletgoofher
throatandshehackedandcoughed,suckinginair.Heslowlyclimbedoffher,hishandsraisedintheair.Sherolledtoherside,tryingtocatchherbreath.
“NowDeSant,youknowIcould'vekilledher.Ididn't,”themanpointedout.Marckeptthegunatthebackofhishead.
“Whatdoyouthink,
sweetheart?Shoothimorno?”Marccalledout.Shegotontoherhandsandknees,stillcoughing.
“Shoothim,”shecroakedout.
“Sincewhendoyoutakeordersfromawoman?”theassassinasked.Marcsnorted.
“Idon't.Shemakeshorriblefuckingdecisions,”hereplied,thenhedroppedhisgun.
Lilywasshocked,but
wasdoublysowhentheBritishmanturnedaroundandheldouthisarms,huggingMarc.Thetwomenlaughedandclappedeachotherontheback.
MaybehechokedmeunconsciousandI'mhallucinating.
“Ireallythoughtyoucameheretokillme,”Marcwaschucklingashepulledaway.
“I'mcrushed,DeSant.
YouthinkI'dkillabrother?WhenIfoundouttheywerelookingforsomeonetotakeyouout,Idecidedtoimmediatelyflyouthere.FiguredifIcouldgetherefirst,maybeyou'dactuallyhaveachanceatpullingoffwhateveritisyou'retryingtodo,”themanexplained,takingafewstepsbackandpullingofftheblackgloveshewaswearing.
“Wewerepullingitoff
justfinebeforeyou,thanks,buthelpisalwaysappreciated,”Marctoldhim.
“Goon,tellmehowgladyouarethatI'mhere.”
“Well,Idon'tliketolie.”“Sincewhen?”“Excuseme!”Lily
interrupted,climbingtoherfeet.“Butwhenyoutwogentlemenaredoneblowingeachother,couldyouexplaintomewhatthefuckisgoingon!?”
“Lily,thisisafriendofmine,ofsorts,”Marcsaid.Themantookofftheblackbulletproofvesthewaswearingandletitdroptothefloorbeforeheleanedtowardsher,holdinghishandout.
“Cheers,darling,apleasuretomeetyou,”hesaid.Sherefusedtoshakehishand.
“SorryIcan'tsaythesame,”shehissed.
“Don'tworry,you'lllearntoloveme”
“Doubtful.”“Alltheladiesdo.”“IthinkI'mgoingto
vomit.Canyougethimoutofhere?”sheaskedMarc.
“No.Lawisthekindofpersonyouwantonyourside,”herepliedquickly.
“Excuseme?Whatlaw?”shewasconfused.Themanfinallytookherhandintohisown,raisingthebackofitto
hislips.“Mylaw,darling.
KingsleyLaw,atyourservice,”heintroducedhimself.Sheyankedherhandaway.
“NowIdefinitelyknowI'mgoingtovomit.”
*
Lilydidn'twanttolike
Kingsley,shereallydidn't.Shedidn'tlikenewpeople,in
general.Shedidn'tlikehavingawholenewwrenchthrownintoherplan.Shedidn'tlikesomeonewhohadwatchedherhavesex,thenbrokeintoherhotelroom,attemptedtoabducther,chokedher,thenprovedtohaveacloserrelationshipwithMarcthanshecouldeverhopetohave.Shewantedtohatehim.
Buthe'dbeentellingthetruth–hewasimpossibleto
dislike.Hewascharmingandhe
wasfunny,butevenmorethanthat,hewasridiculouslygoodlooking.Hewasalsoallthethingshisvoicehadhintedat;cultured,refined,intelligent.
Marcwasallroughsexiness,fiveo'clockshadowandgrittedteeth,hispresencefillingaroomlikeabombblast.
Kingsleywas
smoothnesspersonified,withgelinhishair,andasuitunderallhisblackgear.Hewaswellgroomedandhadstormyblueeyesandfairskin,asharpjawandbroadshoulders,complimentedbyperfectpearlyteethandaperfectpearlysmile.Hispresencewassharp,likeaknife.
Theyprobablymakeonehellofateam.
“That'swhyyouwere
freakingoutonthebeach,”Lilyputitalltogether.
“IknewIwasbeingtailedintown,”Marcexplained.“He'sgoodenoughtostayoutofsight,butnotgoodenoughtogounnoticed.”
“Oi,watchit.Iwantedtobenoticed,”Kingsleycutin.
“Sure.Whateveryousay.”
“Whydidn'tyoutellme!?”Lilysnapped,
punchingMarcinthearm.“Well,wewerealittle
busy.'Hey,wemighthaveanassassinfollowingus',seemsanawkwardthingtosaywhenI'minsideofyou.Didn'twanttokillthemood.”
TheywenttodinnerandspentafewhoursintroducingLilyandKingsley,explainingtheirbackstoriestoeachother,orasmuchastheywerewillingtoshare,andthengoingovertheprevious
fivedays.Theyhaddinnerinthehotel'srestaurant,sittingoutsideonalargecementpatio.ItwasthemostrelaxingthingLilyhaddonesinceshe'darrivedinAfrica.Probablyinthelastfiveyears.Theyate,theydrank,theychatted.Likeanormalgroupoffriends,onanormalvacation.
“Asfunasthisis,”Kingsleysighed,leaningforwardtopourmorewinein
hisglass,“whatabouttomorrow,folks?”
“TheplanwastopushonthroughtoTangier,Lilyhastogetontheferrythere,”Marcexplained,sippingatabeer.
“That'sgood.Besttomoveon.How'reyougoingtohandletheexchange?”hepressed.
“Marcwon'tbethereforthat,”Lilyfilledin.“He'sgoingtogetaticketandget
ontheferrybeforeme.I'mgoingtocallIvanov,theguywhoorchestratedallthis,thenightbeforeandsetitup.Ishouldbeabletoshowthediamondsandjustgeton.ThenhandthediamondsofftoMarc.”
“Whothenjust…comesback?”Kingsleyfinished.
“Yeah,”LilyandMarcsaidinunison.
“Right,”hesighed,thenpulledapackoffancy
lookingcigarettesoutoftheinsidepocketofhisjacket.Aheavinessfellovertheconversation.
“Well,”Lilystoodupfromherseat,“I'llleaveyoutwolovebirdsalone.Kingsley,itreallywasapleasure.SorryItriedtobreakyourkneecapandbiteoffyourear.WillIseeyouinthemorning?”
“Darling,Iwouldn'tdreamofleavingwithout
sayinggoodbye,andyoucannibbleonmyearanytime,”Kingsleyoffered,takingherhandandpullingherclose.LilylaughedandMarcglared.
“Idon'tknowaboutthat,we'llseehowtomorrowgoes,”shejoked,slidingherhandfreeofhis.
“Ifitwouldhelpyoudecide,Icouldspendthenight.Igiveabeautifulfullbody,deeptissuemassage.
Youmustbefullynaked,ofcourse,butit'sformedicinalpurposes,only,”heassuredher.
“ThatwouldgetreallyawkwardsinceIplanonbeinginthatbednakedaswell,”Marcpipedup.
“Thatdoesputadamperonthings.”
AcouplemorejokesandLilyfinallymadeherescape.Itwasalmostmidnight,theyweretheonlypeopleleftin
therestaurant.Shealsostillwantedtoleaveearlyinthemorning.Itwasgoingtobealongdrive,afulldayandnight,andshewantedtomakesuretheygottoTangierduringthedaytime.
Shewalkedalongthesand,skirtingthepoolareaonthewaybacktotheirroom.Hermindwaswandering.Thedaybefore,she'dbeenapretendprostitute,helpingMarctostealacar.Now,it
feltlikeshewasonholidaywithtwogorgeousmalefriends,oneofwhichshewassleepingwith.
Oneofwhichfeltlikemorethanafriend.
“...wedon'thavetobethesepeopleanymore...”
Shewonderedwhathe'dmeantbythat,ifhe'dbeenserious.Wouldherunawaywithher?They'donlyknowneachotherforalittleoveramonth,andthepastweekhad
beenalittleextreme.OutsideofAfrica,whatwoulditbelike?Lilywaswonderingifshewastrulybuiltforalifeofcrime,andshegotthefeelingMarcwouldn'tbewillingtowaitaroundwhileshefiguredouttheropes.
Orwouldhe?Whenshegotinthe
room,shestrippednaked–afterclosingallthecurtains–andclimbedbetweenthesheets.Shestaredatthe
ceilingforawhile,tryingtoclearhermind.Tryingtothinkofwhatitwasshewantedinlife,whatshereallywanted.
Idon'tknowanymore.
DAYFIVELilyhadbarelywalked
outofviewwhenKingsleyspokeup.
“She'sbloodygorgeous.Cheers,”hecommented,toastinghiswineglassup.
“Yeah,she'sprettysexy,”Marcagreed.
“Howlonghaveyoutwobeentogether?”hisfriend
asked,tappingacigaretteagainstthetablebeforelightingit.
“Ithinkit'sbeenfivedays.Thedayaftertheheist,”Marcexplained,finishingoffthelastofhismeal.
“No,Imeanttogether,”Kingsleystressed,blowingastreamofsmokeintothebreeze.Marcshookhishead.
“Idon'tgetwhatyoumean.Wewerenevertogetherbeforethen,we
stayedatseparateplaces,onlysaweachotheratthesafehouse.”
“Eitheryou'reavoidingansweringme,oryou'reincrediblystupid.”
Marcsighed.“Weslepttogetherafter
theheist,thenightbeforesheleft.Ididn'tthinkanythingofit,we'dbeendancingaroundeachotherallmonth,weweren'tsupposedtoeverseeeachotheragain.You'veseen
her,Icouldn'twalkawaywithoutataste,”heansweredhonestly.
“Ah.Sothiswholetime,you've-”
“No.Ithoughtshesetmeup,Ialmostkilledher.Iwasn'tjokingbackintheroom,thatwomanwillfuckyourworldup.Shelookslikeapinup,fuckslikeapornstar,andfightslikeTyson,”hedescribedher.Kingsleylaughedandrubbedtheear
she'dchewedon.“Icertainlygotthat
impression,andIwon'tdenytherest.Yetyoudidn'tkillher,”hepointedout.
“No.Shewouldn'tletme,andshereallyhadn'tknownaboutthesetup.AndthenwewereinMali,andsheheldherowninagunfight,mighthaveevensavedmeatimeortwo.Ioweher.ItoldherI'dhelpher,soIam,”hefinished.
“Doesn'tsoundliketheDeSantIknow.Yousureyou'reonlyhelpingherbecauseyou'oweher'?”Kingsleychecked.
“WhyelsewouldIbe?”“Seemsveryobviousto
methatyoulikethegirl.”“Ilikethegirlplenty,
mostofallwhenshe'snaked.”
“Idon'tthinkthat'sit.”“Enlightenme.”“Look,whyareyoueven
doingthis,anyway?Whynotjustsellthediamondsandmakearunforit?”Kingsleyasked.
“Triedthatangle.Toldherwecouldsplitthem,wecouldsellthemtogether.She'sgotherownagendathatshewon'tletgoof,she'sgottagettoMoscow,”Marcanswered.
“What'sinMoscow?”“BigbossStankovski.
She'sgotsomeplantoputa
bulletbetweenhiseyes.”“Ohmy.Sheisa
wildcat.”“Youhavenoidea.”“Sowhyaren'tyougoing
withher?”“WhyinthefuckwouldI
gowithher!?”“Stankovskiwillkillher.
She'sgood,butshe'sraw,Marc.Hertemperisgoingtobethedeathofher.Sheneedsyourhelp,”Kingsleystressed.Marcglared.
“She'sdoneprettygoddamnfineallonherown.ShegottoAfrica,didn'tshe?”
“Notthesame.”“Nooneheldourhands,
whenyouandIweremakingnamesforourselves.”
“Notthesame.She'snottryingtomakeaname.She'stryingtofindclosure,andshethinksit'llcomefromagun,”Kingsleystressed.
“I'veexplainedallthistoher.She'sgotathickhead,
andthat'snotmyproblem.IgethertoTangier,Igetheronthatferry.Thatwasthedeal.Shewasn'tinterestedinanyotherplans,andfrankly,neitheramI,”Marcstated.
“That'sabloodylieifIeverheardone,”Kingsleycalledhimout.Marcscowled.
“WhatwouldyousuggestIdo,Law?Mr.LadiesMan?Throwherovermyshoulderandwalkoffinto
thesunset?”hewassnide.“Yes.Youlikeher.She
clearlylikesyou,thoughforthelifeofmeIcan'tfigureoutwhy,especiallynowthatshe'smetme,”hisfriendsmiledathim.
“Shutup.”“Thechemistrybetween
youissothick,I'msurprisedthetabledidn'tcatchonfire.Woulditbesobadtohangupyourgunsandretire?FromwhatIwastold,those
diamondswouldfetchaprettyprice,”Kingsleypointedout.
“RetirefromajobthatIlove,alifethatIlove,forawomanIjustmet,thatIcanbarelystand,thathastriedtokillmeseveraltimes,allbecauseIlikehowshefucks?”MarkdoublecheckedthestupidityofKingsley'sstatement.
“Ifthathelpsyousleepatnight,thenkeeptelling
yourselfallofthat.We'llseehowyoufeelwhenyou'rewavinggoodbyetothatferry,watchingthatredhairgetfartherandfartheraway,”Kingsleysighed.
“Sincewhendoyoupopupoutofnowhereanddoleoutrelationshipadvice?Howthefuckdidyoufindus,anyway?”Marcdemanded.
“Youseemtoforget,Iknowyou.Recognizeyourtouch,”Kingsleyteased.
“Answerthequestion.”“Reportswerecoming
outofNouakchott.SomeonehadstolenacarthatbelongedtothecousinofanattachéoftheFrenchambassador.Aspectacularincident,apparentlythethiefwasaprostituteoperatingwithasurlypimp,luringthemanawayfromthehotel.Therewasacarchaseandallegedlytireswereshotoutcausingahugecrash.Lotsofdamage.
ThemomentIheardtheword'surly',Iknewitcouldonlybeonepersoncausingallthattrouble,”helaughed.
“Fuckoff.How'dyouknowwe'dbeinDakhla?”
“I'vebeenfollowingyousinceGuerguerat,mate.Justinsidetheborder.IwasactuallyheadingdowntowardsNouakchottandwepassedeachother.Canyoubelieveit?Lilywasdriving.Iturnedaround,andwhenyou
stoppedtostealsomegas,Iplantedatrackeronyourbumper,”heexplained.
“Damn.I'mgettinglaxinmyoldage,”Marcchuckled,thoughhedidn'tfeellikelaughing.
“I'dsayit'smorelikeyouweredistracted,”Kingsleysuggested.
“Shutup.”“Understandablyso.”“Soevenmorereason
whyithastobegoodbyein
Tangier.”“Oryoucouldgetbetter
atyourjob.”“Iamgoodatmyjob,
that'swhyIhavetoleaveher.”
“We'retalkingincircles,”Kingsleysighed.“Fine.Saygoodbye.ButIthinkyou'repassingupagoldenopportunitytotrainsomeonewhocouldbecomelikeyourrighthand.Andifyou'renotwillingtotake
advantageofthat,thanIam.”“No,you'renot,”Marc
informedhim.“I'mnot?”“Ifyouevermakea
moveonher,noworinthefuture,I'llshoveyourheadsofarupyourass,you'llbeabletolickyourownstomachlining,”Marcthreatened.
“Oh,Iseehowitis–youdon'twanther,butnooneelsecanhaveher.Selfish,DeSant,”Kingsleyscoldedhim.
“Icanlivewiththat.”“You'reimpossible.”Theothermanabruptly
stoodup.“Whereareyougoing?”
Marcasked,alittlestartled.“Ihaveanaversionto
spendingtimewithstupidpeople,andyou'rebeingverystupid.Sogoodnight,andI'llseeyouinthemorning.Maybeyou'llhavecometoyoursensesbythen,”hesaid,stubbingouthiscigarette.
“Fuckyou.”Kingsleywasalready
walkingaway,wavinggoodbyewithoutlooking.
Marcpaidtheirbillandfinallyheadedbacktotheirroom.Lilyhadonlyhadaboutathirtyminuteleadonhim,butwhenhegottotheroom,shewasalreadyoutcold.Shetendedtostretchoutonherstomach,ashenowknew,herarmsspreadouttohersides.He'dwoken
upearlierwithahandinhisface.
Whilesheslept,hesatinachairandpulledupanighttable,systematicallygoingthroughtheirweapons.Hecastasidethegunsthatnolongerhadanyammo.Thenhebeganbreakingdowntheremainingones,cleaningthem.
Itwasunnecessary;theyhadn'tusedthegunssinceMauritania,whenLilyhad
shotoutthetire.Ifthingskeptgoingthewaytheywere,theywouldn'tneedthematallanymore.JustherpreciousGlock.Butcleaningthemhelpedclearhismind.Helpedhimthink.Helpedhimpretendlikehewasn'tthinkingabouther.
Heglancedatherwhileheworked.Herheadwasfacinghim,somestrandsofhairlayingacrossherface.Shepoutedherlipsinher
sleep,almostlikeshewasabouttoblowhimakiss.Hesmiledtohimself.
WhathaveIgottenmyselfinto?
Kingsleywascompletelyright.MarcdidlikeLily.Alot.Hethoughttheywereahellofateam,anditdidn'thurtthathelikedthewayshelooked,likedthewayshetalked.Likedeverythingabouther.
Butwhatcouldheoffer
her?Alifethatwasroughlythesameasthelastfivedays.Smallmomentsofcalmwithrandomoutburstsofviolence.She'dalreadymentionedseveraltimesthatshecouldn'twaittogetoutofAfrica,couldn'twaittogetoutofthelifeshe'dbeenlivingforthelastfiveyears.Howcouldheaskhertostayinit?
Andtoughasshewas,therewasatendergirlunderthathardfacade.Amillion
selfdefenseclassescouldn'thidethatfactfromhim.Shecouldthreatenandkickandfight,butwhenshe'dactuallypulledthetrigger,actuallykilledsomeone,ithadwreckedher.Disgustedher.
Marchadnoproblempullingthetrigger.Howcouldshebewithsomeonelikehim?Andifshedidstaywithhim,itwouldn'tbelongbeforehechangedthatpartofher.Madeherascoldand
cynicalashimself.Ruinedthatpartofher.
Hemovedtositonthebednexttoher.Thesheethadfallendowntoherwaist,exposingherbareback.Helightlytouchedhisfingertipstoherskin,drawingthemdowntotheedgeoftheblanket.Thenhemovedthembackuptohershouldersandrepeatedthemotion.Helovedherskin,itfeltlikethesoftestsatinhe'devertouched.The
finestsilk.Muchtoorichforme.I
couldneveraffordthis.“Marcelle,”she
mumbledinhersleep.Hesmiledattheuseofhisfullname,andwonderedwhatshewasdreamingabout.
“Liliana,”hereturnedthefavor.“Inspiteofeverything,it'sbeenafunride.”
Sheshudderedandscootedclosertohim,tuckingherarmsunderherchest.As
shemoved,hesawalargebruiseonthesideofherribcage,andhefrowned.Hiseyesmovedtoanotherbruise.Thenanother.Redmarksaroundherthroat.
InMonrovia,thefirsttimethey'dslepttogether,therehadbeennomarksonherbody.Justsmoothexpansesofmilkywhiteskinthatblushedredinthewakeofhisfingertips.Now,shewasriddledwithbruises.
She'dbeenbangedup,andwhileitdidn'tdetractfromherlooksatall,itcompoundedhisguilt.Shewouldn'thavethem,ifitweren'tforhim.Ifhe'djustleftAfrica,likeshe'dsuggested.He'dgottenawayfromtheganginMonrovia,savinghisreputationhadn'treallybeennecessary.Ifhe'djustfledthecontinent,shewould'vealreadymadeittoTangier.Shewould'vegotten
toBarcelona.Shewould'vealreadyaccomplishedhergoal.
She'dprobablybedead.“Yourplanisabadone,
butstayingwithme?That'sworse,”hesighed,puttinghiselbowsonhiskneesandhisheadinhishands.
I'vebeendoingwrongforsomanyyears.HowdoIknowwhat'sright?
DAYSIXLilywokeupwiththe
sunrise,relishinginthefeelofnothavingtoboltthemomentsheopenedhereyes.Shelaidinonespotforawhile,watchingthebeachthroughtheglassdoor.Whenitwasfullylightout,sheturnedonherside,wonderingifMarcwasawake.Hewasa
lightsleeper,healwaysseemedtobeawakebeforeher.Shehopedhewas,itwouldbetheirlasttimealoneforawhile.Lasttimetoplaywitheachotherwithoutanythreatsloomingoverthem,orfearsofbeingattacked.
Butwhensherolledover,Marcwasontheextremeoppositesideofthekingsizedbed.Hewasfullyclothed,ontopofthecovers,withhisbacktoher.Ifthat
wasn'tbodylanguagethatscreamed“don'tfuckingtouchme”,thenLilydidn'tknowwhatwas.Shedecidedtoheedit,andsheslippedoutofbed.Shepulledtheblackbikinibackon,slippedonhershirt,thenheadedoutontothepatio.
“Morning,darling.”Lilylookedtoherright.
Kingsleywassittinginoneoftheirchairs,readingaSpanishnewspaper.Hewaswearinga
pairofsilkpajamapantsandnoshirt,showingaleantorsothatwasoutlinedintonemuscles.Healsohadapairofoldfashionedsunglassesperchedonhisnose,andheglancedoverthemwhenshesatacrossfromhim.
“Goodmorning,”sheyawned,pouringherselfacupofcoffeefromthepitcherhehadsittingonthetable.
“Andwhere'sMr.DeSant?”
“Inside,sleeping.”“Lazy.”Shelaughed.“NotawordIever
would'veusedtodescribehim.Thoughhedidn'tevenbotherchangingoutoftheclothesheworeyesterday,”shecommented.
“Really.Interesting,”wasallKingsleysaid.
“SohowlonghaveyouandMarcknowneachother?”shequestioned.Sheknew
Marcwouldn'tallowhertoaskquestions,butKingsleyseemedmoreopen.Theothermansmiledandfoldeduphisnewspaper.
“Ah,howlong,howlong.Feelslikeforever!WemetinNewYork,maybe…sixyearsago?Seven?Hewasyoung.IhadbeenhiredtoassassinateadiplomatfromUzbekistan.Ihaditallsetup,longrangeshotfromabuilding,tobemadewhile
themarkwasjogging.Iwasallsettopullthetriggerwhenthistinypuppydogofamanranintotheshot.Somejogger,insweatsandabeatuphoodie,ransmackintomytarget,almostknockinghimdown.
“Ithoughtitwasjustsomeclumsyidiot,barrelingthroughthepark.Butwhenheranoff,mytargetwasontheground.Turnedoutthebastardhadcuttheman's
brachialarterycleaninhalf–that'sthemajorbloodvesselintheupperarm.Hediedinaboutfourminutes.Itdidn'thaveanysenseofstyle,andhecould'vebeencaught,butitwassimple.Itgotthejobdone,anditwasquick.Iwasimpressed.IwentbacktothepeoplewhoItookthejobfrom,managedtofindoutwhohadclaimedthebounty.TrackedMarcdowntoanabandonedbuildingin
Queens.We'vebeenfriendseversince,”Kingsleyfinishedthestory.
Lilywasn'tsurehowtofeelaboutit.She'dseenMarckillpeople,butithadalwaysbeeninselfdefense.She'dneverseenhimdoitforprofit,orforsport.Knowinghe'ddoneitbefore,andhearingadetaileddescriptionofitactuallyhappening,weretwoverydifferentthings.Sheleanedbackinherchair.
“Doyouguysworktogether,likepartners?”sheasked,staringoutattheocean.
“Sometimes.Wehaveourstrengths,wehelpeachotheroutwhenwecan.Marcisn'tasgoodatstealthasIam,andnoonecancrackasafeasquicklyasme.Buthe'sgotasortofbrutishwayabouthimthatcancomeinhandy,andhisknowledgeofweaponsandhumananatomy
havesavedmeatimeortwo.Thatmancould'vebeenasurgeon,”hetoldher.
“Ohgod.Icanalreadypicturehisbedsidemanner.”
“Seemstomeyou'vealreadyexperiencedhisbedsidemanner.”
Shefinallylookedathimagain.
“Youmentionthatquiteabit,”shepointedout.“Doesitbotheryou?”
“No.I'mjealous,”he
answeredhonestly,takingasipofhiscoffee.
“Jealous!?”“Idon'tknowifanyone's
evertoldyouthis,darling,butyou'reaveryattractivewoman.Youalsoaren'tbotheredbyourprofession.Inotherwords,ararity.Andontopofthat,Ididgettoseeyouinactiontheotherday,inmorewaysthanone.WhenyougettiredofMarc,Idohopeyou'llgivemeacall,”
hesaid,pickingsomethingupfromthetableandhandingittoher.Itwasacard.
“Youcan'tbeserious,”sheactuallylaughedasshelookedtheitemover.Atfirstshethoughtitwasjustsolidblack,andshedidn'tgetthepoint,butthenasshetiltedit,sherealizedtherewasdebossingononeside.“LAW.”,inlargecapitalletters,tookupthemiddleofthecard.Whensheflippedit
over,shesawthatabunchoftinynumbersmarchedacrossthebottomofthecard,alsodebossed.Itwasallveryclassy,verychic.Veryhim.
“Deadserious,love.Marcmaynotknowagoodthingwhenhe'sgotit,butIcertainlydo,”heassuredher.Shenoddedandsetthecardinherlap.
“Well…um…thankyou?”shesearchedforwhattosay.Shefeltlikeshewas
beingpropositioned.Likesheshouldpointoutthatshewaswithhisbestfriend,andwhathewasdoingwasinappropriate.Butshewasn'treallywithMarc,andwhatcountedasproperwhendealingwithmercenaries?
“Don'tseemsoshocked,”Kingsleylaughed,thenleanedforwardandgrabbedherrightankle.Heputherfootinhislapandbeganmassagingit.“I'dliketosay
it'syoumakingmethisway,butIamafirmbelieverinhonesty,andtobefrank,mostanythingwithtitsmakesmeactthisway.”
Sheburstoutlaughing.“Thatactuallymakesme
feelbetter,thankyou.”“So,Lily,right?Tellme
whatyourplanis,”Kingsleytoldher,rotatingherfootattheankle,stretchingittowardshercalf.Shewinced,butitfeltgood.
“Whatplan?”sheasked,thengroanedashestretchedherfoottheotherway,curlinghertoesdownwards.
“Afterthis,yourplan.Marcmakesitsoundlikeyou'rebothgoingtoskipdowntheyellowbrickroad,walkaredcarpetontosomeboat,thenwaltzthroughMoscow,shootingoneofthemostpowerfulmenintheunderworld.I'mcuriousastohowyou'regoingtopullthis
off,”heexplained.“Wedon'tthinkit'sgoing
tobeeasy.Nothingaboutthistriphasbeeneasy.It'sbeenwarthiswholetime.Idon'texpectthattostop.ButIfoughtmywaythisfar,soI'mnotgivingup,”shestressed.
“Wishesandintentionsareverynoble,butdon'tgetthejobdone.Whatisyourplan.”
ShetoldhimwhatsheandMarchadpreviously
comeupwith-aboutgettingfromBarcelonatoMoscow.Thenherownpersonalplan,toclaimshewasdeliveringthediamonds.ThatshewouldonlyplacetheminStankovski'shands,andhisalone.Usethattogetintohishouse,intohisspace.Thenshewouldblowhisbrainsout.
“Andyouhonestlythinkthatwillwork?”
“Yes.Ithasto.”
“Ah,ofcourse.Ithasto,soclearlyitwill.”
“Doyouhaveabetterplan?”
“No.Ijustthinkthere'smoretoit.WhatifIvanovdoesn'tbelieveyou?Whatifhe'slayinginwaitforyou,inTangier?WhatifStankovskihasalreadysentsomeoneelsetocollectthediamondsfromyouinBarcelona?”Kingsleyprattledoffquestions,allwhilehisfingersdugintothe
bottomofherfoot.“Whatif,whatif,what
if.Whatifwegetblownuptomorrow?WhatifthirtyLiberiansburstintothishotelrightnow?WhatitBratvamembersparachuteoutofthesky?IcanonlyplanforwhatIknow,andhopetorollwithwhateverpunchesmaycome,”shereplied.Hesmiledwidelyather.
“Wonderfulanswer,darling.Youknow,Ithink
youhavealottolearn,butIalsothinkyouhaverealpotential,”hetoldher.
“Potentialforwhat?”“Potentialtobevery
goodinthisprofession.Womenareinhighdemand,andonewholookslikeyou,whowillbeabletosayshefoughtherwayacrossAfrica?Youcouldchargeanypriceyouwantedforyourservices.”
Shewascompletely
thrownoffguard.“Youthinkso?”“Iknowso.”Shepickeduphiscard,
lookingoveritagain.Shetappedherfingeragainsttheedge.
“Idon'tknowifIwanttoleadthatkindoflife,”shesaidinasoftvoice.
“Darling,Ihatetotellyouthis,butbasedonwhatI'veheardthusfar,youalreadydoleadthatkindof
life,”hereplied.Shenodded.“Yes.Buthow?Allmy
connectionsarewiththisBratva,andadifferentoneinNewYork.I'mprettysurethoserecommendationswilldiewithStankovski,”shetoldhim.
“Ifyoupullthisoff,love,that'llbealltherecommendationyouneed.Butyou'llalsohavepeoplelikeMarcandmyselfwillingtorecommendyou,which
willspeakleagues,”headded.
“I'vetrainedtotransport.Igotmystartinmoneylaundering.Isthatenough?Idon'tthinkIwanttokillpeople,”shesaidthelastpartquickly.
“Youdon'thavetodoanythingyoudon'twantto,love,that'sthebeautyofourprofession.Youtakethejobsyouwant.Stickwithtransporting,orlearnhowto
hackcomputers,cracksafes,kidnap,whateveryou'dlike,”helistedoffdifferentaspectsofhisjob.Shethoughtforasecond.
“DoyouthinkMarcwouldteachmethosethings?”
“No.”Thevoicecamefrom
behindher,andshetiltedherheadbackwardstowatchtheobjectofherquestioncomewalkingthroughthedoor.He
glancedatKingsley,thendidadoubletakeatthefootmassagethatwashappening.HeglaredandsnatchedthecardoutfrombetweenLily'sfingers.
“Wewerejust-”shestarted,thengaspedasherippedthecardupandscatteredthepiecesonthetable.
“Iknowwhat'sgoingon,andyoucanfuckrightoff,”Marcsaid,pointingat
KingsleybeforeknockingLily'sfootoutofhislap.
“Justhavingaconversation,mate.”
“Fuckyou.”“Someonewokeupon
thewrongsideofthebed,”Lilyaccusedhim.
“Fuckyou,too.”Kingsleykeptsmiling,
evenashedrankhiscoffee.“Sooooo…,”Lilylether
voicetrailoffwhensheandMarcfinallywentbackinto
theirroom.“Sowhat?”hesnapped,
scratchinghisfingersthroughhishairashewalkedintothebathroom.Shefollowedhimandleanedagainstthedoorframe.
“Sowhat'syourproblem?”sheasked.
“Idon'thaveaproblem.”“Really?Causeyou're
actinglikeyouhaveabigproblem,”shepointedout.
“Well,Idon't.”
“Ithinkyoudo.”“Idon'tcare.”“Ithinkyoudo.”“Lily.”“Ithoughtyouand
Kingsleywerefriends,”shesaid,watchingashegrabbedtheirtoiletryitemsandbeganthrowingthemintothedufflebag.
“That'sstretchingit,”hereplied.
“Ifyou'regoingtokeepactinglikeadick,thenI'm
goingbackoutside,”shewarnedhim.
“Goahead,I'msureyou'denjoyit.”
“You'reactinglikeajealousbitch,”shecalledhimout.Heturnedtolookather,andhisfacehadmurderwrittenonit.
“You'reoutthere,paradingaroundinyourgoddamnunderwear,yourfeetinhiscrotch–howthefuckamIsupposedtoreact?”
Marcdemanded.Shelaughedagain,actuallyflattered.
“Ooohhh,justthink,ifyou'dcomeoutfiveminuteslater,youcould'vecaughtmegivingoneofmyworldfamous'footjobs'!”sheteased.
“Fuckyou.”Hewasreallyangry,and
shesuddenlycluedintothefactthatitprobablyhadverylittletodowithKingsley.
“Hey,”shesaid,grabbing
thefrontofhist-shirtandturninghisbodytowardsher.“Wewerejusttalking.What'sgoingonwithyou?”
“Nothing,wegottagetoutofhere,”hegrumbled,tryingtopushpasther.Shemovedwithhim,blockinghimfromleavingthebathroom.
“Notuntilyouexplaintomewhyyou'rebeingsuchanasshole,”shestated.
“Idon'thavetoexplain
shittoyou.”Hehadn'ttalkedtoher
thatwayinawhile,notsinceLiberia.Hecussedallthetime,andsnappedather,andtheyarguedlikecatsanddogs,buthedidn'ttalkdowntoher.Notuntilthatmoment.Shefrownedwhilehestruggledwithher,tryingtobodilymoveheroutoftheway.
Dosomething.Normallyshewould've
smackedhim,orkickedhiminthenuts.Knocksomesenseintohim,literally.Butshedecidedtotakeapageoutofhisbookandshegrabbedhimbythebackoftheneck,yankinghimdowntoherheightandkissinghim.
