BestLaidPlans

STYLOFANTÔME

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Copyright©2015StyloFantôme

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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.