by Rina Kent
He closes his eyes for a mere second. When he opens them, there’s a raw desperation in them. “I wasn’t going to say delivery. They’re the easiest way to send a killer.”
I palm his cheek, stroking the slight stubble. “I’ll be fine.”
He picks me up and sets me on the counter. At this level, I’m almost eye to eye with him. He pries my legs open and settles between them, his large hands on either side of my thighs. My legs automatically wrap around his waist bringing him as close as physically possible.
His nearness sends a strange type of calm over me.
Crow cages me in his arms, his forehead lowering to rest against mine. “I don’t want to lose you.”
“You won’t,” I whisper, holding his face in my hands. Our bodies are so intertwined, I don’t even know what belongs to him and what belongs to me anymore.
“People like me aren’t allowed to want anything.” His shoulders stiffen. The pain lodged deep inside his gaze hitches my breath. “The moment we do, it’s all taken away.”
“Not me, Crow.” I brush my lips against his, needing him to feel my words instead of hearing them. “You know, I’m like you in some way.”
He pulls away to stare at me with an arched brow. “Ah, bon?”
“Ah oui. When Papa and Maman were alive, I was already happy and didn’t want anything else. When they both died, I continued not wanting anything.” My breaths turn shallow as I stare into those mesmerising eyes. “Until you. Now that I have you, I intend to keep you.”
His eyes shine with playfulness. “Like kidnap me?”
“Uh-huh. I’ll lock you up in this faraway castle with me like Beauty and the Beast.”
He bursts into laughter, head thrown back with the effect. The sound is so contagious, I end up grinning like an idiot.
“Wait.” He stops abruptly. “Does that make me Beauty?”
It’s my turn to laugh out loud. “More importantly, that makes me Beast. So you better be scared.”
Crow lowers his head to nibble on my earlobe then growls into my ear. “Oh, I’m terrified.”
I moan, shivers breaking all over my skin. My head tips back, giving him more access, but before I lose myself to him, I muster the will to release and push him with both hands. “Food. Charlotte.”
I can’t even form full sentences anymore.
“Fine.” He sighs deeply. “I’ll go.”
“You don’t have to...” I trail off when his unwavering stare falls on me. “Whatever. You’re so annoying when you’re bossy.”
He taps my nose, smirking. “You secretly love it.”
I fold my arms over my chest. “I don’t.”
“Keep telling yourself that.” He motions at the door. “How about we go together? Take a bag while you’re at it.”
I nudge him. “I’m not leaving, Crow.”
“Okay, come with me, and I won’t whisk you away.”
He’s lying. This is the perfect opportunity to make me leave my home and probably never see it again. “No, thanks.”
“You’re so fucking adorable when angry.” He pushes a strand of hair behind my ear, opens the cupboard above me and produces a gun. I swear he’s hiding these weapons everywhere.
Crow places the gun in my palm. I’ve practised a lot with him, but this is the first time that the weapon weighs so heavily. I swallow, staring at it and then at Crow.
“I won’t be long, and I’ll scurry around the perimeters before going, but if anything happens.” He closes my fingers around the weapon. “Don’t think. Shoot. If you hesitate even for a fraction of a second, that will be your end. Got it?”
I nod, not really sure what the hell I agreed to.
Crow kisses my forehead, lips lingering for a long moment.
Then, he pulls away. The moment his body heat leaves mine is like being thrown off the cliff.
Which is so dramatic. It’s not like he’s abandoning me.
Yet, the urge to grab his arm and make him stay almost overwhelms me. I don’t care if we starve to death. I don’t want Crow to leave. Not even for a second.
However, I keep a cool façade on my face. Everything will be fine. It has to be.
Crow pats Charlotte’s head. “Keep an eye on her for me, Cheerio.”
Wait. Don’t go!
I bottle down my shout as he strides out of the door. What the hell is wrong with me? I’ve lived alone just fine, why does this little loneliness make me all troubled?