Shefiguredhewouldshoveheraway,buthedidn't.Infact,hedoveintothekisswithsuchzealthattheylosttheirbalance,trippingacrossthebathroomandslamming
intothedoor.Shegaspedandhistongueplungedintohermouth,almostchokingher.Hishandswereinherhair,holdingherinplace,andhishipsstartedgrindingagainsthers.
“Ifthat'swhatyouwanted,allyouhadtodowassaysomething,”shewhisperedwhenhefinallypulledaway.
“Hardtosayanythingwhenyou'realwaystalking,”
hebreathed,leaningback.“Shutup,Marc.”“Justhadabadnight,
that'sall.IlikeLaw,Ireallydo,Ijust…don'tlikepeoplesometimes,”hetriedtoexplain.
“Wantmetoleaveyoualone?”
“You'reanexception.”Shefeltawarmthspread
acrossherchest.“Iam?”Heglaredatherfora
second,thenwalkedoutofthebathroom.
“Getdressed.We'releavingintenminutes.”
Didhebecomebipolarovernight!?
Marchadboughtherthebikini,asleevelessshirt,andapairofthick,blackleggings.Sheputeverythingon,chuckinghershortsandoldtanktopintothetrash,alongwithherbra.Thenshefinishedloadinguptheduffle
bagwithalltheirweaponswhileMarctookeverythingoutofhispackandrearranged.Justashewasliftingupthebagwiththediamonds,Kingsleywalkedintotheroom.
“Ohmy,my,my,there'saprettysight,”hesighed,droppingabagofhisownonthefloorandwalkingtowardstheglisteningstones.Marcglaredandburiedtheminhispackbeforezippingitshut
andthrowingitontohisback.“Let'sgo,”Lilysaid,
standingupquickly,tryingtostopanysortoffightingbeforeitcouldstart.
TheyloadeduptheExplorerandtookoff.Lilyoptedtositinthebackseat,whileMarcdroveandKingsleynavigated.Marcseemedtoloosenup,slippingintoaneasybanterwithhisfriend,anditmadehersmile.Ifanythinghappened,shefelt
likeshecouldn'tbeinbettercompanytohandleit.Shefeltcomfortablewiththesemen.Secure.
Afteraboutsixhours,theyshiftedaround.Marchadn'tbeenlyingaboutnotsleepingwell–theminutehestretchedoutinthebackseat,hepassedout.Lilymadeherselfcomfortable,stickingonelegoutthepassengerwindow.ThensheandKingsleytalkedforanhouror
so,chitchattingaboutnonsense.Thingsthatdidn'tpertaintotheirsituation.Thenastheyfellquiet,shestartedthinkingaboutwhathe'dsaidbackatthehotel.
“Hey,”shesuddenlyrealizedsomething.“Youaskedaboutours,butwhat'syourplan?”
“Hmmm?”“Yourplan.Whatare
youdoingwithus?YoucameheretoassassinateMarc,but
reallytowarnhim.Missionaccomplished.Nowwhat?”sheasked.
“NowI'lltrytomakemyselfuseful,foraslongaspossible.Idon'thaveanyotherjobslinedup,andI'llhavetolaylowforawhileafterthisone,sobettermakeitcount,”hereplied.
“Areyougoingtogetintrouble,fornotkillinghim?”
“'Introuble'?Darling,thisisn'tprimaryschool.I
don'thaveabossIanswerto.Yes,Stankovskiwon'tbehappy,buthispowerisnotall-reaching.Hehasenemies,justlikeeveryoneelse,andasafreeagent,Icanworkforthem–whichIhavedonebefore,andwillcontinuetodo,regardless.Besides,noneofthatwillmatter,ifyousticktoyourplanandactuallykillhim,”Kingsleyexplained.
“Thenyourwelcome,inadvance.”
“Andafterwards…haveyouthoughtaboutthatall?”hecontinued.
“Yes…maybe.Idon'tknow,”shereplied.Henodded.
“Well,love,whateveryoudecide,keepthisoldchapinmind,alright?AndifDeSantbacktherewon'thelpyouout,knowthatyoushouldneverbeaboveaskingtheLawforhelp,”heinformedher.Sheburstout
laughing.“Ihopeyouknowhow
muchofatoolbagyousoundlike,”shewheezedandsnorted.
“Yes,butitworksforme,doesn'tit?”
“Itkindadoes.”“ButI'mveryserious.If
Marcistooadversetotheidea,thenIwouldbemorethanhappytohelpassistyouinhoningyourcraft,”Kingsleyadded.
Beforeshecouldsayanything,therewasagrowlfromthebackseat.
“He'dliketoassistyouinhoningsomething.Wherethefuckarewe?”Marcgrumbled,sittingup.Lilyglancedathim.
“WejustpassedLaayouneaboutanhourago,”sheanswered.“We'remaybethreehoursoutsideofTantan,Morocco.”
“ArewedrivingMs.
Daisyaround?Howaboutwepickupthepace,”Marcsnapped.
“Wouldyouliketodrive,darling?”Kingsleyasked,glancingintherearviewmirror.Lilytriednottolaugh.
“Yes,causethenwe'dgetsomewhere.”
“IcouldhavekilledyouinDakhla,youknowthat.There'sstillapriceonyourhead,sopleasestopannoyingme,”Kingsleywarnedhim.
“Youcouldn'thavekilledshit,Iknewwhereyouwereeverystepoftheway.”
“Delusionisaverysadthing,DeSant.”
“Shutup,Law.”“HowaboutEVERYONE
shutup?”Lilyoffered.“Shutup,”theyboth
snappedinunisonather.“MaybeIshould-”Itfeltliketherewasa
smallexplosionandLily'ssentencewascutoffasshe
shrieked.ShewasthrownagainstthesideofthedoorasKingsleyfoughttogetcontrolofthevehicle.Itziggedandzaggedacrossthelanesbeforehewasfinallyabletobringittoastop.
“Whathappened?Wereweshot!?”Marcyelled,crouchinglowashelookedoutalltheirwindows.
“Tireblew,”Kingsleyrepliedthroughgrittedteeth.
“Yeah,buthow!?”Marc
demanded.“DoIlooklikea
mechanic?AmIcurrentlyoutsidethevehicle?”theothermanasked,turninginhisseat.
“Don'tgivemefuckingattitude,youdon'tknowwhatthistriphasbeenlike–everytimewegetacar,somethingfuckeduphappens,”Marctriedtoexplain.
“IfI'mgivingyouattitude,darling,it'sbecause
you'vehadattitudeallday.”“Callme'darling'one
moretime.”Whilethemenargued,
Lilyturnedinherseatandsurveyedthearea.Theyhadoceantotheirleft,andprettymuchflatlandtotheirright.Ifsomeonehadshotthem,theywereeitherlonggone,orverygoodathiding.Besides,theyhadchosentotakethecoastalroute,insteadofthemorepopular–andquicker–
mainroadthatwouldleadstraightintoMoroccoproper.Wouldsomeonereallyhaveguessedthat,andthenwaitedalldayintheblisteringsun,justincasetheydroveby?
Idoubtit.Tiredoflisteningtothem
bicker,shetookachanceandswungherdooropen.Bothmenimmediatelyyelledather,butshehoppedoutontotheground,slammingthedoorshutintheirfaces.She
surveyedthehorizonanddidn'tseeanymovement,soshemovedaroundtothebackofthecarandsawwhathadcausedtheproblem.
“Justaregularflat!”shecalledout,squattingdownnexttothereardriver'ssidetire.Achunkofwoodwasattachedtothesideofit,andsheyankeditfree.Itlookedlikeapartfromsomesortofcart,maybeapieceofsiderailing,andalongnailwas
stickingoutofit.Theymusthaverolledrightoverit,puncturingthetire.
“Thatwasreallystupid,Lily,”Marcwasgrumblingashewalkedupbehindher.
“Geez,Marcelle,ifIdidn'tknowanybetter,I'dthinkyouwereworriedaboutme,”shesnortedathim.Heshovedherinthebackoftheheadasshebegantostandup.
“Alright,sowechangeitout.Simple,”Kingsleysaid,
walkingupnexttothem.Onlyitwasn'tsimple.
NotonlywasthesparefortheExploreralsoflat,buttheentiretirekitwasmissingfromthevehicle.Theycouldhaveaperfectspare,andwithoutatireironorjack,theywouldn'tbechanginganything.
“We'recursed,”Marcgroaned,lettinghisheadfallback.
“Yes,”Lilyagreed.
“Ithinkyou'vealwaysbeenalittlecursed,mate,”Kingsleyteased.
“Youknowwhat?Getfucked.Untilyoushowedup,we'dbeenhavingthesmoothestrideofourtrip,soseemstome,thisisyourfault,”Marcsnapped.
“Myfault?How!?”“Whowasdriving?”“Clevermonkey,De
Sant!Ileftthatbitofwoodontheroadsideonpurpose!
Plantedityesterday,causeIthoughtitwouldbefuntobestuckoutherewithanarsehole!”Kingsleyfinallystartedtolosethecoolhealwaysseemedtobepermanentlyrelaxingin.
“Boys,boys,boys!Thisisn'tgoingtohelpanything!”Lilyyelled.Shewasignored.
“Nooneinvitedyou!Noonesaidyouhadtotagalong!”Marcsnapped.KingsleypushedpastLily,
causinghertostumbleafewfeetaway.
“Yeah,well,myconsciencedidbecauseifIleftituptoyou,you'dbothbedeadinthenexteighteenhours,andwhileIcouldlivewithnothavingtodealwithyoueveragain,Iwouldn'tbeabletolivewithmyselfifsomethinghappenedtoherbecauseofyourstupidity,”hehissed.
Uhoh.
“Guys,c'mon,”Lilyurged,grabbingMarc'sarmandpullinghimbackwards.Kingsleyfollowed,unbuttoninghisjacket.
“Mystupidity?Well,mystupidityhaskeptheralivesofar!”Marcreplied,shakingfreeofher.
Didaflattirejustturnintoafightoverme?Isthisactuallyhappening?
“Yes,ithas!You'rebothverybig,verystrongcapable
men!Okay!?Sojuststop!”sheshouted,tryingtogetbetweenthem.Bothofthemshovedheroutofthewayandtheycontinuedcirclingeachother,movingfartherdowntheroad.
“YourstupidityhasgottenmeintotroublemoretimesthanIcancount,andhereIamagain!JustlikeRio,alloveragain!Rememberthat!?”Kingsleyyelled,shruggingoutofhisjacket
andlettingitfalltothepavement.
“AllIrememberisdraggingyououtofaburningbuilding!Should'veleftyoutofuckingdie!”Marcshoutedback,takingoffhisbackpackandchuckingittotheground.
“ThisisthestupidestfuckingthingI'veeverwitnessed!Stopit!”Lilywasalmostshrieking.
“AndIrememberbeingcaughtinthatburning
buildingbecauseofsomeone'sshittyintel!”
“Shittyintel!?”Lilywasreadytostart
throwingthingsatthem,whensheheardsomethingbehindher.Sheturnedaroundandwasshockedtoseethecarrollingawayfromthem,downasmallembankment.Ithadcometoastopatadownwardangle,andKingsleymusthaveleftitinneutral.
“Guys!”sheshouted,turningtowardsthem.
“Shutup!”“Um,Ijustthoughtyou'd
liketoknow,”shestartedjoggingbacktowardsthecarasitpickedupspeed,makingabeelineforthebeach,“thefuckingcarisescaping!”
Whensheglancedoverhershoulder,bothmenweresprintingafterher,sosheslowedherpace.Itwasn'tlikeshecoulddomuch;ifshe
grabbedthebumper,itwouldjustdragherwithit,andthewayMarcwasrunning,hewouldbeathertothecar,anyway.
“Stop!”hewasyelling.“Iam!Butdoyousee
wherebitchinglikelittlegirlsgetsyou!?Nowwe'llhaveto-”
Therewasanexplosion.Lilywasknockedbackwards,andluckilyMarcwasrightbehindher.Hewrappedan
armaroundherwaist,hugginghertohimashecurledtheirbodiesdownandawayfromtheblast,hisotherarmgoingaroundherheadtoprotectit.Theystayedontheground,hisbodyalmostcompletelycoveringherown.
Debrisfellaroundthem,andsheassumeditwaspiecesofthecar.Whenhefinallyletupalittle,sheglancedaround.Kingsleywasflatontheground,liftinghishead
up,aswell.Sheturnedtolookoverhershoulder,andtheExplorerwasstoppeddead.Piecesofitwereeverywhere.Adoorhadgottenblownoffandlaidhalfwaybetweentheshellofthevehicleandthemselves.
“Bomb?”shebreathed.Marcshookhisheadandgotoffofher.
“Landmine.Areyouokay?”heasked,haulinghertoherfeetandexaminingher
faceandherhead.“I'mfine,”sheassured
him,buthishandscontinuedonapathdownherbody,asifhewasdeterminedtocheckforhimselfthatshewasinonepiece.
“Theborderareaisriddledwiththem,”Kingsleywassayingashewalkedbacktowherehisjacketwas,scoopingitupanddustingitoff.“Probablynotagoodideatotakeastrolldownto
thewater.”“Ishould'vewarned
you,”Marcwasgrumbling.“Iknow.Allourguns,all
oursupplies,”shesighed.“Areyoushittingme?
Lily,Idon'tgiveafuckaboutthosethings.Acouplemoresteps,andyouwould'vebeenofftheroad.Youcouldbeinpiecesrightnow,”hepointedout.
“ButIdidn't,andI'mnot,”shereplied.
Heshockedherbypullingherintoahug.Outsideoftherandomcrazysextheyhad,theyhardlyevertouched.Sherackedherbrain,tryingtorememberifhe'deverhuggedher.Ifshe'deverhuggedhim.Hewasreallyupset.Shesmoothedherhandsuphisback,hookingontothetopsofhisshoulders.
“It'sdangerousouthere,”hewhisperedinherear.
“Iknowthat,Marc.I'madangerousperson,”shewhisperedback.Heshookhishead.
“Notasmuchasyou'dliketothink.”
Whentheypulledapart,Kingsleywasstandingadiscreetdistanceaway,hisbacktothem.TheywalkedovertohimandMarcpickedhispackupofftheground,pullingthestrapsacrosshischest.
“Atleastwehavethediamonds,”Lilytriedtofindasilverlining.Marcfrowned.
“Yeah.Let'sstartwalking.”
Itwashotout–muchhotterthanwasusualforthearea.Thedaybeforehadbeenintheloweighties,nice.Butastheywalkeddowntheroad,Lilyfeltlikeherskinwasburningoff.
“What'sthetemperature?”sheasked.
Kingsleypulledagadgetoutofhispocket,hitacouplebuttons.
“ThirtyfourCelsius,”heanswered.Shedidthemathinherhead.Aroundninety-threedegrees,Fahrenheit.Indirectsun.Fuck.
MarcsurprisedherbyproducingalightweightwindbreakerfromthebottomofhismagicalMaryPoppinsbag.Itwashugeonher,hangingtohermid-thighs,
butitshieldedherfromthesunalittle,soshetookitandwasgrateful.
Iffeltliketheywalkedforever.Nocarscame,whichshewasn'tsureifthatwasablessing,ormoreoftheirvehicularcurseatplay.Marcproducedacanteen,andtheyalltookturnssippingatthewarmwater.Thenhepulledoutanoldmap,theoneshehadn'tseensinceMali.
“BestIcanfigure,”Marc
started,tracinghisfingeralongaline.“We'reabouttwenty-fourkilometersfromthetownofTarfaya.”
Fifteenmiles…inthisheat…fuck.
“Isthattheclosestplace?”Lilydoublechecked.
“Yes.Wecouldheadbackthewaywecame,butthenearesttownisthirty-threekilometers,”hiseyeswanderedoverthemap.
“Fuck,”shesworeout
loud.“Iconcur,”Kingsley
added.“Ifwecanaveragea
twentyminutemile,weshouldbeinTarfayaaroundseven,justafternightfall.Wecanstaythenight,thenstealacar,”Marcsuggestedbeforetuckingthemapbackintohisbag.
“Anothernight,”shesighed,lacingherfingerstogetherontopofherhead.
“You'llgetthere,”Marcassuredher,thenpickeduptheirpace.
Lilywasn'tweak,sheknewthat,butfivehoursintheAfricansunwasalotforanybody.Waterrationswerelow,theyweren'tallowedtodrinkatleisure.SheandKingsleychattedforawhile,butaftertwohourstheyallstayedsilent.Anotherhourandshefeltlikeshewasgoingtodrop.Shekept
pushing,though.Iftheboyscoulddoit,shesureashellcoulddoit,too.
Thenrandomly,Marctookoffhispackandhandedittoher.Shewasshockedthathewaslettingherholdit,andthenmoreshockedthathewasaskinghertocarryit.BigstrongmercenaryMarccouldn'thandlehisownstupidpack!?
Butthenhesteppedinfrontofher.Didn'tsaya
word,justblockedherpath,forcinghertostop.Hehuncheddownalittle,andittookherasecondtorealizewhathewasdoing.Shequicklyputonthepack,thenhoppedontoMarc'sback,wrappingherarmsaroundhisshoulders.
Hecarriedherforsolong,sheactuallyfellasleep,hercheekagainsthisshoulder.Sheonlywokeupwhenhestartedtosither
down.Shefoundherfootingandletgoofhimsohecouldstanduprightagain.
“Wherearewe?”sheyawned.Heturnedheraroundandduginthepack.
“AboutahalfanhouroutsideofTarfaya,”hereplied,andshecouldhearthemapcrinklinginhishands.Shelookedupatthesky.Thesunhadsetandthestarswereshiningeverywhere.
“Halfanhour,good,”shesighed,unclippinghispackandpullingoffthewindbreakeraswell.
“Yougoodtowalk?”hedoublechecked,comingaroundtostandinfrontofher.
“Yeah,youdidn'thavetocarrymeforsolong,”shetoldhim,feelingguiltywhilesheshovedthecoatintothebag.
“Ididn'tmind.”
Theykeptmoving.TherestfromMarc'spiggybackhadactuallymadethingsworse–herfeethadgottenachancetorestandtightenupandswell.Shegrittedthroughthepainandmovedalongatthesamepaceasthemen.
WhentheyfirstsawtheoutskirtsofTarfaya,shewantedtoweep.Itwaslikeanoasisrisingoutofthesand.Buttheystillhadquiteawaystowalk.Evenonce
insidethetown,theystillhadtofindsomewheretostay.Theystuckclosetotheoceanside,draggingtheirfeetastheylookedforahotel.Acheaphotel;mostofKingsley'smoney,andallofLily's,hadgottenblownupintheExplorer.
Finally,aroundnineo'clock,almostsixhoursafterthey'dstartedwalking,theystumbleduponsomecabinsonthebeach.Morelike
shanties,theywereoneroom,withsinglearmycotsandatinytableineachofthem.Afootaroundthetop,beneaththeroofing,wasallmosquitonetting-itwastheonlyformofairconditioning.
MarcandLilywereallforjustbreakingintoone,butKingsleypointedouttheirpresencewasalreadynoticedwithinthesmalltown.Iftheywerecaughtbreakingandentering,itwouldn'tbepretty.
Hewasabletobarterwiththeowneroftheshacks,tradingMarc'sexpensivedivingwatchforonenightintheshacks.Marcgrumbledandcomplained,buthandedthewatchover.
“Youowemeone,”Marcsaid.
“Youcouldbesleepingwiththesandandthescorpions,DeSant.Ididn'tneedtoaskfortwo.Caretosharearoom,Lily?”Kingsley
asked,smilingbroadlyather.Hishairwasdisheveled,andhissuitwasdusty,buthischarmwasuntarnished.
“Fuckoff,Law,”Marcsaid,shovinghertowardsoneofthebeachshacks.
Itwaslate,butjusthavingsomewheretositforamomentdidwonders.WhileMarccollapsedonthecot,Lilytookoffherleggingsandmadeherwaydowntothewater.Shewassuddenly
thankfulthatMarchadboughtherthebikiniinsteadofunderwear,andshesatdownonthewetsand.Thebeachwasfairlywelllit,andseveralgroupsofpeoplewerewanderingaroundonit.Assherelaxed,acouplestumbleduptoher.
“Excuseme,”themanasked.“American?”
“Sure,”Lilygrunted,rubbingtheballsofherfeet.
“Us,too!”thewoman
laughed.“Wejustgothere,today.
We'rewiththeRedCross,butwedecidedtohavealittlevacationbeforeweheadintoAlgeria,”themanexplained.
“Wonderful,”wasallLilysaid,prayingthatthey'dgoaway.
“Weneverimagineditwouldbesobeautifulhere!Isn'tAfricabeautiful?”thegirlsighed,lookingaroundthebeach.Lilyletgoofher
feetandlookedupatthem.“Beautiful?Yeah,sure.
Beautifullikeashark.GoodluckinAlgeria,you'llneedit,”shewarnedthem,thenturnedtostareoutovertheocean,hopingthatwouldbeenoughofahintthatshewantedtobealone.
“Whatareyoudoinghere?”thegirlasked,squattingdownnexttoher.
Whyme?“Notworkingwiththe
RedCross,that'sforsure.”“Areyoulikeatravel
blogger?”Isthisforreal?“No.”“Herewiththe
embassy?”“No.”“ChuckandIalways
wantedtocometoAfricaforourhoneymoon–areyouherewithyourhusband?”thegirlguessed.
“No.”
“ThenwhyareyouinAfrica?”
Shefinallyturnedbacktothem,leaningoveralittle.
“Tostealsomethingandtokillsomeone,that'swhyI'minAfrica,nowfuckoff,”Lilysnapped.
Thecouplegasped,thenhustledaway,thegirlglaringather.Lilydidn'tcare.Shehadfeltcompletelydisconnectedfromthem.Liketheywerespeakingdifferent
languages,werefromdifferentcountries.Differentplanets.Itwaslikeacheetahsittingdownandhavingteawithtwolambs.Nothankyou.
“See,darling?Goingbackto'reallife'isgoingtobequitedifficult,”asoft,accentedvoicesaidfrombehindher.Sheletherheaddropback,staringatKingsleyfromupsidedown.Hewaskeepinghisdistance,not
allowinghisshoestogetwet.Inthedistance,shecouldseeMarcheadingtowardsthem,aswell.
“I'mseeingthat,now.Thatwasbizarre.Isthatwhatit'slikeforyou?”sheasked.Heshookhishead.
“No,butI'vealwaysbeenapeopleperson.That'swhyyou'llfindthatwhileMarcisrequestedforjobslikethis,I'mrequestedforonesthattendtohavea
publicslant.Corporateespionage,thingsofthatnature,”heexplained.
“Youdon'tdobruteforce,huh.”
“Icanbeasbruteasyou'dlikemetobe,darling.”
“Let'sgofindsomethingtoeat,”Marccalledout.Lilyfinallygotup,groaningasherlegmusclesscreamedinprotest.Shewipedthesandoffherbuttandfollowedthemenbacktoshore.
Afterswappingherbikinibottomsoutfortheleggings,theywentinsearchoffood.Therewasahotelnearby,andthoughitwaslate,therestaurantwasstillservingfood.TheAmericancouplefromthebeachweresittinginside,andtheygotnervouswhenLilywalkedin,theireyesbouncingbetweeneveryoneinhergroup.Shesmiledback,wigglingherfingersatthem.
“Noonelikesabitch,sweetheart,”Marcsaidunderhisbreath,grabbingherhand.Shesmiled–itwasthefirsttimehe'dusedapetnameforhersinceKingsleyhadshownup.Maybesomeofhisgoodhumorwasreturning.
“Youdo.”“Itolerateone,there'sa
difference.”Theyorderedwhatever
wascheapestandhadthemostservings,guzzlingdown
wateralongwiththefood.Kingsleybabbledawayastheyate,itseemedtobeinhisnaturetoalwaysbetalking.Alwaysbesayingsomething.Marcgruntedoutresponsesaroundhisfood.Lilystayedquiet,justtryingtostayawake.
“Sowhat'syourplanafterthis,DeSant?Sayitallgoesaccordingtoplan,youreturnthediamondstotheLiberiansandsendthemafter
thedirtydealingBratva.Thenwhat?”Kingsleyasked.
“God,thenit'stimeforafuckingvacation,”hegroaned,stretchingbackwardsoverhischair.
“Soundslovely.Haveanywhereinmind?”
LilyexpectedhimtosayPembaIsland,theplacetheyhaddiscussedduringtheirnighttogetherinthecommandeeredhouse.Ithadbeenrattlingaroundinthe
backofherbrain,duringtheirwalkthatday.Ifshecouldjustgetthrougheverything.Shewouldn'tthinkaboutthefuture,untilshelivedthroughthepresent.Ifshecouldmanagetostayalive,thenmaybeshecouldactuallygivehimsomeofhertomorrows.Maybeevengivesometoherself.
“Notsure.MaybeThailand.MaybeGreece,”Marcsaidquickly.
Whatthehuh!?Lilyglancedathim,but
hewasn'tlookingather.Hewasglaringacrosstherestaurant,lookingoutside.Kingsley'seyeswerebouncingbackandforthbetweenthem,andthatsmirkysmileofhisspreadacrosshisface.Likeheknewexactlywhateachofthemwerethinking.
Maybehedoesn'twantKingsleytoknow.Maybeit's
asecret.“Andwhataboutyou,
Lily?Ifyousurviveyourlittlerevengeplan,what'safterwards?Shortterm,ofcourse,”theBritishmanaskedher.Sheshrugged.
“Don'tknow.Avacationdoessoundlikeagoodidea.Somewhererelaxing,”shesighed.
“Mmmm,Iknowjusttheplace,”Kingsleypushedhisemptyplateoutoftheway
andleanedtowardsher.“Ihaveanamazingestate,justoutsideofPhuket.Isolated,calm,beachesfordays,includingmyownprivateone.Iwouldloveforyoutovisit.”
“Youdon'tevenknowme,Kingsley.Youmaywanttokillmeafteroneweekinmypresence,”sheteased.Marcclearedhisthroat.
“Icanattesttothatbeingexactlywhatwillhappen.”
“Iverymuchdoubtthat.IthinkyouandIarekindredspirits,actually.Getyouinsomedecentclothing,andtogetherwecouldbringabitofstyletothisbusiness,”Kingsleypointedout.
“Ithoughtyousaidvacation,notwork,”shepointedout.
“Well,amancanbehopeful.Apartnerwouldbenicetohave.”
“IthoughtMarcwaslike
apartnertoyou.”“Apartnerwholooks
goodinadress.”“Ilookfuckingfabulous
inadress,”Marcinterrupted.“I'msureyoudo,”Lily
noddedherhead.“DeSantinadressisone
ofthemosthorrifyingmemoriesIhave,andonthatnote,I'mgoingtogobesick,thengotobed.Cheers,darlings,”Kingsleysaid,standingup.Henoddedat
Marc,winkedatLily,thenwalkedawaywithoutanotherword,payingtheirtabonhiswayout.Lilysmiledafterhim,watchinghimdisappearintothedarknessofthebeach.
“Wouldyouactuallygothere?”Marcinterruptedherthoughtsashestoodup.
“Excuseme?”“Wouldyougothere?To
Phuket?”Shegotupandfollowed
himoutoftherestaurant.“Idon'tknow.Idolike
him.Alot.MaybeIwould.IfIdidn'thaveabetteroffertogoanywhereelse.”
Hestayedsilent.Theydidn'timmediately
gobacktotheircabin.Despitewalkingformostoftheday,Marcseemedrestless.Sotheywalkedbackdowntothewater,throwingshellsandrocksintotheocean.
“Sotheplanfortomorrow-”Lilystarted.
“Leavethecartome.LawandIwillgooutearly,getsomethinglinedup,”heinterruptedher.
“Okay.IfeellikeI'mgettingkickedoutoftheband,”shejoked,droppingtherestofherrocksintothewater.
“Sweetheart,thisbandexistedlongbeforeyoushowedup.It'smorelikea
reuniontour,”heteased.Sheglaredathim.
“YouknowwhatImean.”
“Whenwestarted,allyouwantedwastogetridofme,”Marcpointedout,turningtowardsher.Sheshrugged,notlookingbackathim.
“Yougrewonme,”wasallshesaidinresponse.
“Why,Liliana!IfIdidn'tknowanybetter,I'dthinkyou
likeme,”hisvoicewasteasingagain,andhegotcloseenoughforhischesttopressagainstherarm.Shefinallylookedupathim.
“Idolikeyou,Marc.I'vealwayslikedyou.Imean,maybeforaminutethereIwantedyoudead,andIkindofwanttokickyourassonaregularbasis,andIhatethatyoufuckedeverythingupforme.ButIlikedyouinLiberia.You'realikableguy.
Ilikeyounow.Iwillmissyou,”shewashonestwithhim.
“I'llmissyou,too,Lily.It'sbeenanadventure.Prettyawful,butprettyamazing,”hetoldher.
WestillhavefifteenhourstillTangier.800miles.Whydoesthisfeellikegoodbye?
“Theplantomorrow,”Lilystartedagain.“WegettoTangier.IcallIvanov.Iget
ontheferrythenextday,meetingyouthere.Igiveyouthediamonds.”
“Thediamonds,”Marcsighed,turningtolookoutoverthewater.“Abagofrocks.Allourproblems.Somanyproblems.Overabagofstupidfuckingrocks.”
“Alotofstupidfuckingrocks,”Lilypointedout.
“Expensivefuckingrocks.”
“Dangerousfucking
rocks.”“Comehere,”Marc
suddenlygrabbedherarm,pullingheraroundsoshewasinfrontofhim.
“What?”sheasked,holdingstillasheheldheratarm'slength.
“Youaregorgeous,I'llgiveyouthat,”hestarted,andshebeamedathim.Buthedidn'tstopthere.“Butyou'refuckingtemperamental.Youthinkofthenow,notthe
after.GettingthosediamondstoMoscow,brilliantfuckingplan.Didyoueveronceconsiderwhatwouldhappenifitdidn'tgoaccordingtoplan?Causeitclearlyfuckingdidn't.”
“No.Becauseithadtowork.Idon'tthinkofthingsfailingbecauseIwon'tallowthemto.Likethisplan–maybeithasn'tgoneexactlyaccordingtoplan,buteventhebestlaidplanscanfall
apart.Youjustkeepgoing.Failureisn'tanoption.Failureisn'tpartofmyplan,”shestressed.
“Your'Pollyanna'attitudeisrealfuckingcute,butit'sgoingtogetyoukilled,”hewarnedher.Sheglaredathim.
“Woulditkillyou,justonce,tosay'goodjob'!?ToadmitthatI'vehandledmyselfjustaswellasyouonthisfuckeduptrip,ifnot
bettersometimes!?”shedemanded.
“Iwould,butIhatetolie.”
“Itwouldn'tbealie,I'vebeenjustasgoodasyou.”
“Ican'tforthelifeofmefigureoutwhatyou'rereferringto.Unlessyou'retalkingaboutfucking,thenI'llfreelyadmitthat'sonethingyou'reactuallyverygoodat.”
Sheslappedhim.“That'sforbeingadick,”
sheinformedhim.“Aslap?Really?Kindof
apussymove,comingfromyou,”hechuckled.
Shepulledherarmback,readytopunchhiminthethroat,buthegrabbedherwristandyankedherforward.Hetwistedherarmbehindherback,holdingitagainstherspine.
“'Pussymove',beingscaredofagirl,”Lilymockedhim.
SometimesshewonderediffightingwaslikeforeplaytoMarc.Ormaybejustbeingaggressive,ingeneral.Heseemedtoliketopickfightswithher,orjustpickonher.Eitherway,itworkedforhim,soshewasn'ttooshockedwhenheleaneddownandkissedher.
“Youareaprettyscarygirl,”heagreed,lettinggoofherarmandworkinghishandsintoherhair.
“Itakethatasacompliment,”sheassuredhim.
“Imeantitasone.”Theystoodstill,pressing
againsteachother,thewavescominginaroundtheirfeet,soakingthroughherboots.Shegrippedontohist-shirt,pullinghardonthematerial,wantingtobeclosertohim.Alwaysclosetohim.
Whydoesthisfeellikegoodbye?Andwhydidn'tI
planforthis?Ineverthoughtaboutwhatgoodbyewouldfeellike...
“Soaftertonight,”shebreathedout,andhegroaned,movinghislipsdownherneck.
“Seriouslywiththetalking.Liketwosecondsofyounottalkingwouldbefuckingamazing,”hetoldher.
“Afterallthis,”sheignoredhim,thengaspedas
hishandsdoveintoherleggingsandgrippedherass.“AfterLiberiaandMoscowandthediamonds...”
“Lily,ifyousayonewordinthenextthreehours,Isweartogod,Iwilldrownyouinthisfuckingocean.”
Maybefightingislikeforeplaytome,too.
Hepickedherup,andshelovedthatsensation.Shewasn'tatinygirl,five-foot-seven,withlotsoftitsand
ass,curvesandlankylimbs,butMarcwasalwaysabletohandleherlikesheweighednothingatall.Shewrappedherlegsaroundhiswaist,coiledherarmsaroundhisneck,forcedhertongueintohismouth.
Hecarriedheracrossthesand,fallingintothesideoftheircabin.Heleanedhisweightintoher,pinningherinplaceagainstthewall.Shepulledhist-shirtupin
betweenthem,workingitoverhishead.
“Threehoursisn'tthatlong.It'snoteven…midnight…,”shepantedasoneofhishandsworkeditswayunderherownshirt.
“YoucanfilloutacomplaintformwhenI'mdone.”
