CANARY

by Tijan

  Then we backtracked, going through all the downed men in the hallways, and returning to the first floor.

  When we got to an exit, Cavers came down the back stairwell, a bag in hand. He went through first, leaving the door open.

  Jake followed. I was next.

  Cavers took my bag and dropped it into his own, which was now opened, but he was zipping it closed.

  Where’s Raize?

  Where’s Bronski?

  I didn’t ask. We’d done all of this in complete silence. We ran, single file, back to the truck. Cavers got behind the wheel. Jake jumped in the back and gripped my elbow, helping me up as I threw myself in behind him.

  Then we were off.

  Cavers put the truck in reverse.

  I gripped the side to brace myself. We hit the street, and he kept going, right into the next alley.

  A door flew open, light hitting the alley’s pavement, and Cavers hit the brakes, stopping right in front of it.

  Raize appeared, his chest heaving and blood all over him. He had a body thrown over his shoulder, either dead or unconscious. Jake stood to help him, and when they put him in the back, I froze.

  It was Bronski.

  Raize met my eyes fleetingly before he gripped the side of the truck and launched himself up next to me.

  Once he was settled, he hit the side of the truck and pushed me down to lie flat on the bed. Jake settled down as well, rearranging some of the bags they’d thrown into the back of the truck earlier. He used them to brace himself. I crawled forward and did the same as Raize flattened down behind us. He grabbed my leg and Jake’s to hold himself still, before taking hold of one of Bronski’s arms. Jake took the other. They anchored him as we drove out of the city.

  Cavers took us from one road to another, slowing, then speeding up. He was keeping to the darker side streets—fewer cameras, less lighting.

  I couldn’t say how long the drive was. It felt too fast, and it felt like it was days.

  Once we hit gravel, exhaustion crept over me, and one last thought flashed in my mind:

  I never used my gun.

  “What’s your name, sweetie?”

  I shook my head, shoving that memory away.

  42

  Raize

  We stopped at a wooded lot, and right away, Cavers and Jake grabbed all the phones and wallets. They took the cash out, everything else went into a pile. A healthy dose of lighter fluid was added, and everything lit up.

  Jake came back to the truck and grabbed one of the bags we’d pre-packed. He took the bag and dropped to the ground. Both he and Cavers stripped their clothes, reached in and put on the new ones.

  Ash came over, still watching the guys. “Why are they doing that with the phones and wallets?”

  “We took everything that could identify them to give us time.”

  She rocked back on her heels, her hands in her sweatshirt’s front pocket. “Oh.”

  I looked over at Bronski, then her. I had to make a decision.

  Jake paused, seeing where I was looking.

  Catching the look, I nodded in Ash’s direction. He moved his head from side to side in response, and there was that.

  Going to the front of the truck, I grabbed duct tape and zip ties. Then I opened the tailgate, grabbed Bronski by the feet, and dragged him toward me. I looped the zip ties around his ankles, crisscrossing them and doing six more loops. He could cut it off, but it would take him a long time.

  “What are you doing?” she asked.

  I stopped, turning to her. “No bullshit?”

  She raised an eyebrow, but nodded. “No bullshit.”

  “I grabbed him for you, but Jake told me you never once used your gun.”

  Her head reared back. “When’d you have this conversation?”

  “Just now.”

  “Oh.”

  I did not want to do this. Not one bit. “Look,” I began.

  She focused back on me.

  “I jammed the phones so they couldn’t get any calls out. We have a few hours before their guys start wondering where their bosses are. The dealer will have a concussion, and he should be out for a while, too. I told Jake to make sure.”

  Her mouth flattened. “I know. I saw.”

  I could tell she hadn’t liked that.

  Tough shit.

  “That was one side of our targets. I have five more men to take care of, and we need to do it fast. They can’t know we’re coming. You got me?”

  A shared memory flashed between us, as I was using her own words.

  A light flared in her eyes, but she stifled it right away. Her head moved down, just an inch. “I got it.”

