“You want me on your team because you want to keep me in sight,” he stated. “Because you’re afraid of me.”
“Yes,” she said bluntly. But her eyes fell. “Well, actually, no. I’m not. I used to be more afraid of the idea of you and what you could do, but the fear’s gone now. It’s odd, and I can’t explain it. I’m guessing it’s my power or something, because every rational thought I have tells me that I should be afraid of you.” She shrugged. “But I’m not.”
Her lack of fear, her ease to want to trust him, surprised and frustrated Abraham. To cover up his uneasiness, he closed the distance between them and squared up to her. Like expected, the discomfort of his closeness sent her shrinking a step back and staring up at him in shock. “You sure you’re not scared?” he asked sharply.
Her eyes hesitated, but Suzette tried to keep her head high. “I’m scared of being wrong about you.” She took in a deep, brave breath and let it out. “But something in me knows you’re good. Despite what Hester showed you, despite what you try to put off, and despite your lone-wolf, scary demeanor.” She boldly tapped over his heart. The very nerve of the move sent him back a step, but she remained steadfast. “You’re good. And I know that you need to be on my team. How else could you explain why we’re constantly running into each other?”
Her words sent ice through his veins. Mostly, because he found himself believing her. Abraham opened his mouth to ask another question, but nothing came. Normally, he’d shoot down her daring speech and demand a real answer, but her vulnerability showed nothing but honesty—an honesty that he hadn’t really seen before. “And these are your…honest thoughts?”
“Yes,” she insisted. “I want you to trust me. I’m sorry honesty is not a known virtue to you, but I hold it in high regards, so I will express it as equally as I expect it. However, I understand that there are limits. I’m not completely naïve. I understand that with my new life, some lies will have to be told. That’s unavoidable. But lying will never be my first instinct. And you have my word that I will try my hardest to be straight with you.”
She waited for a response, but Abraham kept quiet, taken aback.
“I also enjoy using sarcasm, which, as I understand, can muddle my honesty at times, so I’ll avoid using it unless it’s deemed appropriate. You know, so you’re critical, grumpy brain won’t be so confused all the time.” She grinned, trying to lighten the mood. “So, what’ll it be, Hercules?”
Abraham scratched at his scruffy chin, trying to make sense of his own confused thoughts. He knew she was too innocent and happy to be his enemy, but he had never entertained the thought of working with her until now. Typically, he’d avoid aligning himself with someone so seemingly childish in manner, but when she spoke and poured her heart out in such a bold way, her deep, sea-colored eyes drew him in with a wisdom and power that surpassed her years. He didn’t know what to say to this ambivalence of character. “I’m honestly not sure,” he said, stiff.
“Honestly?” She beamed. “Did we just reach a new level in our relationship?”
He frowned at her, but he could feel something inside of him release, like the tension of a rubber band around his heart finally snapping.
Despite his glowering, she let out a laugh and made her way toward the kitchen. “How about I order us some food and you can think about it? What would you like?”
Suddenly, Abraham felt himself back on edge. “Don’t do that,” he snapped. “I don’t need you patronizing me.”
“I’m not patronizing you; I want to bless you,” she corrected. “And maybe bribe you a little. But also, I’m hungry, so I was really just being considerate.” Her bright smile was so big, it forced her eyes to squint.
Abraham stayed silent as she grabbed a couple of takeout menus from the kitchen drawer. There it is again—that feeling, he thought as he watched her study the items. I believe her. He clenched his jaw at his own admittance.
“We’ll have steak hibachi with loads and loads of white sauce,” she concluded. Then she turned and made her way over to the bedroom. “Then you can see the other files.”
Abraham watched as she disappeared into the bedroom. With his new hearing, he listened as she picked up the line by the bed, dialed a restaurant, and started ordering. Turning back to the fire, he pulled out the file he himself had tucked away in his coat. He opened it and stared down at the photo of Dante’s face. Deliberating, he glanced back toward the room where Suzette disappeared.