Sure, I didn’t have a target on my back then, but still, this isn’t the end of the world. Besides, Crow will return soon.
This is my home. My heritage. There’s nothing scary about it.
Something nudges my leg, and I jump, cursing.
Charlotte.
She scared the living hell out of me. I put the gun on the table and carry her in my arm, hugging her close.
“We’ll be fine, ma petite,” I say, and she sighs, her little paws patting my face.
I set her on the ground and give her ham. I can wait to have dinner when Crow returns. Charlotte needs the food more.
A tightening forms at the bottom of my stomach, one hundred and eighty degrees different from the sexual one, as I stand rooted against the table, watching Charlotte going at her dinner.
My gaze occasionally goes to the door, as if expecting Crow to storm inside.
Ugh. I need to snap out of this.
Fetching the gun, I leave Charlotte in the kitchen and head upstairs. I’ll continue reading that novel. Surely, it’s a lot better than being this antsy.
The doorbell rings. Its loud shrill echoes in the house.
I startle, almost falling backwards on the stairs. I clutch the railway so hard, my fist turns white.
It’s been ages since I heard the doorbell. I forgot it even existed.
Crow came uninvited the first time and now, he has a key. So who is it?
I descend the few steps. My heart pounds so loud, almost leaping out of my throat. With shaky hands, I point the unsteady gun at the entrance and take turtle steps towards the door.
Charlotte storms past me, barking loud. The volume rises the more I stand there. I’m about to carry her, run upstairs, and lock ourselves in my room when a familiar voice calls.
“Eloise? Are you in there?”
My breath evens out. Not a danger. Xavier.
He’s come over before. When Maman was alive and too sick to go to the hospital, but he rarely visited afterwards.
I hide the gun in the doorway’s plant vase and open the door. He’s standing there in a white shirt and khaki trousers, sporting that charming smile. His hair is all straight now. The style suits him better, actually.
“Bonjour, Dr Leroux. What are you doing here?”
“It’s about your debts.” His smile is contagious. “I have wonderful news.”
Charlotte goes into maddening barks, snarling and growling.
“Arrête!” I give him an awkward smile. “I’m sorry. She’s not usually like this. Please come in.”
When Charlotte doesn’t stop barking like crazy, I lock her outside. She’s lived with me for so long that she doesn’t tolerate people anymore.
I lead Xavier to the living area, glimpsing at him over my shoulder. “What is it about my debts?”
“They’ll be paid today.” He smiles again, and this time, it doesn’t even reach his eyes. Strange.
I still owe the hospital. How can my debts be paid? I’m sure I look confused as hell when I ask, “How?”
“With your life.”
I don’t get time to react as something hard hits the back of my head.
My feet lose balance as I fall. The impact reverberates through my entire body.
I make out Xavier’s heinous smirk before the world goes black.
15
Crow
Instinct saved my arse on countless occasions.
This time, it’s screaming to go back to Eloise and never leave her again.
My gloved fingers tighten o
n the hand clutch as I increase the speed. The trees fly past me in a blur. I don’t care if the tyres explode. I have to get back. Right fucking now.
I don’t even remember what I got from the grocery store. Probably the whole damn store, judging by the huge bag strapped to my back. The only things on my mind were not to take any other unnecessary trips to town, and that I needed to return to Eloise.
Especially since she’s not answering her phone. I know she only uses the device for the internet, and it usually lies forgotten, but fuck if that doesn’t add to my agitation.
Why did I leave in the first place?
I’m barely across the driveway when I make out Cheerio hopping and barking aggressively by the front door.
My bloodstream freezes.
I unstrap the bag and jump from the bike before the engine is properly shut off.
Someone is here.
I retrieve my gun, point it at the entrance and dial the one number that can help.
Ghost answers after a beat.
“I need backup,” I bark, still approaching the house with steady steps. “In return, I’ll take the contract on the Rhodes and distract Hades.”
