Roses & Thorns: Women

by Bry Ann

  “Sage would be all too easy to kill. Nix knows this.”

  I look to Boss. I’ll kill him if I keep talking.

  “How long has Nix known about Rose?”

  “Virtually his whole life.”

  “Where the hell did you keep Nix?”

  “His mother’s.”

  I slam my hand on the wall. “Boss,” I growl. Get answers!

  Boss is silent for a very long time.

  “Thank you for your time Marketta.”

  Boss starts to walk out. I gape at him.

  “What the fuck? We aren’t done here!”

  “Sven!” Boss snaps. Glaring at me, warning me. “Come.”

  Like a fucking dog. I growl but follow. The closer we get to the door the more unnerved Marketta looks.

  “Don’t hurt my daughter!” he yells. “She’s precious. Innocent. Keep your filthy hands off her.”

  Boss turns to him. Looking downright evil. “You are keeping Lacey from me. I’ll let Sven fuck her as much as he wants and then if Sven crosses me I’ll kill her slowly. Sins of the father.”

  Boss grabs my shirt and pulls me out, slamming the door behind him to the sound of her father’s useless begging. I'm so confused by the whole interaction.

  “Wait ‘til we get to the car,” Boss says, confidently walking. Thanking everyone on his way out, as he always does. Appearances. They practically bow to him.

  When we get in the car my control vanishes

  “Why the fuck did we walk out of there! We got no fucking answers!”

  I'm so mad I could kill him. Boss is calm as can be. In fact, it’s the calmest I’ve seen him since the news broke. He turns to me.

  “And this is why you will never be Boss. Not until you learn. He gave us more answers than I know what to do with. I'm still trying to pick what route I want to go with this.”

  My jaw drops. I close it quickly.

  “He’s scum,” I mutter. Pissed for Rose.

  “But Rose doesn’t realize it, Sven.”

  He looks at me. So don’t ruin it for her.

  He’s right.

  “So, ahem, care to share the ‘routes’ we can go with this?” I say, trying not to reflect how deeply my ego has been hit.

  “I have two I'm debating between. One. He gave us Nix’s fucking girlfriends name. Hunt her down. Have Nix come back for her, and he can lead us straight to Lacey. Two. Just look into the Marketta fellows assets. He’s in prison. How much can he offer them?”

  “Fuck,” I mumble to myself. “You’re right.”

  Boss shrugs, but in it he effectively puts me in my place.

  “Have a preference Sven?”

  “Maybe we should leave another girl out of this mess. They seem to dig us deeper and deeper into a hole.”

  “I agree. That’s my preference as well.”

  Boss rattles off a series of texts and tells the driver to take us to the nearest steakhouse. Then he turns to me.

  “We will talk now.”

  Fuck.

  Chapter 5:

  Rose:

  Lacey and I watch enraptured as Nix carries about a zillion bags inside. By the time he gets to the door he’s covered in sweat. With a grunt he sets everything down.

  “You carried all that for three miles,” I say, wide eyed.

  “Four. But yeah.”

  I run and grab him water.

  “Thanks Rose.”

  He offers me a warm smile as he downs the cup in one go. He’s a really nice guy. Easy to be around. He has one of those personalities, super likeable. But he’s annoying as all hell. He’s so freaking arrogant. He doesn’t seem to annoy Lacey like he does me. I feel this strange connection to him that I can’t explain. He’s nothing like me, but I find myself looking at him like… I mean do I know him? He feels familiar. I shake the thought.

  Lacey starts unpacking. I run over and swat her away.

  “No Lacey!” I snap.

  She frowns at me. “I can help.”

  I feel my jaw tighten. “Light things.”

  She blushes and nods. Nix watches us curiously. Once he’s had a second to slow his breathing he helps. We get it done ten times as fast with Nix helping. Not only did he get us food, but he brought as girly crap as well. I'm so grateful.

  “We have vegetables,” Lacey whispers. “Will you eat that Rose?”

  I look at her curiously. What does she mean?

  “Huh?”

  “Um… you haven’t eaten much since we left… Sorry… I just….”

