Killing You Softly

by Khara Campbell

  “Okay, babe. I love you!”

  “Love you too. You need to get off the phone anyway. Drive safe.”

  “K, bye.” She hangs up.

  “Rick, get Bruce to put a tail on Jade.”

  “Got it,” he calls out.

  I answer my cellphone and get back to business.

  Chapter 19

  CASS

  Dressed in workout clothes, I stick my feet into sneakers then head for the bedroom door. I slept later than usual. It’s already eight-thirty. I prefer working out earlier, but this will do. Now more than before, working out on a regular basis helps increase mobility in my right shoulder, I’m careful not to overdo it. One wrong move and I have to take pain killers to dull the pain. And I hate having to take medicine if it could be avoided.

  I go to the kitchen to mix a healthy smoothie. I’m not sure if Vic is home, not that I care to make him one. I try to stay clear out of his way. Especially with him continuously insisting that I take out Jack in Arizona. Not going to happen. The only blood I want is Elena’s…and probably even Vic’s. Hopefully, he won’t cross me to the point that I have to watch him die. Despite the fact that I hate the man, there’s some level of loyalty I have for him. Not to stay with him, heck no – just not to kill him. Although I’ve been tempted to many, many times. And I certainly won’t shed a tear if someone else were to end his evil life.

  Yet, regardless of all that, I doubt my leaving when I’m done with Elena will go over well. It wasn’t a good look for Vic when Cage took him and his bodyguard down then hid me away for months. No. Vic want’s revenge. He wants death. And the fact that he hasn’t demanded Cage’s whereabouts from me yet is not lost on me. Not once. That makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. He’s up to something. Or he has a bigger threat than Cage he’s dealing with right now. Hmmmm.

  I fill my container with my green smoothie, wash and rinse the blender, then put all the fresh ingredients away. After wiping down the counter, I pick up my smoothie then head out of the kitchen. Walking towards the front of the house, I see Sten, standing by the Vic’s office door. I can hear voices other than Vic’s coming from his office. I have to pass the door to make a left down the corridor to get to the in-home gym. Ugh!

  “Cass,” Vic calls out when he spots me. “Good morning, sleeping beauty. Come and join us.” I take note of his soft command.

  Stopping at the doorway, I notice Drake sitting on the couch in the office. We’ve been keeping our distance, especially when I was with Cage. I know he would’ve been the first Vic put watch on after my disappearance. And Drake has been adamant about wanting to keep his nose clean about Vic’s personal business. I didn’t want him getting killed because of me. I’m thankful that he’s okay.

  “I’m going to work out.” I start to continue to pass the door, Vic’s loud voice halts my retreat.

  “That’s obvious. However, your presence is required. Come sit.” He stands then walks from behind his desk to stand by one of the visitor’s chairs, indicating where I am to sit.

  I grit my teeth and walk into the office. I sit in the seat he offers.

  “We were discussing the logistics for taking out Jake Stenson. He has to be dealt with soon to avoid heat coming our way.” Vic walks back around his desk then reclaims his seat. “Cass, that is, Denton. He will be your new bodyguard.”

  I turn to look at the other of the three men in the office. Denton. African American. Looks like he can be over six feet when he stands. Dark skinned. Low cut fade with neatly trimmed goatee. He looks at me, appraising me as I’m appraising him. I give him a faint smile. I’m not trying to be rude to him, but… (1) no one can replace Cage and (2) I’m done killing for Vic. So, I don’t need Denton.

  Vic goes on to talk about their plan and I tune him out. Drake glances my way a few times, giving a slight nod that I only pick up because I know his mannerisms. He can sense that I’m not going to be doing this job regardless of Vic’s instance that I be here. I tilt the container with my smoothie back and forth twice, giving him a single that he’s right about his assumption.

  “…Cass you’re going to have to be disguised as housekeeping…”

  I lift my head when I hear Vic say my name. I agree, then go back to sipping on my smoothie and wondering what Cage and his crew think about what they’re hearing and seeing.