“Deal.”
“And Ghost?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m leaving you my will. If anything happens to me, use all my savings to help Eloise and keep her safe.”
“Fine.”
“Give me your word.”
The one thing I know about Ghost is that he rarely gives his word, but when he does, he abides by it.
“You have my word.”
A sigh of relief mixes with the rush of adrenaline as I hang up.
Cheerio continues her maddening barks even after she sees me.
I dash her way. “What happened?”
“I happened.” Storm strolls out from the main entrance. Splatters of blood stain his white shirt.
My muscles lock. That’s not... Eloise’s blood, right? It can’t be.
I won’t believe it.
My nostrils flare as I point my gun at him. Of all Team Zero, I didn’t want to face Storm, but if he as much as puts a finger on Eloise, I’ll blow his fucking brains out.
“You’re to return to the UK tonight.” He places a cigarette in his mouth and lights it, seeming completely relaxed, as if we’re talking about a normal day.
“Where is she?” I advance, keeping my aim straight to his forehead.
“Shouldn’t you pack your things?” His gaze falls on his smudged shirt, and he frowns as if only just noticing that it’s bloodied. “You have to go back. Hades’ orders.”
“Fuck Hades,” I grit out, now standing so close to him, I smell the smoke. “Tell me where Eloise is. What have you done to her?”
“She’s asleep.” His lips quirk up. “For now.” He frowns at his shirt again. He’s always been some sort of a germaphobe. It has to do with the few years he spent in med school. The whole obsession with cleanness is ridiculous considering that he deals with blood and killing all the damn time.
“What do you mean by ‘Fuck Hades’?” He blows a cloud of smoke. Another habit that doesn’t add up with his germaphobe nature. He’s always been a mountain of contradictions. “You’re planning to riot like Ghost and the other cunts?”
“It means that I’m done being a dog.” My gaze trails sideways, trying to catch sight of Eloise. I doubt he kept her inside the house. Storm’s first and most common move is to take his victims away from any familiar place – especially their houses – so they don’t have the advantage of recognising their surroundings.
I can always kill him and search for her, but knowing he loves blowing shit to pieces, I won’t take the risk of him having strapped a bomb to her.
“I saw your untouched stash, but I still didn’t want to believe it.” His thumb and middle finger pinch the spot between his eyebrows. “You’re actually following Ghost’s steps?”
“I’m following no one’s steps.” I lower my gun and control my breathing. If there’s a way to appeal to the camaraderie we had all these years, then I’ll do that. He’s a victim of Omega, just like me. We shared decades together. That should mean something.
At least, I hope it fucking does.
Besides, I need to stall for time until Ghost gets here.
I force my stance into a relaxed position despite the havoc wreaking inside me. “I just don’t want to be a slave to Omega anymore. It’s destroying us from within. I’ve seen Diablo’s autopsy report. He died of something similar to stage five cancer. Only it had no external symptoms. If we continue taking Omega, we will end up just like him. Hades knew but didn’t give a fuck about our lives.”
“So what?” He takes another long drag of his cigarette. His eyes turn glassier; he’s on the bloody drugs. “If Hades wants us dead, then so be it.”
Fuck Storm and his loathsome loyalty to Hades.
I can’t believe I considered him one of my closest teammates. He’s always been blinded by Hades’ hell and can’t see past it. He’d betray the whole of Team Zero for him.
When I first started getting off Omega, I asked Storm if there’s a life beyond The Pit, and he brushed it off. Then I had that contract in France and decided to delay talking to him until my return.
“Wait a fucking second.” I glare at him as all the pieces fall together. “You’re the traitor. You sent someone to shoot me because I hinted about having a life outside The Pit.”
He grins, showing blinding white teeth. He always had a disgustingly charming smile. “I didn’t send anyone; I did the whole thing myself. The contract was a fake to draw you out from the rest of Team Zero and toy with you. That cunt Paul was evidence so, boom. Blown up. You know, leave no traces behind.”
