Essa Alroc The Apology 2012, Essa Alroc Published at Smashwords

ALL R !"TS RESER#E$% This boo& co'tai's material protected u'der 'ter'atio'al a'd (ederal )opyright Laws a'd Treaties% A'y u'authori*ed repri't or use o+ this material is prohibited% ,o part o+ this boo& may be reproduced or tra'smitted i' a'y +orm or by a'y mea's, electro'ic or mecha'ical, i'cludi'g photocopyi'g, recordi'g, or by a'y i'+ormatio' storage a'd retrie-al system without e.press writte' permissio' +rom the author / publisher%

)hapter 1 + !abrielle could cha'ge a'ythi'g i' the world, a'ythi'g at all, it would be her decisio' to come home early +rom her shoppi'g trip o' a' ordi'ary $ecember a+ter'oo'% She le+t her husba'd still sleepi'g that Saturday mor'i'g a'd headed out the door to get a head start o' )hristmas shoppi'g% ,ic& had e.pected her to be go'e all day% ' the si. mo'ths si'ce marryi'g her husba'd, !abrielle had become a' e.pert at se-eral thi'gs% 0'e o+ those thi'gs was spe'di'g ,ic&1s mo'ey% "er husba'd was a wealthy busi'essma', who wor&ed i' a +ield that !abrielle did'1t really u'dersta'd% "e1d -aguely e.plai'ed it as a' import busi'ess, bri'gi'g mercha'dise i'to the cou'try +or resale% "e did'1t discuss his busi'ess a'd !abby did'1t mi'd% "e ga-e them security, which was all she e-er really wa'ted% 2ecause !abby was such a' e.pert shopper, she1d +ou'd e-erythi'g she wa'ted to get +or ,ic& i' less time tha' she thought% She1d rushed home, relie-ed to +i'd the dri-eway empty, a'd started loo&i'g +or the per+ect hidi'g place +or his gi+ts% Their home was huge% Eight bedrooms a'd +i-e baths3 but at the same time, !abby worried that ,ic& would +i'd what she1d gotte' him% She decided to hide her gi+ts i' the o'e place she was sure ,ic& would 'e-er loo&3 the attic% Though reaso'able at the time, it was a decisio' she would li-e to regret% The attic was large, clea' a'd deserted% The o'ly thi'gs they &ept up there were holiday decoratio's a'd old +ur'iture% As !abby remembered, there was also a closet i' that attic% t was a closet that would be per+ect +or stori'g the gi+ts she1d gotte'% She 4umped out o+ the Le.us ,ic& had gotte' her +or a weddi'g prese't a'd started to load her arms up with bags% Lucia, her house&eeper, po&ed her head out the door a'd bega' to come out to help, but !abby wa-ed her away a'd dragged her pac&ages i' o' her ow'% She too& the steps two at a time, raci'g to get to the top +loor o+ their home a'd i'to the attic be+ore ,ic& came home +rom where-er he1d go'e to% She tugged dow' the ladder to the crawl space a'd, with some -ery complicated ma'eu-eri'g, ma'aged to get all the bo.es a'd bags up ahead o+ her% She 5uic&ly asce'ded the ladder a'd the' pulled it up behi'd her to co-er her trac&s% !abrielle crossed the room3 the shadeless wi'dow ga-e e'ough light that she did'1t +eel the 'eed to hu't dow' a light switch% 'stead, she pulled the closet doors ope' a'd was relie-ed to +i'd it was mostly empty% !abby was 4ust stac&i'g up the last bo. i'to a' u'stable tower o+ gi+ts whe' she heard the slidi'g ladder get ya'&ed dow'% She let out a 5uic& gasp, hopi'g she had'1t bee' +ou'd out% Thi'&i'g +ast, she crammed hersel+ i' 'e.t to her tower o+ prese'ts a'd slid the closet door shut behi'd her% t was a +limsy door that did'1t loc&3 the &i'd that had woode' slats with crac&s betwee' them% She could see out i'to the room, but 'o o'e could see i'% !abby sti+led a giggle as ,ic&1s head po&ed up i'to the attic% At +irst, she thought he was up i' the attic hidi'g prese'ts +or her% The' she reali*ed he had someo'e with him 6 two someo'e1s% The +irst was !rigor% !abby had met him be+ore% "e was ,ic&1s chie+ o+ security at his busi'ess% !rigor was a large ma', o-er 7189 a'd muscular% "e was at least te' years older tha' her husba'd% "e rarely spo&e a'd he almost 'e-er smiled% !rigor had always made her 'er-ous% The seco'd perso', she did'1t recog'i*e3 mai'ly because he had a bag o' his