  “I don’t want to take you with me. I’m leaving you and Jake here, so what you do is up to you. You can let Jake kill him, you can kill him, or you can wait and I’ll do it. Either way, he’s gotta go. This is important, Ash.”

  Her head jerked back up, and her chin tightened. “I know. Just because I don’t enjoy the killing doesn’t mean I don’t know it’s sometimes necessary. I got it.” She gritted her teeth as she spoke.

  Fuck. I wanted to take her in my arms, take back all the bad shit I’d done, all the bad shit she’d been a part of, all the bad memories of everything in her life. That would mean a different life, a different Ash, but fuck. She didn’t deserve this life.

  She didn’t deserve to taste death all around her.

  But I couldn’t do any of that, so I had to grit my teeth right along with her and push forward. We had another job to handle, and then I needed to start thinking about what would come after.

  “You think he might know anything about my sister?” she asked.

  I studied her a beat. Her words were soft, contemplative.

  “He might, but he also might realize he could use that to bargain, stall for time. Don’t give anything away about her. He’s a conman.”

  “I know.”

  Jake and Cavers came back, fully reclothed, and cleaned up.

  Jake handed the bag off to me. “Your turn, boss.”

  I nodded.

  I motioned to Bronski, and both of them knew what I wanted done.

  It felt nice, not having to speak when I gave orders now. This new unit had some benefits.

  As they got to work, I carefully took Ash by the hand. I didn’t know if she’d let me touch her, but her hand grasped mine, and she went with me.

  I pulled her farther into the woods, away from their sight.

  I waited to see what she’d do, but she only stood in front of me.

  Not knowing what to do, but wanting to do something, I reached for her.

  My movements were tender and slow as I gathered up her hair, moving it aside as I lifted her shirt up and off of her. She watched as I did it, not helping, but not stopping me.

  Her bra came off next.

  Then I reached for her pants, unbuckled them, and they dropped.

  She stepped out of them.

  I took her underwear off next and held my hand there, pressing lightly against her clit.

  Her eyes closed, and she leaned into me, inhaling at my touch.

  I wanted to make her feel better, but this wasn’t the time or the place.

  Still... I leaned down, my mouth finding hers, and she gasped as she surged up on her tiptoes, pressing into me. She opened her mouth, and I slid my tongue in, claiming her. While we kissed, I felt her reaching for my clothes. She undressed me, pants first, boxer briefs. Then she began raising my shirt, her hands skimming over my stomach and chest. I broke the kiss as she pulled the shirt the rest of the way off.

  I waited to see if she wanted me to kiss her again.

  When her eyes opened, I saw the hunger there.

  I reached for her, unable to stop myself now.

  My mouth sealed over hers, and she grabbed me, pulling me close, and I pressed her against a tree. Her legs came around me—Jesus.

  This wasn’t the time, but I groaned, pressing my mouth against her neck.

  She grinde
d against me. “Please,” she gasped.

  I’d answered before I even knew I was answering. This was the power she had over me. It was heady, intoxicating—and alarming.

  But I thrust inside of her, and fuuuuuck.

  This needed to be fast.

  Her legs tightened around my waist, and as I began pumping into her, I reached for her clit and rubbed there.

  We were silent, but our movements were frenzied.

  It was quick, though I held off, waiting until she climaxed. As soon as she did, I unloaded into her and stilled, holding her as our bodies quaked.

  I bent down, my forehead resting on her shoulder.

  She ran her hand up and down my back, gently, as tenderly as I had undressed her. She pressed a soft kiss to the side of my neck.

  I looked up, my eyes meeting hers.

  I didn’t know what I was looking for. Was I making sure she was okay? Looking to see if she condemned me? Hated me? Still needed me? My head was a mess when it came to her, but I couldn’t leave her. Though I should.

  I should walk away from her.

  I should send her off, make her live a new life, a normal life.

  But I knew she wouldn’t do that, and I knew I could never leave her.