Thedoorwasasimplescreen,anditbangedshutbehindthemasMarccarriedherinside.Theyfellacross
theroom,crashingintothetable.Hesatherdownonit,rippinghershirtoverherhead,thendovebackin,kissingherhard,stealingallheraironceagain.
Whenshefeltdizzy,shepushedhimawayandhoppedoffthetable.Whileshefoughttotakeoffherboots,hedroppedhispants.Oncehe'dsteppedfreeofthem,hegrabbedherbythehipsandwhirledheraround,slamming
herdownonthetabletop.“Someone'sinahurry,”
shebreathed,alittlesurprisedbyhisforce.Hegotherleggingsoffofherwithoneyank,droppingtothefloorwiththem.
Hekissedhercalf,thenthebackofherknee,thenthetopofherasscheek.Draggedhistongueupthecenterofherspine.Thenhewaspressedupagainsther,hismouthonherneck.
“Alwaysinahurrytobeinsideyou,”heresponded,thenbitdownonhershoulder.
Whilehisteethwerestillleavingimprintsinherskin,hiserectionwaspressingintoherfrombehind.Shegrippedtheedgeofthetableandgrittedherteethasitallhappenedinonego,hishipsmeetingherassinonepush.
“Jesus,Marc,youreallyare,”shegasped.
“Youhavenoidea.”Hestartedpumpinginto
her,onehandcurlingintoafistinherhair,yankingherup.Shecriedout,pushingbackfromthetable.Pushingbackagainsthim.Hisfreehandgrippedherhip,hangingontoher.Groundingher.Sheneededit.Hewasfuckingherintohigherorbit,makingithardtorememberwhatitwaslikedownonearth.
“Ohmygod!”she
shrieked,unabletohandlehowdeephewasstriking.Lovinghowdeephewasstriking.
“Youknowthere'snorealdoor,right,”hepanted.
“Right,right,”sheagreed,thoughshehadnocluewhathewasasking.Shewould'vesaidanythingatthatpoint,aslongashekepttouchingher.
“Thewholetophalfisbasicallyascreen,”hekept
going,lettinggoofher.Shefelldownflatonthetabletop,andamomentlaterhist-shirtwasthrownagainstthewall,landingnexttoher.
“Mmmmhmmm,”shemoanedlowinherthroat.
“Everyonecanhearyou,”hewarnedher.
“Idon'tcare.Ihopetheycan,Ihopetheyheareverything,”shereplied.
“God,you'reanamazingwoman.”
Hepausedforamoment,thenslammedbackinsideofher,soabruptandsohardthatitshockedher.
“Oh…my…god…yes…please,”shecouldn'tunclenchherteeth.
“Lily,”hegrowledhername,hishandgoingtothebackofherneck.Heheldherdownandusedtheleveragetothrustharder.
“Yes!Yes!”sheshrieked.“Whenyou'rein
Tangier,”hestarted,runninghisotherhanddownthesideofherbody.
“Please,Marc,faster,”shebegged,andhecomplied.
“Andwhenyou'reinMoscow,”hecontinued.
“I'msoclose,”shewhined,thenfelthisfreehandmovingbetweenherandthetable.
“Whenyou'reinthoseplaces,ifyoufuckanyoneelse,”hestarted,pullingher
backtowardshim,hishandflatagainstherstomachandpullingherupontohertoes.
“Nooneelse,”shetoldhim,anditcausedhimtomoanagain.
“Neverforgetwhomadeyoufeelthisway,”hewhispered,hishandslippinglowerandlowerdownherbody.
“Icouldnever,”sheassuredhim.
“Good.”
Hejackhammeredhishipsagainsther,andshescreamed.Hishandonherneckmovedtohershoulder,actuallyyankingherbackagainsthim.Pushingherdownharderonhiscock.Shestartedtocome,andintrueMarcfashion,hejustfuckedherharder.Herwholebodywentintoseizuremode,shakingandshuddering,allwhileoneofhisfingerstappedalongwithherticking
muscles.IwonderifIcouldever
passoutfromsensoryoverload.
Shewentcompletelylimp,anddidn'tevencare.They'dhadenoughsexforhertoknowthathedidn'tparticularlycare,either.Hishandsonhershouldergrippedharder,painfullyso,andshemoaned.
“God,I'mgonnamissthis.”
Shehadn'tmeanttosayitoutloud.Shecouldfeelthattheywereboththinkingit,couldstillfeelthat“goodbye”hangingintheair,butshehadn'twantedtoruinthemoment.Still,hesuckeditrightoutofher,justlikehealwaysdidwithallheroxygen.
“Comehere,move.”Sheactuallydidn'thave
tomove.Marcsimplybackedaway,draggingherwithhim,
thenshovedherontothebed.She'dbarelyturnedoverwhenhewasontopofher,forcingherflatashecrawledbetweenherlegs.Thenheslidhishandsunderherback,holdingonwhilehelaidhischestontopofhers.Theywerejustaboutasphysicallycloseastwopeoplecouldeverbe,inthatmoment.
“Hi,”shelaughed,staringathimashisfacehoveredinchesaboveher
own.“ImeantwhatIsaid,you
know,”hesaid,hisvoicesoft.Shewasconfused.
“When?”“Youreyes,”he
continued,asifthatclearedanythingup.
“Whataboutthem?”“Theyarethemost
beautifulthingI'veeverseen,”hesighed.
“Really?”“I'mgoingtoremember
themforalongtime,”heassuredher.
“Ihopeso.”“Iknowso.Atnight,
whenI'malone,insomekindoftroublethatI'venodoubtgottenmyselfinto,”hestarted,andtheybothchuckled,“I'llpictureyoureyes.Yoursmile,yourbody,yourvoice.Butmostofallyoureyes.Icouldlookintothemforever.I'llmissthem.Willmissseeingyoulookat
me.”Noonehadeverspoken
toherlikethatbefore,shealmostwantedtocry.Thenhestartedrockinghishipsagainsther,butgently,andshedidtearup.Shewrappedherarmsaroundhisshoulders,pullinghimcompletelyflushagainstherandhookingheranklestogetherbehindhisback.
“I'llmissyou,too,”shebreathed.
Hewhisperedmorewordsinherear,wordsshe'dneverheardbefore,inavoiceshealwayswantedtohear.Hewasgentlewithher,inawayhe'dneverbeenbefore,withatouchshecouldlearntolivefor.Andashebreathedlifeintoherveinsandnewthoughtsintohermindanddifferentfeelingsintohersoul,therewasjustonephraserepeatingitselfinherhead.
“...wedon'thavetobethesepeopleanymore...”
DAYSEVEN“Alright?”Marcwaspullingat-
shirtintoplaceashewalkeduptoKingsley'scabin.TheBritishmanwasoutonhissteps,smokingacigarette.Hedidn'tlookawayfromtheocean,justrepeatedhisquestion.
“Yeah,sure,”Marc
replied,movingupsohewassittingnexttotheotherman.
“Youdorealizethattheseshacksaren'texactlyinsulated–notthatitwouldmatteriftheywere,I'mprettysuretheyheardyouallthewayonthecoastofSpain,”Kingsleyassuredhim.
“Good.Somethingthatamazingdeservesanaudience.”
Theybothlaughedforasecondbeforefallingquiet.
“You'remakingamistake,”Kingsley'svoicewassoft.
“Ihaven'tdoneanything.”
“Butyou'rethinkingaboutit.”
“Look,”Marcrubbedahanddownhisface,“let'sgoovertomorrow.YouandIaregonnagogetsomecars.I'llcomebackandgether.Andthen...”
“C'mon,bigboy,sayit,”
Kingsleyurged.“Thenwe'llsendheron
herway.”“Doessheknowabout
thisplan?”“Shedoesn'thaveasay
inthisplan.”“Itinvolvesher,soI
thinksheshould-”“Nooneaskedyou,”
Marcinterrupted.“Youlikeher.”Kingsley
madeastatement.Pointedoutafact.
“Yes,”Marcdidn'tdenyit.Kingsleyshookhishead.
“Sowhyareyougoingtomakeherdoallthisalone?”heasked.
“Igotherthroughthehardpart.Fuck,Iamthehardpart.Ifuckedeverythingupforher.Ijustmadeitworse.Today,whenshewasrunningforthatcar,allIcouldthinkwas'holyshit,I'mabouttowatchhergetblownup'.AndIwasscaredtodeath.I've
neverbeenscaredlikethatbefore,ever.Ifwehadn'tbeenfighting,ifwehadn'ttakenthatroad,ifIhadn'tfuckinggotteninhercarbackinLiberia…Ican'thandlethethoughtofsomethinghappeningtoher,becauseofme.IfI'mwithherinMorocco,andIvanovshowsup,it'sgameover.Hekillsusboth.IfI'minLiberia,it'sjustme,”Marctriedtoexplainwherehewascomingfrom.
“Andyouthinkthat'llmakeherfeelsafeandwarmandfuzzy?”Kingsleyquestioned.
“Idon'tcare.It'llkeepheralive,andthat'sallthatmatterstome.”
“Yougenuinelybelieveshehasabetterchancefinishingthiswithoutyouthanshedoeswithyou?”Kingsleysoundedamazed.
“Finishingitalive,yes.”“Thenyou'reanidiot.”
“Thisshouldn'tbeshockingtoyou.”
“DeSant,”theothermansighed.“I'mspeakingtoyouasamate,now.Apartner.Donotdothis.Womenliketheoneasleepovertheredonotcomealongveryoften–don'tthrowherbacktothewolves.Sheneedsyou.Andwhetheryouwanttoadmititornot,youneedher.ThisisthemosthumanI'veseenyou,sinceImetyou.You'veletthisjob
ruinyou.Letherfixyou.”“Andruinherinthe
process?Nothanks.I'dratherbealoneandawreckthanbetogetheranddestroyher,”Marcreplied.
“Stupid,DeSant.Verystupid.Yournew-foundconscienceisgoingtogetthebothofyoukilled,andI,forone,willnotstandaroundandwatchithappen,”Kingsleysnappedasheclimbedtohisfeet.
“What?You'releaving?Goforit.”
“Ohno,I'mnotleaving.I'mgoingtobewithyoueverysingleminute,fromhereonout,remindingyoueverystepofthewayofexactlyhowfuckingridiculousyou'rebeing,”Kingsleybrokeitdown,thenhestompedintohiscabinandslammedthedoorshut.
“Youknowit'sjustascreen,right!?Kindof
defeatsthepurposeofslammingitinmyface!”Marchollered.
“Pissoff!”“Seeyouinthe
morning!”“NotifIsmotheryouin
yoursleep!”Marcmadehiswayback
tohisowncabin,dragginghisfeetthroughthesand.HewassurprisedatKingsley'soutburst.He'dfiguredtheseasonedmercenarywould
agreewithhim.Womenwerenothingbuttrouble,thatwasusuallyKingsley'sopinion.ItwasobviousheandLilylikedeachother–toomuch,inMarc'sopinion–butitdidn'tquiteexplainwhyhewantedMarcandLilytobetogethersobadly.
Hewalkedintotheircabin,shuttingthescreencarefullybehindhim.Lilywasasleeponthecot.Ithadcooledofftoaroundseventy
degreesoutside,andbeforeshe'dfallenasleep,he'dgivenheroneofhist-shirtstowear.Shewaslayingonherside,herkneestuckeduptowardsherchest,herhandsunderneathhercheek.Itmadeherlookyoungandvulnerable.
“Oh,Lily,whatamIgoingtodowithyou,”hesighed,sittingdownnexttoher.Shedidn'trespond,justmumbledinhersleep.
Hesmoothedhishanddownherthigh,savoringthesmoothnessofherskin.Thenheworkedhishandupandundertheshirt,memorizingthecurveofherhip.Notthathecouldeverforget.HewouldneverbeabletoforgetLily.Neverforgettheirtimetogether.
Itoccurredtohimthathe'dprobablyspentmoretimealonewithherthananyoneelseinhislife.At
leastsincehe'dbeenateenager.Hewasalwaysonthego,alwaysonthemove,andifhedidworkwithpeople,heusuallyworkedinteams.Hell,themosttimehe'deverspentalonewithKingsleyhadbeenfourdays,andhewasprettysurehe'dbeenunconsciousforoneofthem.
AweekinAfricawithLily.Anewrecord.Anewfriend.
Somuchmorethanafriend…
“Lily,”hewhispered,stretchingoutnexttoher.Thecotwastiny,barelybigenoughforthemtobothlayontheirsides.Hisnosewasinchesfromherown,andhesmiledassheyawned.“Saysomething.Sayanything.Tellmewhat'sright.Tellmethatwantingyouisokay.Tellmethatbeingwithyouisokay.”
Ofcourseshedidn't
answer.Hewasprettysureheknewwhatshe'dsay,anyway,anditcertainlywouldn'thavebeenwhatwasright.
Thensherolledawayfromhim,stretchinginhersleepbeforeturningherbacktohim.Theshirthadriddenuptoherwaist,andherbareasspressedagainsthiscrotchasshecuddledbackagainsthim.Hestareddownforaminute,thenbeganworkingtheshirtuphigher.
Talkingistoodangerous.Thedecisionhasbeenmade.Mightaswellspendourlasthourshavingfun.
*
Lilyknottedthetoplace
onherboots,thenstoodup.Sheglancedaroundthelittleshack,butofcoursetherewasnothinginit.Ithadn'tcomewithanyextrafrills,notevenablanket,andshedidn'thave
anythingotherthantheclothesshewaswearing.Marchadtakenhispackwithhim,sotherewasnothingleftbehind.
She'dwokenupinthemiddleofthenighttohimalreadyworkinghisfingersinsideofher.Thenhehadn'tlethersleepforthenexttwohours.Thegentle,sweetmanfromearlierwaslonggone–hewasallhardmuscleandforcefulhands.Herassfelt
sorefromallthespankings,herlegsfeltlikejellyfromallthestretching,andshewasprettysurehehadeffectivelyruinedhersexdriveforallothermen.Despitethefactthatshefeltlikeshecouldsleepfortenyears,whenshe'dwatchedhimgetdressedinthemorning,ithadonlybeenhimscramblingtomeetKingsleythathadstoppedherfromtakinghisclothingbackoff.
CrazytothinkthataweekagoIhatedhim.Amonthago,Ididn'tevenknowhim.Andnow,Ialwayswanttobewithhim.
She'dbeengivenstrictinstructionstostayinthecabin,butLilyhatedbeingtoldwhattodo,andhatedbeingconfined.Shesatonthefrontsteps,stretchingoutherlegsandgrabbinghertoes,makinghermusclespulltight.Shehissed,relishingthe
acheandstrain,andheldonforasolidfifteenseconds.
“Itoldyoutowaitinside.”
Lilyactuallyshrieked,leapingsidewaysoutofherseat.Shefelloffthestairs,landinginaheaponthesand.Marchadcomefrombehindthecabin,meltingoutoftheshrubsandbushes,materializingnexttoher.
“Youalmostgavemeafuckingheartattack!”she
yelledathim,throwingarockathishead.Heduckedoutoftheway.
“Well,youshould'vewaitedinside.C'mon,wegottamove,”hereplied,holdingahandout.Shegrabbeditandheyankedhertoherfeet.
Thecabinsthey'dstayedinwereattheedgeofthecity–they'dessentiallywalkedthroughthewholetowntogettothem.Nowthey
backtracked,headingtowardswherethey'denteredthetown.Theydidn'tquitesneakaround,buttheydidhurrythroughthestreets.
Itdidn'ttakeverylong,Tarfayawasasmalltown.Prettysoontheywerehurryingalongtheedgeofahighway,LilyalmosthavingtojogtokeepupwithMarc'sstride.Whentheygottoalargewarehouse,Marcveeredoffcourse,cuttingacrossthe
sand.Lilyhesitatedforasecond,rememberingthemomentyesterday,whenshe'dalmostbeenintroducedtoafieldoflandmines.ButMarcwouldn'tblindlystrideacrosshostileground,soshefollowedinhisfootsteps.
Whentheycamearoundthebuilding,shewassurprisedtoseetwovehicles.Onewasa1980sBuick,andtheotherwasashinynewlookingToyotaRav.
Kingsleystoodbetweenthem,adjustinghistie,notnoticingtheirapproach.Shesmiledtoherself.Itwasthesamesuithe'dbeenwearingsincethedaybefore,thesuithe'dwalkedinforhoursonend,butitlookedcrispandcleanandsharp.Justlikehim.
“Whydidyougettwocars?IsKingsleyheadingback?”Lilyasked.Hearinghisname,theothermanlookedupandsmiled,making
hiswaytowardsthem.“Lookinggood,darling.
Asalways,”hetoldher,leaningcloseandkissingheronthecheek.
“Liar,”shelaughed,smoothingherhandsoverherdustyleggings.
“Ihaven'tknownyoulong,Ms.Lily,butIhaveafeelingIwillmissyouagreatdeal,”hesighed.
“Youcouldcomewithus,”shesuggested.
“Us?”heseemedconfused.
“Yeah.WhateverMarcsaid,it'salie,youshouldcomewithus,”shefiguredMarc'srudeattitudehadscaredtheBritishmanaway.Kingsleystartedscowling.
“Youdidn'ttellher?Allthattime,”hegrowled.
Wait…what?“Jesus,Law,”Marc
growledrightback.“Tellmewhat?”Lily
demanded.Bothmenweresilentand
stillforaminute,andthatjustaboutscaredhermorethananything.Kingsleywasalwaysrunninghismouth,andMarcwasalwaysmoving.Somethingbadhadbeendecided.
“Darling,”Kingsleyfinallysighed,steppingforward.“Ithasbeenapleasurespendingtheselastcoupledayswithyou.Sorry
forstranglingyouabit,thoughImustadmit,Ikindofenjoyedit.Maybewecandoitagainsometime.Butfornow,DeSantherehasdecidedit'sbestifwegoourseparateways.”
LilyturnedtowardsMarc,narrowinghereyes.
“Iwasgoingtotellyou,”heoffered.
“Oh?When?Afterwewereinseparatecars?”
“No,justtillyouwere
outofhittingrange.Andkicking.”
“Reallymanly,Marc,”shemadehervoicesnide.“Aftereverythingwe'vebeenthrough,youdidn'tevenhavetheballstojustsay'hey,I'mout'!?”
Thismomentwasgoingtohappensoonerorlater,Lilyknewthat,butitstillhurt.Andthewayhe'dgoneaboutithurtevenmore.Wantedornot,shehad
forgedabondwiththisman.Aconnection.Somethingthatwastangibleandrealtoher,asifthatchainwasstillaroundherwaist,linkinghertohim.Bindinghertohim.
Andtherehewas,justabletowalkaway,withbarelyanexplanation.Barelyagoodbye.
Fuckthat.Youdon'tgetoffthateasy,DeSant.
“Iwasn'tjustgoingtoleaveyouinthedesert,Lily,
calmdown.Ijustdidn'twanttostartthemorningwith,'you'reonyourown',alright?”hesnapped.
“Youowememorethanthis,andyouknowit,”Lilysaidinalow,evenvoice.Hesnortedather.
“Idon'toweyoushit.”“Asshole.”Withouteventhinking,
Lilysnappedherhandout,slappinghimacrosstheface.
“Youhitlikeagirl,”he
tauntedher.Herfistwasclosedfor
thenexthit.“Why'dyouhaveto
makeitlikethis!?”sheyelledathim.“Itdidn'thavetobelikethis!Youcould'vejustsaidgoodbye!”
“Howwouldyouratherthisgo,Lily!?Twodaysfromnow,inTangier?Wouldthatmakeiteasier!?”hewasyellingback,aveinthrobbinginthesideofhisneckashe
glareddownather.“No.Idon'tknow.ButI
guessIalwaysfiguredthatwheneveritwasgonnahappen,youwould'vehandleditlikeaman.Mymistake,IforgotIwasdealingwithabitch,”shecalledhimout.
“Well,sweetheart,astheysay,ittakesonetoknowone,andyouarebyfarthebiggestbitchIhaveevermet.”
Shehithimagain.“Keepcallingmenames,
Marcelle,”shethreatened.“Thisdoesn'thavetobe
likethis,”hestated.“Youmadeitlikethis.
Youcould'vejustsaidgoodbye.Aftereverything.Everything.AndyouhadtowaitforKingsleytosayit.You'renotaman.You'reacoward.Youthinkbeingamercenarymakesyouaman?Killingpeoplemakesyoua
man?No.Youhidebehindthosethingsbecauseyou'renotbraveenoughtowalkwithrealpeople.Afuckingcoward,”shehissed.
Marc'shandwassuddenlyaroundherthroat,andforamoment,shewascompletelystunned.HewasabletobackherupagainsttheBuickwhilehermindreeled.Hehadn'ttouchedherinanaggressivemannersincebeforetheboardinghouse,in
Mali.She'dalmostforgottenthathecouldberoughwithher.
“Watchyourfuckingmouth,”hegrowled,leaningdownclosetoher.“YouthinkI'macoward?Ihavecarriedyouthisfar.Ikilledpeopleforyou.Isavedyourlifeonmultipleoccasions.Doesallthatsoundcowardly?”
“Carriedme!?”shepracticallysquealed.“Okay,FIRSTOFALL,Iwouldn'tbe
inthissituationifitwasn'tforyou.Secondofall,youdidn'tneedtokillanyone'forme',youbroughtthatallonyourself.Andthirdofall,Ididn'taskyoutosavemylife.Idon'tneedyoutosavemylife.Idon'twantyouinmylife.”
Liar.“Doyouhonestlymean
that?”heasked,hisvoicesteelyashisfingerssqueezedtighter.Shehadherhands
wrappedaroundhiswrist,andshetuggedatit.
“DidIfuckingstutter?Thereisnothingyou'vedoneformethatIcouldn'thavedoneformyself,allyoudoisfuckthingsup,foreveryone.Foreverything.Dragmeouthere.DraggedKingsleyintoit.Howmanyotherpeoplearegoingtohavetodieforyourfuckups,DeSant!?”sheyelledathim.
“Possiblyjustonemore,”
hethreatened,glaringdownather.
“Youdon'thavetheballs.”
“Oh,I'msureIdo.”“Andyousureasshit
don'thavethetalent.”“Questionmyabilities
onemorefuckingtime,Lily,andI-”
Enough.Lilyshotherarmout,
drivingtheheelofherpalmstraightintohisnose.Hewas
completelycaughtoffguardandletoutashout,backingawayfromherashishandsflewtohisface.Shetooktheopportunitytoelbowhiminthestomach,andwhenhebentover,shekickedhiminthehip,sendinghimtotheground.Frombehindher,Kingsleystartedclapping.
“Doesthatcountasquestioningyou!?”sheshriekedathim.
Suddenly,herlegswere
kickedoutfromunderherandshewentstraightdownonherback.Shedidn'thesitate,sheimmediatelyrolledtothesideandbeganscramblingtogetundertheRav.ButMarcgrabbedaholdofherlegsandwithonesharpyank,hepulledhertohim,flippingheroveratthesametime.
“Calmthefuckdown!”hewasshoutingatherashestraddledherhips.
“Youcalmdown!Everythingwe'vefuckingbeenthrough,andyouwerejustgonnashovemeinacarandthatwasit!?Getfucked,DeSant!”shescreamedathim.Hefoughttogetaholdofherwrists,pinningthemtosandbyherhead.
“That'snotit!”heroared,andshefinallystoppedyelling,thoughshedidcontinuetotrytobreakfreefromhim.“Youthinkthisis
fuckingeasyforme!?It'sfuckingnot.ButIknowit'sforthebest,Iknowit'swhat'ssafestforyou,andIknowit'stherightthingtodo.Soifthatmakesmeafuckingcoward,thenfine,I'mafuckingcoward.ButIalsoknowwhenit'stimetodosomethingright.”
Itwashardtoarguewiththatlogic.Shewouldn'thavethoughtitpossibleforMarctosaysomethingsosweet.
Well,almostsweet.Shelaidstill,staringattheblueskyoverhisshoulder.Foughttogetcontrolofherbreathing.
“Itdoesn'tfeelright,”shewhispered.Hesighed.
“Iknow,sweetheart.Iknow.Butitis.Look,thishadtoendsometime.We'renotonvacationhere.Idon'twanttoprolongtheinevitable,andIdon'twanttomakethingsworseforyou,”heexplainedinasoftvoice.
“Wishyouwould'vemadethatdecisionaweekago,”sheevenmanagedtolaugh,butstillrefusedtolookathim.
“Me,too.”Thatjustmadeherfeel
worse.“Soyou'rejustsending
meouttothewolves?”sheasked.
“No,Ileftyousomething,”hereplied,leaningawayfromherand
gesturingtotheBuick.“Ileftyoumypack.Ithasallourwater,somemoney,thediamonds,evenyourpreciousGlock.”
“Youremembered,”shewhisperedagain,smiling.
“Iremembered.”Hebackedoffherthen,
dustinghispantsoffashestood.SheglancedovertoseeKingsleyleaninginthebackseatoftheRav,veryclearlypretendingnotto
noticetheheavymomentthatwasoccurring.ThenMarcgrabbedherarm,haulinghertoherfeetanddustingheroff,aswell.
“Sothisisit,”shesighed,finallylookingathimagain.Ifshehadn'tknownanybetter,shewould'vethoughtthathelookedupset.Maybeevenpained.
“Takecareofyourself,”hisvoicesuddenlyturnedserious,andhesteppedup
close,hisshadowfallingoverher.
“Alwaysdo,”sheassuredhim.
“I'mserious.Youhesitate–don't.Youoverthink–gowithyourgut.Saywhateveryouhaveto,dowhateveryoucan,toconvinceIvanovthatyou'retellingthetruth.AndwhenyougettoMoscow,pullthetrigger.”
Shedecidedtotakehis
adviceandshedidn'tthinkaboutit,justpressedherhandflatagainsthischest.Rightoverhisheart.Hisownhandcoveredhers,squeezingherfingers,andheglareddownather.She'dforgottenhowbluehiseyeslooked,setagainsthistanskin.Howintensetheylooked,staringintohersoul.
“Iwill,”shewhispered.Hestaredatherfora
secondlonger,squeezedher
fingersevenharder,thenhenoddedandwalkedaway.Justdroppedherhandandturnedaround.
“Isthatit!?”Kingsleyexclaimed,watchingasMarcgotintothedriver'sseatoftheRav.
“Let'sgo!Thelady'sonadeadline!”heyelledback.
“Bloodyhell.Fuckthat,that'snowaytosaygoodbye,”Kingsleygrumbled,thenslammedthe
backdoorshut.Lilylaughedashewalkedtowardsher.
“I'llmissyou,too,Mr.Law,evenif-”
Shewascutoffashegrabbedheraroundthewaistanddippedher,pressinghislipsagainstherown.Itwasactuallyverychaste,notongue,buthisarmssqueezedhertightandheldherflushagainsthim.Shesquealedandlaughedagainsthismouth,pushingathisshoulderstill
heletherup.“Let'sgo!”Marcwas
shouting,bangingontheroofofhiscar.
“Couldn'tresist,darling,”Kingsleysaid,givingherawinkbeforepullingherintoamuchmoreplatonicembrace.Shewrappedherarmsaroundhisshoulders.
“Iknowwedon'tknoweachotherwell,butI'llmissyou,too,”shewashonest.Heheldhertighterandshefelt
hisbreathhotagainstherneck.
“Anytimeyouneedanything,I'mhere.”
Beforeshecouldquestionwhathemeant,orevenhowheexpectedhertobeabletogetaholdofhim,hepulledaway.StraightenedouthisjacketasheclimbedintotheRav.
Andthentherewasone.“Takecareofeach
other!”shecalledout,
watchingastheircarstartedtorollforward.Marcstaredatherforasecond,thenlookedawayasheturnedthewheel.
Don'tpanic.Don'tcry.Don'tsayanything.Youwerealonesevendaysago.Youwerealoneforfiveyears.You'vealwaysbeenalone.Youcandothis.Youdon'tneedhim.Heobviouslydoesn'tcarethatmuchaboutyou.Youdon'tcareabouthim.Youdon'tneedhim.
Lilytookadeepbreath.Shecouldn'tbeartowatchthemdriveaway,sosheturnedtotheBuickandopenedthebackdoor.LeanedinandgrabbedMarc'spack,unzippingitanddiggingthroughtheitems.ShetooktheGlockoutandputitinthefrontseat.Tookanotherdeepbreath.GrabbedabottleofwaterandsetitnexttotheGlock.Tookashakierbreathandgrabbedthebagof
diamonds.Beforeshecouldpullthemout,though,therewasanoisebehindherthatcausedhertopause.Someonegrabbedherarmandyankedheraround,andbeforeshecouldsayanything,Marcwaskissingher,pressingheragainstthecar.
Thankgod.Hishandscuppedeither
sideofherneckandshemoaned,scratchinghernailsdownhisbicepsbefore
holdingontohisforearms.Hiskisswasjustlikethemanbehindit;blunt,forceful,andbreathtaking.Allherbreaths,allherair.
“He'sright,thatwasashittygoodbye,”Marcpantedwhenhefinallypulledhislipsaway.Hishandsstayedonherneck,histhumbspointingunderneathherchin,forcinghertolookupathim.
“Itreallywas,”sheagreed.Hekissedheragain,
andshegaspedaroundhistongue.Movedherhandstothefrontofhiswaist,grippingontohisbeltandholdinghimtightagainsther.
“Idon'twanttogo,”hetoldher,pressinghisforeheadagainsthers.“Butit'sforthebest,Ipromise.”
Shecould'vewept.Listeningtohimsaythingssheneededtohear.Itwassomuch.Itwaseverything.
“Iwantyoutostay,”she
saidback,thoughsheknewitwasuseless.
“Youhatedmeaweekago,”hereadherthoughtsfromearlier.
“Youwereawfulaweekago.You'renicernow,”shejoked,thoughhervoicewasshaky.
“No,I'mjustbetterathidingitfromyou,”heassuredher.
“You'realotbetterinbednow,”sheswitched
tactics.Heburstoutlaughing.“Iwasfuckingamazing
thatfirsttime,”heargued.Shelaughedaswell,butitfelttoomuchlikecrying,soshestopped.
“Youreallywere.Iwould'vekilledyoualongtimeago,ifithadn'tbeenforyouramazingprowessinthebedroom,”shetoldhim.
“NotthefirsttimeI'veheardthat.”
“Whendidweturninto
this?”Lilywhispered.Hesighed.
“Idon'tknow.Icertainlydidn'tplanonthishappening,”hewhisperedback.
Theykissedonemoretime.Saidgoodbyes.Kissedagain.Hetoldheragaintotakecareofherself.Thenanotherkiss.
“ImeanteverywordIsaidtoyou.I'llmisstheseeyes,”hetoldher,brushing
histhumbdownhercheekashefinallysteppedaway.Shesnorted.
“Igiveyouoneweekbeforeyou'resayingthatsamethingtosomeblueeyedbeauty,”shecalledhimout.Heshookhishead.
“No.Onlyyou.Onlyyoureyes.”
Sheswallowedpastthelumpinherthroat.
“IlearnedalotfromyouMarc.Thankyou,really.For
everything,”shewascompletelyhonest.
“Samehere,sweetheart.Thankyou.”
Thistimehedidn'tgetinhiscar.Juststoodbackandwaitedwhileshegotinhercar.Sheturnedtheengineandstaredatthedashforaminute.Thenstaredathim.Finally,shehitthegas,blowingakissasshepeeledoutofthesandylotwheretheywereparked.Sheroared
offdowntheroad,headingbacktowardsTarfayaatabreakneckpace.
Andshedidn'tlookback.Notevenonce.
LilianaBrewsterdoesn'tlookback.Onlyforward.
DAYSEVENShecould'vemadeitto
Tangierinonelongpush,itwasonlyaboutfifteenhoursaway.Butshestoppedshort,decidingtostayinCasablanca.She'dbeenracingforTangierthewholetime,andnowthatitwasrightinfrontofher,shewashesitating.
Neverhesitate.Lilymadethecallto
Ivanov.Shestoleanoldcellphone,andafterfindingthenecessarycablesinatinypawnshop,shewasabletopatchthephonethroughacallboxbehindanoldhouseontheoutskirtsofthecity.Shedidn'tmindifheknewshewasinCasablanca,butshedidn'tneedhimknowingherexactlocation.
Shetoldhimthestory
Marchadfedher.TheoneshehadrehearsedfortheentireelevenhourdrivetoCasablanca.Marchadkidnappedher.Marchadkeptherhostage.MarchaddraggedheracrossAfrica,lookingforabuyerforthediamonds.ItwasonlythroughherowncunningthatshehadmanagedtoescapehimandmadeherwaytoMoroccowithallthediamondsintow.
“DeSantisdead?”Again,shehesitated.
Marc'snewplanwastojustvanish.LeaveAfrica,andneverlookback.HeneverhadtoworkwiththatparticularBratvaagain,oranyothersforthatmatter.Hewasfreelance,hecoulddowhateverhewanted.Becomewhoeverhewanted.
Butstill…sheworriedaboutrevenge.Aboutretribution.
“Yes,”sheanswered.ExplainedthatanassassinhadshownupinDakhla.HadkilledMarcwhileshe'dbeenmakingherescapewiththestones.
Shedidn'tknowifIvanovnecessarilybelievedher,buthedidn'treallyhaveachoice.Shehadmillionsofdollarsworthofhisdiamonds.Stankovski'sdiamonds.Itwastoobigarisk.Hegaveherthenameof
ahotelinTangierandtoldhertostaythereforthreedayswhilehesenthernewbribemoneyandarrangedforhertocatchanotherferry.
Days,days,days.Mylifeisonelongstringofdays,connectedbysandandbadmemories.