head% !abby clamped a ha'd o-er her mouth to sti+le her gasp% She watched through the slats as !rigor sho-ed him i'to a chair% : wish we did'1t ha-e to do this here%9 "er husba'd1s -oice was low a'd serious% !rigor ga-e the ma' i' the chair a sho-e% :;e would'1t i+ this idiot had &ept his mouth shut%9 "e ripped the bag o++ his head% :<ost o+ the warehouses are hot 'ow, tha'&s to him%9 ,ic& let out a humorous laugh% :That is disappoi'ti'gly true%9 "e crossed his arms a'd lea'ed agai'st the wall3 his ha'dsome +ace a mas&% : t would be u'+ortu'ate i+ my wi+e were to +i'd out%9 !rigor s'orted as he bega' tyi'g the ma' to the chair usi'g the *ip ties he carried i' his 4ac&et% :She still does'1t &'ow=9 ,ic& smiled as he studied his 'ails% :She1s 'ot the brightest woma' i' the world%9 "e watched as !rigor lea'ed dow' to pic& up a small case he1d brought with him% :2ut that1s 'ot the reaso' married her%9 !abby1s eyes 'arrowed at the i'sult% Sure, she was'1t Ei'stei', but ,ic& sou'ded li&e he thought she was a' idiot% "er time i' the closet was pro-i'g to be 5uite educatio'al% "er husba'd was a crimi'al a'd he thought she was a moro'% :So why did you=9 !rigor studied the ma' i' the chair, ma&i'g sure that his ha'ds a'd +eet were securely tied% "e pulled the bag o++ the ma's head a'd he was 'o o'e !abby recog'i*ed% >ust a terri+ied, red +aced ma' with a gag i' his mouth% ,ic& raised a' eyebrow% :"a-e you see' her=9 "e tur'ed towards the table a'd ope'ed the small case they1d brought with them% :0ur childre' will be beauti+ul3 that1s a guara'tee% Let1s hope they get my i'tellige'ce, though% 0'e beauti+ul idiot is 5uite e'ough +or me%9 !abby glared harder% She was so getti'g a di-orce% ' +act, she was a step away +rom 4umpi'g out o+ the closet a'd dema'di'g o'e whe' she saw what ,ic& had i' his ha'd% A' electric car-i'g &'i+e% The ma' i' the chair bega' to scream u'der his gag, his mu++led wails carryi'g throughout the room% ,ic& ha'ded the car-i'g &'i+e to !rigor a'd lea'ed dow' o-er the ma'% "e tugged the gag out o+ his mouth% :,ow, Lu&a,9 ,ic&1s -oice was ice cold% t was the same -oice he used whe' Lucia used the wro'g starch o' his shirts% :Perhaps you ca' e.plai' to me why all my warehouses are curre'tly u'der sur-eilla'ce=9 The ma' called Lu&a gasped3 his +ace was red a'd his eyes were teary% "e 'e-er too& them o++ the car-i'g &'i+e% : swear, <r% ?a&i-, told 'o o'e% swear o' my childre'1s li-es%9 : + you mea' A'a a'd Adriy, there is 'o 'eed%9 ,ic& pulled the car-i'g &'i+e +rom !rigor1s ha'd% : t seems your childre' had a' u'+ortu'ate accide't this mor'i'g i' your pool, alo'g with their mother% So you see,9 ,ic& studied the &'i+e disi'terestedly, :you sweari'g o' their li-es mea's -ery little to me, co'sideri'g they are 'o lo'ger ali-e%9 Lu&a bega' to wail as the mea'i'g o+ ,ic&s1 se'te'ce sa'& i'% !abby sho-ed a ha'd i' her mouth to sti+le her ow' shoc&ed sob% "er husba'd was'1t 4ust a &iller3 he was a ruthless murderer who appare'tly had 'o problem doi'g away with wome' a'd childre' as well% "ow could she 'ot ha-e &'ow'=