I should show her, he thought. Surely, showing her the file would force Dante to become her main focus, keeping her out of Abraham’s way so he could work in peace. Abraham knew better than to partner with a stubborn, albeit nice, girl. He had never really met any nice girls. Dragging Suzette through the muck of his world could destroy her. That’s why Abraham grew baffled as he suddenly threw Dante’s file into the fire. As the papers disintegrated, he could feel conflicting thoughts wage war in his head. Maybe her honesty speech had gotten to him. So, as used to it as he was, he would hate to lie to her, especially since they would be partners. And they would be working together, he knew—even though he couldn’t believe he would let himself. Everything she had said had thrown his mind into a whirlwind, like he didn’t know himself anymore. But mostly, he felt shaken by her feelings of him being good. The words ached him. If only they were true. This young woman was tangling all his cohesive thoughts, but just like she knew they were meant to work together, Abraham knew it too, deep within him. It was a frustrating sensation, one he’d have to sort out. What he needed was to figure her out better to help him make sense of his conflicting feelings about everything.
As Dante’s face bubbled and blackened in the flames before him, Abraham felt his tense muscles relax. Perhaps spending time with Suzette would reveal if he was truly as good as she had said, or not.
Canto XVI
Dante stepped inside the house, feeling much better after his walk through the city. Virgil no doubt had some dinner ready by then. But when Dante got to the middle of the den, he smelled nothing but mothballs in the tiny, dingy house.
Wiping his damp forehead with the back of his hand, he called, “Virgil?”
There was a shuffling and quick footsteps. The small man appeared in the kitchen doorway, his eyes wide. When he took in his nephew, he gasped, threw his arms out, and rushed at him.
Dante stood there for the hug, his arms two stiff, awkward trunks aimed at the floor.
“Are you alright?” Virgil asked, his voice strained and muffled against his nephew’s shirt.
“I’m fine.”
Virgil stepped back and grabbed Dante’s shoulders. “Where have you been? You had me worried sick! I was just about to call the cops! You’ve been gone since yesterday!”
“Don’t worry about me so much, Uncle Virgil,” he said, shrugging off his uncle’s hands. “I was out…making some new friends.” His face stung in embarrassment, knowing the excuse was weak.
He watched as Virgil took another step back. Dante stood stoic against his uncle’s critical yet cautious stare. The older man’s eyes showed that he knew all too well that there were some undesirable details left unmentioned. “Oh,” he muttered, trying to mask his disappointment. “That’s great, but I don’t know how I feel about you being gone all night, especially without a word.”
“Sorry.” Dante normally would have felt bad about his uncle’s concern, but his new freedom felt too good for him to really care.
There was another silence as Dante watched Virgil’s thoughts tumble across his face. “Y-you know, there are some people at the church who would love to meet you. I’ve told them about you. They’re excited!”
Did he just say “church”? Dante groaned. “Wish you hadn’t told them anything, ‘cause I’m not interested.” He pushed past Virgil and took off his sweaty shirt. Church was the last place Dante wanted to be, especially now that there was a whole new world of women out there.
Virgil followed Dante to his room. “Well, I’ve got a ne
w Bible study for us to do together, then,” he told him.
Dante ignored him and tossed his shirt onto the floor. Then he made his way to the bathroom, unbuttoning his pants.
“I think it’s just what we both need,” Virgil tried again.
“Sure,” Dante said. Before his uncle could get another word in, Dante shut the door in his face, locked it, and started the shower. As he stepped in under the warm water, he couldn’t help but think about Cleo’s words just hours ago. They didn’t bother him anymore, but if he wanted to keep the women coming, he knew he’d have to become a better lover—and that would take practice. As he scrubbed himself down, he wondered how and when he could find another willing lady to help him along. What was he going to say? How was he going to go about it? Getting out and wrapping the towel around his waist, he decided he would figure it out as it came to him. That seemed to work last time.
When he opened the bathroom door, Virgil was gone. Dante let out a sigh of relief and made his way to his room. There, he threw on some clean pants and a nicer shirt. After spritzing himself with some cologne, he was ready to go. He walked out and made his way to the front where he could hear Virgil cooking in the kitchen. He flung open the front door and started out.
