“I hope those are your people, Uncle, otherwise they’re going to be shot and you’ll be the one cleaning up the mess.”
Al chuckled. “Yeah, they’re my people. Bernie and his brother, Alex.”
“Should I invite them in for popcorn and a movie?” she asked dryly.
“You should be hospitable, yes,” he replied.
“Well, since you were kind enough to send a pair I actually like, I’ll be nice and let them poke around to satisfy you.” There was a pause, and she could almost see him frowning. She asked, “So what brought this about, anyway?”
“Alex has a laptop for you. Check out the pages already loaded,” he said.
She sighed. “Okay, Uncle. Want to stay on the phone while I greet the boys or what?” There was silence. Sighing again, she said, “Fine.”
Al’s top enforcers stood on the porch, smiling pleasantly at her as she opened the door. Despite the early hour, Selia was actually glad to see the brothers as she took in their attire. Both were wearing dark clothes and were obviously siblings. They had dark brown hair, brown eyes, and chiseled features, but that’s where the similarities stopped.
Bernie was the classic enforcer with a square build perfect for a boxer. He had a square jaw to go with his roundish face, a small pug-like nose, and thick lips. Instead of a suit, Bernie had opted for a black t-shirt and jeans, to go along with his preferred leather jacket that hid his shoulder holster and preferred weapon, a Judge, from sight.
Alex, however, looked as though he should be an accountant. Taller than his brother by a few inches, he was around five eleven and all lean muscle. A narrow, boyish face, he preferred polo shirts with his dress pants, even in his off-hours. There was nothing to show he was deadlier than Bernie, but that was probably the point. He was the innocent looking one while Bernie looked like he’d like to pummel you into ground beef.
“Hey, ya, Selia,” Bernie said. “The boss wanted us to be sure you were okay.”
“Sorry to have woken you,” Alex added. He dropped a wink and lifted the briefcase-like laptop bag. “We brought a peace offering.”
Selia laughed. “Come on in. Al was just telling me you guys were coming. I just hadn’t expected you so soon.” The brothers glanced at each other as they walked past her. She put the phone back to her ear. “As you heard, they’re here and I’m here. Satisfied?”
“For now,” was the curt reply. Then he hung up.
Rolling her eyes, she shut the door and turned to the brothers. “Well, since you’re here, care for anything to eat or drink? The place is pretty well stocked.”
Eyeing the gun in her right hand and phone in the left, Bernie raised his brows. “We’ll pass, but thanks.”
“I know you guys have to look the place over, so let me know if you find any cute guys hiding somewhere. I could use the distraction from boredom,” she quipped, setting the gun and phone on the table before looking pointedly at the laptop. “Al mentioned a laptop? Please tell me I get to keep it.”
Alex laughed as Bernie headed for the bedrooms. “Al said it’s yours. I’m guessing he means you can keep it.” He sat the briefcase on the kitchen counter and opened it with two clicks. He pulled out a laptop and booted it up. Alex asked softly, “You’ve been here all night, right?”
“I’d better, since I had to get up so damned early,” Selia muttered before glancing at him sharply. “Where else would I be, Alex? I’m pretty sure you know that I’m not here for a vacation.”
“Don’t know, but someone who looks a lot like you, was seen with the Sandman.” Alex’s bland, emotionless voice stayed low and soft. It was the tone he used when he was talking to someone he was about to kill. He leaned closer to her and whispered in her ear, “I don’t want to have to kill you, Lia.”
The desktop loaded and then a photo of her, in her trench coat and swords with the Sandman behind her looking into the camera stared at her from a webpage. The caption read: There’s a new playmate in town and she’s sided with The Sandman.
Selia didn’t bat an eye. Instead, she tilted her head to the side and studied the picture like anyone who found carnage interesting.
“For a vigilante, he’s cute,” she stated. “Pity he’s against the Family. She, however, makes him look like a kitten.” Alex snickered. Selia pointed to her disguised self in the picture and the bodies on the ground. She asked, making sure her voice sounded incredulous, “You think I did that? Al thinks I did that?”
