by Sybil Bartel
“Seems like you all have done this before,” I said to no one in particular.
None of them commented but Graham glanced at me. “Myles wasn’t kidding about Talon.”
Shit, some friend. When I didn’t reply, Graham took a longer look. His eyes had an intensity that matched Buck and Talon but there was something different, rougher, edgier, in his expression. I couldn’t put my finger on it and I didn’t want to.
“Watch it, Allen,” Neil said in a controlled voice.
“I don’t need a warning.” I gave Graham the eye.
“Just checking.” Graham held the eye contact a few seconds then turned back to the street.
Talon pulled up behind the procession and I was quickly ushered to his car. The three other men took off and Talon sat a moment, checking his mirrors.
“Waiting for something?” I looked around but I didn’t see anything.
“Neil,” he said absently.
“Graham’s got a bone to pick with you,” I said, wondering if he’d take the bait.
“Yeah, how’s that?” Talon turned in his seat and looked out the back window then checked his watch.
“Warned me off you, same as Myles.”
Talon snorted. “Fuckin’ pricks.” Talon’s phone rang and he answered by hitting the speaker button. He didn’t wait for the caller to say anything. “Where are you?”
“Meet you there.” Neil’s voice filled the car.
“Where’d they catch you?” Talon asked.
“Lot around the corner, they’re in two cars. Black Cadillac and a late-model white Lexus.”
Wait, what? “What’s the tag number on the Lexus?” I asked.
“Can’t tell. Tinted windows, dented left front fender, mismatched hubcaps.”
Each detail Neil rattled off made my blood boil further. “Those motherfuckers stole my car.” I looked at Talon. “That’s my car!”
Talon took the phone off speaker and held it to his ear. “You need help?...Yeah...okay....Let me know.” Then he hung up and glanced at me. “I thought Blaze ditched it.”
“Obviously they found it.” I was rip-roaring mad.
“Doesn’t sound like it was a keeper, Sugar.”
He was right but still, that was my car. “Not everyone can afford a new Challenger,” I snapped, realizing we had bigger problems than my stupid car. “What’s Neil going to do?”
“Lose ‘em.”
“What’s that going to do? It’s not like there are a ton of cemeteries around here. They’ll figure out where we’re going.”
“I hope they do.” Talon pulled into traffic.
Jesus. I didn’t bother telling him how fucked up that was.
“I hear you thinkin’. What’s goin’ on in that pretty little head of yours?”
“I’m not pretty,” I said scornfully. “Stop trying to distract me with bullshit.”
“You’re right, you’re not. You’re a smokin’ hot, island-born-lookin’ sex kitten that had every marine at the funeral jealous you walked in with me and not them,” Talon said matter-of-factly.
“I’m not one of your conquests. You don’t need to sweet talk me.”
Talon looked at me funny. “Shit. You really don’t know, do you?”
I got mad. “I said cut it out!”
“I’m dead serious, Layna. You’re gorgeous—exotic and gorgeous. I’m not blowin’ smoke, not for a second. A sea of cookie-cutter blondes in that church and then there was you.”
I turned away from him and stared out the window. This conversation had gotten way too uncomfortable. Part of me wanted to argue with him, and part of me wanted to tell him how nice he looked today. In fact, I felt guilty for not telling him. “You look handsome,” I muttered, still staring out the window.
Talon’s soft laughter filled the car. “That just about killed you, didn’t it?”
“No,” I snapped.
Talon pulled into the cemetery and parked. Gripping my chin, he turned my face toward him. “I take no offense. Just lets me know you’re being honest with me.”
“I wouldn’t lie about something like that.”
“I know, Sugar, I know.”
“Sometimes you make me uncomfortable,” I admitted in a whisper.
Talon’s green eyes stared at me and he smiled a sad smile. “Right there with you.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Talon came around and opened the door for me. If I hadn’t been trying to avoid eye contact with him, I never would’ve seen Shorty. Dressed in a dark suit, standing in the back of the crowd, he was scanning faces.