ShecheckedintoahotelinCasablanca.Itwascheapandhadnoairconditioning.Shecheckedthefloortomakesurenoonewas
watching,noonewaspeekingoutwindows,thenshelockedherselfinherroomandblockedthedoorwithaheavydresser.Checkedallthewindowsandmadesuretheywerelockedandtheblindstightlydrawn.
Thenshekneltatthefootofthebedandtookthebaggieofdiamondsoutofthepack.Sheletthestonesspillacrossthebedspread.Shespreadthemout,makinga
flatlayer,thensheleanedforward,lacingherfingerstogetherandrestingherhandsonthebed,herchinontopofthem.
Somuchtrouble.Somanyrocks.Suchlittlerocks.She'dneverseenthemalloutbefore,spreadoutliketheywere.Theydidn'tseemquiteasimpressive.Noweight,noheft.Justindividualstones,tinyandinsignificant.
Justindividualdays,tiny
andinsignificant.Theylookedsopure,so
clear,thattothinkofwhattheyrepresentedwassuchacontrast.Illegalmines.Indenturedslaves.Gangwars.Bratvas.Mafias.Corporations.Murders.Theft.Herlife.Marc'slife.Herpreciousfiveyearplan.
Whatdiditallmean?Shewasgettingrevenge
forhersister.ForKaylee.Buthowoftendidsheeventhink
aboutthatanymore?Howmuchofitwaspurelyforrevenge,andhowmuchofitwasbecausesheenjoyedwhatshedidnow?
Kingsleyhadtoldhershewasgoodatwhatshedid;evenMarchadadmittedit.Bothhadwarnedherthatrevengewouldnothelpher.Thatitwouldmostlikelygetherkilled.Bothhadwarnedherthatshewasn'treadyforsomethingsodrastic.Both
hadtoldherthatshehadotheroptions.Herlifedidn'thavetobeaboutthisplan.Itcouldbesomuchbigger.
“...wedon'thavetobethesepeopleanymore...”
Sheburiedherhandsinthediamonds,clenchingherfingerstogether.Squeezingsotight,shecouldfeelsomeofthebiggerrockscuttingintoherskin.Drawingblood.
Idon't.Idon'twanttobethispersonanymore.
Sheknewwhatshehadtodo.
DAYSEVENHecould'vemadeitback
toNouakchottinonelongpush,itwasonlyaboutsixteenhoursaway.ButMarcwasstoppedshort,whatwithKingsleyaskingtobedroppedoffinDakhla.
“What?”Marcasked,notsurehe'dheardright.He'dbeendaydreaming.Thinking
aboutredhairandgreeneyes.“Stophere,mate.Ileft
mostofmygearhere,”Kingsleyexplained.
“Okay,wecangrabit,thengetsomelunch.”
“Let'seatfirst.”Theyfoundarestaurant
andmadethemselvescomfortable.KingsleyorderedteaandMarcorderedfood,thentheysatandwaited.Avoidedtalkingaboutthepersontheywere
boththinkingabout.“I'mheadingdownto
Nouakchott,andI'mgonnatrytogetsomedocumentswhileI'mthere,trytoflyout.Areyougonnaflywithwithme?”Marcstarted.Kingsleyshrugged.
“Notsure.Doyouthinkthat'sagoodidea?”heasked.
“Whywouldn'titbe?”“Whatifyouflyoutand
thenshecallsyou,needingyourhelp,”Kingsley
suggested.Marcscowled.“Thatwon'thappen.
Besides,Idon'tthinkshe'dcallme.She'stoopigheaded,shethinksshecandoitallonherown.”
“Soundsfamiliar.”“Fuckyou.”Kingsleysighed.“Look.Ilikeyou,mate,”
hestarted.Marcgroaned.“Don'tfuckingstart.I
alreadyfeellikeshit.”“Iknow.ButIstillhave
tosaythis.You'remakingamistake.Igenuinelythoughtwe'dmakeitacouplekilometersbeforeyou'drealizewhatanidiotyou'rebeing,andyou'dturnback,”Kingsleyexplained.
“Well,Iguessyouthoughtwrong.”
“No.Ijusthadhigherexpectationsofyou.NowI'mgoingtobecompletelystraightwithyou.Idon'twanttohearanybullshit.Nota
word.Justhearthetruthfromme,andwe'llbedonewithit,”Kingsleyoffered.
“Alright,butthenit'sdone,”Marcstressed.
“Youaremakingamistake,”Kingsleystated,forwhatfeltlikethemillionthtime.Awaitercamewiththeirorders,andassoonasheleft,Kingsleystartedinagain.“Youcareforthatwoman,andthereisnothingwrongwiththat.Itdoesnotmake
youweak.Itdoesnottakeawayfromallyou'veaccomplished.Ifanything,I'dsayitmakesyoubetter,havingalittlehumanity.Andthatwomancaresforyou,asanyonewitheyescouldtellyou.Sheisalsoverylost,andneedshelp.Yourhelp.
“Youthinkyouarehelpingherbystayingaway?Youaresendingherintoasituationsheiscompletelyunpreparedfor,and
completelyunabletoproperlyhandleonherown.Youaredoingthat.Youcould'veaskedhertocomewithus–Ibetshewould'vesaidyes.Youcould'veaskedhertorunawaywithyou–shewould'vegoneforit,thistime.Yetyoudidnoneofthosethings.Youareeitherscared,orstupid.Neitheriscomplimentary.”
Itwasalotofinformationtounload,andKingsleydiditallinalmost
onebreath,hisposhBritishaccenttakingonahardedge.Hewasstabbingatthetabletopwithhisfinger,poundingouthispoints.Marcleanedbackinhischair.
“You'veknownherforagrandtotalofwhat,twodays?Maybethree?Youhaven'tseenherinactionthewayIhave,Law.Acoupledaysago,shestrippedtoherunderwearandpretendedtobeaprostituteinorderto
stealusacar,afterwhichshehungoutofsaidcarandshotoutthetiresofapursuitvehicle,allwhilehalfnaked.Andthedaybeforethat?Whiledoingsixtymilesanhouranddrivingbackwards,shefiredaflareintoacarfullofhiredthugs.Thewomanhasnoproblemhandlingherself,”Marcassuredhim.Assuredhimself.
Thathastobetrue.Ialmostgotherblownup.She
hastobebetterwithoutme.“I'vesaidmypiece.You
sentheroffwithabagfullofperfectstones,butyoureallyhadadiamondintheroughinyourownhands.Andyouletitgo.IthinksheisgoingtogettoTangier.IthinktheBratvawillshowup.Ithinktheywillshowherwhatthislifestyletrulylookslike.AndIthinktheywillkillher.”
Atthewords“killher”,Marcfeltasharp,stabbing,
burningpaininhisstomach.Hescowledandlookedaway,wonderingwherethenearestbottleofMaaloxwas.
Inoneweek,thebitchmanagedtogivemeanulcer.
“Ithinkyou'rewrong.Ithinkshe'llgetthere,they'llshowup,andthosediamondswillbeherbargainingtool.Shewon'tshowthemunlessshe'sguaranteedsafepassage–thegirlissmart,Law.Theycaremoreabouttheir
investment.Idon'tthinkshe'llpullthetriggerinMoscow,butI'mgladaboutthat.She'llbefine,”Marcstressed.Kingsleyabruptlystoodup,stubbingouthiscigaretteashedidso.
“I'vesaidmypiece.Itoldyou,Ididn'twanttohearanybullshit.I'mgoingtogostayatthesamehotelweleftbehindyesterday.Ifyoubotherme,I'llshootyouintheleg,”hewarnedhim.
“Fuckoffwithyourcondescendingbullshit,Law.YouforgetIknowyou,knowthatyoudon'thavethefuckingrighttolecturemeaboutanything,leastofallhowIshouldorshouldn'tbetreatingawoman,”Marccalledafterhim,butKingsleywasalreadyonhiswayoutoftherestaurant.Hedidn'tevenlookback.
Marcfinishedhisfood,glaringatthetablelikeithad
beentheonetooffendhim.Whenhewasfinished,hepushedawayabruptly,hischairscrapingloudlyagainstthefloor.Severalpeopleturnedtolookathim,butdidn'tsayanything.
FuckKingsleyLaw.WhatdidheknowaboutLily?He'donlyknownherfortwofuckingdays!Acouplemeals,andhewasactinglikealovesickpuppydog,tryingtodoeverything
hecouldtoget“momanddad”backtogether.
Whycan'theseethatI'mdoingthisforher?Shedidn'tstopme.Shedidn'tbegmetogowithher.Shedroveawayfirst…
…becauseitwastherightthingtodo.
DAYEIGHTMarcwasdreaming.He
wasinthewater,andtheharderheswam,thedeeperhesank.Thereweresunbeamsbreakingthroughthesurface,buthekeptgettingfartherandfartheraway.Everythingwasgettingdarker.Beforehecompletelyfadedintoblackness,he
could'veswornhesawaflashofred…
Hesatupabruptly,yankinghisgunoutfromunderneathhispillow.Thedoortohishotelroomburstopen,andheputtwobulletsinthewallnexttotheheadofthepersonbarginginonhim.
“Getup!”Kingsleyshouted,notevenphasedbythegunshots.Hethrewabagontothefootofthebed.
“Whatthefuckdoyou
thinkyou'redoing!?”Marcdemanded.Theyhadn'tspokensinceKingsleyhadwalkedoutoftherestaurant.
“Ijustgotacall,weneedtomove,”theothermanwasbreathinghardashegrabbedMarc'sduffleandputitonthebedaswell.
“Whatcall?Whatareyoutalkingabout?Why?”Marcaskedashejumpedoutofthebed.Hegrabbedhispantsandyankedthemonat
thesametimeashepulledhisothert-shirtoutofhisdufflebag.
“Youknowthathitonyou?”Kingsleyremindedhim.
“Yeah.What,anotherguydecidedtotakeashotatme?”Marcgroaned,thoughhewassurprisedatKingsley'sconcern.Marccouldmorethanhandlehimselfwithsomegreedyhit-hungryassassin.
“No,notyou.”“Whatdoesthatmean?”“Thebountyhasbeen
removedfromyourhead.”“Isthisajoke?That'sa
goodthing,itmeansIcangobacktobed,”Marcgroaned,stoppinghisfranticrushtopullonhisshoes.
“Nowthere'soneonLily.”
Marcjammedhisfootintohisshoe.
“What!?Why!?Howdid
youlearnthis!?”“Myguyoutof
Brooklyn,hecalledme.Toldmenottobotherwithyouanymore,andthatherbountyistwicewhatyourswas.DeSant,peoplearegoingtobealloverthis.AlotoftheseblokesarealreadyinAfrica,lookingforyourass.Withher,theyalreadyhavealocation.IwastoldthetargetwasknowntobearrivinginTangiertoday,”Kingsley
brokeitdown.“Fuck.Fuck.Whywould
theydothis!?It'sfuckingstupid!Ifoneofthesequick-drawplayroomassassinsfindsoutshehasabagfulloffuckingdiamonds,they'llshootherandjusttakethem,”Marcsaid,headingoutthedoor.Theothermanfollowedclosebehind.
“Nomentionofthestones.Allthatwassaidwasdeadoralive,thoughifthe
targetcouldbeacquiredalive,therewouldbeabonus,”Kingsleyexplained,jogginguptotheircarandthrowinghisgearinthebackseat.
“Fuck.HowfararewefromTangier!?Goddammit,howdidthisfuckinghappen,”Marcwascursing.
Theypeeledoutoftheparkinglot,leavingburningrubberintheirwake.Marcdidthemathinhishead.Theywereaboutaday'sdrive
fromTangier.TheyhadleftLilyinTarfayathedaybefore,whichwasonlyabout15hoursfromTangier.Sheshould'vegottentherethenightbefore,butthebountyinstructionshadsaidshewouldbearrivinginTangiertoday.Shemusthavestoppedsomewhereforthenight.
Goodgirl.Adaywasalongtime.
HowfarwasshefromTangier?Casablancawasa
majorcitybetweenTarfayaandTangier,aswasMarrakesh.Itwasasafebetthatshe'dstoppedinoneofthoseplaces,whichmeantshewasonlyacouplehoursfromTangier,sixatmost.Hewastwenty.
FUCK.“Wecan'tdoanythingif
yougetuskilledbeforewecanevengetthere,”Kingsleypointedout,grippingthesideofhisdoorasMarcpassed
dangerouslyclosetoahorse-and-cart.
“Letmeworryaboutthedriving.Isthereanyoneherethatwouldhelpusout?”Marcquestioned.Assassinsandmercenariesdidn'texactlyhaveclubmeetings,oraunion,buttheydidrunintoeachotherfromtimetotime.Friendshipsandbondswereformed.Thereweren'tmanypeopleMarcclaimedasfriends,lessthanhecould
countononehand.Butthereweresome.
“No.TheSwedeisinBangkok,andnoone'sheardfromAdvayinaboutamonth,”Kingsleyanswered.
“Shit.”“We'reonourown.
What'stheplan?”“Wehavetogettoher
beforeoneoftheseotherguysdo.She'sgoodone-on-one,buthersituationalawarenessisnon-existent.Shewon't
knowshe'sbeingtailedtillshe'sgotabulletinher.Wealsoneedgear.Idon'thaveanything,justwhatI'mwearingandtwohandguns.Makesomecalls,findsomewhereinTangierorCasablancathatwecanjustdipinandoutof,”Marcprattledoff.Kingsleytookouthisnotepadandbeganjottingthingsdown.
“Okay,whatamIlookingfor.”
“Vest.Legholsters,shoulderholster.Crowbar.Twowayradios,athroatmicset.TwoColt.45sandashotgun–shorty.Didyoubringthebiggirl?”hequestioned.
“Idon'tleavehomewithouther,”Kingsleychuckled.
“Makethecall.Iwannamakethisdriveinfifteenhours,”Marcexplained,thenpressedharderonthegas.
“Jesus.Justdon'tcrash.”“Iwon't.We'regetting
there.Wehavetogetthere.”Marcwasn'tsureifhe
wasmakingastatement,oraprayer.
Wehavetogetthere.
DAYNINEBeinginTangiermade
Lilynervous.Shewenttothehotel
Ivanovhadinstructedhertostayin,andshecheckedintotheroomhehadbookedforher,thenwenttoarestaurantdownthestreetandatelunch.Hourslater,shecamebacktothehotelandcheckedintoa
newroom.Underawholeothername.LilywasstillbookedintoIvanov'ssuite.Kayleewasstayinginoneofthecheapestroomsinthebuilding,onthesecondfloor.
WhatifIvanovdoesn'tbelieveanythingyousay?Whatifhesayshewantstotakethediamondshimself?
Sheshookawaythebadthoughtsandmadeherwaytotheroofofthehotel.Shestaredoutoverthecityof
Tangier,payingattentiontothestreetsaroundthehotel.Shelookedforanythingoutoftheordinary.Amotorcadeinfrontofthehotel.Ormaybeanout-of-placecar,parkedwithinsurveillancedistanceofthehotel.Anythingthatmightindicatethatpeoplewerefollowingher.Buteverythinglookednormal,asfarasshecouldtell.
Still.Shedidn'twantto
becaughtoffguardbyanything.
Ijustwantthistoend.Foroneplantoworkwithoutahitch.Marc,ifthiscanreachyou,comebackforme.Youcamebackeverysingleothertime.Comebackthistime.
Afterthesunrose,sheheadedbackdownstairs.Creptthroughservicecorridors,tookemergencystairwells.Thehotelwas
quietandshedidn'trunintoanyone,notevenawaywardmaid.
Onceinherroom,Lilypeeledoffherleggings.Therewasafulllengthmirror,andshefrownedatherreflection.She'dshoweredatthehotelinCasablancaandwashedthebikini,butshestillwould'vekilledforsomenewclothing.Someniceclothing.Somenormalclothing.
What'snormal?
Shepeeledbackthescratchycomforterandlaidontopofcoolsheets,staringattheceiling.Hereyesslowlyfellshut,butshedidn'twanttosleep.Shewantedtosweepthehotelinhalfanhour,justasasafetyprecaution,soshetriedtothinkofsomethingthatwouldkeepherawake.
ShethoughtofMarc.They'donlyknowneach
otherwithintheirrolesin
Africa.AmercenaryandatransporterinLiberia.CaptorandcaptiveinMali.AlliesinMauritania.And…friends,througheverythingelse.WhatwouldtheybelikeiftheymetoutsideofAfrica?Wouldhestilllikeher?Shethoughtbacktothelasttimeshe'dseenhim.Theirlastkiss.
Shebentherlegsattheknees,puttingherfeetflatonthemattress.Thenshetooka
deepbreathandputherhandsbehindherhead.Sheimaginedhissexysmileandhismeanglare.Thescaronthesideofhischin,thatmadehimlookhardanddangerous.Hislargehands,thatheknewexactlyhowtouse.Thewayhisteethwouldskimalongtheedgeofhisbottomlipwhenhewaslookingatsomethinghereallywanted.
Herhandwasinherbikinibottomsbeforeshe
evenrealizedit.Shemoaned,hertoescurlingintotheblanketassherememberedtheirlastnighttogether.Rememberedalltheirnightstogether.Thetimeinthehouse,whenhe'dlostitfromhertalkingdirtytohim.Shegasped,movingherfingerslower.Thetimeinthecar,whenithadbeenmorelikeanexplosionthansex.Unabletostop,unabletothink,unabletokeepaway.Herhead
tossedbackandforth,onefingerslidinginandoutofherself.Thefirsttime,inLiberia,inhisroom.Doingitlikeitwassomethingthey'dpracticedbefore,likeitwassomethingthey'ddoneahundredtimestogether.Twofingersnow,runningaracewithherhearttoseewhichwouldmakeherexplodefirst.Herfreehandwasunderhershirt,movingfrombreasttobreast.
God,Iwishhewashere.Iwishhecouldseethis.Hewouldlovethis.
Theorgasmwasn'tasgoodastheonesMarchadgivenher,butitwasn'tanythingtoscoffat,either.Shestretchedcompletelyout,herhandsreachingaboveherhead,andshesmiledtoherself.Hewasn'teveninthesamecity,andhecouldstillmakehercome.
He'dlovethat.
Themomentwasslightlyruined,however,whensomeonebrokedownthedoortoherhotelroom.
DAYNINE“Jesus,cart,leftside!”Marcyankedthewheel,
narrowlymissingacartfulloffabric,whichwasbeingpulledacrossthestreet.
“Thanks.”“Doyouhaveadeath
wish!?Slowthefuckdown!”Kingsleyyelled,onehandbracedagainstthedashas
theytookasharprightturn.“Ihaveabadfeeling,”
Marcgrumbled.They'dbeendrivingata
breakneckpaceallnight.He'dbeenhopingtomakeittoTangierin15hours,butittookthemclosertoeighteenhours.They'dhadtostopinCasablancatopickupMarc'slistofstuff,andthathadbeenitsownadventurewhichhadendedwiththeblackmarketguntraderbeingtiedupand
leftinhisownbasement.Thenthey'dcontinuedon
theirjourney,andthey'dwatchedthesunriseastheyenteredtheoutskirtsofTangier.Buttheclosertheygottothecitycenter,theworsethepaininhisstomachgot;somethingwasmostdefinitelywrong.
“Well,thenevenmorereasonnottogetuskilled!We'reofnouseifwe'reroadkill,”Kingsleypointed
out.“Shutup.Whatwasthe
nameofthehotel?”Kingsley'scontactin
Brooklynhadcomethroughwithmoreinformation.Lily'sbountywasalloverthenetwork,informationwasflowingeverywhere.Ithadn'ttakenlongtofigureoutwhathotelshewasstayingat,evenwhichroom.Ivanovhadbookedit,himself.
“Yourealizeallofthis
wouldn'tbenecessary,ifyou'djuststayedwithherinthefirstplace,”Kingsleypointedout.
“Shutthefuckup.”Theyparkedacouple
blocksawayfromthehotelandsuitedup.EverypieceofgearMarchadlistedoffwaseventuallyattachedtohisbodyinsomeway;eventheshotgunwasrestingagainstthelengthofhisspine,thecrowbarrightnexttoit.He
pulledonthefinalstrapofhisnewflakjacket,tighteningitasmuchaspossible.
“So,howdoyouwanttodothis?Setupastandardstakeout?Casethehotel,sweepforother-”Kingsleystartedwhiletheywalkeddownthestreet.
“Let'sjustworryaboutgettingtoherbeforeanyoneelsedoes,okay?Oncewedothat,wecantalkabouttheplan,”Marcsaid.
“Right.”Theycamearounda
corner,exitinganalleyandcomingoutontoamainroad.Lily'shotelwasacrossthestreetandacoupledoorsdown.They'donlywalkedafewfeetwhensomethingcaughtMarc'seyes.Heswungouthisarm,slappinghishandagainstKingsley'schest,stoppinghim.Hestaredforasecondlonger,thengrabbedtheotherman's
tieandyankedonit,droppingthembothtotheground.
“Whatthefuckisthat!?”hehissed,crouchingdownandscurryingtothefrontofaparkedcar.
“Ican'tseeanything,move,”Kingsleysaid,shovingathisshoulder.MarclettheBritgetaheadofhim,andwatchedashepulledasmallpairofbinocularsoutofhispocket.
“Tellmeeverything,”
Marcinstructed.“Lookslikefour
Escalades.Tintedwindows.Diplomaticflags.Smallcontingencyofbodyguards–seven…no,eight,”Kingsleylistedoff.
“Byki,”Marcwhispered.Bratvabodyguards.Heyankedthebinocularsawayandlookedthroughthem.Herecognizedsomeofthemenontheothersideofthestreet,he'dspenttimewiththemin
Liberia.“Thedoors!”Kingsley
snapped.Marcshiftedhisgaze,
watchingthefrontofthehotel.Onedoorhadopened,thenasecondwaspushedopenaswell.Amaninablacksuitcameout–anotherbodyguard.Thenanother.Thenthepighimself,Ivanov.Marcclenchedhisjaw,preparinghimselfforwhatheknewwascoming.
Shelookedpissed,andshewasn'twearinganypants,butLilywasinonepiece,andthat'swhatmatteredthemosttohim.Shehadherwristspinnedbehindherbackandthemenoneithersideofherwereholdingherarms,almostcarryingherdownthesteps.Hertoesbarelybrushedtheground.Shewasn'tstruggling,smartgirl,buthermouthwasmovingdoubletime,andifhehadn'tfeltlike
puking,Marcwouldhavesmiledasheimaginedthethingsshewassaying.
“Gogetthecar,”hestated.
“Huh?”“Gogetthefuckingcar.
Now!”WhileKingsleytookoff
backdownthealley,Marcwatchedthesceneunfold.IvanovwassayingsomethingtoLily,holdingherfacebetweenhishands.Shewas
scowlingandtryingtopullfree.Helaughedatwhatevershesaid,thenmovedhishands,cuppingherbreasts.Marc'svisionturnedred.
Hediesfirst.ShespitinIvanov'sface,
andwhenhewenttorubthesalivaway,shekickedhimintheballs,sendinghimtohisknees.Oneofthebodyguardsgrabbedherbythebackofthehead,yankingherbackbyherhair.Marccouldhearher
shriekallthewayfromhishidingplace,andhegrimaced.
Ivanoveventuallystoodup.Shegotslappedacrosstheface,twice,theneveryonewasinstructedtoloadup.Marcbalancedonhistoes,readytosprintifnecessary.IfKingsleydidn'tshowupsoon,Marcwasgoingtotrytotakeoveroneofthecars.Orhitchonbeneathone.Anything.Hecouldn'tlosethem.Couldn't
loseher.Thecarsbeganfillingup
withpeople,withIvanovandLilyinthethirdcar.Thencaronestartedtopullaway.Thencartwo.Marcstoodupandstartedwalkingforwardascarthreebegantoroll,butthenacarsquealedtoastopnexttohim.HeturnedtoseeKingsleyleaningacrosstheseat,pushingthepassengerdooropen.Marcdoveintothevehicle.
“They'vegother,”hebreathed,bucklinghimselfin.“Ivanoviswithher.Shelookspissed.”
“Doesn'tsoundgood.”“No,they'veneverseen
herpissed.I'malmostscaredforthem.”
TheywovetheirwaythroughTangier,keepingthreecarsbetweenthemandIvanov'sentourageatalltimes.Kingsleygotonhisphone,startedbarkingout
questionstoanyinformantsheknew,tryingtofigureoutwhereshewasbeingtaken.Nooneseemedtoknowanything–Ivanov'spresenceinTangierwasasurprise.Whywouldhebethere,ifhe'dtakenahitoutonLily?
Maybehedidn'ttakeoutthehit.BossmanStankovski…
Theyfollowedthemtotheouterreachesofthecity,puttingmoreandmore
distancebetweenthem.Marcputonhisradio,strappingtheapparatusaroundhisneck.Hesetthechannels,thentossedtheotherradiointoKingsley'slap.
Getready.Thesmallmotorcade
pulledinbehindwhatlookedlikeanabandonedmedicalcenter,inasketchyneighborhood.Noonewasonthestreets,andtheapartmentbuildingssurroundingthem
alsolookedtobemostlyabandoned.Kingsleycruisedby,withMarclayingbackinhisseat,invisiblefromtheoutside.Theywentdownthestreet,tooktwolefts,thenheadedupthesmallstreetthatranparalleltotheonethey'djustcomedown.
TheyparkedinfrontofasquattyapartmentbuildingandMarchoppedoutbeforethecarevenstoppedrolling.Hegotintothebackseatand
beganhaulingouttherestoftheirgear.HewatchedasKingsleytookoffhissuitjacketandbeganputtinghis“work”clothesbackon–blackknitsweater.Blackflakjacketoverit.Blackslacks.Blackgloves.Thenheputonhisradio.
“Youhearthis?”Marcchecked,pushingdownonthedevicethatrestedagainstthisthroat.
“Goodtogo,”Kingsley's
voicewhisperedthroughtheearpiece.
“Okay,onceIgetacrossthestreet,leavethemicson.I'mjustgonnafindanentranceandgo.Yousetup,getaview.Seeifyoucanfindwhatroomthey'rein,helpmeout.Youseeshitgodown,startshooting,okay?Don'tworryaboutme,justtakeoutanyonestandinginherway,”Marcinstructed.
“Noproblem.Yousure
aboutthis?”Marcstoppedfora
second.He'dnevergoneintoajobsounprepared,before;well,notcountingthewholelastweek.Usually,whenhewasgoingforanextraction,oraheist,heknewthepropertybackwardsandforwards.Heknewmostoftheindividualswhowouldbeontheproperty.Hehadaroutemappedout,multipleentrancepoints,andmultiple
exitpoints.Hehadaplan.Heknewnothingofthe
buildinghewasabouttoenter,hehadnocluehowmanymenwouldactuallybeinside,andhehadnoideawhatkindofconditionLilywouldbeinoncehefoundher.
Hehadnoplan.“Positive.Let'sgoget
thatwildcat,”hesighed.Thetwomennoddedtoeachother,thenMarctookoff
jogging.Holdon,Lily.Don'tsay
anythingthat'llgetyoushot.I'mcoming.Justholdon.
DAYNINEWell,ifthisain'tabitch
…Lilysighed,restingher
foreheadagainstherbicep.Sheshiftedherweightfromfoottofoot,tryingtoalleviatethepressureinherlegs.Shehadanitchbetweenhershoulderbladesthatwasthreateningtodriveher
insane,butshecouldn'treachit.
Herwristswerehandcuffedtogetherandhookedtoachain,whichwashangingfromtheceiling.
Itwasfitting.Herweekhadbegunwithherbeingchainedup.Nowitwasendingthatway.Possiblyendingpermanently.Sheleanedherheadback,lookingtoseewherethechainwasattached.Aheavymetalplate
witharinginitwasboltedtothecementceiling,withthechainrunningthroughthering.Shefurrowedherbrow,examiningthemetalplate.
Hmmm.Ivanovwaspissed.At
thehotel,he'dtossedboththefakeroomandtheroomshe'dbookedforherself,andhehadn'tbeenabletofindthediamonds.She'dhadmultiplegunsshovedintovariouspartsofheranatomy,and
she'dbeensmackedaroundplenty,butshehadn'tsaidaword.Notonewordsincethey'dleftthehotel.Itdrovetheothermeninsane,earnedhermorehits,butstillshekepthermouthshut.
Lilyusedthetimetothink.Howwasshegoingtogetherselffree.Shewaswearingherbikiniandthesleevelessshirt,thatwasit.Notevenshoes.Shehadnofirearms.Shewaschainedup.
Onceagain,justlikethebeginningofherweek,theonlyweaponshehadwasthediamonds.Shewastheonlypersonwhoknewtheirwhereabouts.
Ihavetogetoutofhere.Buthow?God,thiswouldbeeasierifMarcwashere.
Shekeptstaringatthemetalplate,thenhereyesfollowedthechain,allthewaytothehandcuffsshewaswearing.Thenbackupagain.
Shelickedherlipsandglancedaround.Shewasaloneinaroomonthethirdfloorofabuilding,thewindowsallfacinganapartmentbuilding.Noonecouldseeher.Shetookseveralquick,sharpbreaths,thenletherlegsgocompletelylimp,forcingherwriststocatchallherweight.
“Fuck!”shehissed,bitingintoherbottomlipasshegotherfeetback
underneathherself.Shelookedupagainand
smiled.Ithadhurtlikeabitch,themetalfromthecuffscuttingintoherskin,butithadworked.Severalsmallcrackshadformedintherockaroundtheplate.Shestooduprightonhertoes,grippedthechainbetweenherhandsthistime,thendroppedherselfagain.Shewinced,thecuffsstillscraping,butitwasn'tasbadasbefore,and
thereweredefinitelymorecracks.
Thiscouldwork.Afterseveralmoredrops,
herleftwristwasbleeding,thecrimsonliquidtrailingdownherraisedarm.Eithershewasgoingtoriptheplateoutoftheceiling,orshewasgoingtobeabletoslipfreeofthecuff,dislocatingherthumbandrippingoffalayerofskinintheprocess.Shewasn'tsurewhichwould
happenfirst,andshedidn'treallycare.Aslongasshewasfree.
“Liliana!”Thedoorburstopenand
Lilygotbackontoherfeet.Sheliftedherarmsupashighastheywouldgo,tryingtorelievesomeofthepaininherwrists.Ivanovwaddledintotheroom,andseverallargemenfiledinafterhim.
“Didyoubringbreakfast?I'mstarving,”Lily
sighed.Ivanovchortledandlaughedashedraggedachairacrosstheroomsohecouldsitinfrontofher.
“Wereyoualwaysthisfunny,Ms.Lily?Iwishwewouldhavetalkedmore,”hesnickered.
“Eh,Idon'tthinkyou'dgetmysenseofhumor.”
“True.”“Whatisthisabout?I
mean,Ienjoyabitofkinkasmuchasthenextgirl,”Lily
joked,shakingherchainsforemphasis,“butthisisabitextreme.”
“Liliana,youcannotdisappearwithmydiamondsandnotexpectmetobealittleupset,”hereplied.
“Disappear?Itoldyouwhathappened,youknowwhathappened.IdidthebestIcould,hehadmechainedtohim!Istillfinishedthejob.Istillmadeithere,IcanstillmakeittoMoscow,”Lily
snapped,herteethclenchedtogether.
“Thatwillbeunnecessary.”
“Why?Idon'tunderstand.Igotawayfromhim,Ikeptthemsafe,”shestressed.
“Yes,thatiswhatyousay.Butwherearediamonds?”heasked.
Sheswallowedthickly.“Safe.”“Wesearchedyourroom
andtheotherroom.Andentirehotel.Nostones.Iwouldverymuchliketoseethem,”hetoldher.Shetookadeepbreath.
Plan.Plan.Sticktotheplan.
“Letmego,”shesaid.“Impossible.”“I'mtheonlyonewho
knowswheretheyare,Ihidthemsomewhere,”shetoldhim.
“Andwhywouldyoudo
that?Ifyouareinnocentlikeyouclaim.”
“BecauseIknewyouprobablywouldn'tbelieveme,andIamnotgoingtodieinthiscountry.Notforthosestones.Notatyourhands,”Lilyswore.
“Weshallseeaboutthat.Alexei,”Ivanovsnappedhisfingersatoneofthemenintheroom,gesturingforhimtocomeforward.Theyoungmansteppedtowardsherand
withouthesitating,hewrappedhishandsaroundLily'sneckandsqueezed.
“You'llneverfindthem!You'llneverfindthem!”shemanagedtoshriekbeforeherairsupplycouldbecutoff.Thechokingstopped,buthedidn'tremovehishands.Lilystayedonhertoes,staringatIvanovoutofthecornerofhereye.
“Telluswheretheyare,Liliana.Ourreachisveryfar.
Youwouldn'tliketoseeyourfamilyhurt,”hethreatened.Shejustbarelystoppedherselffromlaughing.
“Youdon'tevenknowwhatmylastnamereallyis,”shehissed.
“Alexei.”Theyoungmaninfront
ofhersqueezedhernecksohard,herbloodimmediatelybegantorushtoherears.Sheshookherbodybackandforth,tryingtobreakfree,but
hewaslikeatreetrunk.Unwavering.Soshehikedbackherlegandkickedhiminthenuts,ashardasshecould.Likeshewastryingtomakea300yardfieldgoal.HeletoutastringofRussianwordsthatcouldonlybecurses,thenfelltohisknees.Lilyhackedandcoughed,suckinginair.
“Letmego…andI'lltakeyou…takeyoutothestones…,”shegasped.
“Telluswherestonesare,andthenmaybeIletyougo!”Ivanovyelledback.