  “…We have to study Jack’s habits some more before we can finalize the plan. Cass is good with disguises so if things have to change up I want her to have time to test her disguise and method to kill…”

  I give Vic some of my attention again, hoping that this bore comes to an end soon. Denton and Drake provide their feedback. I look down at my nails noting that I need to make an appointment for a gel manicure. Hmmm, I think I will get an orange tone this time. I need to hit my hair stylist up too. I can do a press and curl. With the cooler temps having my hair pressed won’t frizz it up quickly.

  “…We will go through everything again in a week, after I receive more intel on Jack’s habits…”

  Finally! I stand up to leave. “Hope you guys enjoy the rest of your day,” I say over my shoulder as I walk out of the office to finally get some work out in.

  Chapter 20

  CASS

  “I told you I will hook you up, girl,” I say to Jade. She’s sitting in the beautician’s chair next to me in the salon. “I’ve been coming here for years and the ladies here know how to treat and style any type of hair. You’re in good hands.”

  “I got you, sweetie,” Trina, the stylist with her hands in Jade’s long, straight red hair, says to her.

  “Thanks! I want long layered cut with loose curls,” Jade tells the hairstylist.

  “Alright, let’s get you to the shampoo bowl.”

  Trina and Jade head to the back of the salon.

  “What are you getting done today?” My hairstylist, Bridget, asks.

  “Press and curl. It will be good to see how long my hair really is,” I tell her.

  Bridget runs her fingers through my coarse hair. “Middle of your back, judging by how long it is now and it’s not straightened. I wish my hair was this thick.”

  “Ha, trust me it’s not always easy to manage.”

  “I know.” She wraps a red cape around me. “Come, let me wash and condition it.”

  A couple hours later, with my new do and Jade’s new look, we are in the nail salon, finishing up our manicures and pedicures.

  “This was fun! We should to this again soon.” Jade relaxes back in the massage chair, sipping on champagne and waiting for the polish on her toes to dry.

  “I was in a boring meeting for work the other day and realized I was overdue for my routine beauty treatments. If you want to tag along next time, that’s fine.” I’m surprisingly enjoying my friendship with Jade. She has some annoying quirks, I’m sure she can probably say the same about me. It’s good having a female friend to enjoy things like this with.

  Minutes later, we’re heading out the door of the nail salon.

  “I really hate for the fun to end, but I need to head home to do some laundry before I have to pick the kids up from school.” She nods her head a few times in an odd manner.

  I love that she has such a “normal” life. That’s what I want with Cage.

  “Welp, have fun with the laundry. I’m going to treat myself to some shopping.”

  Now that I’m distancing myself from Vic, I don’t assist him with reviewing his books and other odd tasks that I would normally do for him. He never really needed me to anyway. His empire is like a well-oiled machine. It was just something I did to keep myself busy. Now I have all kinds of free time that I don’t know what to do with it.

  “Have fun. See you next week.” She waves, walking to the left on the sidewalk to the parking lot on that side.

  I had to park across the street since this area is busy during the work week, and finding nearby parking near this nail salon is almost always difficult. It’s worth it though. They always do a g
reat job with my nails.

  I wave back to Jade. I wait on the sidewalk for my chance to walk across the street. Seeing the way is clear, I step off the curb and start walking across the road.

  The loud revving sound of a car engine, makes me turn my head to the right, just in time to see a cherry red sedan speeding toward me. I stumble back on the three-inch heels of my open toe boots, the death machine barely missing from crashing into me. The force of the car passing by sends me falling back, hard.

  My right shoulder is screaming in agony.

  I hear loud gasps and shouting from stunned passersby.

  However, whoever is behind the wheel of the red car is not done with me yet. Tires screech as I see the reverse lights of the car, backing up with force.

  Strong hands come out from behind, pulling me off the street and safely on to the sidewalk. The maniac car driver doesn’t let that stop them; with a sharp turn, the car is still heading my way. I manage to get on my feet and out of the way. The car hits a fire hydrant, sending water shooting up to the sky like a geyser.