“Shit!” I dropped back into the car. Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Talon casually followed my glance then slowly walked back around the front of the car, got in and pulled his phone out.
“Which one?” he asked, holding the phone up to his ear.
I pointed.
“Got it.” Then he spoke into the phone. “We’ve got company, did you lose one of the cars?... Alright, swing by the cemetery, pull fifteen yards in front of the Challenger then drop your tailgate. Once I get him in you can use Blaze’s garage. I’ll follow when I can.” Talon hung up.
“What are we going to do?” I sunk lower in the seat, afraid Shorty would see me.
“No we about it, Sugar. You’re gonna sit there all pretty and let me do my thing,” Talon said calmly.
I couldn’t believe this was happening. “This is bad.”
Talon scoffed. “One guy? This is child’s play. I can take him with both hands tied behind my back.”
Crazy thing was, I didn’t think Talon was bragging. “Buck was smart to walk away from me,” I grumbled, caught up in self-pity and loathing.
“Smart’s about the last thing I’d call Blaze right now.” Talon checked his rearview mirror. “Showtime. Wait here.” Talon was out of the car before I could say be careful.
Talon walked casually over to Shorty like he was joining the mourners. Neil pulled up and double parked. He got out to lower the tailgate then got back behind the wheel. I was afraid Shorty would notice but Talon said something to him. The second Shorty turned to Talon, Talon’s hand shot out horizontally and hit Shorty’s throat. Both of Shorty’s hands went to his neck but Talon’s elbow was quicker. Shorty took a solid blow to the face and his knees crumpled. Before he hit the ground, Talon grabbed him like a drunk who needed help standing and dragged him to Neil’s pickup. Five seconds later—I know this because I was counting for some reason—Shorty was shoved in the back of the truck, the gate was closed and Neil was driving off. Not one person besides me noticed the five-second assault.
Talon straightened his tie then opened my door.
I stared up at him. “I can’t get out.”
He paused a moment then simply shut my door and got back behind the wheel. He didn’t say anything.
“That was...impressive,” I said to the huge silence between us. “I think I got shit instructors in self-defense class. They never showed that move.”
“There’s a funeral goin’ on, Sugar,” Talon said gently.
“Yeah, about that.” I took a deep breath. “I can’t go.” I looked down at my hands.
Talon waited, staring out the windshield.
I tried to explain. “The last funeral I went to? It broke me. I’m not, I can’t... I just can’t do this. Funerals are bad, bad juju for me.” My hand went to my chest. “I can’t see it, I—” I had to clear my throat. “I can’t see her. Go into the ground.” I swallowed back bile. “I thought I could do this, I thought I could get out of the car, but the memories? Funerals are just bad for me. And up until a minute ago, they only carried one memory. But now? If I stay right here, like this? Funerals will forever be five seconds. Five seconds of muscle-y bliss where for one short moment in time, the good guy wins.” I looked at Talon, who was now staring at his lap.
I was terrified of what he’d think of me but I was unable to shut my mouth. “Not a bloody double murder where a killer walks free, but a five-second takedown.
You did that for me. You just made funerals livable. Death became a takedown, a really awesome, ninja, bad-ass marine, movie-worthy takedown. I kinda need to hold on to that.” Right now, really bad.
Talon said nothing.
“I want to hold on to that,” I whispered.
“Fuck.” He breathed out. Then swift and sure, his hands were on either side of my face. “Hold on to that.” He got out of the car.
I closed my eyes and Talon’s movements replayed in my mind. I couldn’t be sorry for Shorty. I hated him. I hated Miami. I didn’t care if they got theirs. And maybe that made me bad or maybe it just made me human. If Shorty was dead, I wouldn’t shed a single tear. Maybe this was what Buck had been talking about. Maybe we were more alike than I thought. The sad part? It no longer mattered.