  I groaned, holding her close for one more moment, and then set her back down. Grabbing the bag, I found the wipes and cleaning products. We cleaned up.

  Once we were dressed, we walked back to the truck, side by side.

  I didn’t hold her hand, and she never reached for mine.

  43

  Ash

  “This is your new room, sweetheart.”

  She opened the door and inside were two beds. A little girl was sitting on one of them, a doll in her hand. She looked up…

  I jerked upright, realizing I’d been leaning back against a tree.

  A campfire was lit up in front of me. I was hoping it wasn’t the one used to burn everything else.

  Jake glanced over, “You okay?”

  I nodded, a quick move up and down. “Yeah. Nightmare.”

  He frowned, his face lit by the small campfire he’d built. “I know you got Raize, but he ain’t here. You want to talk about it?”

  I almost laughed. He had no idea. “No. Just...different life. How long have I been out?”

  He shrugged. “An hour, or so.”

  A snore came from the other side of the fire.

  Bronski was still out, and the ground was hella uncomfortable.

  Jake sighed. “I can do it. You want me to do it?”

  Did I? “I don’t know.”

  I also didn’t know why I didn’t just do it. Get it done.

  It seemed so cold-blooded now, and maybe Raize was right. I wasn’t ready for this—to do it this way. Self-defense was a whole different ballgame, and maybe I was still sticking to some sort of line? I’d crossed over so many that sometimes I forgot I’d even had them.

  “So, you have a sister, huh?”

  I eyed him warily. Jake knew about my sister, but nothing else. We hadn’t talked about the cop and missing poster incident from earlier either—not that he or Cavers would ask.

  “Yeah,” I offered.

  When I didn’t say anything more Jake asked, “What’s going on with you and Raize?”

  I frowned. “Thought the grocery store was our talk about him and me?”

  He chuckled, reaching forward to poke the fire. “I’m bored. Give me something.”

  “What about you and that woman of yours?”

  “She’s free. Carloni’s dead.”

  “Would you want to find her, if you could?”

  He didn’t answer right away, staring pointedly at the fire. “No. I’d steer clear of her, hoping she got free and stayed free.” His gaze flicked back to me. “Can I ask you something?”

  I eyed him. “About Raize?”

  “No.” He grinned, chuckling before he got serious again. “About your sister.”

  Oh. I steeled myself.

  “Is she why you’re doing all this?” He gestured around us. “It’s kinda obvious you’re not the normal girl that gets pulled into this life.”

  My heart felt heavy, because Brooke was one of those girls.

  I just knew it. Felt it.

  I hated it.

  My voice came out raspy. “She got pulled in by a Romeo pimp.”

  He made an understanding sound, like a grunt tinged with sympathy. “I’m sorry.”

  I nodded, my eyes suddenly blurry. “Yeah.”

  “Leo Gettsicky.”

  Both of us jumped to our feet.

  Bronski was awake and watching us, his eyes full of pain, his face one giant grimace. He shifted, trying to relieve the pressure on his arm, but he couldn’t move. He closed his eyes, resting his forehead on the ground, and heaved out a deep breath.

  “Don’t suppose either of you is inclined to help me out here?”

  Jake scowled, cocking his gun. “We’re supposed to kill you.”

  “Of course you are. Let me guess—Maxim decided to make a move? He’s taking out Igor and Roman? All their men?” He looked between us. “Which doesn’t make sense. You’re both with Raize, and he’s with Roman. Isn’t he? Was our intel bad about that?”

  “Shut up while we decide what to do with you.”

  Bronski barely acknowledged Jake, his eyes only on me. Gritting his teeth, he was able to lift himself to a sitting position, though his hands were tied behind him, and he heaved another deep breath as his shoulders slumped forward. “That’s better.”

  Jake snorted. “We’re so glad.”

  I hadn’t spoken to Bronski.

  “I wasn’t going to touch you again, when I sent a man to Raize for you,” he informed me. “I’d heard what you could do.”

  My stomach rolled over, because I knew that wasn’t true.