“Yeah, well, you got to admit, that looks like you,” Alex said, his voice no longer dead. Instead, he sounded as though it was the dumbest thing he’d ever been told.
“She’s around my height and has darkish eyes. So what? I can’t be the only woman in this city with dark eyes and is just over five feet.” Selia went to the fridge and pulled out a can of ginger ale. She popped the top and took a sip. “My car has been outside since I got here. The overpriced tracking and road-side service feature that came with it can confirm that. Just call their toll-free number or check with the rental agency. I answered the door as soon as you got here and wasn’t out of breath or sweating, so obviously I wasn’t in a hurry. Al woke me up, so it’s not like I was in the midst of changing from that,” she pointed to the laptop, “into this.” She gestured towards her nightgown.
Alex’s eyes swept over the clingy red gown and her tangled bed hair. His eyes then went back over her figure once again, this time slower as a smile pulled at his lips. “Those are all good points.”
“Besides, that sort of carnage isn’t something I could learn overnight,” she added, tilting her head back and swallowing more of the drink. Considering Alex’s eyes didn’t stray from her throat, she was pretty certain he didn’t believe that she was the person in the picture anymore.
“Yeah, that’s true. You might know how to use a gun and fight, but I’ve never seen you go near a sword,” Bernie said from behind Alex. Alex glanced over his shoulder to Bernie, who added, “Place is clean.”
“Well, damn,” Selia said, snapping her fingers. “I was hoping you’d find some handsome guy tucked away somewhere.”
Alex and Bernie laughed, and she smiled. She pondered for a second, and decided to be a little stinker, as well as make sure of something.
“You boys didn’t put any naughty little cameras around here, did you? Keeping me safe by making sure I sleep in the nude?”
Bernie paled while Alex looked mortified.
Yep, Bernie had argued to have that happen, Selia thought.
“No! No, ma’am! We wouldn’t do anything like that!” Alex went from mortified to almost panicky as he spoke. “Big Al would consider it a poor way to treat a lady! It’s just, with this new player in the game, and her… um… kinda looking like you…”
Selia laughed, making sure it sounded good-natured.
“It’s okay, Alex; I was just teasing. I understand Al’s caution, and need to make sure. There can’t be that many women he knows that might be capable of going bad-ass, vigilante style or otherwise. I’m flattered he even thought of me.” She took another sip of her soda. “But do you see that woman-” she gestured at the photo of herself on the laptop- “cracking open a ginger ale for celebration after a good bout of ass whuppin’?”
Alex and Bernie laughed again, harder than before. She felt she had convinced them, for now, at least. Her phone chose that time to ring, and she glanced down at it.
“It’s Soren,” she told them.
“We’ll head on out, then,” Alex said. “Enjoy the laptop and be safe.” He walked over to her and gave her a hug. He whispered in her ear, “Stay away from the Sandman, girl.” Louder, he said, “Sleep well, Lia.”
Bernie shoved his brother out of the way and pulled her into a bear hug. “Take care of yourself. We’ll watch over Soren for you.”
“Thanks, Bernie,” Selia replied, picking up the phone, which was still ringing. “Drive safe!”
The pair nodded again to her and left, turning the lock behind them. She answered the ph
one. “Hey, Soren! How are you feeling?”
Chapter Sixteen
“A
re they gone?” Soren asked abruptly.
“Yes, they’re gone,” Selia replied, walking into the spare bedroom, which opened onto the porch. She stood at the door and stared out into the darkness. “It’s safe to talk.”
“Don’t be so sure,” Soren said a little too sharply.
Selia sighed. “Trust me, okay? I know there’s nothing in this room.”
“How?”
“Do you really want an answer to that?” she countered. “I saw the photo. Al sent over Bernie and Alex, who told me to stay away from the Sandman. I think Alex was sent to kill me.”