“No.I'mnotdyinghere.Iwillnotdiehere,”shebreathed.
“Youwilldie,anditwillbeveryslow,anditwillbeverypainful,Iassureyou,”hethreatened.Theyoungmanmanagedtogettohisknees,hisfacebeetred,hisownbreathinghaggard.
“Whythetheatrics,
Ivanov?YoubarelyeverleftthesafehouseinLiberia.Nowyou'reflyingallthewaytoMorocco?Threateningme,whenifyou'djustletmego,thediamondswouldbeyours.Why?”Lilyasked.
BeforeIvanovcouldanswer,themanhe'dcalledAlexeigottohisfeetandslappedLily,withthefullforceofhisarm.Sheflewtotheside,herlegsgoingoutfromunderneathher,andshe
howledinpain.Notfromthehit,butfromthehandcuffsbitingintoheralreadybruisedandbleedingwrists.Shestruggledtostandupright.
“Youdonotquestionme,girl!Icamehereforstones,andonlyforstones!Stankovski'sstones!”Ivanovwasyelling,hisfaceturningred.Sheglancedup,noticingthatthemetalplatewasevenlooserthanbefore,wigglinginplaceaboveherasshe
movedaround.“AndIwanttogiveyou
thestones!Soletmego!”sheyelledback.
“No.Ihaveotherwaysofmakingyoutalk,stupidgirl.Doyoulikeyourtoes?Becauseyouareabouttolosesomeofthem.Theywillmakeexcellentadditionstomycollection,”heinformedher.
“Please,”shemoaned,reducedtobegging.“Please.
Thisdoesn'thavetobelikethis–wewerepartnersinLiberia.Westillare.Sameteam.Youdon'thavetodothis,Iwillgiveyouthestones.Youcancomewithme.”
“Wearenotonsameteam.Wearenotevenonsamefield.Youwilltellmewherethestonesare,andthenyouandstoneswillbegiventoStankovskiasgift,”heinformedher.Shefrowned.
Somethingseemedoff.“Whywouldhewant
me?Evenasagift?I'mnothistype.”
“Asapology,fordelayingettingstones.”
“Butsurelyevenhewouldunderstand–DeSantisdead,that'swhathewanted,right?Hegothisrevenge.Whywouldheneedanapologyfromyou?”Lilyasked.
“Itdoesnotmatter!That
hebecameinvolvedisworthyofapology!”Ivanovyelled.
“Becameinvolved…wasn'tStankovskialwaysinvolved?”shewasconfused.
“Nonono!Nowisnottimefortalking!”
SomethingclickedinLily'sbrain.Shewentstillforasecond,thenstaredverydirectlyatIvanov.
“Hedidn'tknow,”shebreathed.Ivanovfrowned.
“What?”
“Hedidn'tknow.YoutoldtheLiberiangangthatMarcstoletheirdiamonds,thatMarcwastryingtosellthemforhimself.YoumusthavetoldStankovskithesamething.Butsomehow…somehowhefoundout.Foundoutthatwasn'ttrue,thatMarchadmeandwestillhadthediamonds.Youliedtohim,didn'tyou?”thepiecesfellintoplaceinLily'sbrain.
“Youshutyourmouth!”
Ivanovyelled,leapingoutofhischair.Hisangeronlyconfirmedhertheory.
“Youweregoingtokeepthemforyourself!TelleveryonethatMarcstolethem,thencountonsomeonekillinghim,solvingthatlittleproblemforyou.Butyoudidn'tcountonMarcbeingsmarterthanyou.Strongerthanyou.Strongerthananythingyoucouldthrowathim!”Lilywasyellingback.
“Iwillkillyou,youwhore!Youruinedeverything!”Ivanovshoutedthroughclenchedteeth.Lilychuckled.
“Oh,youstupid,stupidman.Ican'twaittoseewhokillsyoufirst.StankovskiorMarc,”shesighed,grippingthechainbetweenherhands.Herfingerswerestartingtogonumb.
“YousaidDeSantwasdead,”Ivanovremindher.
Herchucklingturnedtolaughterandshepulledonthechain,spinningherselfinalazycircle.
“Ilied.He'snotdead.He'salive.Someday,he'llfindyou.Andthen,he'sgoingtokillyou,”shelaughedandlaughed,twirlingaround.
“Shutyourmouth!”Ivanovwasalmostshrieking.
“He'sgoingtokillyou.Killyou.Ican'twait,”shekeptlaughing.
“Shutup!”Ivanovleaptforward,
surprisinglynimbleforsuchaheavyman.Hegrabbedherbyherponytailandyankedherheadback.Asshewasforcedintoabackbend,hebroughtaroundalargeknifeandpressedthebladehardagainstherjawbone.
“You'llneverfindthem!”shescreamed,grittingherteethastheserratededgescratchedherskin,drawing
blood.“Youtellme,orIcutoff
yourhead!”hewasscreamingback.
“Fuckyou!I'mnottellingyoushit!”Lilykepthereyessqueezedshut.Ifshewasgoingtodiebyhavingherneckslicedopen,shedidn'twantOlegIvanovtobethelastimageshewasgoingtosee.
“Iwilldoit!Iwillkillyou!”
“Thenfuckingdoit!”Shecouldfeeltheblade,
couldalreadyfeelatrickleofbloodrunningdownherneck.Hemovedtheknife,placingitheavilyagainstthesideofherthroat,rightoverthethrobbingveinthere,andsheheldherbreath.Triedtothinkofsomethingpleasant.Anything.Anythingtomakedyingslightlymorebearable.Avoicebeganwhisperinginthebackofherbrain,andshe
almostsmiled.“...wedon'thavetobe
thesepeopleanymore...”
DAYNINEGettingpasttheguardin
thebackofthebuildingwaseasy–Marcgothiminachokeholdtillhepassedout.Lefthimhalfwayunderacar,sleepingitoff.
“DeSant,”avoicehissedinhisear.
“Alittlebusy,”hegrowled.Hewasscurryingup
ametalladderthatranthelengthoftheouterwall.
“Thirdfloor.Streetfacingroom.Icountfourdoorsdown,onyourleft,”Kingsley'svoicewaslow.
“Canyouseeher!?”Marcdemanded.
“Icanseeher.”“Isshealive?”“Yes.”“Condition?”Marc
asked.“Sheseemsokay.They've
gotherchainedtotheceiling.She'salone,andshe-wait.Movement,”Kingsleyspokeinhushedtones.
“What'sgoingon!?”Marcsnapped.
Hestoppedclimbingatthefourthfloorandworkedhiswayontotheledgeoutsideofawindow.Noonewasintheroom,sohebrokeoutapaneofglass,undidthelatch,andopenedthewindow.Hedroppedintothe
room,crouchinglowandmovingfastashemadehiswaytothedoor.
“There'sbodyguards.Ivanov.Andher.He'ssitting.They'retalking,”Kingsleydescribed.
“Findoutwhatthey'resaying!”
KingsleyalwayscarriedaLongDistanceListeningDevice,itwasastandardpartofhisgear.Marclistenedtothehissandpopoftheradio
static,thentherewasashufflingnoiseandthelineopenedupagain.
“He'saskingwherethediamondsare.She'ssayingthatshehidthem,”theothermanfilledhimin.Marcclosedhiseyesforasecond.
Thankgod.Smartgirl.“Isthereanyoneonmy
floor?”“You'reclear.The
buildingappearstobeabandoned.Ionlyseea
coupleguardsonthebottomfloor,theneveryoneelseintheroomwithLily.”
Marcdashedintothehall,hisgunpointedstraightahead.Therewasastaircaseatoneendofthehall,butheignoreditandwenttheotherway.Helocatedanancientlookingpairofelevatordoorsand,usingthecrowbar,pulledthedoorsapart.
“Goingintheelevatorshaft.Anythinghappening?”
heasked,grabbingtheclosestcableandslidingdownitslowly.
“Stilltalking.Arguing.Hewantstoknowwherethediamondsare,he'sthreatenedto-oneoftheguardsischokingher!”
Marclosthisgripandshotdowntherestofthecable,landinghardontopofthestoppedelevator.
“What!?Issheokay!?Shootthatmother-”Marc
startedgrowling,scramblingtolocatethemaintenancehatch.
“It'sover.Shelaidtheguyout,onekickbetweenthelegs.Scarywoman,”Kingsleyinterruptedhim.Marcletoutthebreathhe'dbeenholding.
“Youhavenoidea.”Themaintenancehatch
gavewayunderthecrowbarandMarcdroppedintotheelevator.Hewasnowonthethirdfloor.Hewasfourdoors
downfromher.Fourdoorsawayfromsavingher.
Fourdoorsawayfromlosingher.
“They'retalkingaboutsomething.Wait.What?Sheseemstohavefiguredsomethingout.She…she'saccusingIvanovofsettingeveryoneup.Gettingyoutotakethefall,sohecouldkeepthediamonds.ScrewStankovskiover,”Kingsleyfilledhimin.Marcwas
crouchingonthefloor,pullingaparttheelectricalpanel,andhepaused.
“Smart.Suchaclevergirl.Inevereventhoughtofthat,”hemumbled,talkingtohimself.
“ShemusthavesomethingbecauseIvanovislosinghisshit.Threateningtocutoffhertoes,blahblah,”Kingsleydescribed.Marcyankedacouplewiresout,cutthem,twistedotherwires
together.Thenhecuttwomoreandpulledthemoutasfarasthewireswouldallow,beforelayingthemontheground,makingsuretheydidn'ttouch.
“Getready,I'mgonnadropthelift.How'sshedoing?”Marcgruntedoutasheworkedtopullthedoorsopenmanually.
“She's…laughing.”“Laughing!?”Marc
doublechecked.Hewedged
theendofthecrowbarunderoneofthedoors,forcingthemtostayopen.Hewasgladtoseethatthedooracrossthehallwasopen,itwouldmakehisplanthatmucheasier.Thenheriskedpeekingdownthehall.Itwasempty,buthecouldhearraisedvoicesfromtheotherendofthebuilding.
“Shewastellinghimthatyouwerealive–apparentlysheledthemtobelieveyou
weredead.She'stellinghimthatyou'regoingtokillhim.”
NowMarcwaslaughing.“God,Imightactuallybe
inlovewiththisgirl,”hesighed,creepingintothehallway,holdingthetwowiresinhishands.
“Headsup!He'smovingonher.He'sgotherhair.Shit,”Kingsleyhissed.
“What!?”Marcsnapped,stoppinginthemiddleofthehallway.
“Marc.He'sgotaknifeonherthroat.He'sthreateningtouseit.”
“Andwhat'sshegottosayaboutthat?”
“Ibelieveherresponsewas,'justfuckingdoit',orsomethingtothateffect.”
Marcclosedhiseyes.Tookadeepbreath.
“Law,”hewhispered.“DeSant.”“Whateverhappens.It's
beengoodknowingyou.
Goodtimes.”“Don'tgetmushyonme
now,darling.Youcangiveusabigkisswhenyoucomeoutoftherealive.”
“Soundsgood.Youready?”
“Always.”“Bringthefire.”Marctwistedthewires
together,causingtheelevatortodrop.Ashetuckedandrolledintotheemptyroomacrossthehall,heavyartillery
shotswerefiredontheoutsideofthebuilding.Specificallyonasectionaboutfourdoorsdown.JustasMarccametoastopbehindadoor,theelevatormetthebottomfloorinaspectacularsoundingcrash,causingtheoldbuildingtoshake.
Thereactionwasprettymuchasdesired.AsMarcslidintoastandingposition,hisgunattheready,hecould
hearfeetchargingdownthehall.Peoplescreaming.Thefootstepsranpasthim,downastairwell.Thentherewasthesoundofasprinklersystemkickingon,andsomeoneweeping.Hestrainedhisears,tryingtoplaceifitwasawomanoraman.
“Onedown.Ivanov'shit.Tworanoutoftheroom,”Kingsley'svoicewaswhispering,butitsounded
loudinMarc'sear.“And…?”hedaredto
ask.“Sheseemsfine,she's
standingonherown.”“Sothat'sit?JustIvanov
isintheroom?”Marcchecked.
“FarasIcantell,yes.She'sstrugglingwithherchain.Ivanovisontheground,Icanonlyseehisfeet.Iclippedhisshoulder.”
“Good.Iwanttobethe
onetoendhim.Goingin.Watchthebottomfloor,pickoffanyonewhotriestoleave,”Marcinstructed.
“Alreadyonit.”Despitewantingtorunin
there,gunsblazing,Marctookhistime.Hekepthimselftighttothewallandjoggeddownthehallway.Hetookshort,quickbreaths,wantingtostaysharp.Alert.Hepausedoutsideofthedoortoherroom,triedtothink
back.Somethingwasn'tright.Howmanybodyguardshadcomeoutofthehotel?Howmanyweredownstairs?
ButthenLilyscreamed,andcautionandlogicandreasoningflewoutthewindow.
Onemoresecond,sweetheart,andwe'llbefree,onewayoranother.
DAYNINEWhatthefuckwasthat!?Lily'searswereringing.
Whoeverwasshootinghadtobeacrossthestreet,butstill.Thesoundsintheroomhadbeendeafeningforamoment.Gunshots,screaming,thesprinklersgoingoff.Abodyguardhittheground.Abullethadrippedthroughhimwith
suchforcethatmostofhisheartwasnolongerinsidehischest.
Whatkindofgundoesthat?IwantonenexttimeIdooneofthesestupidjobs.
Shetuckedherselfdownassmallasshecould,danglingfromherchain,andjustprayedthatwhoeverwasshootingwouldmagicallymissher.ShewatchedIvanovgetshot,hisshoulderalmosttakencleanoff.Hehowled
andfelltotheground,rollingtojustbeneaththewindows.Theninbetweengunshots,therewasasmallexplosion,fromsomewhereunderneaththem.Theothertwobodyguards,notoriouslyfearlessbyki,whoweresupposedtoletnooneandnothinggetclosetotheirboss,turnedtailandranlikescaredlittlegirls.
Oncethebulletsstopped,Lilydaredtostandupright.
Shelookedaround,takinginthedamage.Ivanovwasmoaningontheground,mumblinginRussian.Thelastremainingbodyguardwaspressedagainstthewallnexttothewindows,breathinghard,lookinglikehecouldn'tdecidewhetherheshould'vejoinedhisfriendsornot.
“Hey!”Lilysnapped,gettingtheguard'sattention.“Hey!Getthesefuckingchainsoffofme!IfIdie,
thosediamondswillneverbefound.”
Hedidn'tmove.Ontheground,Ivanovbegantowail,cryingloudlyandtheatricallyasherolledfurtherintotheroom.Sherolledhereyesandlookedbackupattheceiling.Themetalplate,whichwaskeepingherinplace,wasstillstuckthere.Shegrittedherteethandbeganyankingandshakingthechain,tryingtopullitfree.
“No.No,youstop,”theremainingbodyguardfinallysaidsomething.
Lilyignoredhim.Justacouplemoreyanks,andshe'dbefree.Shedidn'tcarethatshewashandcuffed,shewasgettingthefuckoutofthere.Godonlyknewwhowasshootingatthem.WouldaLiberiangangfollowtheBratvaallthewaytoMorocco!?Ormaybetheyhadconnectionsthere,had
calledinafavor.Maybeitwassomeoneelsealltogether.TheMafia.Al-Qaeda.Anyone.Anyoneatall.Anyone...
Shewassolostinthought,sobusytryingtopullherselffree,shedidn'tnoticeIvanovworminghiswayacrossthefloor.Hegrabbedherleftfoot,shockingher,thenhebitdown,hard,breakingtheskinimmediately.Shescreamed
andkickedhimintheface,tryingtoshakehimoff.
Therewasanothercommotionandwhenshelookedup,shehadtoblinktomakesureshewasn'tseeingthings.Shakeherheadtoclearthewateroutofhereyes.Someonewasstridingthroughthedoor,agunheldattheready.Shecouldn'tbelieveit.
Iknewhe'dcomeback.“Behindyou!”she
shrieked,atthesametimethebodyguardpouncedonMarc,grabbinghiswrist.Twobulletswerefiredintothewall,thenthetwomenweredancingaround.Thebodyguardcaughtanelbowtothethroat,buthedidn'tlosehisgrip.Marcgotafoothookedaroundhisankleandtheybothwentdown.
Lilylurchedforward,thencriedoutastheherchainsstoppedher.Shewent
tokick,hopingitwoulddosomething,whenanotherhighpoweredbulletcrashedintotheroom.Sheshriekedagain,jumpingbackastheprojectileblewasmallcraterinthewoodenfloorboards.Sheturnedtolookoutthewindows,staringatthebuildingacrossfromthem.Thesunglintedoffsomethingontheroof.Somethingsmallandshiny.Ascope.
Kingsley!?
Handsgrabbedherbythehips,andshegruntedasIvanovpulledhimselfupherlength.Shetriedtoshimmyawayfromhim,buthewastooheavy.Soonenough,hewasstandingupright,onearmwrappedaroundhershoulders,forcinghertofacethewindows.Hestoodbehindher,duckeddown,makingitimpossibleforsomeonetoshoothimwithoutshootingher.
Please,god,letthatbeKingsleyoutthere.
“Enough!”Ivanovroared,andtheknifehe'dhadearlierwasnowdiggingintoLily'sthroat,rightbelowherchin.
Everythingstopped.Marcandthebodyguardwereontheirknees,bothofthemgrippingMarc'sgun.Theypaused,thenthegunwasrippedoutofMarc'shands.Hesighedandhelduphis
hands.“Thisdidn'thavetobe
likethis,”hesaid,hisvoiceascalmasiftheywerediscussingthestockmarket.Lilysmiled.
Imissedhisvoice.“Youaresupposedtobe
dead!”Ivanovshouted,jerkingonLily'sshoulder.Shehissedaspainburnedthroughherwrists.Thewaterfromthesprinklersmixedwithherblood,turningher
limbspink.“I'mnotsogoodat
dying,”Marcexplained.“ButI'mherenow.Ifuckedeverythingup.Lethergo,andyoucanhaveme.”
“No!”Lilyshouted.“Lethergo,andI'lltake
youtowherewehidthediamonds,”heoffered.
“He'slying!Hedoesn'tknow!”shekeptgoing.Whatwashedoing!?OfallthetimesforMarctobecomea
standupguy,ithadtoberightthen.
“Idoknow.Yourschemewasagoodone,Ivanov.IfiguredifIwasgoingtogetblamedforstealingthem,mightaswellactuallytakethem.Shedidn'thaveanythingtodowithit,”hebluffedevenmore.
“Ilethergo,andyoutellmewherediamondsare?”Ivanovchecked.
“Please,”Lilymoaned.
Theywouldbothbedead.TheywouldkillMarc,thenkillherbeforeshecouldgettwosteps,andallfornothing.Shehadtostopthis,shehadtodosomething.
Ivanovwasstillholdingontoher,stillhadtheknifeatherthroat,butitwasn'tassharpasbefore–hewasusinghisbadarmtoholditup,itmusthavebeenpainful.Marcwasonhisknees,hishandsraised,thebodyguard
behindhimstillholdingthegun.Whatcouldshedo?Whatcouldshedo!?
Kingsley.Hecouldseethem,
obviously.Butshewasalsoprettysurehecouldhearthem.HowelsewouldMarchaveknownwhatfloorshewason?Whatroomshewasin?Thatshehadclaimedtohavehiddenthediamonds?Marcwaswearingamicsetaroundhisthroat,andshe
waswillingtobetitwassettoalwaysbeon.
Biggamble.“Shoot!”shesuddenly
yelled.Everyoneglancedatherforasecond.
“Youwantmetoshoothim?”Ivanovasked.Sheignoredhimandstaredoutthewindow.Stareddirectlyattheshinyobjectonthetopoftheroofacrossthestreet.Herhandsweregrippingthechainaboveherhead,bothher
indexfingerspointingstraightup.
Straightuptowhereherchainconnectedtotheceiling.
“Lookatmeandshoot!”sheshrieked,hoppingontheballsofherfeet.
“Youwantmetoshootyou!?”Ivanovsoundedincredulous.
“Shutthefuckup,Lily!”Marcyelled.
“JUSTFUCKING
SHOOT!”Aroar.Glassshattering.
Sheturnedherheadaway,andthankedgodthatKingsleywasn'tasstupidasMarc.Themetalplatewasrippedofftheceiling,bringingdownalargechunkofcementwithit.AchunkthatlandeddirectlyonIvanov'shead.Hegroanedandslumpedtothefloor,draggingherwithhim.Theknifefelloutofhishands.
ShehadtrustedthatMarcwouldknowwhattodo,andhedidn'tfailher.Hegrabbedthebodyguard'swristanddrovehisfistintotheotherman'ssolarplexus.Lilyscrambledaroundontheground,pullingherchainoutfromunderneathIvanov.
Goddamnchains.Startedinchains.Endinginchains.Fuckchains.
Thefatmanrolledaround,moaningashe
broughthishandstohishead.Shewastednotimeandjumpedonhisback,coilingthemetallinksaroundhisneckandyankingthemtight.Ivanovwasanobeseman,sheneverwould'veexpectedhimtobeabletoputupafight.Buthewasactuallyverytenacious,andhereachedoverhisshoulderandgrabbedahandfullofherhair.Sheshriekedasshewaspulledoverhimandslammed
ontotheground.Sherolledontoher
stomachandwasabouttojumptoherfeetwhenhereyeslockedontoMarc.Hehadgottentohisfeet,butthebodyguardstillhadn'trelinquishedthegun.Marcsteppedintohim,elbowedhiminthethroat,pulledthegunfree,thenshovedthebarrelundertheotherguy'schin.Thenthetriggerwaspulled.Nohesitation.
Justlikehetoldyoutodo–sowhyareyouhesitatingrightnow?
“Stupidbitch!”Lilyletoutascreamas
searingpainwashedoverherbody.IvanovhadjustshovedhishugefuckingKBarrightthoughherarm.Thebladewentrightbetweenherthebonesofherforearm,straightthroughflesh,andlodgedintothewoodunderneathherarm.Shewenttograbthehandle
oftheknifewhentherewasanalltoofamiliarsound,rightnexttoherear.
TheslidebeingpulledbackonaGlock.HerGlock.
Thatguniscursed.“Youstopnow,”Ivanov
sighed,climbingtohisknees,allthewhileholdingLily'sowngunagainstherhead.
“Youstop,”Marcreplied,traininghisownfirearmonIvanov'sforehead.
“Idonotthinkso.You
shootme,Istillhavetimetoshoother.”
“Yousureaboutthat?That'saprettybiggunoutside–hecouldkillyouatanymoment,”Marcpointedout.
“Notifhecan'tseeme,”Ivanovretaliated.
Hewasright.WhereLilywaslaying,Ivanovwasjustoutsideoftheviewthroughthewindow.Hewasalsoonhisknees,makinghimevenlessvisible.Shegrittedher
teeth,slidingherarmupanddownonthebladealittle.Itmadeherwanttopuke,andtherewasn'tmuchgive.Shewouldhavetoyankhardtogettheknifedislodged,andshedidn'twanttodothatwhileagunwaspressedtothesideofherhead.SheliftedherheadtolookatMarc.
“Quiteapickle,sweetheart.Ithinkyou'rebadluck,”hejoked,winkingat
her.Shescowled.“Ithinkyou'rebadluck,”
shesnappedback.Hetossedhisguntotheground,thenputhishandstogetheronthebackofhishead.
“Youdidn'tthinkthatacouplenightsago.Infact,Ithinkyouwerefeelingverylucky.”
Isheflirtingwithme!?Now,ofalltimes!?Iknowwe'regonnadieintwoseconds,butgoddamn,Marc!
“We'reinabitoftroublehere,DeSant,couldyoushutthefuckupfortwoseconds!?”sheyelled.
“Bothofyou,shutup!”Ivanovyelled.
“DidIevertellyousomething,Lily?”Marcrandomlyasked.
“Tellmewhat?”shewaslost.
“Thatyouhavetheabsolutelymostgorgeouseyes,I'veeverseen.”
Shewashurledbackintime.Towhenthey'dbeeninacarchase,afterthey'dstayedintheemptyhouse.Thecrazycockneymercenary,holdingherhostage,whileshe'dbeenhalfconscious.Marcprattlingawaytoher,distractingher.Distractinghercaptor.
Cleverman.“Youmayhavesaidit,
butitbearsrepeating,”shetoldhim.
“Isaidshutup!”Ivanovkeptshouting.
“Idreamaboutthoseeyes.”
“Good,I'mglad.Maybenexttime,don'tleaveme,andyouwon'thavetodreamaboutthem.”
“Soundslikeaplan.”“That'sit!”Ivanovwas
fullonshriekingashewhippedthegunup,pointingitatMarc'schest.“Ikillyouandmakeyourgirlfriend
watchithappen!”Nowfreefromhisgun,
Lilyyankedherarmupashardasshecould.Thepainthatrippedthroughhernervoussystemwasintense,unlikeanythingshe'deverexperienced.Butshepusheditdown,waydownintoherpsyche,wheremostofherfeelingsweresenttodie.Thebladewasstuckinherflesh,thehandlerestingagainstthetopofherarm,thejagged
pointstickingouttheotherside.Shetwistedtoherside,andwithashout,shovedtheexposedbladerightintoIvanov'sstomach.Shepressedforward,usingherchesttojamtheknifeintoplace.
Heletoutastrangledyellandfiredoffthreerounds,rightintoMarc'schest.Lilyshriekedasshewatchedhimgodown,flatonhisback.Ivanovgrowledandrolled
forward,towardsher.Sheleanedaway,pullingtheknifefree.Bloodgushedfromhiswound,buthedidn'tstopmoving.Hegrabbedoneofherlegs,tryingtoholdherinplaceandcrawlupherlength.
“Stopit!Stopit!No!”sheshouted,tryingtokickandwiggleasbestshecould.Theknifefinallyslidfreefromherarm,clatteringacrossthefloor.Ivanovignoredit,justkepton
crawling.“You.Foryou,quick
deathistoogood.Iamgoingtorapeyourmouth,andthenIamgoingtoalloweverymanyinTangiertodothesame.Iwillsendvideotoyourmother.Andthenwhenyouareallusedup,dirtyanddisgusting,Iwillputabulletinyou,justlikeDeSant,”Ivanovwasthreatening,strugglingtocrawlwithonlyonegoodarm,hisweight
pinningherlegsinplace.“LikeIgivetwofucks!
You'renevergettingthosediamonds.Andyouwannaknowwhy!?CauseIthrewtheminthegoddamnocean!”shescreamed.ThelookonIvanov'sface.Shockmixedwithabsoluteterror.Hepausedhismovements.
“Youlie!”“LikehellIam!Whydo
youthinkIstoppedinCasablanca!?Whyittookme
solongtodrivehere!?BecauseImadeaspeciallittledetour,droveallthewaytothebeach,rentedaboat,andIthrewthosecursedfuckingstonesintothedarkestpartoftheocean.YouthoughtIbroughtthemhere!?Sofuckingstupid.Noonewilleverhavethosediamonds.Notyou,andsureasshitnotStankovski!”sheswore.
“Howcouldyoudo
somethingsostupid!?Somuchmoney!Iwillkillyou!Youaredead!”hestartedshouting.
“AndStankovskiwillkillyou!Theonlyonegettingrapedaroundherewillbeyou,”shethrewbackathim,thenspitinhisface.Hecriedoutandstoppedmoving,wipingthesalivaaway.
“Stupidgirl!Youmustwanttodie!”heproclaimed.
“Notquiteyet.”
Lilyhadbeenabletodrawherlegsup,gettingherkneesinbetweenhischestandherbody.Shebracedherfeetagainstthetopsofhisthighs,thenshepushed.Themotioncausedhimtostumbleupintoastandingposition.Lilyimmediatelyscootedbackwards,pressingherselfupagainstthewindowsbehindher.Ivanovmadeafaceandwenttostepforward.
“Princess.”Bothofthemwhipped
theirheadstotheside,justintimetoseeMarcsittinguprightandpullingashotgunfrombehindhisback.Ivanovbarelyhadtotimetogaspbeforethetriggerwaspulled.Leadpelletsrippedthroughhistorso,causinghimtospinaround.Thenanotherblastfromoutside,andabulletzippedthroughtheroom.
Oneminute,OlegIvanov
wastheBrigadierfortheStankovskiBratva,secondonlytothePakhanhimself,AnatolyStankovski.
Thenextminute,hisheadwasawaterballoonthathadbeenpopped,andOlegIvanovwasnobody.
Lilyslumpedback,lettinghereyesfluttershut.Lettingthewaterrunoverherbody,easingthestinginhercut.Inherhead.Inhersoul.
“Baby!Staywithme!”
Marcwasshouting,suddenlykneelingatherside.
“I'mnotunconscious,youidiot,I'mjusttired,”shegroaned,openinghereyesashepickedupherarm.
“Ijustsavedyourlife,alittlegratitudewouldbenice!”heyelledather,buthewassmiling.Herippedoffthebottomedgeofhist-shirtandwrappedittightlyaroundherforearm,overwhereshe'dbeenstabbed.Shehissed,
thenfrownedattheamountofbloodthatwaspooledonthefloornexttoher.
“Thathurtlikeabitch,”shehissed,pullingherarmfreefromhim.
“Ohyeah?Trygettingshotinthechestthreetimes.Kevlarain'tasstrongasitusedtobe,Iswear.”
“Shutup,Marc.”“God,Ithoughtyouwere
dead,”hisvoicegotlowerandhishandswenttoher
face.Brushingherwethairoutoftheway.Cuppinghercheeks.
“Yeah,therewereacouplemomentstherethathadmenervous.Ididn't…Ijust…thoughtthatyou…,”shecouldn'tfindthewords.
“Icamebackforyou,”hebreathed,thenheleanedinandkissedher.Nothisusualkiss–therewasnoroughness.Nohardedge.Nostrictboundaries.Itwassoft
anditwaswarmanditwasgentle.
Anditstillstoleeverybreathshe'deverhad.
“Ididn'tthinkyouwould,”shewhisperedwhenhepulledaway.
“Inevershould'veletyougo.”
Shegrabbedhisvestandpulledhimclose.Hishandsslidaroundtoherback,yankingherupagainsthim.Histongueplungedintoher
mouth,sweepingalongherteeth.
“Ican'tbelieveyoucameback,”shebreathedinbetweenkisses.
“Ihadto.Ihadtosaveyou.I'veneverwantedtoprotectanythinginmylife,butIalwayswanttoprotectyou.Iwasreadytoburnthiscitydown,”hetoldher.
“WhenIgotridofthediamonds,Ikeptprayingyou'dcomefindme.Ididn't
knowwhereyou'dgone,didn'tknowhowtogetaholdofyou,”sherealizedtearsweremixingwiththesprinklerwateronherface.“IwassoscaredthatI'dneverseeyouagain.”
“Neverbescared.Ineverwantyoutobescared,everagain,”hewhispered,kissingalongthesideofherjaw.
Suchbeautifulwordsfromsucharoughman.
Lilyshiftedaroundonto
herknees,tryingtogetclosertohim.Needingtobeclosertohim.Butwithouttheproperuseofherhands,shebecameunbalancedandstartedtofalltotheside.
“Gettheseoffofme,”shegrowled,movingawayfromhimandyankingatherhandcuffs.Theheavymomentbetweenthembroke,andtheybothrememberedexactlywhereitwastheywere.
“Yeah.Yeah,let'sgetthefuckoutofhere,”hesaid,thengrabbedherarmandpulledhertoherfeet.
MarcsearchedIvanov'scorpse,butdidn'tfindanykeys.Thedeadbodyguarddidn'thaveany,either.Marchelpedhertowrapthechainaroundhertorso,thenledherdownthehallway.She'dtakenherGlockbackfromIvanov'sdeadfingers–maybeitwasn'tcursed.None
ofitsbulletshadeverkilledanybody.Maybeitwasherguardianangel.
Theyslowlymadetheirwaydownstairs.Thesecondfloorwasclear,butonthelandingtothefirstfloor,theyheardshouting,andbeforetheycouldretreat,amaninasuitcamerunningupthestairs.LilygotrightbehindMarcandhebackedthemintoacorner,shieldingherbodywithhisown,hisback
flatteningheragainstthewall.
“YoushootIshoot!”theothermanwasyelling.
“Noonefuckingshoots!Justwalkaway!”Marcyelledback.
“Younoshoot!You,down!Yougundown!”themanyelledinbrokenEnglish.LilypressedherforeheadtoMarc'sshoulders,beginningtoshiver,whichwasstrange,consideringhowwarmitwas
inthebuilding.“I'mnotfuckingaround,
backthefuckup!”Marc'svoicewasaggressive,almostunhingedsounding.Ithadbeenalongmorning.
“Youbackfuckup!”Agunshotrangout,
causingbothLilyandMarctoflinchandduck.Thebodyguardhowledinpainanddroppedtotheground,grippinghisleg.Bloodbegantopouroutofabulletwound
inhiscalf.“Arewehavingour
afternoontea?Iwouldreallyenjoyitifwecouldgetthefuckoutofhere.”
Lilysmiledasthesoft,poshBritishaccentfilledherears.ShepeekedoverMarc'sshoulderandwatchedasKingsleyde-armedthemanonthefloor.Onceallthegunswerepulledaway,Marcmovedforwardagain,reachingbacktograboneof
herhands.“Tookyoulongenough,”
Marcgrowledastheyhurriedthroughthebottomfloor.
“Excuseme?DidI,ordidInot,justsavethebothofyou?”Kingsleyaskedastheyflankedthefrontdoor.Lilylookedaroundandgrimaced.Thefloorandwallswereriddledwithbullets,andseveralmenwerelyingontheground,deadandshreddedbybullets.