  It gives me enough time to pull my small Glock out of my purse. Guns aren’t my favorite weapon of choice, but I know how to use them. Well.

  I hear screams and shouting, I block all that out as I aim my weapon and fire into the car’s back window. The driver, looks like a woman with auburn hair, ducks. The clear shot that breaks out the windshield. God, I hope no innocent person gets hurt by that stray bullet. She puts the car in drive and speeds forward, not caring about the other cars coming down the two-way street. She crashes into the side of a SUV but keeps on going.

  I clutch my purse and run after the car like I’m Jamaican Olympian Usain Bolt. At least I think I am, these heels aren’t helping much. Being fully aware of the people around, I don’t shoot again until I feel I’ve got a good shot. The car veers left out of my sight before I can. I stop and lean against a light post, catching my breath.

  “Cass!” I hear Cage’s voice. His truck screeches tires, stopping in front of me. He hops out of the passenger seat. and pulls me into his arms, hugging me. “Baby, you okay?”

  I flinch when he hugs me a little too tightly on my right side. There is a sharp pain in my right shoulder but I nod my head that I’m fine because I’m still trying to breathe properly. And I’m also trying to not think about the pain.

  “Give me your car keys.”

  I reach into my purse and give them to him.

  “Devon, get her car.” He passes my keys to someone that came out of the backseat of his car. “Cass. We’ve got to get out of here before the police show up. I have someone tracking the car.”

  I let him lead me to his truck, carefully helping me into the backseat. Minutes after getting in and us driving way from the scene, he gets a call that his guys lost track of the red car.

  “DAMMIT!!!” Cage slams his hand against the headrest.

  “Jade.”

  “What?” Cage asks me with his brows furrowed.

  “Jade. She knows something. Right when we came out of the nail salon, she did this funny thing with her head. I think she was signaling the driver.” I look down at my now scraped up manicure. Ugh, and they were so cute. “I want to pay her a little visit. I need my car.”

  “No—”

  “My car, Cage. I’ve got this. I’m tired of this cat and mouse game with Elena. You can follow if you want. I know you love me and care for me, but some things a woman has to do by herself.”

  His jaw flexes. I know he doesn’t like it but he’s got to understand. I don’t have a problem with him having my back but this is my fight.

  “Pull over, Raine,” Cage tells the guy driving the truck. He picks up his cellphone and makes a call. “Devon, pull up behind us.” He ends that call then makes another. “Cherese, send me the address for Jade…yeah she’s fine. She wants to be Foxy Brown and do this on her own…of course we’re going to follow…Yes, I will tell her you like her hairdo…Send me the address. Bye.” He ends the call.

  I almost forgot about my press and curl. Cherese must have seen it when I looked in the mirror at the hair salon. I hope Cage likes it too.

  He extends his hand towards me then lets his fingers comb through my straightened hair. “You look beautiful, as always. And I agree with Cherese, your hair looks nice.”

  “Thank you.” I blush.

  He leans in closer and kisses me softly on my lips. “Foxy Brown ain’t got nothing on you, baby.” He pulls back from my lips, then tweaks my nose. “Go do your thing, gorgeous. Get that bitch.”

  I grin, lifting my left arm over his shoulder, pulling him closer. I love this man. Love. Ahhh, what a wonderful emotion. “I love you so darn much!” I say against his delectable lips.

  A throat clearing from the front seat brings me out of the fog of lust I was about to get lost in.

  “To be continued, sweetheart.” Cage gives me a smooch then draws out of my embrace.

  His cellphone dings with a new text message. He forwards Jade’s address to my phone. Soon, I am in my Audi, ready to end this mess with Elena.

  ***

  Jade and her husband really need to get better security for their home. I picked the lock at a side door and got in her home within seconds. Too darn easy. Sometimes I like a challenge.

  I close the glass door quietly behind me. I’m in the breeze way, the area that connects the garage to the main part of their home. I walk over to a set of double French doors and nudge them open softly, just enough for me to peek into the main area of the house. It looks like a den or family room, beyond that is the kitchen. I can hear the sound of the washer and dryer going.