“Hey,” Virgil called, “where are you—”
Dante quickly closed the door on his uncle’s voice and made his way back to the city.
It didn’t take him long to find his lady of choice. This time it was a tall blonde. Not many curves but a gorgeous face with plump, tempting lips. She sat at a table outside of a small café, clicking away at her phone.
Dante wanted nothing more than to go after her, but he hesitated. Let’s hope this works. Clearing his throat, he walked up to her table and leaned against it. “Hey, there.”
She glanced at him, rolled her eyes, and continued on her phone.
He shuffled a bit, hoping his nervousness didn’t show. “Name’s Dante. What’s yours?”
She took a sip of her coffee. “Why do you want to know?”
“Well, I’m kind of new to the city.”
She set down her phone and leaned forward with pursed lips. “So?”
“So, I’d really like someone to show me the best places in town. You look like you know a thing or two.”
She gave him a look of disbelief.
He smiled nervously at her, knowing his attempt had failed.
To his surprise, her look softened. She leaned back in her chair, relaxed. “Well, I have some time on my hands. I’m sure it wouldn’t be too hard to show you around.”
Dante was floored for a moment. That’s all it takes? A smile? He quickly shook the thought off and offered his hand. She took him around the city, showing him all of her favorite parts. For her, it was all the big-name department stores and decked-out theaters. They didn’t buy anything, just walked around. He let her talk to her heart’s content as he pretended to listen—pretended to care. When the sky grew dark, he chivalrously asked to escort her back to her place, which she accepted with glee. When they got to her apartment, she invited him in. He knew what to expect this time, thanks to Cleo. And, also thanks to Cleo, he was going to make sure to bail as soon as he could.
—
Suzette sat on the big couch of her new apartment. Abraham had spent the afternoon updating Jack’s computer and should have been close to done. Once he had finished they would go after Hester. But Suzette couldn’t find anything adequate to keep her occupied until then.
Trying to get comfortable, Suzette sprawled across the furniture. She was definitely grateful to the old woman for the place to live, but it wasn’t her home. Her home was farther south, with trees and a rolling mountains, away from city lights and bustle.
It would be easier to adjust if the people around her made her feel at home, but they didn’t. Lady Augustine was nice, but she was far away now, tucked safely in her big house in the woods. Not to mention she was old and didn’t have much in common with Suzette. Frank had seemed to soften up to her since his transformation, but his presence brought back memories of Dante—ones that she couldn’t deal with right now. Jack was nice but very quiet and introverted despite her efforts to engage him. She also sensed that, while they would work together, it wouldn’t be on quite an equal level. She didn’t know what that meant but knew it would lengthen the separation that already lingered there.
That left Abraham. She wouldn’t even go there. Her gut told her that he wasn’t going to hurt her, but there was this horrible nagging buzz that flared in the back of her mind, warning her not to get too close. Suzette had confidence that she could work well with both Jack and Abraham, but with no connecting friendships.
She sighed at the lonely thought. But if that was God’s plan, that was His plan, and He would get her through it. Maybe the stillness and solitude would bring her even closer to Him. Maybe that had been the plan all along. She had always had friends and family to carry her through difficult times but never had to rely on herself, let alone solely on God. Is that what this is, Lord? she asked heavenward. But no answer came.
There was a knock on the door.
Suzette exhaled deeply and stood up. Then she slung on her jacket and walked to the door. When she opened it, Jack was waiting, grinning that awkward way he usually did. “Abraham’s already in the van. You ready?”
She nodded and let him lead the way. Together, they walked down the stairs and out of the building, where the van waited, disguised with a big-name company logo. She felt like a creeper stepping into the typical, white kidnapper-van, but it was the only vehicle that would accommodate all their needs. Jack got in the driver’s seat while Suzette opened the back. Abraham waited inside, Jack’s laptop and a huge duffle bag sitting on the floor next to him. He fumbled with his ear and made room for her, barely giving her a tired glance of acknowledgment. She stepped in and closed the door. Then she shrugged off the jacket and slipped on her mask as Jack took off.