“You think? Selia, you had a photo taken of you fighting side-by-side with the Sandman. In the city, after you were told to stay in that damned bungalow,” Soren hissed. She was a bit surprised he was able to keep his voice so quiet. “The Sandman works against the Family, girl; and you were seen as his ally. That kind of thing doesn’t go over well with most members. They tend to see it as being a traitor and they deal with that with extreme prejudice.” He paused before adding in a very soft, warning voice, “I told you to stay away from him.”
Her eyes flared with anger, and she stared at the owl looking in at her. Its dark eyes never blinked, even as it turned its head sideways.
“He saved your life. If he thought you were so evil, why would he have done that?” She asked, her voice soft. How she managed to stay so calm, despite the fury welling up in her, she didn’t know. “I told you that I was going to take care of Alfi. It’s a matter of honor. As for the Sandman…” A smile pulled at her lips despite her anger. “It’s more like he’s working for me. Well, more like he’s my sidekick, than anything.”
A heavy sigh sounded from the other end. It was a sigh of acceptance and resignation. At least Soren knew it was a losing battle to tell her to not go after Alfi or be around the Sandman.
“Get yourself a better disguise if you’re going to be around him,” Soren finally said. He didn’t sound too happy, but Selia knew Soren understood. He didn’t have to like something to accept the reality of the situation. He continued, his voice pure business. “I hope you know what you’re doing, Selia. You’re playing a game where you’re likely to get burned and burned badly. I can’t protect you from Al. If that doesn’t matter to you, how do you think Al will look at me for having you made a part of the family?”
“Alfi is planning on selling the information on how to get to Temeria,” Selia said. There was a sharp intake from Soren, followed by a few Italian curses. “Now you know why I have to do this. We both have a stake in this. If any of my former Temerians discover I’m still alive and where I am, not even Al can protect me. Especially if they think I had anything to do with the island being sold out. Never mind that old business that sent me running.”
“Just don’t get attached to him, Selia,” Soren said softly. “I don’t want to see my daughter with a broken heart, because you know you can’t see him after this is done.”
“Now you shouldn’t have said that,” Selia said with a sigh. “You know I don’t take orders very well.” There was a snort and grunt of acknowledgement. “Bernie and Alex were satisfied. Al will be satisfied as far as the Family is concerned. If he personally thinks I’m getting cozy with the Sandman, he’ll just keep an eye on me and wait for proof.”
“Maybe,” Soren muttered. “Al can be pretty unpredictable.”
“I’ve never said this before, but you are a father to me. So, my dearest father, let me reassure you about a few things. One, Lucien agreed to take the credit for Alfi’s death. Provided he gets the information back and I’m the one who kills Alfi. Two, I have no reason to not wear a disguise. I don’t want to be identified by anyone else. If there are witnesses, and I really don’t plan on leaving any, there won’t be anything pointing towards me, or you. Three, I’m not going to run away this time. I have to take a stand at some point. This is that ‘some point’.” Selia paused and watched the owl fly into the darkness. “You can yell at me later about meeting up with Lucien, but I have what I need now. I also have someone willing to have my back when I’ll need it the most.”
Soren sighed again and she heard him rubbing his face. “All right, Selia, all right; I’ll do what I can to keep our men out of the way. Don’t tell me anything and keep yourself disguised. We both know what you’re capable of, and that sidekick of yours is probably a better choice than any of our men.” There was a pause and when he spoke again, there was a catch in his voice. “I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“Nothing will,” Selia assured him. “I love you, so you better stay there and get well again.”
Soren chuckled. “Keep safe and I’ll be in touch.”
Selia stifled a yawn. “I’m going back to bed. I need some sleep if I’m going to be of any use to anyone.”
“Sleep well, piccolina,” Soren said softly.
“You, too, Papa,” Selia said, swallowing the lump in her throat, finally allowing herself to call him her father. She could hear the smile on his face before the click of the phone. She wiped away a few tears.