  So, she did come home to wash clothes. After giving Elena the signal to run me over. Talk about heartless. I guess I have no right to judge since I’ve been a trained assassin for years, killing people without an ounce of remorse. Just doing my job. Except this time, it’s my life on the line.

  I take the time to insert my fingers in one of my favorite devices. Titanium steel blade nail add-ons. I keep my ears tuned. Footsteps on stairs pull my eyes up to peek through the doors again. Seconds later, Jade comes into view carrying a laundry basket. She walks into the kitchen, then turns into a room to the right. It’s probably the laundry room. The sounds of the machines seem to be coming from there.

  I push the double doors open further and walk into the room. I take two steps up to turn left into the kitchen. I lean against the counter. Picking up an apple out of the fruit bowl first. I brush the fruit against my lightweight army green sweater then take a big bite out of it.

  Jade still apparently hasn’t heard me in her home yet. I take another bite of the apple, enjoying the fruit. I didn’t eat much this morning before going to the hair salon. And now it’s a little after one in the afternoon. I’m hungry.

  “AAAAAHHHHH!” Jade screams after stepping out of the laundry room and seeing me leaning against her kitchen counter. “Oh my God, Cass! You scared me.” I watch her pat her chest, trying to calm down. I take another bite of the apple. It’s almost finished. “W…What are you doing here? I thought you were going shopping?”

  No, you thought I would be dead by now.

  I walk over to the trash can and dump the apple core into it. Jade watches me like a hawk. I can see the vein throbbing on the side of her neck. She’s still scared – good.

  I walk back over to the counter and lean against it.

  “Who is Elena to you, Jade? Or you must know her by her real name since she’s the woman you’re helping to try and kill me,” I say calmly.

  “I…I don’t know who that is.” She’s still frozen in her spot at the laundry room door.

  I watch her body for any signs of her lying. Her eyes are big with worry and her fingers are twitching.

  I pull a knife from the holder on the counter then throw it towards her. It nips the tip of her nose before falling to the tiled floor.

  Her hand shoots up touching her nose. There’s no blood. Well, it won’t be but a drop if any. T
ears glisten her eyes as she shakes her head. “I don’t know who she is.”

  “You’re willing to die for Elena, Jade. Is that what you’re trying to convey to me?”

  She shakes her head profusely.

  “I didn’t think so. I wouldn’t want your kids to be without a mother.” I step away from the counter and walk towards her slowly. “Who is Elena to you?”

  “She’s my cousin. Distant cousin. Our grandmothers were sisters. I haven’t seen her in years… about fifteen years. As far as I know she lives in Italy. She just showed up at my house a few months back telling me that she wanted me to become friends with you. She’s dead-set on killing you, she doesn’t want to just shoot you from a distance, she wants some elaborate attack on you. It’s like a game to her. The elevator attack didn’t work, so she called me telling me that I had to continue being your friend, to lure you into her trap.” Jade shakes her head, crying. “I…I swear I didn’t want to do it. She forced me to. Said she will kill my husband if I didn’t help her.”

  “Awwww, am I to have some pity for you now, Jade?” Standing in front of her, I run my titanium steel blade nail tips along her wet cheek. Drawing a trail of blood. The cuts aren’t deep so they won’t leave a permanent mark. “If you were truly my friend you should have told me what your cousin was up to. Did she not tell you that she and I are married to the same man? A man that’s had us both trained to be coldblooded killers?”

  “I’m sorr—”

  “Where is she?” I thunder.

  What pisses me off the most about this is the fact that I was starting to like Jade and actually see her as a friend.

  “I don’t know! She only showed up here out of the blue once. All other communications she would call me from an unknown number.”

  Figures.

  Damn you Vic for having Elena trained so well.

  “Show me a picture of her.”

  Hesitantly, Jade steps around me and I follow her to the family room. “I don’t have any recent pictures. Just an old one when from when I visited Italy as a teen. There’s one in my scrapbook of us together. She still looks the same, just a bit older.”