  Shit. I haven’t. I look down at my clothes and for the first time realize how baggy they are. I feel a heat swell in my belly. I’m getting defensive, but I don’t want to take that out on Lacey. It’s not her fault I’ve made food, but scrambled it around my plate instead of eating it.

  “You’re right. I’ll eat more,” I say dismissively.

  Nix just observes. Not commenting. He doesn’t seem to be judging either, but I still feel awkward.

  “You’ve really walked into a mess,” I say, cheeks heating to a subtle red.

  “I know all about messes. Trust me.”

  “Okay. How do you know my dad?”

  Nix stiffens. A guard comes up over his eyes. For the first since he got here he loses the fun loving, easy vibe he’s had since he walked in.

  “We’re both criminals.”

  “But…”

  “This isn’t a good line of questioning Rose.”

  “But…” I say desperately.

  “Rose. Not a good line of questioning. K?”

  I looked down feeling dejected. “Alright.”

  A tear falls but I wipe it.

  “I'm sorry.”

  I glance over. Lacey is staring straight ahead, lost in thought.

  “Lace? You there?”

  “Yeah. Sorry,” she says in that soft voice of hers.

  “You alright?” Nix asks her softly.

  “Fine, thanks for the food.”

  “Of course,” he says wearily.

  “Take the room,” I whisper in her ear, giving her shoulder a gentle squeeze. “None of us have used it yet. Take some time alone.”’

  “I…. um…” Lacey’s body starts to tremble.

  That’s when it hits me. I should have seen it sooner. The panic on her face right now. Her never leaving this room, let alone the cabin. Lacey is developing agoraphobic tendencies. She was that way with Sven’s bosses room. I'm stupid for not seeing it sooner.

  “Never mind. Stupid idea. The room is Nix’s,” I say with a small smile.

  “Thank you,” Lacey whispers. She tucks herself into the side of the couch. God, she just looks like she needs a good cry.

  “We should all get some sleep,” Nix finally says. “I have some things to discuss with both of you. But let’s do it in the morning. After some sleep and a hearty breakfast. Alright?”

  Neither of us really respond, but Nix seems to be cool with it. He stands and grabs his bag off the table.

  “If either of you need me, for anything, I'm just in the other room. I’ll be dressed.” He laughs to himself, winks and goes in the room, shutting the door behind him.

  “What do you think of him?” Lacey whispers, like we’re two kids at a sleepover.

  “I think I trust him. I… I don’t know. I'm gonna sound crazy here, but I feel like I know him.”

  Lacey’s eyebrows furrow. “Hmm.”

  “Penny for your thoughts.”

  “Nothing,” she says too quickly. “Go to sleep. Love you Rose.”

  My heart seizes in my chest. My eyes water. “I love you too Lacey Kincaid.”

  We both laugh as we drift off to sleep. I sleep soundly. For once Sven’s perfect face doesn’t haunt my dreams, making me want things I can’t have. When I wake up I know instantly it’s not morning. It’s still dark outside, I hear the crickets subtle chirping. The cabin is too quiet… I instinctively look up for Lacey.

  She’s not there!

  I scramble up off the floor.
My socks slide on the wood, sending my knee crashing to the ground before I get back up. Endless tragedies run through my mind.

  “Nix!” I scream. “Nix! Nix!”

  I choke out a sob. I need Nix. He comes running in, complete bed head and all.

  He sees me staring at the couch, shaking. “It’s alright. I know where she is.”

  My shoulders slump. I nearly crash to the ground.

  “Where is she?”

  Distrust consumes me like a drug. I’ll kill him if he hurt Lacey.

  “She’s in the bathroom.”

  “You know this because.”

  “I found her,” he mumbles.

  “What?”

  Blood rushes to my face.

  “Sit.”

  He points to the couch.

  “This is in confidence of course.”

  “You know your friend struggles with self-harm right?”

  I slump further into the couch. His eyes are gentle, which is weird for him. I want him to hug me which is weird too. I don’t know him.

  “Yes,” I say teary-eyed.

  “She’s cleaning up.”

  My face falls into my hands.

  “Can I touch you?”

  “Yeah. I liked to be touched.”

  I look up, realizing how weird that sounded. Especially with him. He chuckles.

  “I know what you mean.”