“You fucking...” My blood boils. “You’ve been in Marseille the entire time.”
“Never claimed I wasn’t. In fact...” He glares at his shirt, and this time, he yanks it off, remaining in a white T-shirt. “In fact, I’ve been here for almost eight months. Eloise doesn’t talk about me?”
My nostrils flare. If he’s been here that entire time, then he’s that damn doctor Curly. The one named Xavier. His hair is all straight – even now. I never suspected him when I saw him in that coffee shop. His back faced me and I was too blinded by jealousy to even take a closer look.
I should’ve went there and fucking murdered him back then. If I did, we wouldn’t be here right now.
“I found her first.” Storm’s bland blue eyes lose all their relaxation and fill with one thing common for Hades’ demons: the promise of death. “Do you think I spent all those months getting close to her so you would come and reap what I sowed?”
“You knew she’s Dr fucking Johnson’s daughter all along?”
“Why do you think I came here?” He cracks his neck and stares me down. “Dr Johnson’s death isn’t completely confirmed. Hades ordered me to get rid of that spawn’s family in case they have any of his formula.”
“She has nothing.” I searched all over her father’s documents when she wasn’t in the house. It’s for sure that Dr fucking Johnson protected her and her mother. He even disappeared to not get them in trouble. I hate the man, but he loved his family.
“So what? Hades’ orders are Hades’ orders.” He rolls his neck again. “Her mother was already dying so I tried to speed up that process. She disappeared on me, though.”
“What?”
“The surgery on Dr Johnson’s wife was successful. All traces of the tumour were removed from her brain, so technically, she was supposed to live. Of course, I planned to kill her, but she was already dead. Bummer. And Eloise... well, bloody hell, mate. I stayed around to see if she has her father’s formula, but I must admit that I loved seeing her as a living corpse. I was going to enjoy the view for a few more months then finish off her miserable life, but you had to put your nose where it didn’t belong.”
“Where is she?” I point my gun at him again. I’m done being civil, not that he’d understand any type of con
versation. He’s knee-deep in Hades’ hell.
He huffs and throws the cigarette away. “You’d kill me for Dr Johnson’s daughter?”
“She’s not his daughter to me.” She’s Eloise. Just Eloise. And I’d kill anyone for her.
He laughs, long and humourless. “What? You’ve been on withdrawal for a few months and you think you can be normal? Like play house with a nurse? Wake the fuck up, Crow. You’re not normal, and guess fucking what? You never will be.” He stands toe to toe with me, eyes blazing. “Go back to Hades where you belong.”
“We never belonged with Hades, Storm. We pretended to because that’s the only option we had.” Now, I have Eloise, and I want to belong here. With her.
I point the barrel of my gun at his forehead. “For the last time, I’m asking you, where the fuck is she?”
“Do you want to play a little game? Like old times?” He produces a timer from his pocket.
My heart stops beating. A bomb. He’s really strapped her with a bomb. The fucking arsehole.
I remove my gun from his forehead and step back, carefully. If I alarm him, he’ll blow Eloise up.
“What do you want?” I ask slowly.
“Remember that target Shadow put a Joker on and you beat me to it?” He lights another cigarette and stares in the distance.
My attention is on the timer in his hand. It isn’t blinking. It’s not set yet. But if I lunge at him, he’d blow her up. He doesn’t need a timer to do that.
Storm continues, “Hades praised you that day. He never praised me that way, even when I won the bets before. And the fact is you fucking cheated. You placed those rubbish cans in my way, knowing it would take me longer to get to the target. Did it feel good to be praised for cheating, Crow?”
“Are you fucking serious?” I release an exasperated breath through my nose. “That wasn’t cheating, that was doing whatever it takes to kill a target. Because back then, that was the only thing that kept me alive. I’ve forgotten all about it.”