Hanging up the phone, she now understood why her people on Temeria didn’t form affections towards others. Loving someone created an attachment that could hurt those around them. It could be used against you, and if you weren’t careful, could cause you to make foolish mistakes. She’d once heard that ‘love was a fool’s game’. Well, she had just become one of those fools. First towards the man who had managed to become a father to her and then again towards the man who had saved her from two thugs, and who hadn’t stopped saving her since.
Selia stared out into the darkness for a long time after hanging up with Soren. So much had happened in the last few days, she was beginning to wonder if her life would return to normal. Or if her life had just changed as dramatically and permanently as it had that fateful day she’d been forced to flee Temeria.
Chapter Seventeen
S elia didn’t wake until late. Though she awoke well past noon, there were still several long hours before she’d be able to meet up with the Sandman. A pity, too, since she could have used his companionship, but she knew there couldn’t be anyone at the safehouse. So, she walked out into the woods and began a little old-world style fun. She’d have to thank Al later for owning a place that had a nice long expanse of forest.
A newly made spear, a fairly decent bow, and several arrows later, she stood on the back porch practicing her aim. It wasn’t the same as using the bow she had purchased, but it was definitely more comfortable and far more familiar.
In fact, the hand-made bow brought back memories of her days as a child on Temeria, when she had still been living with her mother and sisters. It felt as though it were a lifetime ago, but the memories still brought a smile to her lips as she notched the bow, pulled the string back, and loosed the arrow. The feathers had been a bit difficult to acquire, but she’d managed it after three hours of hard searching. The time spent had been well worth the effort.
She was surprised how quickly making bows, strings, and arrows had come back to her. Of course, having a craft shop fifteen minutes away that stocked yards of silk and paraffin wax made the process a lot easier than having to make her own cloth and wax, as she’d done on Temeria. She could have bought feathers there, but they weren’t the “real” thing, and she could not bring herself to use them.
The arrows shot across the distance and into the makeshift target of a cardboard cereal box and she smiled. The laptop currently had a wide history of DIY pages, in case anyone became too nosey, with the excuse of being bored and this seemed like fun.
Not that Selia could tell anyone the truth. She didn’t have access to her duffle bag and the collapsible bow she kept there, along with the full quiver that was also in the bottom of the duffle bag. A natural-made bow and arrows was far more difficult to use than the manufactured ones a person could buy, and her skill was far better t
han any amateurs would have been. Not that it mattered. She was the only one who ever went hunting with a bow, anyway.
She notched another arrow, pulled it back as she lifted it to her eye and loosed it. The arrow landed square in the center. Soon, the box wouldn’t be usable, but she’d done enough, and the sun was setting. Gathering up her arrows and the box, she headed back inside and to the kitchen where the penne rigate was boiling. The white sauce was simmering, and it all smelled delicious. She’d fixed enough for two but figured the Sandman wouldn’t be staying to eat.
By the time darkness was creeping in, the second serving of pasta was in a container in the fridge, dishes had been washed and put away, and she was sitting on the porch watching the fireflies blinking in the backyard. The same black silk robe was wrapped around her, and her feet were bare. Her gun sat nestled in her lap alongside her phone.
Al had called her back as she’d been eating, reminding her to stay at the bungalow, and to let her know Soren was doing better. He had also assured her Soren had agreed to stay in the hospital until everything blew over and Alfi had been taken care of.
She’d teased him about believing she was the woman in the photo. He had grudgingly said it couldn’t have been her, since she’d been at the bungalow and couldn’t have known the picture had been taken. Selia hadn’t known, but the Sandman had noticed it. Not that she had shared that bit of information. Instead, she had brushed off Al’s former suspicion as though it wasn’t a big deal. The call had ended, leaving her wondering how the Sandman could have noticed the photographer and glad that Al no longer thought she was a threat.
Closing her eyes, Selia opened her senses to the night air, allowing old skills left unused for far too long to come to the fore. She slowed her breathing and allowed her body to relax as she listened.
Taking The Night (Nightshade series Book 1) Page 11