  He squeezes my arm. “Look, before she gets back, we’ve talked a bit, while you were cooking. She’s got great ideas but… Rose, we are going to have to leave this place. If they search for you they will track you two here. I'm sure of it. We have a day. At most. You need to prepare Lacey.”

  “I'm sure Lacey will understand,” I say, trying to keep her secrets.

  He looks down and shakes his head. “We both know she’ll understand, but Rose, I have experience with people who have PTSD. I know she has it. I know she is scared to leave any place deemed as safe.”

  “Nix are we doomed to fail?” My eyes water. “He’ll never stop looking for me.”

  “Not if I can help it,” he growls.

  “Why do you care? Why are you doing this? We don’t even know you! You can’t possibly owe my father that much!”

  “I don’t that bastard a damn thing! This puzzle has many pieces. Ones you are better off not knowing about, but I’ll say this. You are wrong that I don’t care. I’d absolutely care if something happened to you. And now Lacey too. Now, get to bed or at least fake it. Lacey will feel very ashamed if you are awake and watching her when she gets out here.”

  He’s so right. I know this. I’ve learned this. I’ve worked with people just like her. Life is so weird. How does he know this? He’s kind of like… me in a way.

  I take his advice. He turns the light off on his way out.

  “Night Rose. I…”

  He doesn’t finish. He goes down the hall. I know he’s checking on Lacey. He’s good. I trust him. I really do. If he betrays us, I’ll be crushed.

  I hear voices in the hall, but I don’t stay awake long enough to hear Lacey come back in.

  “Up! Up! Rose.” I grumble. “Up sis. There you go.”

  I push myself up. “We have to leave. Today. Soon.”

  “What?” I gasp, fully awake now. Lacey is stone cold in the corner of the room, unmoving.

  “Guys, I'm sorry. A contact who knows… your father told me a couple guys from the Mafia came to visit him. Your father is convinced he didn’t say anything and we are fine, but no offense, keeping people safe isn’t his area of expertise. I know they’ll track it back here. He’ll have said something to tip them off. These men have private planes, cars, hackers, we need to go. I'm not risking your lives staying here based on the word of a fucking serial killer.”

  My eyes go wide. Lacey’s furrow. He really hates my father. Why is here then? I'm so confused and I want answers!

  “I…” Do I trust him over my father? “Um… he said he wants the best for me. That he’d never hurt me,” I whisper, knowing I sound like a complete child.

  Nix’s hard posture softens a bit. “He doesn’t have plans to hurt you Rose, but sis, he’s a serial killer. Safety, love, not his specialties.”

  “But…” my lower lip quivers.

  “Seek love elsewhere. Take what he gave you. This place, me, the good you had in your childhood, don’t seek more from him. I’m sorry.”

  “Where do we go Nix?” Lacey whispers.

  “I liked the plan you discussed the other night. Until I can come up with a better one. I'm trying to think of a more permanent solution. It’s going to take me a bit though. This is more than complicated.”

  “What was her plan? What is your plan, Lacey?”

  She looks at me, pained. Then at Nix. He nods and takes over. He leans forward on his elbows. I ground myself by looking at his familiar boots and leather bracelets.

  “We are going to bounce around for a bit. Lacey informed me she stole several thousand dollars.” I look down and bite my lip, trying to hide my smile. He shakes his head.

  “Which is nuts. Anyway. We’re going to bounce for a while. If they find us, then… Rose, survival first. You use that Underbosses obsession with you to get close. Steal their gun. Lacey said she’ll handle it if you two are together, but if you are alone, you shoot. If not, and you have time, toss it to Lacey.”

  “I can’t kill!”

  “That’s why you are tossing it to Lacey.”

  “Lacey can’t kill!”

  “Lacey will do what she has to keep everyone safe.”

  “I can’t ask her to…”

  “You’re not. It was my idea. Besides, this is a last ditch scenario. We are hoping to simply be nomads for a while.”

  “Don’t think about it,” Nix says. “Stash that information, but shove it aside for now. Alright?”’

  I nod. My head feels like it’s underwater. We spend the rest of the day packing. Nix helps us out of course, doubling the amount we could do if it was just me and Lacey. Hours pass. Some of it is spent packing, some of it is spent just being sad. Even Nix is quiet.