I didn’t know how much time passed and I didn’t care. I wasn’t out there and the inside of Talon’s car was as good a place as any. I was exhausted, physically and mentally, but I needed to think. Talon didn’t mention what happened down south and maybe it didn’t matter. Miami would be after me, hardcore now, and I needed an exit strategy. Buck would be going back to the Marines and Talon had a life to get back to.
The idea of Seattle popped into my head. It was far, cold and rainy. Three things I hoped would dissuade Miami. I could take a bunch of different buses, zigzag a convoluted route there and get a job in a coffee shop. I could die my hair, rent a cheap place and start over. I’d have to change my name again but I was sure I could find someone to help me do it illegally.
The more I thought about it, the more the idea gelled in my brain. I liked it. It could work. I could sell my parents’ house and the funds would carry me until I decided what to do about the Canadian bank account. I could stay hidden for a long time with that kind of money. All I needed was to sneak away from Talon and Neil and I’d be set. Tonight, when they all fell asleep, I’d make my break. It was a perfect plan.
Talon came back with a somber expression. I stared at his face, trying to commit it to memory.
“What’s goin’ on?” He didn’t start the car.
“Nothing.”
“That’s not a nothin’ look.”
“You’re handsome.” And he was. He just wasn’t Buck. But I’d lost Buck and I had no one to blame except myself.
“Uh-uh, not buyin’ it, try again.” Talon eyed me.
“I’m just tired.”
“You’re up to somethin’. I can see it all over your face.”
“I’m not up to anything,” I lied.
He watched me for a second then looked forward. His shoulders went slack, he hung his head and let out a sigh before bringing his eyes back to mine. “You’re runnin’.”
It wasn’t a question so I didn’t answer.
“Would you stay if I asked you to?”
He looked at me with such sincerity, I almost wanted to say yes. Instead, I turned to the window. Buck was walking to a waiting limo, surrounded by the marines and several pretty girls. His head down, he didn’t seem to notice what was going on around him. My heart constricted.
“Layna.”
I turned and met worried green eyes.
Talon took my hand. “Give me one week. Please.”
I got the feeling Talon never begged. He was compelling at it, just like everything else he did. I felt like I owed him. Did it matter if I stayed one more week? Would that be too much time to stay? Would Miami find me by then? Did I care anymore? Maybe this was a good idea. Maybe I could use the time to get a new identity. Maybe Talon would help me.
“Then will you help me disappear?” I asked.
“After one week, if you still want to, yes.”
I had to make sure. “Promise?”
He took my hand and held it to his heart. “I promise.”
I inhaled sharply, not realizing I’d been holding my breath. “Okay.” I nodded, hoping I sounded braver than I felt.
“You don’t have to do this.”
He was the last person I’d try to explain it to. “Yes, I do.”
“Would it matter if I told you Blaze wouldn’t want you to do this?”
“No.” Because that was exactly why I needed to do this, him and Talon.
Resigned, he started the car. “I need to talk to you about Miami.”
“Okay.” But it wouldn’t matter. I had a plan now.
Talon glanced at me. “Let’s get through the reception, then we’ll sit down with some tequila and I’ll tell you what I found out, deal?”
“Will it include what happened to your face?”
“Wasn’t an accident, darlin’. I was playin’ a part if that’s what you’re worried about.” He smiled an ironic smile.
“I wasn’t worried you couldn’t handle yourself, I was worried something would happen to you. There’s a difference.”
Talon grinned. “Aw Sugar, you sweet talker. That’s the prettiest thing I think you’ve ever said to me.”
“Don’t get used to it.”
Talon turned instantly serious. “Wish I could, darlin’, wish I could.”
We were quiet the rest of the drive.
Buck’s mom’s house, or his house now, was a hub of activity. Women were putting food out, two of the marines were filling a cooler with ice and beers, and people were moving slowly in that subdued way people do at a wake. I kept looking for Buck but didn’t see him. Talon introduced me to the six marines and Myles and Graham showed up with their women. Myles’s girlfriend was Sam and she was even quieter than me, but in a mysterious, I almost didn’t want to turn my back on her, kind of way. Graham’s girlfriend was Carly and she was one of those bubbly smiley girls you wanted to hate but were just too nice for you to muster any real resentment.