  “I mean it.”

  “You’re a rapist,” Jake spat. “That kind of sick doesn’t change. You’re sick. You stay sick. Sick fucking monster.”

  Bronski shook his head. “Right. Because you’re so much better? Raize doesn’t rape, but he has just as much blood on him. The dude is a one-man army. Do you even know what he can do? Can really do? How many men he’s actually killed?”

  “We’ve both seen him in action. You can’t say anything to shock us.”

  Bronski looked between us. “Is he fucking her?”

  I shot Jake a look. I didn’t want anything said about that.

  Bronski smirked. “That’s interesting. Are you two fucking?”

  Jake heaved a sigh. “New topic, asswipe. That’s old.”

  He fell silent. So did Jake.

  I was grateful to feel the weight of my gun next to my leg. I’d pulled it out when Bronski first spoke, but I hadn’t picked it up. It was ready to go, though. Just lift, aim, and pull. Then I’d be a different kind of killer.

  I was still waiting, though I didn’t know why.

  “You told Korkov your name was Brooke, but no last name. Got me thinking. Once the rumors started going around about you—the canary in the streets—I remembered where Korkov told me he’d picked you up at. Massachusetts. I don’t remember the town, but Maxim had a man working girls there. Picking them. Making them fall in love with him. A girl named Brooke came from that circuit, but she had dark hair, dark eyes. The face, though… I saw her last week and got to thinking. She still goes by Brooke. Same face.”

  My heart pounded. My sister is alive?

  Bronski tried to raise his arms, but he couldn’t bring them around. “She had a tattoo on the inside of her wrist. A four-leaf clover, or something like that.”

  It was a pot of gold.

  God.

  I wanted him to shut up.

  I wanted him to keep going.

  “Wait. No. It was… What was it? A pot of something. Not like pot pot—dope. Pot of… what? I got it wrong. Not a leprechaun—a pot of gold! Yeah. That’s what it was.”

  He knew her.

  He saw her.

  S
he was alive.

  There’s no way he could make that up. No way he could guess that tattoo randomly.

  Maxim?

  Leo, my sister’s boyfriend, had worked for Maxim?

  I’d had it wrong? All this time?

  I thought Igor, not Maxim.

  How had I gotten that so wrong?

  Bronski laughed to himself and ended up coughing. “Fuck, my ribs hurt. But yeah. I got her, right? That’s your sister? I remember the story was that you approached Korkov. You wanted in the game, and he was all excited because he knew you were different. He told me you were a virgin—”

  “Shut it, man!” Jake growled.

  My body threatened to dry-heave, but not because of what Bronski had done to me. I had the power now. I wasn’t scared. It wasn’t that. It wasn’t even my sister.

  It was because I knew now what I was going to do.

  “Leo worked for Maxim?” I asked.

  Both heads swung my way. Bronski’s eyes widened. He was surprised that I wasn’t affected by him, not in the way he’d been hoping. I could read it from him. His lips thinned into a frown. “Yeah, but you came in under Korkov who works for Igor. You got that wrong, huh? There was a time period where Leo was hanging out with Korkov, until Maxim shut that down and moved him to a different location.”

  I nodded. “I got that wrong.”

  Jake stood and pulled out his phone. “I’m going to make a call.” He pointed his gun at Bronski as he spoke to me. “None of the shit he spouts can be trusted.”

  I knew that, and I nodded, letting him know I’d be fine.

  Bronski watched him walk away, his eyes darkening, and he licked his lips. “What’s he doing? Who’s he calling?”

  “He’s calling Raize.”

  Bronski shifted his attention back to me. I could see the calculation starting. “Why would he be calling your boss?”

  “Because he’s killing Maxim and his men right now.” I stared at Bronski, feeling dead inside—what he was going to be soon. Very soon.

  But not in a cold-blooded way.

  I couldn’t do that. I knew that now.

  I knew my lines. I had always known my lines, but then I stepped over them. One after another.

  This was another one, and this one I couldn’t step over.