“What!?IshotIvanovatpointblankrangewithashotgun!Hewasdeadbeforeyouevenpulledyourtrigger!”Marcsnapped.Bothmenturnedinunisonandwentthroughthefrontdoor,makingsurethestreetwasclear.ThenMarcreachedbackthroughthedoor,grabbedherhandcuffs,andpulledLilyalongbehindhim.
“Isthatso?WhoshotLilyloose?IfIhadn'tdone
that,youbothwould'vebeenasgoodasdead,”Kingsleypointedoutastheycrossedthestreetandslippeddownanalley.
“Ihadthedroponhim,youknowIcould'vemadethatshot,”Marcreplied.
“Canyoubothshutthefuckup!?”Lilysnapped.“IfIhadn'tstalled,andIhadn'tgottenyoutoshootthechain,andIhadn'tstabbedthatasshole,noneofitwould've
workedout,soreally,Ididallthesaving.I'mthebadasshere.”
Theystoppedattheendofthealleyandthetwomenglancedateachother.Lookedbackather.Sheglaredbackatthem.Marcwassoakingwet,butotherwiselookednonetheworseforwear.Kingsleywasinhisall-blackassassingear,makinghimlookdevastatinglyhandsomeandchillinglydangerous.
Lilywaswearingablackbikini,asleevelessorangeshirt,wasbleedingfrommultiplepointsonherbody,andhadmultiplebruisesandcontusions.
“Shehasapoint,”Kingsleyadmitted.Marcsnorted.
“Shutup.”Theyloadedupintothe
samecarMarchadbeendrivingwhenshe'dlefttheminTarfaya.Shepulledherself
intothebackseat,hissinginpain,feelingeverywound.Sheheldherarmagainstherstomachandglancedintothelargebackendofthecar.Ahugegunwaslayingonitsside.
“Isthatwhatyouwereshooting!?”Lilyexclaimed.Kingsleyslidintothepassengerseatandlookedbackather.
“Ah,Sheila.Idon'tleavehomewithouther.”
“Whatisit?”“SheisaBarrettM82A1,
fiftycaliber.Makeyoushitbricksoreatlead,goodforanysituation,”Kingsleyanswered.
“Exceptforcloserange,”Marcadded,thenburnedrubberashedroveoutoftheneighborhood.
“Eitherway,I'mgladyoubroughtit.Her,”Lilysighed,leaningbackinherseat.
“Hey!”Marcshouted,snappinghisfingers.“Hey,don'tfallasleepbackthere,sweetheart.”
“Areyoujoking!?I'mtiredinawayIdidn'tevenknowwaspossible,”shemoaned,settlingherheadbackontheseatandclosinghereyes.
“You'velostalotofblood.Staywithus,”Marcinstructed.
“YouknowwhatI
want?”sheaskedthroughayawn.“Pants.Iwouldlovesomepants.”Shecouldfeelgoosebumpsbreakoutacrossherskinandherteethstartedtochatter.
“Hello,darling,”Kingsleygruntedashecrawledbetweentheseatsandsatdownnexttoher.“Let'stakealook,shallwe?”
HepeeledbackMarc'smakeshiftbandageonherarm,examiningherwound.
Shedidn'tlookatthecut,butwatchedasKingsleygrimaced.Heleanedovertheseatandreachedintothebackend,pullingablackbagup.
“Isitbad?”sheasked.“I'veseenworse.You'll
befine.Justwanttostopthebleeding,”heassuredher,takingafirstaidkitoutofthebag,aswellasalockpickingkit.
“Gotanypantsinthere?”sheasked,glancingatthe
bag.“Youknow,Ijust
might,”hereplied,thenpulledoutablackpairofdressslacks.
“Ithinkmyasswillbetoofatforthem,”shejoked.
“Pity.Guessyou'llhavetokeepwalkingaroundinyourknickers,”hesighed,gettingtoworkonopeningherhandcuffs.Lilylaughed.
“Youwouldlikethat.CanIsleepnow?”sheasked,
yawningagain.“No,IthinkMarc'sright.
Ithinkstayingawakewouldbeaverygoodidea,”heurged.Sheshookherhead.
“Marc'sneverright,”shemumbled.
“Iheardthat!Lily!Lily!?”Marcyelledfromhefrontseat.
Butshewastootiredtoanswer.Sheslippedintounconsciousness,gratefulfortheblankness.
*
Inoneversion,Ivanov
shotMarcinthehead,notthechest.
Inanotherversion,hestabbedLilyintheback,notherarm.
Inyetanotherversion,thebodyguardshotMarcintheneck.
Andstillanotherversion,Ivanovslitherthroat,and
whileshewatched,heshotMarcinthetemple.
NO!Lilyjerkedupright,
gaspingforair,stillhalfwaycaughtinhernightmares.Shewasbeingboundtosomethingandshestruggled,pullingawayfromherrestraints.
“Stop.Stopit,you'resafe.You'resafe,”Marc'svoicefilteredintoherbrain,andshefelthandsonher
arms.Shestoppedmovingandlookedaround.Foundhisblueeyes.
“Iwasdreaming,”shepanted.
“Iknow.Youkepttalking.ButI'mnotdead.You'renotdead.We'refine.Wemadeit.”
Shedidn'tquitebelievehim,butshenoddedandglancedaround.Shewasinsomesortofmedicalcenter,orpossiblyafieldhospital.
ShehadanIVdripgoingintoherarm,andwhensheturnedherhead,shesawuglylookingstitchestrottingacrossherotherforearm.Shefrowned.
“That'sgoingtoleavesuchascar,”shecomplained.
“Ithinkscarsaresexy,”hetoldher.
“Youwould.”Shelaidbackdownand
Marcexplainedthatshehadpassedoutinthecar,dueto
bloodlossandshock.Kingsleyhaddonehisbesttoslowthebleeding,thenthey'ddrivenaround,lookingforahospital.Only,theycouldn'tgotojustanymajorhospital.Ivanovstillhadalliesinthecity.Theyneededsomewherenoonewouldthinktolookforthem;afterfortyminutesofdriving,MarchadfoundaGloba-Docfieldhospital.
Ironic.“HowlonghaveIbeen
out?”Lilyasked.“Mostoftheday.
Kingsley'sactuallyasleepinthebednexttous,”Marcexplained,movinghischairtositrightnexttoher.
“Areyouokay?”sheasked,hereyeswanderingoverhim.
“Ohyeah,justafewbruises.Breathingkindofhurts–thatflakjacketwasn'texactlytopoftheline,butIcan'tcomplain,”heassured
her.“Good.”“Tellmesomething,”he
started,leaningontohermattress.“Didyoumeanwhatyousaid?”
“When?”sheasked.“Backinthatroom,to
Ivanov.Youkeptsayingyouhidthediamonds,butthenattheend,yousaidyouthrewthemaway.Didyoureally?”heasked.Lilywasinstantlysuspicious.
“Isthiswhyyoucameback?”shedemanded.“Forsomefuckingdiamonds!?Well,goodluckfindingthem,Ihopeyoucanholdyourbreathforareallylongtime.”
“Shutup,”hesnapped.“Icamebackforyou.Idon'tgivetwofucksaboutthosediamonds.Butifyou'relyingandiftheyaresomewhereoutthere,hiddenaway,theycanhelpyoualot.Helpusalot.”
Sheclearedherthroat.
“Us?”“Yeah,sweetheart.Us,”
hesighed,thentookherhandintohisown,linkingtheirfingers.
“Wemakeaprettygoodteam,”shewhispered.Henodded,kissingthebackofherhand.
“Wemakethebestteam.”
“Iwassoscared,”shewhispered.Henodded.
“Iknow,butyoudidn't
showit.Thatwasverygood.”“Youweren'tscaredat
all.”“Iwas.”“Youdidn'tshowit,
either.”“Ipushitaway.You'll
learntodothat,too,”hetoldher.
“Iwill?”“Yes.”“Idon'tknowifIcan.”“Iknowyoucan.You're
thestrongestpersonIknow.
Strongerthanme.”Whowould'vethought
overamonthago,whenshe'dwatchedtheroughandtumblemercenarywalkacrossayard,thatthey'dbeateam.Anunstoppableduo.Shewonderedwhatthatmeantforthefuture.Forher.Forthem.
“Marc?”hervoicewasshaky,andshecursedherself.
“Hmmm?”wasallhesaidinresponse,histhumb
tracingtheedgeofherjaw.“I'mreallygladyou
cameback.”Hemovedthen,and
crawledontothebedwithher.HewascarefulofherIVdripsandherbangeduparm,andhespoonedupnexttoher.Buriedhisfaceinherhairandsighed.
“Me,too.”
DAYTENThenextmorning,they
managedtoslipoutofthehospitalunnoticed.ShekeptthehospitalgownandworeitoverthepantsKingsleyhadgivenher.Theydidn'tstopforanything,justdroveoutofthecitywithoutlookingback.
“Darling,”Kingsleycalledout.Theyhadallthe
windowsdown,theairrushingthroughthecar.
“Yes?”shecalledback,scootingtotheedgeofthebackseatandstickingherarmoutthewindow.
“You'resureyouthrewthosediamondsaway?Allofthem?”hedoublechecked.Sheglancedathim,thenintherearviewmirror,justintimetocatchMarcstaringather.Helookedawayquickly.
“IfIdidn'tknowany
better,I'dthinkyouonlycamebacktogetthestones,”shereplied.Marckepthiseyestrainedontheroad,soobviousinhisattempttobeun-obvious.Shenarrowedhereyes.
“Never,darling!Neverenteredmymind.Iwasjustthinkingifyou'dheldbackafew,itwoulddowondersingettingusoutofhere.”
Lilyclearedherthroatandlookedaway.Staredat
herarmassheslowlywaveditinthebreeze.Lethereyeswanderovertheacebandage,whichcoveredherwound.
“No,Ididn'tholdanythingback,”shewhispered.
“Pity.”Theydrovebackto
Casablanca,figuringifanyonewentlookingforthem,theywouldn'tthinktolooksomewheresoclose,sinceitwasonlyaboutfour
hoursawayfromTangier.Theydidn'ttalkaboutwhattheyweredoingorwhytheyweregoingthere.Marcjustdrove.Theystoppedatonepoint,andLilywanderedthroughamarket,pickingoutclothing.Usingmoneythey'dliftedfromIvanov'swallet,sheboughtherselfunderwearandshortsandtwot-shirts,andagoodpairofhikingboots.Asshegotdressedinthebackseatofthecar,she
begantofeelalmosthumanagain.
Almost…“Youokay?”Marcasked
astheystoodinthelobbyofacheaphotel.Shenodded,rubbingherfingertipsacrossherforehead.Kingsleywasatthefrontdesk,smoothtalkingtheladyclerkintoagooddeal.
“Yeah,just…gotsomeimagesthat'llbeburnedintomybrainforever,”shejoked.
Hefrownedather.“Wedon'thavetostay
here,”heassuredher.“Wecangostraighttotheairport,putyouonaplanetowhereveryouwanttogo.”
You…you…sosingular.Whathappenedto“us”?
“No,Iwanttotakeashower.Just…isitreallysafe?”sheaskedforthemillionthtime,glancingaroundthem.Shefeltjittery,
onedge.Hermindknewtheworstwasbehindthem.Herbodywasstillonhighalert.Itwashavingaweirdpolarizingeffectonherbrain.
“Saferthanwewereonthedriveoverhere,”hejoked.Sheglaredathimandheclearedhisthroat.“Ihonestlydon'tknow.Stankovskitookoutthehitonyou,notIvanov–that'swhyIvanovcamerushingtoTangier.Hewantedtogetto
you,gettothosediamonds,beforeanyoneelse.IthinkthatwasStankovski'sployallalong,Ithinkhe'dfiguredoutIvanov'slittleschemeandhewantedtodrawthemanout.Bynow,StankovskiprobablyknowsthatIvanov'sdead.Nooneknowswhereweare,butI'msurehe'dliketoknowwherehisdiamondsare,so…you'reassafeasyoucanbe,inthissituation.”
Not.Helpful.
Ifanything,Lilyfeltworse.
Thosediamondsaretheonlythinganyonewants–savingmewasjustasidenote.
“Shower.Ijustwanttoshower.”
Marcgotthemaroomtogetherandshedidn'targue.Juststrippedasshewalkedacrossthesuite,thenfilledupthebathashighasshecould,shloshingwateroverthesides
assheclimbedintothetub.Thenshestayedintherefortwohours,herbandagedarmhangingovertheside.
“Yougonnasleepinthere!?”Marccalledout,bangingonthedoor.Lilyletherheadrolltotheside,lookingacrosstheroom.
“Thinkingaboutit!”sheyelledbackbeforepickingupasponge.
“We'restarving,let'sgoeat!”
“Youguysgoahead!”“Youhavetenminutes,
thenI'mcomingintogetyou.”
“Alright!”Itwastough,washing
herhairwithoutgettingherbandagewet.Eventuallyshetookitoff,cringingasthehotwaterstungagainstherstitches.Thenshefinishedscrubbingeveryinchofherbody,moaningandgroaningwitheachnewbruiseshe
found.“Youwashingupin
there,orhavingsex!?”Lilyrolledhereyesand
climbedoutofthetub.Sheputherclothesbackon,thentoweldriedherhair.ShewasattemptingtoputherbandagebackonwhenMarcfinallyburstintotheroom.
“Jesus,it'sbeentwentyminutessinceItoldyoutogetout!”hesnapped,stompingovertoher.
“Sorry,”shemumbled,fightingwiththematerial.Heyankedherarmtowardshimself,thendeftlywrappedthebandagetightlyaroundherwound.Hesecureditinplace,thenlethergo.
“Areyoumadaboutsomething?”heaskedinabluntvoice.
“Whatdoyoumean?”“Youseemupset.Almost
…angryatme.Ididmybest,Idon'tknowwhatmoreyou
want,”hestated.Shelaughed.“God,you'repigheaded.
No,it'snotaboutanyofthat.I'mgladyoushowedup,really.I'dbedeadrightnowifyouhadn't.”
“Thenwhat'stheproblem?Deadguys?Itoldyou,youcan'tthink-”
“Ivanovdeservedtodie.Iwould'vedoneitmyself,ifmyhandshadn'tbeencuffed,”shesnapped.“Andasforeveryoneelse,itwas
themorus.Ichooseus.I'mpissedoffbecauseIstillgetthefeelingthattheonlyreasonyoutwocamebackwasforabaggiefullofrocks.”
Marclaughed,longandloud.Shecontinuedtoglareathim,evenasheplacedhishandsoneithersideofherface.
“Youaretoomuch,sweetheart,”hechuckled,backingherupsoshewas
pressedagainstthesink.“You'retoomuch.”“Entirely.It'swhatyou
loveaboutme.”“Don'tflatteryourself.”“Icameback,”he
started,hisvoicetakingonaseriousnote.“BecauseIfeltmiserableleavingyou.Ihatedit.Iworriedaboutyou,everyminute.Everysecond.NotbecauseIdon'tthinkyoucanhandleyourself,butbecauseIwanttohandleeverythingfor
you.Thethoughtofsomeonehurtingyou,makesmewanttocommitmurder.Doublehomicide.Genocide.Buttheworstthingofall?Theworstthought?WasthatImightneverseeyouagain.Thatagoodbyekissinsomedustyparkinglotwouldbeourlastmomenttogether.AndthatIjustcouldnothandle.Everythingelsewassecondary,justanexcuse.Iwould'vecomeback.Evenif
you'dpulledyourplanoffwithoutaproblemandIvanovtookthediamonds.Iwould'vecomebackforyou.”
Lilylaughedathim.Infiveyears,shehadcriedahandfuloftimes.
Once,athersister'sfuneral.
Anothertime,whenshe'ddoneherfirstkill.
Andnowagain,whentheinfamousmercenaryMarcelleDeSanttoldherthathe
couldn'tbearthethoughtofneverseeingheragain.
Whoneedsdiamondswhenyouhavesuchpreciouswords?
Beforethingscouldgetanyheavier,Kingsleypoundedontheirdoorbeforelettinghimselfintotheroom.Marcsmiledather,wipedawayhertears,thenstrodeintothemainroom,laughingattheBritishman.Lilyquicklycleanedupherface,
fanninghereyestomaketherednessgoaway.
“Ilookcrazy,likeIgotdraggedbehindacar,”shecommentedwhenshefinallycameoutoftheroom.ShestillhadfadingbruisesfromherjourneywithMarc,andnowshehadaddedabandagecoveringalmostherwholeforearm,andvariousothercutsandmarks.Thankfully,herfacehadescapedthemajorityofit,butstill.She
didn'texactlylooklikeatopmodel.
“Butaverysexykindofcrazy,Iassureyou,”Kingsleyteased,beforegrabbingherhandandkissingit.
Theywenttoanice,openairrestaurant.Kingsley'streat–he'dmanagedtostealawalletearlierintheday,anditturnedoutthemarkhadbeenratherwelloff.Heevengotthemabottleofchampagne.
“Isthisnormal?”Lilyasked,flinchingasthecorkflewpasther.
“Whatdoyoumean?”Marcasked.
“Well,likeadayago,wewerepracticallyblowingupabuildingandkillingashittonofpeople.Nowwe'resittingdowntochampagneandpansearedscallops?”shepointedout.Kingsleylaughed.
“Yes.Yougetkindofusedtoit.Allinaday'swork.
Granted,thiswasslightlymorestressful.Idon'tthinkI'veeverpulledoffsuchalastminutemission,”hecommented.Marcshookhishead.
“Me,neither.”“Butwecan'tdwellonit.
What'sdoneisdone,alwaysmoveforward!”Kingsleyproclaimed.
“Sothat'swhatyourlifeislike?Just…surviving,onejobtothenext?”she
summarizedit.“Darling,isn'tthatall
anyoneisdoing?Aliquorstoreclerkgetsupinthemorning,doeshisbesttomakeitthroughtheday,thengoeshomeatnight,wheremaybehegetstohaveacelebratorycocktail,allbeforedoingitagainthenextday.Thereisnothingdifferentinwhatwe'redoingnow,”hebrokeitdown.
“Dwellingonitwould
negatethewholepurposeofthejob,”Marcadded.Sheglancedathim.“Whydosomethingyouhate?Thisisanentirelyvoluntaryjob.Noonebecomesamercenaryorahitmanjusttopaythebills.Youhavetoseekitout.Whatwouldbethepoint,ifIwenthomeandcriedeverynight?IdoitbecauseIenjoyit,andIlikethepayout.Soyeah,afterkillingabunchofpeople,Icomehome,Ihaveanice
meal,andI'mthankfulI'malive.”
Thelogicstillseemedwrongtoher,butsowasthewholesituation,soLilytoastedherchampagneglass,andtheyalldrank.
DuringthecarridetoCasablanca,they'dspentalotoftimetalkingaboutwhathadhappened.PiecingtogetherIvanovandStankovski'splans.Goingoverwhathadhappenedin
thebuilding.Looselydiscussingtheirnextsteps.
Byanunspokenagreement,noonetalkedaboutthosethingsatdinner.KingsleytalkedaboutwhatithadbeenliketogotoanallboysCatholicschoolinEngland.Lilytalkedaboutthefirsttransportgigshe'deverdone,haulingavanfullofstolenfursfromtheBronxtoNewark.Marcrecited,inFrench,entireportionsof
EdgarAllenPoe's“TheRaven”.LilyhadneverheardhimspeakFrenchatlengthbefore;itwasprettyhot.
“Ishould'veeatenmore,”Lilysighed.Marcburstoutlaughing.
“I'mprettysureyouatetherestaurantoutofshrimp,”hepointedout,gesturingtothearrayofplatesinfrontofher.
“Yeah,butI'mreallyfeelingthatchampagne,”she
chuckled.NowitwasKingsley'sturntosnort.
“Oh,really?Andmaybealsothefourbeersyoudecidedtochaseitdownwith?”hequestioned.
“Hey.It'sbeenastressfulweek.”
“Whateveryousay,love.”
Theypaidtheirtabandmadetheirwaybackoutontothestreet.Kingsleywanderedalittlewaysaheadofthem,
smokingoneofhiscigarettes.Hewaswalkingleisurelyenough,buthekeptpeeringdownalleyways,asifhewaslookingforsomeoneorsomething.
“Whatishedoing?”Lilyfinallyasked.
“Justwatch.Youdranktounwind.Ibabbledpoetry.NowyougettoseeLaw'smethod,”Marctoldher.
Theywentforacouplemoreblocks,thenKingsley
stoppedandstareddownanalley.Smiledandstubbedouthiscigarette,thencalledoutinFrench.
“Whatishesaying?”Lilywhispered.Marcfrowned.
“Nothingpolite.”“Ijuststabbedaguyin
thestomach–Icanhandlewhateverhe'ssaying,”shesnapped.
“He'saskingifherpussyisasgoodashertits,”Marc
translated.“Wow.Classyguy.”“Toldyou.Incaseyou
wantedtoknow,shesaidyes,andthat'sshe'swetandreadyforhimto-”
“SometimesI'mnotsurewhyItalktoyou.”
“Righty-o,”Kingsleyturnedtowardsthem.“I'moff!I'llmeetyouinthemorning.Youknowhowtoreachmeifanythinggoeswrong?”
“Yeah.Ifshitgoesdownandweneedtobail,meetupinDakhla,”Marcadded.
“Ah,Dakhla.Beginningtofeellikeasecondhome.Howdepressing.Cheers,”hesaidasafarewellbeforechargingoffdownthealley.
“So,sweetheart,canIplyyouwithmorealcohol?Orareyoureadytogotobed?”Marcasked.
“No,nomorealcohol,Ifeelspinnyenoughasitis.
Hotel,please,”shereplied.Helaughed,andshewasshockedwhenshefelthishandcurlaroundhers,hisfingerslacingwithherown.
“Spinny.Ilikeit.C'mon,let'sgohome.”
Home.Heheldherhandthe
wholeway,andbetweenthatandthealcohol,shecouldfeelhertemperaturegoingthroughtheroof.Hercheekswerehot,andnodoubtred,
andshewasgladthatitwasdarkout.Nothinglikeblushingoverhandholdingtomakeawomanfeelallofthirteen.
Youjusthelpedkillabajillionpeople.You'regonnablushoverhandholding!?
“MaybeIshouldchopallmyhairoff,”Lilyblurtedoutthefirstthoughtinherheadassoonastheyenteredtheirroom.
“Excuseme!?”Marcexclaimed,turningtofaceher.
“Myhair,”shereiteratedasshestumbledaround,pullingoffhershoes.“Youpulledit.Kingsleypulledit.Ivanovpulledit.Greatbighandfuls.Thatshithurts,I'dalmostrathergetstabbedagain.MaybeIshouldjustcutitoff.”
Marcwasinherfaceinasecond,backingherintoa
wall.Hiseyeswanderedoverthetopofherhead,hishandraisingtofingertheendofherponytail.
“Ifyouevercutyourhairoff,Iwillshootfirstandaskquestionslater,”heinformedher.Shelaughedathim.
“Stop.Icouldbebaldandyouprobablywouldn'tcare,”shesnickered,pushingathischest.Herefusedtobudge.
“Areyoujoking?The
firstthingIevernoticedaboutyouwasyourhair.It'sthefirstthingIlookforwhenIlosesightofyou.Thehairstays,”hestated.
“Alright.Ifyoufeelsostronglyaboutit,alright,”shereplied.
Hedidn'tmove,justkeptglaringdownather.Shestaredbackathim,holdingherbreath.She'dneverbeenscaredofMarc,notreally.She'dtrackedhimdownthe
firsttimethey'dslepttogether.Thesecondtime,inthehousethey'dbrokeninto,shecertainlyhadn'tresistedhim.Andevenrightafterthey'dstolentheExplorer,ithaddefinitelybeenamutualthing.Sexwaseasyandnaturalbetweenthem.Likeaplayingagame,andshehadalwaysfeltlikehisequal.
Butnow,forsomereason,shewasnervous.Scared,andshecouldn'tplace
why.Notnecessarilyofhim,butofwhatherepresented.Afutureshewasn'tsureshewasreadyfor.Amanshewaspositiveshewanted.Abeginningshecouldn'tseeanendingto.
Hismouthcrashedintohers,andifshehadn'tknownanybetter,shewould'vethoughthewasalittlescared,too.Hekissedherlikehewasafraidshewasgoingtodisappear.Likehe'dmovehis
lipsforamoment,andshe'dgettakenaway.
I'mnotgoinganywhere.Shestartedpullingathis
t-shirtandhegrabbedherbythewrists,pinningherarmsaboveherhead.Shehissedatthepain;herleftarmwastender.Butsheignoredit,andsodidhe,hisfreehandmovingtopressagainstherchest,thenslippingoverherbreasts.
“Youwereincredible,
youknowthat,right?”heasked,hislipsslidingacrosshercheek.
“No.Iwasscared.IthoughtIwasallalone.IthoughtIwasgoingtodie,”shepanted,strainingherhipstowardshim.
“You'reneveralone,”hewhispered.“I'dneverletyoudie.”
Heletgoofherwristsfinallyandboththeirhandsflewtohershorts,yanking
themopenandpullingthemdown.Whileshekickedthemfreeofherfeet,hepulledaparthisownbeltandworkedhispantsdown.Thenhewasbackagainsther,forcingherflatagain.
Hishandswenttothebackofherthighsandhegrippedherthere,liftingherofftheground.Shewrappedherlegsaroundhiswaistandbracedherarmsontopofhisshoulders.
“Whydoesthisfeeldifferent?”shemoaned,barelyawarethatshewastalkingoutloud.
“Becausewe'redifferent,”hesurprisedherbyanswering.
Hishandwasslidingbetweentheirbodies,pullingatthesideofherunderwear,followingtheseambetweenherlegs.Shegaspedwhenhiswarmhandwasflatagainsther,theheelofhispalm
pressingdown,twoofhisfingersslidinginsideofher.Sherockedherhipsforward,seekingmorefromhim,wantingmorefromhim.
He'dalwaysbeenabletoreadherbodylanguagelikeithadbeenwritteninacodejustforhim,andhepulledhishandfree.Itwasabitofastruggle,workingthecrotchofherpantiestothesidewhilealsoholdingherupandpushinghishardoninsideof
her,buttheybothrefusedtoslowdownandstepaway.Marcwasnothingifnotdetermined,andsoonenoughshewasgroaningassheslidintoplaceoverhim.
“Please,please,”shestartedwhispering.Hemoanedandshefelthisfingerstighteningonherhips.
“Fuck,Idon'tthinkIcanbegentle.I'vebeendyingforthis,”hewhisperedback.Sheactuallylaughedathim.
“Isthisajoke?Nooneaskedyoutobegentle,”sheteased,tryingtowiggleherbodyagainsthim.
“Idon'twanttohurtyou,”hisvoicesoundedstrained.
“Gee,Iwishyou'dfeltthatwayaweekago,whenyougavemeaconcussion.”
“Youwerebeingabitchthen.”
“ShouldIbeabitchnow?”
“Lily,”hegrowledherinnameinwarning.Shestartedpantingassheshiftedaroundinhisarms;hewassohard,solargeinsideofher,thatitwasbeginningtomakebreathingdifficult.
“Youcan'thurtme.Ijustsurvivedhell.Iwantyoutomakemefeelgood.Please,Marc.Makemefeelgood,”shebegged.
Beggingwasalwayshisundoing,andhefinallypulled
backandthrustintoher.Shegasped,thenshriekedashestartedpumpingaway.Shescrambledtokeepherarmsaroundhisneck,herlegsaroundhiswaist,allhiswhilehishipsslammedherintothewall.
“Fuck,thisneverstopsfeelinglikethebestthingever,”hegroaned,oneofhishandsmovingtocuptheundersideofherass.
“Mmmmhmmm,”she
agreed,lacingherfingerstogetherbehindhisneckandpullinghisheadforwardsoshecouldkisshim.Hisotherhandgrippedthetopherthigh,painfullyso,thenactuallymovedbetweenherthighandhiship.Withthehandunderherass,hejerkedherforwardsharply,andthenhisfreehandwasunderherleg.Hehookedhisarmunderherkneeandyankedherlegup,givinghimevendeeper
access.“Goddamn,wheredid
youcomefrom,”hehissed,breakingfreeoftheholdonhisneckandleaningawaysohecouldlookdownthelengthofhertorso.
“Idon'tknow,”shemanagedtorespond,holdingontohisshouldersasshesliddownthewallalittle,herhipsjuttingout.Hepoundedharder.
“HowdidIfindyou?
HowdidIgetsofuckinglucky?”hekeptasking,stretchingherlegawayfromtheirbodies.
“Marc!Marc…,”shecriedouthisname.
Hecamebacktoher,droppingherlegashekissedherhard.Usingthehandunderherass,hekeptheragainsthimandheturnedthemaround,carryingheracrosstheroomtothebed,steppingoutofhispantsashe
went.Hedroppedheronthemattress,thenkneltbetweenherlegs.Whenheleanedawaytopulloffhist-shirt,shecopiedhisactions,yankingherowntanktopoff.Asshewenttotossitacrosstheroom,shefelthishandsslidingaroundherribcage,makingtheirwayslowlytoherspine,wheretheyunhookedherbra.Whilesheworkedthestrapsdownherarm,hetuggedandpulledat
herunderwear,workingthematerialoutfromunderherbuttanddraggingthemdownherlegs.
“Yourskinisalwayssosoft,”hesighed,hishandsglidingoverthetopsofherthighsasheworkedhiswaybackupherbody.Shelaiddownflatandstretchedherarmsout.
“Yourhandsarealwayssorough,”shereplied.Asiftoconfirmthatfact,his
fingernailsscratchedatthesidesofherbreastsbeforehecuppedtheminhispalms.
“Youlikerough,”hewhispered,hismouthmovingtoanipple.
“Ilikeyourough.”Teethmetsensitiveskin
andshejumped,forcingmoreofherbreastintohismouth.Hechuckledandpulledback,lettinghistongueskimallthewayuptoherneck.Thenheleftheranditwaslike
someonetookallherheataway.Shereachedforhim,butherfingertipsbarelybrushedagainsthischestbeforehewasgone.
“Comehere,”hebreathed,grabbingherbythewaistanddragginghertowardshim.Hereyesrolledbackinherheadandshebitdownonherlip,relishinginthefeelingofbeingfullwithhimagain.Thenhewasmovingthemagain,holding
herhipsuptomeethimashestoodonhisknees.Herbackarched,leavingjusthershoulderbladesflatagainstthemattress.
“God!Yes,Marc,yes…just…like…that,”shepantedintimetohisthrusts.Hewaspoundingintoher,drillingherintothemattress.
“Tellmeyoulovethis,”hegrunted,oneofhishandsslippingthroughthesheenofsweatthatwascoveringher
bodyandgrippingontoherbreast.
“Ilovethis.God,Ilovethissomuch,”sheconcurred.
“Noone'severmadeyoufeelthisway,”hekeptgoing.
“Noone.Never,”hervoicereachedapitchshe'dneverheardbeforeashishipsstartedmovingatabreakneckpace.
“Youwantme.Youwantthiswithme.”
“Somuch.Allthetime.”
“Always?”“Always.”Ifheaskedanymore
questions,Lilycouldn'thearhim.She'dlostcontrolofhermouth,wasmoaningandshrieking.Theheadboardwasslammingagainstthewall,causingadecorativepaintingtofall.Hishandletgoofherbreast,andshereplaceditwithherown,kneadingandpinching.Hisfingersdraggedagainstherskin,scratchinga
pathtowherehispelviswastryingitshardesttoturnherinsideout.Whenhisfingerspinchedandkneadedatthesametimeashers,shecouldn'thandleitanymore.
Iwasneverabletohandlehim.
Shescreamedwhenshecame,herhandsflyingtothemattress,grippingtheblanketinherfists.Shesobbedandbeggedhimtostopmoving,unabletohandlethe
electricitythatwascoursingthroughherbodyalongsidehiscockmovinginoutofher.
Hedidn'tstop,justlikeusual,buthedidletgoofherhips.Movedwithherandlaidflatontopofher.Whilesheshudderedandconvulsedunderneathhim,hewiggledanarmunderherback,movinghishandupherspinetillhegrippedhershoulder.Shekeptshudderingashetwistedhishipsagainsther.
Herorgasmhadlessened,buthadn'tstopped.Itfeltlikeacattleprodkeptzappingher,lowinherbelly,andshejerkedandmoved,unabletoreciprocateanyofhismovements.
Hisotherarmencircledherwaist,andtheywereincompletecontact.Oneentity,everyinchofskintouchingfromhipstochest.Theelectricaljoltsgrewstronger,theorgasmgainingtraction
again.Shewaswhimperingincoherently,andshealmostmisseditwhenhepressedhislipstoherearandwhisperedsomething.Somethingshewould'vehatedtomiss.
“Always.”Herorgasmcameinto
fullbloomatthesametimeashiserupted.Hiswholebodyflexed,hisarmsholdinghersotightlyshehadtroublebreathing.Hishipstwitchedandjerkforwhatfeltlike
forever,butshedidn'tmind.Shewouldlaylikethatforever,ifhe'dlether.
Always.Shewould'vepassedout
ifhewould'veleftheralone,butofcoursehedidn't.Hedraggedheroffthebedandintotheshower.Shecomplained,butasshestoodunderthehotwater,sherealizeditwasagoodidea.Allofhermusclesweresore,andnowthatshewasn't
caughtinasexualfog,shecouldfeelthatherarmwasaching.