I spent about five minutes talking inane shit with Sam and Carly and Myles—Graham didn’t talk—but then I had to excuse myself. The way both Myles and Graham doted on their women was killing me.
I walked through the living room and when I saw Buck talking to a Barbie, I’d thought I’d hit a new level of suck but then he leaned toward her.
I went looking for tequila.
I found a bottle in the kitchen and was helping myself when warm strong arms wrapped around my waist.
“You sure that’s a good idea?” Talon kissed my cheek and released me.
I glanced toward the living room where Buck was still giving the Barbie his attention. “You got a better idea?”
“Not a one.” Talon smiled, setting an empty glass down next to mine.
I filled them both half full and clinked his glass. I glanced around the room. “Cheers. Lots of eye candy here,” I said miserably.
Talon took a swig without taking his eyes off me. “Nothin’ prettier than what’s in front of me.”
I watched his face to see if I could tell what he was up to. I couldn’t. “Why do you do that?” I took another long sip, feeling the burn.
Talon moved closer. “Because it’s the truth and when you look sad, all I wanna do is make you smile.”
I bit back tears.
Talon’s arm instantly went around my shoulders. “Oh Sugar, please don’t.” He kissed my hair. “Don’t cry, sweetheart.”
That did it. The first tears slipped down my cheek.
Talon grabbed the bottle of tequila and quickly ushered me from the room. My head down, I didn’t care where we were going or if Buck saw us, I just didn’t want to cry in front of all these strangers. Talon took us through the family room and down a hallway. A moment later we were in a laundry room with the door shut. Talon set the tequila on the counter and turned the dryer on, I supposed in a sound-masking effort. He lifted me up and set me on the washer then grabbed the tequila and uncapped it.
“Drink.” He thrust the bottle in my hands.
I took a big swig and when it settled, I took an even bigger breath, trying to stop the tears silently flowing down my cheeks.
Talon wiped my face with his thumbs. “I’m not gonna hold it against you, Sugar. Do what you gotta do.�
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A sob broke free, I set the bottle down and threw my arms around his neck. Talon didn’t hesitate. He wrapped me up in his comfort and I cried like a baby.
Talon didn’t try to stop me or say soothing bullshit words. He just held me and I loved him for it. When the tears subsided, I didn’t want to let him go but I knew we couldn’t stay in the laundry room forever. I leaned away and wiped my face as best I could.
“I bet a lot of people saw you bring me in here.” I half smiled.
Talon got a twinkle in his eye. “A few.”
“You know what they’re gonna think.”
Talon grinned ear to ear. “Oh yeah,” he said slow and deliberate.
I smiled, I couldn’t help it. “You’re incorrigible.”
“And you love it.” He winked, running his hands down my thighs.
I leaned forward and kissed his cheek. “I do, but we can’t stay in here all day.”
“Can’t we? A bottle of tequila and a beautiful woman—what more could I want?” He smiled disarmingly.
“Tell me about Miami,” I said just to change the subject.
Talon watched me a moment then I saw him switch gears. His easy smile dropped and his mask went into place. He hopped up on the counter next to me and peered at me with those eyes that didn’t miss a thing. “I need to ask you a question before I tell you what I found out.”
Shit, this didn’t sound good. “Okay.”
“What’s your end game?”
“I want to be free.” It’s all I ever wanted.
“At what cost?”
There was only one way I knew I’d be truly free and that was with Miami dead. I knew that, he knew that, but I couldn’t say it. I thought through every possible way I could answer him but it kept coming back to one single question. “There’s another option?”
Talon reached for the tequila, drank deeply, then handed it to me. When my fingers grasped the neck of the bottle, he looked at me with an intensity I’d never seen. “We’re out of options.”
I threw back and let the burn of the alcohol settle over the fact we’d just silently agreed to murder.