  “Nix, don’t you have a life to get back to?” Lacey asks quietly. “How come you can just travel around with us? Sorry if I'm being rude.”

  Nix drops the bag he’s carrying. “Don’t be sorry. I do have a life.”

  He picks the bag up again and throws it by the door. Lacey and I look at each other.

  “Why aren’t you there?” I ask.

  “Puzzle pieces, remember?”

  His jaw is tight. I don’t like the tension lining his face. I look around the room for a distraction.

  “I like your tattoos Nix. I wish I could get one.”

  He smiles. “Why can’t you?”

  I cock my hip to the side. “I’d look ridiculous. My face is too… “

  “You look like a model,” he laughs.

  “No I don’t!”

  He laughs harder. “Yes you do!”

  I look over and see Lacey smiling to herself as we bicker. If that doesn’t make it worth it then I don’t know what does.

  It’s been nearly an entire day since we started packing. We don’t have much, we’ve just been going so darn slow.

  “You guys ready?” Nix asks tentatively.

  “No,” I grumble.

  “Lacey?” he asks.

  Lacey is pale as a ghost. I appreciate Nix hasn’t commented on things he can’t really change. My weight loss. The state of Lacey’s health… mentally and physically.

  “Hmm… yeah.”

  “Wait! Lacey can’t hike down there again. Not now.” She’s even worse off now. “With the bags too. Nix, she almost died coming up here.”

  I know it’s bad when Lacey doesn’t try and fight or deny it. She just looks down ashamed and terrified.

  Nix sighs. “It’s a risk. Not big, but still a risk.”

  “It’s the only way we are getting down because I won’t go without Lacey.”

  He nods. “Alright then. Stay here
. If I have a tail I won’t be back for a while. I doubt I will, but if it happens don’t panic. You have enough food, running water, heat, just hang until I eventually get back. If you have to leave, well, I'm sure Lacey and you can come up with something. I’ll find you. Anyway, with all that said, see you in a few!”

  He smiles and walks confidently as his boots clang against the wood on his way out. Leaving us praying to God he comes back.

  Chapter 6:

  Boss:

  Minutes. Fucking. Minutes.

  That’s all it took to nail down their location and have the plan prepared. I should kill Sven. He’s made some big mistakes. Unforgivable mistakes. Yet he’s still breathing. I can’t figure out my attachment to him. One, it would be difficult to locate a semi-trustworthy underboss right now. Two, well, Sven and I have these moments where we can actually talk, and right now he’s in the same boat as me.

  The boat driven by emotions we hate.

  So he lives. For now.

  The feeling of rough wool is rubbing between my finger as I fiddle with a coat in the backseat. I have no clue where the fuck we are. I know only two things. The girls are supposed to be in a cabin up here, and Nixon Marketta is the one we will have to go through to get to them.

  We are about six or so miles from the isolated cabin when I see a car driving down the road zooming past us. This is a lonely road. If there’s ever a stereotype when it comes to isolated locations, this is it. There shouldn’t be cars here.

  “Follow that car!” I snap.

  Sven sits up straighter. The second we pull up behind the four-door sedan the car picks up speed. Along with my heart. It’s her. She’s there. She better fucking be there.

  “Cut this car the fuck off!”

  Sven is to my left shifting through some shit. He rolls down the window, which we never do. So that piques my interest. I don’t realize what’s happening until I hear a blood-curdling scream and see Sven’s smirk.

  Rose.

  Lacey wouldn’t scream. I glance over and see the left tire shot out. I look to Sven with an approving nod.

  “Nice work.”

  He clicks the safety on, tucks his gun back in and closes the window. He knows he is not in my good graces and has some work to do to prove himself. Glad to see he’s taken step one. It would be a shame to have to kill him right as he acquires Rose again. Both Sven and I gracefully exit the car. I snap at the driver to take backup in case shit goes south. We walk up to find a man, at least 6’2, but probably 6’3, standing in front of the car. Dude’s strong, and fucking brave to be standing unguarded in front of the car, blocking Lacey from me. I glance from his bracelets to his boots to the arms he has crossed over his chest. I have to say his confidence impresses me.