Marcwashedherbodyforher,massaginghermusclesasheworkedoverherskin.Thenhehelpedherwashherhair,andshelaughedathim,explainingthatshehadneverimagedhimtobeagoodcaregiver.Orgoodatanythinggentleforthatmatter.
Shegotsmackedinthe
facewithawashcloth.“Howoftendoyoudo
that?”Lilygroaned,crawlingacrossthebedandgettingunderthesheet.
“Dowhat?”Marcasked,sittingdownnexttoher.Hegrabbedherinjuredarmandhelditacrosshislegs.
“Fuckwomentilltheycan'tthinkstraight.”
Hechuckledwhilehewrappedherarmbackupintheacebandage.
“Asoftenaspossible,sweetheart,”washisresponse.
“Whenwasthelasttimeyouhadagirlfriend?”Lilydecidedtobeforward.Heglanceddownather.
“Why?Youapplyingforthejob?”heaskedaquestionofhisown.
“That'sprobablyexactlywhatitwouldbelike–ajob,”shejoked.
“Thislifestyleand
relationshipsdon'texactlygohandinhand,”hefinallyanswered.“Iknowacouplepeoplewhomanageit,leaddoublelives,onlytakeselectjobs.MostoptforLaw'slifestyle,though.”
“What's'Law'slifestyle'?”sheasked.Hemovedunderthesheet,thensliddownsohewaslayingflatnexttoher.
“Fuckinganythingthatmoves.I'msurprisedhehasn't
gottenyouintobedyet.Ifthatmandidn'tgetsexregularly,I'mprettysurehisbrainwouldmeltdown.Heneedsittofunction,”Marcexplained.
“Iwonderwhy?”“It'salongstory.Take
myadvice–neverask.”“Andwhataboutyou,
Mr.DeSant?Doyouneedittofunction?”sheasked,rollingontohersidetofacehim.Hesmiledashestared
upattheceiling.“No.Ionlysleepwith
sexyredheadswholiketobeattheshitoutofme,”hereplied.
Shelaughedandwenttosmackhiminthearm,butshefrozemidswing.Therewasasoundcomingfromtheroomnexttohim.SheliftedherheadwhileMarcproppedhimselfuponhiselbows.Theylistenedinsilenceforamoment,butthenshecaught
ontowhatitwasandherhandflewtohermouth.
“Ohmygod,”shewhispered.“IsthatKingsley!?”
Therewasnomistakingtheaccentasthevoiceintheotherroomgotlouder.LilystaredatMarcwhileshelistenedtothethingscomingoutoftheotherman'smouth.Shedidn'tevenknowsomeoftheswearwordshewasyelling.Awomanwasinthe
roomwithhim,butshewasn'tsayingwords.Well,thatwasn'tnecessarilytrue.Shekeptscreamingyes,overandoveragain,inseveraldifferentlanguages.Therewasthesoundofsomethingbeingslapped,repeatedly,andherscreamsincreasedinvolume.Hisdirtytalkgotevenlouder.
“Yeah,yeahsoundslikehim.Ididn'trealizehewasintheroomnexttous,”Marc
commented.“Arewegoingtohaveto
listentothisallnight?”Lilymoaned,layingbackdown.
“Probably.”“God.”“It'sokay,causeyou
knowwhat?”Marcasked,rollingontohissideaswellandwrappinghisarmaroundherwaist.
“What?”“Ifyoucan'tbeat'em,
join'em.Let'sgivehimarun
forhismoney,”Marcsuggested,rollingbackoverandpullingherwithhim.Shesmiledandmovedsoshewasstraddlinghiswaist.
“Finally,aplanIcangetbehind.”
DAYELEVEN“Morning,darling!”Marcglancedoverhis
shoulder,watchingasKingsleyapproached.TheBritlookedoutofplace,walkingacrossthesandwhilewearinganalmostshinygunmetalsuit,tailoredtofit.
“Morning,”Marcreplied,returninghisattentiontothe
shoreline.“Soundslikeyouhada
bangupnightlastnight.Iswear,thereisnothinglikealittlebitofroughsextogetridofthosepost-jobjitters,”Kingsleysighedasheploppeddowninthesand.
“Verytrue,Ishouldtryitmoreoften.”
“Well,thatshouldbeeasyfromnowon.”
“Notreally.”“BasedonthenoisesI
heardcomingoutofyourroomlastnight,itshouldbebeyondeasy.Infact,Ihaveveryseriousdoubtsthatyou'llevenbeabletokeepupwithher,”Kingsleyteased,andgesturedwithhisheadattheobjectoftheirdiscussion.
Marcsmiled,watchingasLilywadedaroundinthighdeepwater.Shewasquiteadistanceaway,wearingtheblackbikinihe'dboughtforheronlyacoupledaysago.
Solittletimetogether.Somuchtimetogether.
“Yeah,yeahIhavethosesamedoubts,too.Listen,Ihavesomebadnews…,”Marclethisvoicetrailoff.
Aftertheirsecondorthirdroundonthebed,Marchadgottenuptogotothebathroom.Washedhisface,thendecidedtobrushhisteeth.Whenhe'dcomebackintotheroom,Lilyhadalreadybeenasleep,lyingflat
onherstomachonceagainHewatchedherfora
longtime.Ithadsortofbecomeahabit,herealized.Shocking.Marchadneverbeenaroundanyonelongenoughtoformanyhabitswiththem.Buthelikedit.Herpresencesoothedhim,easedtheworldwearyachethathadsettledintohisbones.Intohissoul.
Buttherewasnorestforthewicked.That'swhyMarc
hardlyeverslept.WhileLilydreamedaway,hegotbusy.He'dtakenalaptopoutofKingsley'sgearandsetituponatableinthecorneroftheroom.Hackingintoitwasn'tdifficult,andsoonenough,Marcwassurfingontheworldwideweb.
Inhislineofwork,Marcstuckstrictlytoorganizedcrimerings.Inhisexperience,theyweremoretrustworthy,atleastinthe
sensethattheyalwayspaid,andrarelydoublecrossed–currentcircumstancesnotwithstanding.He'dworkedwithbranchesofLaCosaNostra,Mexicandrugrings,theJewishMob,andofcourse,manyRussianBratvas.Marcwasafreelancer,workingonlyforhimself,andhaddifferentwayshecouldbecontacted.Burnerphones,securee-mailaddresses,andacallservice
outofThailand.Buttherewerealotof
peoplewhopreferredtohavesomeoneelsehandlethetechnicalitiesofthebusiness,likeKingsley.TheBritishmercenaryhadacontractoroutofBrooklyn,amanbythenameofCarl,whowoulddealwiththelowlifes,andcallKingsleywiththejoboffers.ThepeoplepayingKingsleyneverknewhisactualidentity.Thecontractor
negotiatedtheprice,andgotacutofthefee.Kingsley'sanonymitywasprotected.CarlhadbeentryingtogetMarctoworkwithhimforyears,sogettingaholdofhimwasn'thard,andgettingnewsoutofhimwaseveneasier.
“Ohjesus,doIevenwanttoknow?Ihaven'tevenhadbreakfast,I-”Kingsleystartedtocomplain,butMarchelduphishand.Twomen
werewalkingdownthebeach,rightattheshoreline.Marcwatchedthem,hisotherhandrestingonthebuttofhisgun.ButluckilyalltheydidwasstareatLily,catcalledheralittle,whilestillwalkingpast.SheflippedthemoffandMarcsmiled.
“Stankovski'stakenouthitsonus,”Marcsaid.Kingsleysnorted.
“Addittothelist.Noone'sgottenmeyet.How
manyisthatforyou?”“Idon'tknow,afew.The
pricetagsaren'teventhatbig.”
“Thenwhat'sthebigdeal?You'rescared?”
“Healsokeptthehitonher,”Marcwenton.
“Oh.Well,so?We'vebothhadpricesonourheadsforyears,andwe'vesurvivedquitenicely.”
“Onemillion.”“Ibegyourpardon?”
“Onemillion.Onemilliondollarsforherhead,”Marcrepeatedhimself.
Kingsleymadeachokingnoise,inhalingtoosharplyandgaggingonair.Heturnedhisheadbacktowardstheocean.
“You'retellingmethatAnatolyStankovskiisofferingonemilliondollarsforLily'sdeath!?”heexclaimed.Marcnodded.
“That'sexactlywhatI'm
saying.Apparently,he'dreallylikehisdiamondsback.”
“Butshesaidshethrewthemaway!”
“Andnowyouseetheproblem.”
“Ican'tbelieveit.Onemilliondollars,”Kingsleymumbled.MarcturnedandsawthattheothermanwasstaringatLily.
“Hey.Don'tgetanyfuckingideas,alright?OrI'll
becollectingonyourbounty,”Marcthreatened.Kingsleyrolledhiseyes.
“Youwouldnever.Andforthatmatter,neitherwouldI.It'sobviouswhyyou'vegrownsoattached.She'saveryspecialgirl,”hecommented.
“She'sapainintheass,”Marcsnapped,thenturnedbacksohecouldwatchher.
“Ah,butshe'syourpain.”
Marccontinuedtoglare,takingdeepbreathsthroughhisnose.
“Shewassoupsetyesterday,”hestartedtalkinginasoftvoice.“Kindofallovertheplacebeforedinner.Shewasfreakedout.Jumpy.Scared.Thenshetoldmethatshethoughttheonlyreasonwe'dgonebackforherwastogetthediamonds.Shewasupset.”
“Allnormalreactionsfor
aperson,I'dsay,”Kingsleypointedout.
“Yeah,foranormalperson.We'renotnormalpeople,Law.Thisisnotanormallifestyle.Shewasonlydoingittogetrevenge.Shewasn'tmeanttobethisperson.Idon'twanthertobethisperson.Idon'twant…,”Marc'svoicediedout.
Idon'twanttobetheonetoturnherintothatperson.
“Idon'tthinkanyof
that'sreallyyourbusiness.She'sagrownwomanwhogotintothisbusinessallonherown,byherself,whichinitselfisafeat.She'sobviouslyalsoverygoodatit.So,regardlessofwhetherornotyouwanthertobe'thisperson',it'sherchoice,andyouneedtolethermakeit,”Kingsleydoublechecked.
“Idon'tknowifIcandothat.”
“Why?”
“Because…Icareabouthertoomuch.”
“Jesus,DeSant,”Kingsleysighed.“Yougoallout,don'tyou?Findawomanwhocanactuallykeepupwithyou,ineverysenseoftheword,andyou'reworriedshe'llgethurt.Iwasn'tevenawareyouwerecapableofworryingaboutanybody.”
“Shutup.”“Sowhenareyougoing
totellheraboutthehit?”
Kingsleyasked.“I'mnot.”“Whynot!?”“Becauseit'lljustfreak
herout.I'mgoingtotakecareofallthis.I'llsortitout.”
“Thisisstupid,DeSant.Evenforyou.”
“Maybe.ButI'mwillingtobestupid,ifitmeansprotectingher.”
“Talktoher.Sheseemsquitecapableoftakingcareofherself.Youneedtostart
thinkingofherasapartner,notasadelicatedoll.”
“Idon'tthinkofherasadoll.Ithinkofherassomething…important.Somethingthatneedstobekeptsafe.”
Kingsleyheavedadeepsigh.
“Ofallthefuckingtimestofindnobility,DeSant.”
“Right?Justintime.”
DAYELEVEN“Youcan'tbeserious.”Lilystoodinthehallway
ofthehotel,watchingasKingsleydraggedhisrucksackoutofhisroom.
“It'safunnything,darling,”hesighedashepulledonasuitjacket.“IloveDeSantlikeabrother,whichalsomeansaftertoomuch
timetogether,Iwanttokillhim.He'scomingperilouslyclosetogettingabulletintheheadfromme,soImustbeoff.”
Lilywasn'tsurewhathadhappenedinherabsence.She'dspentmostofthemorningonthebeach,soakinginthesunandsurf.Whenshe'dcomebacktotheirroom,Marchadbeengone.Kingsleyhadbeengone.Butalltheirstuffwas
stillthere,soshehadn'tworriedaboutittoomuch.Gotherselflunchinthehotel'srestaurant,thenwentbackupstairsandtookanap,stretchingacrossthewholebed.Marcwokeherupacouplehourslater,informingherthatKingsleywasleaving.
“Juststayanothernight,”Lilybegged,sadtoseehimago.SheenjoyedKingsley'scompany,hiswitandhis
banter.Theeasinesstheyhadwitheachother.Shedidn'tfindthatoftenwithotherpeople,andwantedtoclingtoit.Clingtoalittlebitofnormalcy.
“What'sonemorenightgoingtodo,asidefrommaketomorrowevenharder?”heasked.Shefrowned.
“Ijustthoughtitwouldbenice…,”hervoicetrailedoff.Whatcouldshesay?Nicetostaytogether?What,the
threeofthemrideoffinthesunsettogether?BuyaduplexinsuburbanClevelandandlivesidebyside?Marccouldgetajobmanagingagrocerystore,Kingsleycouldworkinadvertising,Lilycouldgobacktobanking.
You'resooutofyourleaguewiththesemen.Timetodecideifyouwanttojumpintothedeepend,orhangbackinthekiddiepool.
“Me,too.I'mveryeasy
togetattachedto,Iunderstand,”hejoked,smilingdownather.Hehadtocranehisneckalittle,hewassomuchtallerthanher.Atall,lankyman,sohandsomeinhisdesignersuits.
“I'mgoingtomissyou,”shesaidsimply.
“AndI,you.Butwe'llseeeachotheragain,”heassuredher.
“Wewill?”
“Oh,I'msureofthat.Somethingtellsmeyouwon'tbeabletostayoutoftroublelong,andthengoodol'Lawwillhavetocomeinandsavethedayagain,”heteased,pinchingherchinbetweenhisfingersandwagglingherhead.
“Again?Youheldmedownandchokedme!”
“Andwasn'titfun?Ialreadycan'twaitforthenexttime.”
Beforeshecouldrespond,heleaneddownandhuggedher,wrappinghisarmsaroundhertightly.Lilywentontohertiptoesandhuggedhimback,astightasshecould.He'ddonesomuchforher.She'ddonesolittleforhim.Itdidn'tfeelright.
“Thankyou,foreverything,”shewhispered.
“You'reverywelcome,darling,”hewhisperedback.
Themomentwas
incrediblyheavy,soitwasdoublyshockingwhenhesqueezedherassbeforespankinghersharply.Shelaughedandpulledawayfromhim.Hegaveheranotherwinkandasmile,thenshoulderedhispackbeforestridingoffdownthehall.Shesighedasshewatchedhimgo,allthewaytillhedisappearedintotheelevator.
“Jesus,thatwas
dramatic.Ikeptwaitingforyoutoshoveyourtongueinhismouth.”
Lilyrolledhereyesandturnedaround,findingMarcstandingintheirdoorway.
“Iwasgoingto,butIcouldfeelyourbeadylittleeyesonus.Ican'tbelieveyoudidn'tevensaygoodbye,”shegrumbled,pushingpasthimandwalkingintotheroom.
“I'vesaidgoodbyetohimplentyoftimes.Neverhelps,
hekeepscomingback,”Marcjoked.
“Thatcouldbethelasttimeyoueverseehim,youknow.Whatifhegetskilledonhisnextjob?Whatifsomeonefinallycollectsonthehitonhim?”Lilyasked,sittingonthefootofthebed.
“ThenIwilltellhismotherandIwillgotohisfuneral.Butuntilthatdayactuallyhappens,he'salive,andI'lltreathimlikethat.
Havetokeepmoving,sweetheart.Can'tdwellonifsorbuts,”heinformedher.
“Easiersaidthandone,”shecomplained.
Marctookadeepbreath,thensquatteddowninfrontofher.Heplacedhispalmsonherthighs,pattingoutarhythmatfirst,thenslidinguptothehemofhershorts.Hedughisfingersintoherfleshandclawedhiswaybackdowntoherknees.
“I'vebeenthinking,”hestarted,andshewasinstantlyonguard.
“That'sneveragoodthing.”
“What'snextforus?”heasked.
Theyhadn'treallydiscussedit.Lilywasalmostscaredtobroachthesubjectbecausenotonlywasshenotsureofexactlywhatshewanted,butshehadnocluewhathewanted.Rejection
wasalmostscarierthanhavingaguntoherhead,asshewasnowacutelyaware.
“Whatdoyouwanttobenext?”shecountered,notwillingtocrackfirst.
Helookedawayfromher,hisgazestaringoutthewindow.Hewassilentforalongtime,thenasmilebegantoplayacrosshislips.
“Pemba.”Herheartskippedabeat.“What?”
“Rememberthathouse?Thatnight?Itoldyouaboutthatplace,offthecoast–PembaIsland,”heexplained.Ofcoursesheremembered.Howcouldshehaveforgotten?
“Whataboutit?”sheaskedcautiously.
“Wecouldstillgothere.Maybetakeavacation.Youlikethebeach.”
Heremembers,too.“Iwouldlovetotakea
vacationwithyou,”shewhispered.Henodded.
“Alright.Butthere'ssomethingsweneedtoclearup.”
Hisvoicewentbacktoitsusualloud,commandingtone,andhestoodup,pacingaroundtheroom.
“Likewhat?”Lilyasked.“Youdon'thardlyexist
inthisworld,butI'mabigplayer.Stankovskiisn'tjustgoingtoletmewalkaway
fromthis,notnowthatthediamondsaregone.IneedtogobacktoLiberia,takecareoflooseendsthere.AndthenIneedtodisappear.PullalltheassetsIhave,makesureallmycontactsknowthatI'vegonedark.Ineedtomakeusassafeaspossible.Ineedtobecomeinvisible,”heexplained.
“Okay,Igetthat,butdoesthathavetohappenrightnow?”shequestioned.
“Yes.Ihavenodoubtthathe'salreadytakingstepstofreezeanyaccountsIhave,cutmeofffrommymoney.Ihavealargechunkburiedsomewhere,Ineedtogogetthat,ifwewanttosurvive.Ineedtodothisnow,asquicklyaspossible.IfIdon't,wecouldbedeadbeforewestart,”Marcwarnedher.Herchestwarmedathisuseoftheplural,“we”,“us”.
Hardenedcriminal
transporter,andyoustillgetgiddywhenaboyholdsyourhandandimpliesthatyou'retogether.
“Iunderstand.SowegotoLiberia,and-”
“Notyou.Justme.”“Whycan'tIgo!?”Lily
demanded.“Becauseyou'vedone
enough,sweetheart,andI'msorrytosayit,butI'llmovefasterwithoutyou,”hetoldher.Shefeltherbloodstartto
boil,butbeforeshecouldletlooseonhim,hekeptgoing.“Intendays,we'llmeetthere.Tendays,togetridofalltheskeletonsinmyclosets.Tendays,andwecanbecomenewpeople,”hetoldher.
“Newpeople,”sheechoed,longingfortheideasomuchthatitwasalmostphysicallypainful.Somuchthatitblockedoutherconcerns.
“Newpeople,together.”
Sold.InLily'smind,she'd
alwayskepttheideaofthem“beingtogether”atbay.Hewasaruthlessmercenary,she'dwatchedhimkillmultiplepeople,hecouldn'tpossiblywanttobewithher.He'dneveroncementionedanythingaboutfeelinganytypeofwayabouther.Onlythathelikedsleepingwithher,thatwasit.Shewasagreenhorn,someonetiptoeing
aroundinhisnaturalhabitat.Asbadassasshethoughtshewas,shestillfeltlikeshedidn'tquiteliveuptohim.Whywouldhewanttobewithsomeonehedidn'tconsideranequal?
Butmaybenoneofthatmattered.Maybehewasreadytochangehislifestyle;maybehewasreadytotakeachanceonsomethingelse.
Onher.“Iwouldn'tslowyou
down,”shesaidcautiously.Heshookhishead.
“Youwould.Andevenifyoudidn't,Iwouldn'twantyouwithme.”
“Whynot?”“BecauseseeingIvanov
almostkillyouwastheworstthingI'veeverexperiencedinmylife.Ican'thandlethathappeningagain,andthere'sachanceitcouldifyou'rerunningaroundwithme.Ijustcan't,Lily.Ifanything
happenedtoyou…Iwouldgoinsane.”
Forgetblushing,Lily'swholebodycaughtonfire,andshelookedupathim.Intothoseblueeyesthatwerestaringbackathersohard.
“You'llcomebackforme,”shewhispered.
“Ineverwanttobeawayfromyou,”hewhispered,droppingtohiskneesinfrontofher.“ButIhavetodothis.”
“Idon'twantyoutogo.”“Iknow.”“Okay,”shesighed.“So.
Yousaidtendays?We'llmeetintendays?”
“Yes.There'saresort,I'mgoingtobookusavilla.Private,onthebeach.You'llgothereaheadofme,relax.Callyourparents.Washawaythelastfiveyears.ThenwhenI'vegotallmyducksinarow,I'llmeetyouthere.”
“Promise?”sheasked.
Hehesitated,hisgazesointensethatshefeltlikehewasreadinghermind.Washearingjusthowbadlyshewantedthisfromhim.Howbadlyshewantedhim.
“Ipromise,”hereplied.Shesmiled.
“Okay.Sosometimewithintendays,you'llshowup.We'llbetogether.Andthen…?”
“Andthen,”Marcsmiledaswellandputhishandson
eithersideofherhips,forcinghertolaydown.“I'mgoingtodefileyouinwaysyouneverthoughtpossible.”
“Okay,andafterthatfifteenminutesisup,thenwhat?”
Heburstoutlaughing.“You'reawfullyobsessed
withourfuturetogether.Ithinkyouhaveacrushonme,Lily,”hejokedinasoftvoice.Shesnorted.
“Ihaveamassivecrush
onyourbody.You,ontheotherhand,Iwanttokillmostofthetime.”
“Pity,causemostofthetime,Ijustwanttodevouryou,”hewhispered,loweringhismouthtoherneck.
“Tendays,”shebreathed,stretchingoutherarms.
“Tendays.”“Andthenwe'llbe
together.We'llbedifferentpeople.”
“Differentpeople.”
That'sallIeverwanted,tobesomeoneelse.Someonewhocouldhurt.Someonewhocouldkill.WhodoIwanttobenow?
DAYTWENTY-
THREELilypacedacrossahotel
room.Lookedoutawindow.Pacedback.Lookedatthesatellite
phoneshehad.Pacedback.
Wherethefuckishe!?
*Onceshe'darrivedatthe
resort,Lilyhadthoughtshe'dbeabletorelax.Butshecouldn'treally.StayinginAfricamadehernervous.Itgaveheranxiety.TanzaniaandZanzibarwereverydifferentfromwesternAfrica,theywerehugetouristdestinations,butstill.She
keptlookingoverhershoulder,andshepaidforeverythingincash,evenherflights.
Marchadleftherwellprovidedfor–he'dmanagedtogetsomeofhismoneytransferredtoaninternationalbankinCasablanca.Dangerousandcompletelytraceable,buthe'dsaidsincetheywouldn'tbestayingtherelong,itdidn'treallymatter.Hegavealmostallofitto
her,thenwentoutandfoundhernewdocumentation,anewpassport,newID.Shewasawholenewperson,inlessthanaday.
Sayinggoodbyehadbeenhard.Alotharderthanshewould'vethought.Tendayswasn'tthatlong,andthey'donlybeentogetherforaboutthesameamountoftime.Shetriedtobestrongattheairport,triedtoshownoemotion.Butwhenhe'd
kissedherinawaythathadmadeherhearthurt,shecouldn'thelpit.She'dshedatearortwoforhim.Forthem.
Shewasbookedintoaseafrontvilla–theresortwasstunningandexpansive,allinclusiveandexclusive.Marchadreallysparednoexpense.Butshewasstillnervous,sowhenshegottohervilla,shethoroughlycheckeditout.Sheevencrawledunderthewoodenwalkway,lookingfor
signsthatsomeonehadbeenthere,maybeplantedabombunderthebuilding.Butshefoundnothing.Theroomseemeduntouched.
Ithadbeenhard,atfirst,tobealone.Ittookherawhiletogetbackintotheswingofnormality.Gettingupeveryday,andhavingnothingtrulyimportanttodo.Shedidn'tlikeit.Before,she'dhadaspecificpurposeeveryday.Ajobtoprepare
for,trainingtodo,atriptomake.Now,herbiggestconcernwaswhetherornottohavefruitoroatmealforbreakfast.
Shekindofhatedit.Theonlythingthatmade
itbearablewasMarc.Hehadgivenheranuntraceablesatellitephone,andhe'dcalledherontheirfirstdayapart.Thenhecalledthenextday.Andthenext.Someconversationswereonlyfive
minutes,justhimcheckinginwithher.Somelastedhours,goingdeepintothenightwhileshelistenedtohisvoice.Thevoicethatsaidallthewordsshe'dbeendyingtohear.
Butafteraparticularlylong,sweet,phonecall,they'dstoppedcoming.Fromtheeighthdayon,shedidn'thearfromhim.Shehadnocluewhy.Didn'tknowifhewasokay.Hehadwarnedherthat
hemighthavetodropoutofcommunicationatsomepoint,soshehadn'tbeenshocked,atfirst.Shefiguredhewouldcallorturnupwhenhewasableto.
Thenthetenthdaycame.Shesatinthevillaallday,waitingforhim.Satthroughtheevening.Satclearthroughtheentirenight.Inthemorning,therewasstillnoMarc.Nowordfromhim.Nonothing.
Itwasnowthetwelfthday,andstillnosignofhim.Itchilledher.Marcwasinvincibleinhermind,butsheknewinrealityhewasveryhuman.Verymortal.Sheworriedthathe'dbeencaptured,orhurt,orworse.
Thatcan'thappen.Hewouldn'tletit.Hepromised.He'scomingback.
Shedidn'tknowwhattodo.Thephonenumberstoredinhersatphone,theonethat
Marchadbeencallingfrom,nolongerworked.Shefeltlikeshehadbeencastadriftintotheocean.Nobearing,nooars,noknowledgeofsailing.
Whatinthefuckisgoingon!?
Itwasdrivingherbatty.She'dspentfiveyearsvirtuallyalonewithoutanyproblems.OneweekwithMarcandsuddenlybeingalonewasabigfuckingproblem.Shespenttheday
pacingaroundthevilla,notsurewhattodowithherself.Thenshelookedoutside.Realizedshecouldn'tjuststandaround,doingnothing.Shewouldgoinsane.Soshewentintothebedroomandstarteddigginginherluggage.Well,itcouldn'treallybecalledluggage.
ItwasthebackpackthatMarchadgivenher.Theonehe'dneverbeenwithout.Theonephysicalpieceofhimshe
hadwithher.Shewasshockedtofind
shewasalmostnostalgicfortheirtimetogether.Ithadbeenscaryanddangerousandconstantmovement.Fightingandyellingandconstantlytryingtobeateachother.Hehadchallengedher,andultimately,shehadlikedit.
Rollingwiththenostalgia,shepulledouttheshortsshe'dboughtwhenthey'dbeenfleeingTangier,
ontheirwaytoCasablanca.Shesmiledatthememories.Kingsleyteasingher.Marctouchingher.
Shepulledherclothingoffandwasslippingontheshortswhentherewasasharpknockatthedoor.Itsnappedheroutofhermemoriesandshewhirledaround.Itwassixo'clockatnight.Shedidn'tknowanyone.Whocouldbevisiting?
Marc!?
Shewasn'tstupid,though,soshemadeherwaytothefrontdoorwithherGlockoutinfrontofher.Shetiptoedupandlookedoutthepeephole.Amanstoodoutside,dressedinthehotel'suniform.Heheldasilvertray,withsomethingonit.Somethingwhite,likeafoldedpieceofpaper.Lilynarrowedhereyes,thenyankedthedooropen,pointingtheguninhisface.
“Whatdoyouwant!?”shedemanded.
Hewasayoungman,andhewasvisiblyfrightenedofhergun.Probablyherwholeappearance–shehadn'tbotheredwithputtingonashirtandwasonlywearingtheshortsandabra.Shetookanotherstepforwardandwatchedasheshuddered.
“You…youhavealetter,ma'am…letterforyou,”hestuttered,holding
thetrayup.Itwasanenvelopethatwasonit,andLilysnatchedit.
“Getthefuckoutofhere!”shesnapped,thenslammedthedoorinhisface.
Shewatchedoutthepeepholewhileheranaway,thenshescurriedbackintothebedroom.Theenvelopehadawatermarkonit,thelogoofthehotelinCasablanca,andherfakenamewasscrawledacrossthe
frontinbigletters.Shetoreitopenandpulledoutapieceofpaper.Italsoborethehotel'semblem.Whoeverhadwrittentheletter,they'ddoneitwhileshe'dbeeninCasablanca.Doneitwhilethey'dbeeninthathotel.Notagoodsign.Shesatontheedgeofthebedassheunfoldedit.
Sweetheart…
Shesmiled,tracingherfingersovertheword.Shehatedbeingcalledbypetnames,hadhateditwhenhewouldn'tuseherrealname.Now,shewould'vekilledtohearhimwhisperingittoher.
Itoldyouitwas
beautiful,didn'tI?Ibetyoudidn'tbelieveme.Suchabitch.
Shelaughedoutloud.
IwishIwastherewith
younow.Iwishweweresittinginthesand.Laughing.Arguing.Anything,aslongasitwaswithyou.
Butthat'snothappening.Anditisn'tgoingto.Lilyheldherbreath.Youareverygoodat
whatyoudo,sweetheart,butyouhavealongwaystogo,
andthislifejustisn'tsuitedforyou.Tootemperamental,toonaive,tooeasytotrick–thisletterisaprimeexampleofhoweasyyouaretomanipulate.Notagoodthing,inmyworld.Beyondthat,youhaveagoodness,atyourcore,andifIallowedthattobecometainted,ifIruinedthat,I'dneverbeabletoforgivemyself.Youdeservebetterthanme.Someonewhohasrealfeelingsandareal
life.Someonewhocangrowwithyouandmovewithyouandchangewithyou.Someonewhowon'tputyourlifeindanger,simplybybeinginaroomwithyou.
Itwasincrediblysweet.
Touching,really.Butstill.Shewantedtofindhim
andpunchhiminthethroat.Noonewilleverbeable
tohurtyou.I'mgoingafter
Stankovski.I'llgethimforyou.Icandoitfasterthanyoucouldhave,anyway.Icanactuallyaccomplishyourgoal.It'sbetterthisway.Nomorejobs.Nomoredoingsomethingfornoreason.Iwillmakehimpay,foreverythinghedidtous.Everythinghedidtoyou.ToyoursisterKaylee.Ipromise.Idon'tcareifittakesmeyears,Idon'tcareifitcostsmemylife;you'llneverhave
toworryabouthimagain.He'snolongeryourproblem.
Imissyou.Imissyourbody.Imissbeinginsideyou.Imissyoureyes.Imissyoutellingmewhattodo.Imissyoumakingmelaugh.Andgodhelpme,Imissbeinginacarwithyou.Anycarwithyou.
IthinkI'llalwaysmissyou.
Gohome.Gohometoyourparents.Gohometo
yourfriends.Gohometoyourlife.PleasebelievemewhenIsaythisisright.PleasehavefaithinmethatIwillgetyourrevengeforyou.Go.Live.Bealive.Enjoyit.
Forgetthislife.Forgetthisman.ForgetAfrica.
Always,MarcelleDeSantLilyfoldeduptheletter
andcalmlyputitbackinto
theenvelope.Shesatforaminute,staringatherhands.Thenshegotup.Putonashirt.Shestoppedlongenoughtograbacupofteaoutofthekitchen,thenmadeherwaydowntotheshore.Tothebeach.
Herfavoriteplace.He'dtrickedher.Fedher
thedreamofPemba,thedreamofthemactuallybeingtogether,inordertogethertodowhathewanted.He'dled
hertobelievethattheywereinthistogether.Thathewasdoingeverythingtobewithher,thoughhe'dneverhadanyintentionofbeingwithher.
Hedidn'tthinkshewasgoodenoughtocompeteinhislifestyle,afterallshe'ddone.Aftereverythingthey'dgonethrough,shestillwasn't“goodenough”forhim.HewouldgetStankovski“forher”,wouldbe“fasterthan
her”,heclaimed.Discountingalltheworkthey'ddonetogether.
Hedidn'tthinkshewascutoutforhislifestyle.“Gohome”,he'dsaid.Wherethefuckwashome?Ohio!?How?How,aftereverythingshe'dbeenthrough?Fiveyearsofherlife,andforwhat?Aworkingknowledgeofcrimeringsthatcouldn'tbeappliedtoeverydaylife,andawickedpunchcombothat
wouldn'thelpherbackinsuburbia.
Andforwhat!?Shehadnothingtoshowforit.Noillustriouscareer.Norevenge.NotevenMarc.Nothing.Shegotliedto,andshegotabandoned.
Shegotdumped.Fiveyearsofherlife,
wasted.Oneweekofherlife,toscreweverythingup.Afewconversationswithaman,tomanipulateherinto
lettinghimgo.Andonelie,thatleftheraloneonabeach,withaslightlybrokenheart.
Ireallybelievedhim.Ireallywantedthis.Ireallylikedhim.
“Thatmotherfucker,”shegrowled,throwinghermugintotheocean.
Shestoodupandbrushedthesandoffherlegs.Thetearsoutofhereyes.Wonderedwhathernextmovewas;thevillawaspaid
upthroughthenextweek,andshehadplentyofmoneytogoanywhereshewanted.Butwheretogo?Whattodo?Theonlythingshecouldthinkofrightthen,wastrackingMarcdownandmakinghimphysicallyhurtasmuchasshewasemotionallyhurting.