“Here.” Abraham handed her a tiny piece of clear plastic.
“What’s this?”
“An earpiece.”
She put it in.
“Can you hear me?” he asked, and it echoed in her ear.
“Yes,” she answered. “Can you hear me?”
He flinched and picked up a small device, where he turned a dial down.
She cringed for him, knowing her voice must have hurt in his hyper-sensitive ears. “Now?” she tried again.
He frowned and tilted his head but nodded and twisted the nob some more. Then he shuffled through the bag.
She chuckled halfheartedly. “Great, now I can really get inside your head.”
He sighed a deep, worn kind of sigh and shook his head. “I’ve hooked up a police scanner. Jack is going to be listening for suspicious activity while you and I are out,” he said instead. He handed Jack an earpiece and did a soundcheck with him as well. “We’ll be setting up a perimeter from where we last saw Hester.”
“So, do we have a plan from there? Are we splitting up?”
“It would cover more ground,” Jack said.
“Yes, but we don’t need Hester getting the jump on us,” Abraham replied. “Now that we know her power, we can plan how to capture her accordingly. The earpieces are primarily for Jack but also just in case we get separated.”
Jack nodded. “Got it.”
Abraham fumbled around in the bag once more. Once he came back up, in his hand was a pistol with a long black piece. A silencer.
“Hey, whoa!” Suzette pointed at the weapon. “You’re not using that on her, are you?”
“Absolutely not,” he said, checking the chamber.
She stopped for a moment and watched as he tucked it in his belt behind his back. Was he serious? But she shook her head. “Abraham, you saw what I saw. Something is wrong with her mentally. If we don’t have to kill her, then we don’t have to kill her.”
“But if she’s a killer…” Jack rolled his neck and glanced back at them through the rearview mirror. �
��Then why does it matter?”
Suzette blinked, stunned. Her mouth shot open in hot protest, but she quickly clamped it shut and took a calming breath. “How could you say that? This woman has had this forced upon her, just like you.”
“I didn’t start killing people.” Jack’s reply was just as calm and collected, but it felt cold.
Suzette fought to mirror his levelness. “Then consider yourself blessed that the chemical didn’t drive you insane like it did her.”
He turned and gave her a dark, yet quizzical look.
“What if we do have to kill her?” Abraham cut in, staring at her stoically. “Could you do it?”
She glared at him, unable to answer.
“That’s what I’m here for,” he said.
Suzette gave him her own unwavering stare. “Well, I’m here to make sure she has a chance to get the help she deserves.”
“What if she can’t change?” Jack protested civilly. “What if the chemical completely destroyed her mind?”
Suzette’s hands trembled slightly, feeling her temper flare. “We can’t possibly know that until we try.”
“And would you say that the lives of others are worth risking it?”
“What if it was you, Jack? You wouldn’t want someone to help?”
“It’s not me,” he snapped, the bite now clear in his voice.
“Have some sympathy for the woman!” She set her hands on either side of her head, trying to force down her frustration. “Haven’t you ever had a second chance?”
Jack grunted. “No. My old man wasn’t much for second chances.”
Suzette took a deep breath. “You don’t think this is a second chance? Lady Augustine gave you a new identity and everything. What do you call that?”
Jack remained silent.
Suzette turned to Abraham and stared expectantly. “What about you? Have you ever gotten a second chance?”
But his solid gaze was unreadable and he made no reply.
“You know, I don’t care what either of you think. None of us are here for the same reasons.” She met Jack’s eyes in the mirror. “You’re only here to start over and also help us take down Jekyll whatever way you can.” She turned to Abraham. “You’re here for God knows what, but I know Hester isn’t your target. She’s a victim of whoever you’re targeting. I’m here because I signed up for this to help victims, so that’s what I’m going to do.”
Blind World (The Onyx Fox Saga Book 1) Page 36