Hedidn'tbelieveinme.Ibelievedinhim,andhedidn'tbelieveinme.Didn'tbelieveinus.
Shestaredoutovertheocean,hermindwanderingoverthedays.Somanydays.Somuchsand.Sandandroadsandhighwaysandrocks.Stones.Diamonds.Sherememberedhimaskingheraboutthediamonds,ifshehadreallythrownthemintotheocean.RememberedKingsleyaskingheraboutthediamonds.RememberedMarcwatchingher.
Hadthatbeenit?Lily
hadtoldthemshe'dthrownthemintotheocean–notgettingthemback,sowhatwasthepointinbeingwithheranymore?Maybeshewasn'tworthanythingtoMarc,withoutthosediamonds.Withoutthepromiseofapayout.Withoutthepromiseofsomethingbig.
God,thishurts.IthinkI'drathergetstabbedagain.
Assheheadedupthebeach,shedugintoherback
pocket,searchingforherroomkey.Whenshepulleditout,though,somethingelsecameout,andshewatchedaswhatlookedlikeascrapofpaperfelltotheground.Whenshepickeditup,though,shecouldfeelthatitwasaheavycardstock.Anditwasstrange,allblack.Bothsides.
Waitaminute.Sherecognizedit,of
course,andseeingtheword,
thename,“Law.”,debossedonthefrontconfirmedit.Kingsley'scard.Thelasttimeshe'dseenone,Marchadbeenrippingitup.How'dthisonegetintoherbackpocket?
LilyrememberedhergoodbyeswithKingsley.Thetightembrace.Himwhisperinginherear.Thenhimsmackingherass.Grabbingitplayfully.Itmusthavebeenthen.
Heknew.HeknewMarc
wasgoingtoleaveme.That'swhyheleftsoabruptly.Heknew,andheleftmethiscardsoIcouldfindhim.
Shestaredatthecard,grippingitbetweenherfingertips.Solittledetail,somuchpotential.
Kingsleywantedhertofindhim.
Marcdidn'twanthertofindhim.
Kingsleyhadneverliedtoher,asfarasshecouldtell.
Marchadspunthebiggestlie,justwhenthey'dbeentheclosest.
Marchadn'tbelievedinherabilitytotakecareofherself,andthusobviouslywasn'twillingtohelpherortrainher.
ButKingsleywas.Lilystrodeupthewalk
towardshervilla,almostjogging.
Finally,apurpose.Finally,ajob.
Alright,Marc.YouthinkIcan'tdothis?YouthinkIneedyoutofightmybattles?YouthinkI'mnottoughenoughtobethisperson?Youthinkyou'rebetter,faster,withoutme?Youdon'twanttobewithme?Fine.That'stotallyfine.I'lljustfindsomeonebetterthanyou.Fasterthanyou.Someonewhodoeswanttobewithme.
Justyouwait,MarcelleDeSant.I'llbethebest
anyoneinthisbusinesshaseverseen.Justyoufuckingwait.
ToBeContinued...
Readtotheendforscenesfromtheconclusion.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThisbookstartedoutas
somethingcompletelydifferent.AfriendaskedifIwouldeverdoacaptor/captivestory.Iwantedsomethinginthedesert,soIstartedwritingabookthattookplaceinMexico,whichIdidn'tlikefromthegetgo–somany“dark”bookstake
placethere.Ialsodidn'twantittobeaboutsextraffickingand/ordrugs,astherearealsoquiteafewofthoseabout,andIwasn'tsureIcouldcompete,sosomehowIcameupwith“diamondthief”.ButIdidn'tlikehowitwasgoing.SoIshelvedit.Didn'tthinkaboutitagainforawhile.
ThenIgottotalkingwithanotherfriendaboutbooks,andIdon'trememberexactlyhowitstarted,maybeassassin
books,andIsaidIdidn'tlikethatidea,therearesomanybooksabouthitmen/assassins.Thenwethoughtwhatelsecouldananti-herodo?WhatotherkindofbookwouldIliketowrite?Imentionedmydiamond-thief-in-the-desertbookandsheaskedwhydidn'tIfinishitandIexplainedmyreasons,sowegottotalkingaboutit.Ithought,ifIwantdesertanddiamonds,whynotAfrica?
Wheresomanydiamondscomefrom?Shefiguredwhyakidnapperoranassassin?Whynotalloftheabove?Iwantedtheheroinetobebadass,myfriendwantedtheherotobeFrench-ish(Idon'tknowenoughaboutFrenchculturetomakeacharacterfromthere,soImadehimAmericanbutraisedparttimeinHaiti,sohespeaksFrenchandisexotic.Cheating!).
Thus,MarcandLily
wereborn.Acompleteandtotal180fromthestoryIhadstartedmaybeayearbefore.Iabsolutelyliveforactionmovies,“DieHard”isoneofmyall-timefavoritemovies,andIjustaboutdiedfor“MadMax:FuryRoad”thissummer,soIpouredallofthatintothisbook.Iwroteit100%forme,theactionmovieIwouldliketosee,justinbookform.
Ihavealwaysbeena
“pantster”,meaningIdon'tuseoutlines,Itypeitasitcomestome.SometimesIstrikegold–Degradation,MyTimeintheAffair.Mostofthetime,Istrikeout–thefifteenotherunfinisheddocumentsonmycomputer.IstartedcomingtoawallwithMarcandLily'sstoryandIcouldfeelit,thedreadedshelving-of-a-project.Thingsnevercomeofftheshelf.
RatulaRoyaskedme,
“what'stheproblem?What'sstoppingyou?”SoItoldher.Writingisaverylinearthingforme.OnceIstartalongaplotline,Ican'tseepastit.Ican'tthinkoutsideoftheboxI'vecreated.Shewasabletoseeitin3D,andthrewoutsuggestions,thingsIneverwouldhavethoughtofonmyown.IwasabletogobackandchangethecourseoftheplotinsuchawaythatitgotridofmywallandIwasable
tokeepwriting.SomethingI'dneverbeenabletodobefore.Shealsodidinsuchawaythatthestoryremainedorganictomyselfandmyownthoughts.ShechangedthewayIlookatmyownwriting,somethingI'vebeendoingforaverylongtime,andthataloneisamazing.Thesecharactersbelongtoheralmostasmuchastheydotome,andhereffortonthisstorywasalmostasgreatas
myown.Enoughthankscannotbesaid.
AngieD.–thewayyoulookatastoryanddissectit,yourattentiontodetail,yourworkethic,yourtirelesseffort,youramazingteasers,somuch.Idon'tknowhowtothankyou,andpraythatyouwillalwaysbeabletoreadforme.Ifeelveryluckythatyoufoundme.
Tomybetareaders:Sunny,Lheanne,Rebecca,
Beatriz,Jo,Letty,Shannon,Sue,thanksforallyourfeedbackandfortakingthetimetoreadforme,evenwhenit'sunediteddrivel.
ToRebeka,forallyoudoforme,andtheeightmillione-mailsImakeyousend,andforwaitingabillionyearsformetomailyourstuff.
ToShhMom'sReadingforhandlingallofmyreleasesandreveals,andhandlingitallsowell.
ToNajlaQamberDesignsforALLofmyamazingcovers,Iloveeachonemorethanthelast,whichishardtoevenimaginesinceIloveeachonemorethananythingever.
ToChampagneFormatsfortheamazingpaperbackeditions!You'venowdoneallofmybooks,andIloveeachandeverysingleone.
AndtoBruceWillisandTomHardy.ToColinFirthin
“Kingsman”,andTomCruisein“Mission:Impossible”.To“TheMatrix”and“KungFuHustle”.“Mr.&Mrs.Smith”,“RomancingtheStone”,“TheProtector”,and“Taken”.AndespeciallytoAngelinaJolie,MaggieQ.,MichelleYeoh,SonjaBlade,Chun-Li,Storm,andallthoseladieswhokickedmoreassthantheirmalecounterpartseverdid.
Tothereaders,thenewonesjustdiscoveringthis
story,andtheoneswhohavebeentheresinceJameson'sfirst“shutthefuckup”.Ayearago,noonebutfamilyandclosefriendshadeverwrittenanythingI'dputdownonpaper,soit'sstillamazingthatthisbookcanfindit'swaytoyou.Ihopeyouenjoyedit.Ihopeyouenjoytheothers.Ihopeyouenjoywhat'snexttocome.Thankyouforreading,always.
Andasalways,thanksto
myhusband.Doingthisisnoteasy.Iworkafull-timejob.ThenIcomehome,andIplugintoasecondfull-timejob.Onethattakesallmyconcentration.Forme,abooktakesaboutthree-fourmonthstocreate,fromconceptiontopublish.Theactualwritingprocessandtheeditingaretheworse–Ivirtuallydon'tspeaktoanyoneduringthosetwo.AsI'mwritingthis,Ican'trememberthelasttimeI
satdownandwatchedamoviethewholewaythrough.Amonthago?Andhesuffersthroughallofthisinthemostunderstandingway,triestomakethingsmorecomfortableforme,takescareofme,andmostimportantly,letsmebeme.Fromthebottomofmyheart,thankyou,Mr.F.
SOUNDTRACKSongsthatIlistenedto
whilewriting,songsthatmademethinkofthestory,andacouplethatinspiredactualscenes.
●ChaiyyaChaiyya–DilSesoundtrack●Africa–Toto●Bulletproof–Le
Roux●Diamonds–Rihanna●HeyMan,NiceShot–Filter●Papaoutai–Stromae●Sabotago–BeastieBoys●PaperPlanes–M.I.A.●Trouble–IggyAzalea(ft.JenniferHudson)●MyChickBad–Ludacris●SevenNationArmy–
TheWhiteStripes
OUTOFPLANS~excerpt~
DAYTWOHUNDRED
ANDSIX
LilianaBrewsterusedonehandtoholdtherollbaraboveherhead.Herotherarmwasoutthesideofthecar,holdingagainstthedoor.
SheusedhergriptostabilizeherbodyastheJeepshewasridingincrashedthroughthejungle,roaringthroughpuddlesandleapingoffofdownedtrees.
“Yousee!?”themandrivingthevehicleshouted,pointingthroughthewindshield.Shesquintedhereyes,tryingtoseewhatwasoutthere,butdirtwassplatteredallovertheglass,andamisthadstartedto
comedownonthem,makingvisibilitylow.
“No!”sheshoutedback.“Holdon,wearealmost
tothepartwhere-”TheJeepbegantoskidas
hepumpedthebrakes,thetireslosingtractioninthemudandcausingthebackendtoswingaroundalittle.Whentheycametoastop,Lilylookedovertofindtheywereontheledgeofaverysteepembankment.Shestood
uponherseatandleanedherhipsagainstthewindshield.
“Wheredidyouseeit?”sheasked,bringingapairoflargebinocularstohereyes.
“Overthere,totheright,”herguidesaid,motioningtothesameplaceasbefore,leaningoverhiswheel.
Lilyturned,straininghereyes.Theweatherwasshit.Lowcloudcoverhungoverthejungle,threateningtodumponthematanymoment
–themistwasjustawarning.Shewantedtogettoherdestinationbeforethathappened.Shewipedherdamphairoffherforeheadandkeptlooking.
“There!”sheshouted.Acouplemilesinthe
distance,risingoutofthethickcanopy,wasaspindlylittleplumeofsmoke.Lightgrayandbarelynoticeable,itcouldn'thavebeenanythingmorethanacampfire.A
smallcampfire.Suitableforoneortwopeople,max.Shedroppedthebinocularsintothebackseat,thentrackedthesmokewithherbareeyes.Shebegantosmile.
“Ms.Lily,”herguidestarted.“Whydoyousearchsobadlyforthisman?”
“Whatman?”sheasked,tryingtoguesstimatehowlongitwouldtakeforthemtodrivetothesmoke.
“Iheardyoulastnight,
yousaidyouaresearchingforaman,”heexplained.Hersmileturnedtoafrown.
“MarcelleDeSant,”shesaidsoftly.
“Yes.Whydoyouwanttofindthis...thisDeSantpersonsobadly?”
“Because,”shefinallylookeddownatherguide.
“Becausewhy?”“I'mgoingtokillhim.”
TheKane
TrilogyDEGRADATIONAvailableNow
Ifyouhaven'tmet
JamesonKaneyet,readbelowforasneakpeek…
~Prologue~Shehadcomeoverto
theirapartmentjusttodropoffsomeboxesofstuffforhersister,Eloise-Ellie.TatumhadjustturnedeighteenandwasmovingtoherownapartmentindowntownBoston.ShehadbeeninadormroomforherfirstsemesteratHarvard,butherparentsdidn't“approve”ofherroommate,soher
fatherhadrentedheranapartmentoffcampus.WhenTate'sfathersaidjump,allshewaseverallowedtosaywas“howhigh?”,so,shewasmoving.
HersisterElliewasfouryearsolder,andtheyhadnevergottenalongverywell.Abouttwoyearsago,ElliehadstarteddatingJamesonKane–Kane,asjustabouteveryonecalledhim.Therelationshipwasstrangeto
Tate;EllieandJamesonseemedmorelikeacquaintancesthanpeoplewhosleptwitheachother,butwhowasshetojudge?Shedidn'tevenreallylikeherownboyfriend.
Tatedidn'treallyknowwhattomakeofJameson.Hewassogoodlooking,itwasprobablyillegal.Sheworriedifshelookedathimtoolong,she'dgoblind.Hewasalsoverysmart–hehadgraduated
earlyfromYalewithanMBA,andwastakingsometimeofftoreviewhisjobprospects.Hecamefromoldmoney,hisfatherwassomesortofbigwigonWallStreet,andthetalkwasthatJamesonwouldfollowinhisfootsteps.
Inthetwoyearshehadbeendatinghersister,Jamesonhadn'tseemedtotakemuchnoticeofTate.Heignoredher,treatedherwith
indifference.Whenhehadtodealwithher,itwasalmostlikeanafterthought,likehehadforgottensheexisted.Hewastall,andhandsome,andexperienced,andsmart.Tatewasabrainy,naive,cluelessgirl,freshoutofhighschool,norealexperiencewiththeworldorworldlypeople.Heintimidatedher.
Itfeltweird,showingupatEllie'sapartmentwithoutherbeingthere.Jamesonhad
letTatein,andthenprettymuchignoredher.Suchagentleman.Tatehadtohaulseveralheavyboxesfromtheparkinglottothebuilding,andthendownalonghalltotheirapartment,allbyherself.Whenshegottothelastbox,shedroppeditbytheirbed,huffingandpuffing.
“Didyouwantmetohelp?”Jamesonasked,appearinginthedoorway.Tatewhirledaround,startled.
“No,thatwasthelastbox,”shereplied,straighteningouthercardigan.Healwaysmadeherfeelnervous.Hiseyeswanderedoverherface.
“Youlookreallyred.Wantsomethingtodrink?”heasked.Shefeltherselfturnevenredderthansheapparentlyalreadywas;shewasneverpreparedforhisbluntmanners.
“Ifyouhaveanytea,that
wouldbegreat,”shereplied,thenfollowedhimtothekitchen.Shethoughthewasgoingtopouritforher,buthejustgesturedtothefridge.
“Idon'tknowwhatElliehasinthere,lotsofhealthfoodshit.Digaround,”heoffered.Shemadeafaceathisback.
“Waterisfine,”shetoldhim,thenjustfilledaglassfromthetap.
“So.Newapartment,all
aloneinabigcity.Youready?”heasked.Shenoddedandturnedtofacehim.Hispiercingblueeyeswerewanderingoverherfaceandsheresistedtheurgetowipeatherskin.Wasshedribblingwaterdownherchin?
“AsI'lleverbe,Iguess.I'mprettyself-reliant,soIthinkI'mready,”shereplied,takingdelicatesipsofherdrink.Hechuckled.
“C'mon,youlooklike
you'redying.Let'ssitdown,youcanchugit,”heoffered,leadinghertoatable.Heevenshockedherbypullingoutachairforher.
“Thanks,”Tatesaid,beforefollowinghisinstructionsanddowningthewaterinafewgulps.Withoutasking,hepulledtheglassfromherhandsandrefilleditbeforesittingdownacrossfromher.
“Don'tyouhavelikea
boyfriend,orsomething?IsheinBoston?”Jamesonasked,slidingherglassbackacrossthetable.Sheshookherhead.
“No,Drewstayedinstate,”shereplied.
“Youguyshavebeengoingoutforawhile–howisit,beinginalongdistancerelationship?”heasked.Shewassurprisedatthequestion.Jamesonnevercaredaboutanythingshedid.
“We'vebeentogetherthreeyears,butIdon'tknowhowlongit'sgonnalast.Hedidn'twantmetogotoHarvard,wantedmetojustfollowhimtoPennState.Wearguedaboutitalot.Hewantstotrytoworkitout,butIthinkit'sjusttimetogetoverit.Moveon.We'reincollegenow,Idon'thavetimeforthatkindofcrap,”sheletitallspillout.Jamesonraisedaneyebrow.
“Wow,verymatureapproach.Howoldareyouagain?”heasked.Taterolledhereyes.
“You'veknownmefortwoyears,Jameson,andyoucan'tevenremembermyage?”sherespondedwithaquestion.Heshrugged.
“Idon'tthinkIevenknowEllie'sage.Howold?”hepressed.
“Ijustturnedeighteen,twoweeksago.Howcould
younotknowEllie'sage?You'vebeentogetherforsolong,”Tatepointedout.Heshruggedagain.
“Idon'tpayattentiontothingslikethat.Sowhatareyougoingtoschoolfor?”heasked.Tatehadtostopherselffrompointingout,again,thatheshouldalreadyknowthesethings–ithadbeendiscussed,manytimes,infrontofhim.Shehadneverrealizeditbefore,buthewas
kindofselfcentered.Arrogant.
“Politicalscience,”shesaid.
“We'llseehowlongthatlasts.Gointoeconomics,moremoney,”hetoldher.Shenarrowedhereyes.
“I'mnotdoingitformoney,”shereplied.
“Thenyou'restupid.”“You'rekindofadick,”
sheblurtedout,shockingherself.Shewasn'tproneto
foullanguagemostofthetime,orbeingrude.Shehadjustdoneboth.Hedidn'tseembothered,though;heburstoutlaughing.
“You'rejustnowrealizingthat?”
Tatesmiled.Hehadanicelaugh,andasexysmile.Shecouldfeelherselfblushing.ShecouldrememberthefirsttimeElliehadbroughthimhome.Tatehaddevelopedacrushonhim
theinstantshe'dseenhim–tall,darkhair,brightblueeyes,killersmile;whatgirlwouldn'tfallheadoverheelsinlovewithhimatfirstsight?Butithadnevergonebeyondthat,sheknewJamesonwassofaroutofherleague,shewasn'tevenvisibletohim.Shedidn'twastetoomuchtimefantasizingabouthim.
Butnow,sittingacrossthetablefromhim,shefeltherselfgettinghotunderher
sweater.“Well,yeah,younever
talktome,”shepointedout.“Italktoyou.”“When?”“Excuseme?”“Whendoyoutalkto
me?Whenwasthelasttimeyoutalkedtome?”Tateasked.Hethoughtforasecond,lookingupattheceiling.
“Iaskedifyouwereokay,afteryourdogdied,”he
replied,smilingather.“Thatwaslastyear,”she
toldhim.Jamesonstartedlaughingagain.
“Hey,atleastIremembered,”hepointedout.Shefoundherselflaughingaswell.
“Iguessthat'ssomething.Doesn'tmatteranyway,I'llbegone–nomoreawkward,silentfamilydinnerstogoto,thankgod.YouandElliewillbeonyourown,”shewarned
him.“Well,you'llhaveto
comebacksometimes.”“No,”sheshookher
head,“Iwon't.I'vedecided,I'mnotcomingbacktillI'mdonewithschool,ifthen.I'mtryingtogetthroughamastersprograminfouryears,orless.”
“Wow.Hellofachallenge,babygirl.Youthinkyou'reupforthat?”heasked.Sheshiveredathisuse
of“babygirl”,hehadnevercalledherthatbefore–nevercalledheranything.Sheclearedherthroat.
“IthinkI'mupforanythingIsetmymindto,”sheresponded.Hesmiled.
“Goodanswer.Wouldyoulikeadrink?Ellieshouldbehomeanyminute,wecouldcracksomethingopenandhaveitreadyforher,”hesuddenlyasked,gettingoutofhischair.Tateheldupher
glass.“Ihavewaterrighthere,”
shepointedout.Helaughedashepulledabottleoutofacupboard.
“Imeantarealdrink,Tate.SeeingashowI'veapparently'never'talkedtoyou,Iguessnowisagoodtimetogiveyousomecongratulations.I'massumingIneverdidthat,right?”heasked,holdingabottleofchampagneinhishand.She
laughed.“No,youweren'tevenat
mygraduation.Andmaybejustoneglass,”shereplied,pushingthewatershe'dbeendrinkingoutoftheway.
Havingbeentoobusywithschoolandallherextraclasses,Tatehadneverbeenapartygirl.Nocrazypartiesandalmostnoexperiencewithalcohol.SomechampagneatChristmaswithGrannyO'SheaattheO'Shea
farmintheHamptonswasaboutit.Butshedidn'twantJamesontoknowthat–shewantedtoseemmature,likeagirlwhohadchampagneallthetime.Itwassilly,butshecouldn'thelpit.
Theypolishedoffthefirstbottle,discussingpoliticsandthecurrenteconomicsituationinthecountry.Hedisagreedvehementlywithmostofherviews,buthenevergotheatedorupset.He
managedtogetunderherskin,though,andshefoundherselfarguingjusttogetariseoutofhim,buthewasimpossibletorileup.Thechampagneloosenedherupalittle,andshewasalotbolderwithheropinions;oratleast,moresothanusual.
“Nomoreafterthis,babygirlneedstobepresentableforherfamilytomorrow,”Jamesonsaid,takingoutasecondbottle.Shemadea
faceathim.Theydrankandchatted
somemore.Ellietextedhimthatshewouldbelate.Shewasaparalegal,andherhourswereallovertheplace.Tatewasfinewiththat,sheneverfeltcomfortablearoundhersister.Elliewastallandbeautiful,withdarkblondehairthatwasalwaysdoneupinjusttheperfectstyle.Shewasalwayswearingthemoststylishclothing.
Tatewasaverageheight,withdarkhair,almostblack,andshehadneverpaidattentiontowhatwasstylish,justworewhathermotherboughtforher.ShewasintimidatedbyEllie,plainandsimple.That'swhyshewasgoingintoanacceleratedprogramatHarvard–tobeatEllie.Elliewasthegoldenchild,thefavoritechild.Tatehadalwayshadtoworktentimesharder,justtoalways
fallslightlybehind.Shewoundupblabbering
allthattoJameson.ThenwentontotellhimallaboutherboyfriendDrew,whomhecouldn'tremembereverhavingmet,eventhoughhehad–severaltimes.HowboringDrewwas,howhealwayswantedtotellherwhattodo,butheneverwantedtodoanything.Jamesonnoddedandlistenedtoherprattle,slidingthe
champagneoutofherreach.“You'reprettyfunny,
Tate.Ineverknew,”hechuckled.Sherolledhereyes,shruggingoutofhercardigan.
“Shocking.Nooneevernoticesme,notwhenEllie'saround,”shesnorted,pullingherhairintoaponytail.Heraisedaneyebrow.
“Iwouldn'tsaythat,Ellie'snotasgreatasyoumakeherouttobe,”hetoldher.
“Pffft.ShelookslikewhatwouldhappenifCindyCrawfordandChristyTurlingtonhadababy,”Tatepointedout.
“You'repretty,too.”“Youhavetosaythat,
you'reherboyfriend.Youhavetobenicetome.”
“NoIdon't.I'mhardlyevernice,andIalmostneverlie.You'reanattractivegirl,youjusthavebadselfesteem,andworsetasteinmen,”he
informedher.Sheshrugged.“Maybe,butthatdoesn't
changethefactthatEllieisstillbetterinmostpeopleseyes,”shereplied,fiddlingwiththestemofherchampagneglass.Jamesonleanedbackinhischair,foldinghisarmsacrosshischest.
“Iwouldn'tsaythat.Fromatechnicalstandpoint,ifwe'rebeingcompletelyhonest,Iwouldhavetosay
thatyou'remuchsexierthanyoursister,”hetoldher.
Shedidn'tbreatheforamoment.DidJamesonKanereallyjustsaythattoher?Orwasitthechampagne?Sheglancedathim,andhewasstaringrightbackather,asmallsmileplayingonhislips.Sheshookherheadandshookoffhernerves.No.Hewasjustbeingnice.Thathadtobeit–whatkindofaguywouldtellhisgirlfriend's
sisterthatshewasthesexierofthetwo?Notaverygoodguy,that'sforsure.
“Whatever.It'llallbebehindmeinacoupleweeks.It'llbelikeanewTate,that'swhatI'mgoingfor;Elliecansuckit,”Tateproclaimed,thenabruptlyhiccuped.Jamesonburstoutlaughing.
“See,nowthat'sfunny.Yoursistersuckingsomething–wouldneverhappen,”hejoked.Tatecould
feelhercheeksturningbrightred.
“Gross,”sheblurtedout.“Toomuch?Iguess
we'renotthatgoodofbuddiesyet,”hesighed.
“Youshouldn'ttalkthatwayaboutyourgirlfriend,it'snotverynice,”Tatetoldhim.Heshrugged.
“Sometimesshe'snotaverynicegirlfriend,”hereplied.Tate'seyesgotwideasshehadarealization.
“Areyougoingtodumpmysister?”
“Now,whywouldyouaskthat?”Jamesonresponded,hissmilegoneashiseyesstaredintoherown.
“Idon'tknow.Yourvoice,yourattitude.Areyou?”shepressed.Hesighed,rubbingahandoverhisface.
“Ishouldn'thavegivenyouchampagne.Ididn'tknowyou'dturnintoNancyDrew,”hecommented.
“Ohmygod.You'regonnadumpEllie.You'vebeentogetherfortwoyears.Shethinksyou'regonnapropose.She'sgonnadie,”Tategushed,pressingahandtoherchest.Hiseyesnarrowed.
“Wehaven'teventalkedaboutmarriage,whywouldshethinkthat?AndIdon'tknowwhat'sgoingtohappenwithEllieandI,we'vegotalottotalkabout;donottalk
toheraboutthis,”Jamesoncommanded,pointingafingeratTate.Sheraisedherhands.
“Igooutofmywaytonottalktoher,Iwon'tbreatheaword.ButcanIaskwhy?”shepressed,reachingoutforthechampagne.Jamesondidn'tevennotice,hewassolostinthought,soshepouredherselfanotherglass.
“Idon'tknow.It's...boring.Notexciting.LikeyouweresayingaboutDrew.
Shewantsthispre-programmedlife,haseverythingdecidedforus.Sheknowswhatshe'shavingfordinnernextTuesday,wherewe'regoingforthefourthofJuly,whatwe'llnameourfirstchild.Shegoestobedatten,getsupatsix–I'mnotallowedtotouchherbetweenthosehours,I'mnotevenjoking.Idon'tlikebeingtoldwhattodo,”hisvoicegotquiettowardstheend.Tate
nodded,takingalargeswigofherchampagne.
“SoundslikeEllie.Didyouknow,onetimewhenshewasmadatme,togetbackatme,shegotintomyroomandorganizedmycloset?Thatwasherideaofrevenge,”shetoldhim.
Heburstoutlaughing,andthatsetTateoff.Theybothbentover,unabletobreatheforhowmuchtheywerelaughing.Itwas
hilarious,anditwastotallytrue.ElliewaslikeOCDBarbie.Verypretty,andalittlecrazy.
“Ohmygod,thatsoundslikeher,”hechuckled.Tatenodded.
“Iknow!I'vegotahundredmore,she-”Tatestarted,butshewasgesturingwithherglass,andchampagnesloshedalloverherfront.
“Ohgod,Iknewthiswas
goingtohappen,”Jamesonshookhishead,buthewaslaughing.Tatesnorted,holdingherwetshirtawayfromherchest.
“Thenyoushouldn'thavegivenittome,”shereplied.Hestoodup.
“Itriedtotakeitaway.C'mon,I'msureElliehassomethingyoucanwear,”hesaid,gesturingforhertofollowhim.Shegotoutofherchair.
“Ohno,she'llkillme,I'mnotallowedtowearherstuff,”Tatetoldhim,followinghimacrossthelivingroomandbackintothebedroom.
“Whocares?Sheownssomuchshit,she'llneverknow.Justgrabsomething,herstuffisinthere,”heexplained,pointingtoasectionofthewardrobebeforewalkingbackoutoftheroom.
Tatestaredintothewardrobeforawhile,lettinghereyeswanderovertheclothes.EverythingEllieownedwasexpensive;fromadesigner.Fromayoungage,Tatehadbeentaughtnottotouch.Jamesonhadjustgivenherfreereign.Shesnortedanddovein,yankingbackthehangers.Shelaughedandpulleddownasilkblouse–itlookedridiculouslyexpensive.
Perfect.Shespunaroundand
threwtheshirtonthebed,stumblingasshedidso.Shedidn'tthinkshewasdrunk,butshewasfeelingalittlelight.Spinny.Shelaughedtoherself,curlingherfingersaroundthehemofhershirtandpullingthewetmaterialup.Shewenttoyankitoverherhead,butsomethinghappened.Theshirt'staggotcaughtinastringofpearls
shewaswearing,whichthengottangledinherhair,andshewasstuckwithherarmsintheair,strugglingtopulltheshirtonewayortheother.
“Ohmygod,”Tatelaughedatherself,steppingbackandforth.
Shelostherfootingandstumbledclearacrosstheroom.Sherammedintosomething,adresser,andmovedsoherbuttwasagainstit.Shewasreallylaughing
now,strugglingnottohyperventilatewiththeshirtcoveringhermouth.Herelbowswerepinnedaboveherheadandshetriedtoreachthebaseofherneckwithherfingers,archingherback.Herfingernailswerejustbrushingthetopofherspinewhensheheardsomething.
“Whatareyoudoing?”Shewentstockstill,her
laughterdying.Jamesonwas
intheroom,andprettyclosetoher,judgingbythesoundofhisvoice.Withhershirtupoverherhead,shewasstandingthereinjustherbraandkhakiskirt.
Ohmygod,ohmygod,ohmygod.
“Um,Igotstuck,”Tateofferedinasmallvoice.Hechuckled,andhewasevencloserthanbefore–rightinfrontofher.
“Obviously.Help?”he
asked.Shemanagedtoshakeherhead.
“No,IthinkI-”shestarted,butthenfelthisfingersattheneckoftheshirt.Hepusheditup,exposinghermouthandnose,butthenleftitthere.Shetookdeepbreaths.
“Areyoudrunk,Tate?”heasked,talkingslowly.Sheshookherheadagain.
“No.Imean,Idon'tthinkso.I'mjuststuck,”she
replied.Hegaveasmallchuckleandshefelthimpullingattheneckoftheshirtagain.Acoupletugs,andthestrandofpearlsbroke.Shecouldfeelthemrunningdownherbody,somecatchinginherbrawhiletherestclatteredtothefloor.TheshirtcamefreefromherheadandJamesonpulleditaway,holdingitinhisrighthand.Hewasstaringdownather.Shestruggledtocontrolher
breathing.“You'reverydifferent
fromEllie,”hetoldherinaquietvoice.Sherubbedherlipstogetherandnodded.
“Iknow,”shereplied.Tateknewsheshould
move,shouldgrabhershirt,dosomethingtocoverherself.Runforthebathroom.Sheshouldnotbestandinginfrontofhersister'sboyfriend,onlywearingablacklacebra.He
droppedhershirtashiseyeswandereddownherbody,andshefoundthatshewasfrozentothespot,unabletomoveasinglemuscle.
“Familyheirloom?”heasked,thenhereachedout,tracingafingerdownherchest.Heranitdownhercleavageandshethoughtshemightfaint.Butthenheheldhishandup,andhehadapearlpinchedbetweenhisfingers.
“Present.FromDrew,”hervoicewasjustaboveawhisper.Heexaminedthepearl.
“He'scheap.It'snotreal,”hecommented.Shealmostlaughed.
“What?”Jamesonletthepearl
dropandhisattentionwentbacktoher.Tatestillcouldn'tmove.Hadevenstoppedbreathing.Hewaslookingatherlikeshewasdinner.She
couldn'tbelieveit.Twenty-threeyearoldJamesonKanewaslookingather,reallyseeingher,forthefirsttimeever.Itwaswrong,sowrong.ShetriedtothinkofEllie,butcouldn'tmakeherself.Shecouldonlyseehiseyes.
“Youshouldleavethisroom,”Jamesontoldher,hishandsglidingontoherhips.Herskinjumpedathistouchandshecouldfeelanelectricalcurrentpass
betweenthem.Shegaveafullbodyshiverandnodded.
“Iknow,”shebreathed.Hisfingersspreadashishandsmovedtoherback,uptohershoulderblades.
“Ellie'smygirlfriend,”heremindedher.Asifsheneededit.
“Iknow.”Apparentlyherimpressivevocabularyhaddesertedher.Hishandsslidbackdown,allthewaytoherbutt.Sheputherhandsonthe
dresserbehindher,bracingherself.
“Thisisn'tjustme.”He'dsaiditasa
statement,butsheknewitwasaquestion.Shewasfeelingit,too.
“Iknow,”shewhispered.“Ifyouwanttorun,I
suggestyoudoitnow,”hetoldher.
“Why?”sheasked,andheleanedinclose.
“BecauseIeatgirlslike
youforbreakfast,”hehissedinherear.