:,ow,9 ,ic& lea'ed dow' closer as the waili'g ma' gasped, tryi'g to regai' his breath% : 1m sure that you ha-e 'othi'g le+t to li-e +or, a'd that is +i'e% ?ou will 'e-er lea-e this house ali-e, a'yway% "owe-er, the choice is yours%9 "e ra' the car-i'g &'i+e dow' Lu&a1s +ace% :?ou ca' tell me e.actly who you tal&ed to a'd recei-e a 5uic& death, +ollowed by bei'g dismembered a'd dumped i'to the bay% 0r, we ca' dismember you while you1re still ali-e, or at least u'til you +eel li&e tal&i'g%9 !abby watched Lu&a% "is eyes were empty a'd sad 'ow that he &'ew his +amily was go'e, a'd that he would soo' be 4oi'i'g them% "is e.pressio' was stoic% "e glared i'to her husba'd1s eyes a'd the', to !abby1s surprise, he spat i' ,ic&1s +ace% !abby +li'ched, but ,ic& 4ust loo&ed amused% "e pulled a ha'd&erchie+ +rom his poc&et a'd wiped the spit away, his eyes 'e-er lea-i'g Lu&a% "e ha'ded the car-i'g &'i+e to !rigor% :Start with his +i'gers%9 !abby clamped her ha'ds o-er her ears as the car-i'g &'i+e whirred to li+e% E-e' pressi'g them dow' as hard as she could, she still heard the scream o+ the &'i+e as it cut i'to the meat o+ Lu&a1s ha'd, sawi'g through bo'e% "e was screami'g, but the sou'd o+ the &'i+e drow'ed e-erythi'g out% (or the 'e.t two hours, !abrielle sat i' a closet surrou'ded by gi+ts, watchi'g as her husba'd dismembered a ma' ali-e% @@@ >esse Tur'blatt pulled i'to a Par& A Ride 4ust outside o+ Tallahassee, (lorida, as the air pressure i' his right +ro't tire dropped yet agai'% "e sighed a'd sho-ed ope' the dri-er1s side door, getti'g ready to pull out the ha'd cra'& i'+lator he1d bought at a discou't at a local ;alB<art% t too& +ore-er a'd was hell o' his shoulder, but he had 'o choice% There was'1t a gas statio' arou'd +or miles a'd, i+ he tried to dri-e to o'e i' his bro&e' dow' 4eep, he was guara'teed to ha-e a blowBout% That1s 4ust the way his li+e had go'e, so +ar% E-er si'ce high school, >esse had bee' plagued with a' o'goi'g stri'g o+ bad luc&% + somethi'g bad could happe', it would happe' to >esse Tur'blatt% "is promisi'g +ootball career had bee' cut short by a stupid +rea& accide't% The', he1d go'e to commu'ity college, o'ly to drop out a+ter a mi'or mari4ua'a co'-ictio' had 'ulli+ied his +i'a'cial aid% C'sure o+ what to do, >esse had tur'ed to the military, sure that a' athletic guy li&e him would be a great career soldier% >ust his luc&, he was color bli'd 6 the o'e medical malady that could'1t be wai-ed to get him i'to ser-ice a'yway% E-e' the most basic soldier had to be able to tell the di++ere'ce betwee' red a'd gree'% >esse could'1t e-e' do that% >esse was'1t a particularly smart ma', 'or was he particularly charmi'g% The +ew thi'gs he had goi'g +or him i'cluded bei'g 'aturally ha'dsome a'd 'aturally athletic% ;hile those 5ualities alo'e were e'ough to ma&e him the &i'g o+ a'y high school he atte'ded, he1d lear'ed they1d grow' e.ceedi'gly more useless the closer he got to thirty% >esse +li'ched as he stubbed his toe o' a roc& o' the way to his tru'&, a'd &ept mo-i'g% "e ra' a ha'd through s&ullBcut hair a'd pulled ope' the hatchbac&, ya'&i'g out the ha'd pump with a swear% "e wal&ed bac& arou'd to the +ro't o+ the 4eep, a'd ma'aged to stub his toe o' the same dam' roc&% "e be't dow', the hot (lorida su' scorchi'g the bac& o+ his 'ec&, a'd let out a'other mu++led swear as he reali*ed he was

sweati'g buc&ets i' his last clea' shirt% "e started pumpi'g a'd pumpi'g, gru'ti'g with e.ertio' as he struggled to get his slowly lea&i'g tire abo-e D0 psi% :This your car=9 >esse sighed i'wardly a'd tur'ed arou'd to be co'+ro'ted with the 'a-y blue, starched leg o+ a (lorida State Trooper% No, he wa'ted to say, Im siphoning air out of someone elses tire% 'stead, he stretched to his +ull 712 height a'd met the state troopers glare head o'% :?eah, it1s mi'e%9 The trooper let out a :ts&9 sou'd with his to'gue a'd started to pull out a tic&et boo&% :?our registratio' is e.pired%9 >esse 'odded i' agreeme't% : 1m pla''i'g o' getti'g it registered whe' settle%9 The state trooper pulled o++ his mirrored su'glasses as he started to write the tic&et% :A'd where you pla''i'g o' settli'g=9 >esse was about to say E<ississippi1 whe' he 'oticed the trooper had grey eyes% !rey eyes had always had a' e++ect o' him, regardless o+ the ow'er% They always hit him with the same amou't o+ guilt he1d +elt that day i' high school, 'early ele-e' years be+ore% "e always thought o+ !abby <ac<illa'% A'd he could'1t let the image o+ those sad, grey eyes, stra'gely beauti+ul i' her homely +ace, go% >esse had hoped she would go to her reu'io'% "e had 4ust gotte' the 'ews +rom his doctor that his bo.i'g career, shortBli-ed as it was, was o-er whe' he1d decided to go% The o'ly reaso' he1d go'e at all was to see her agai'% To tell her he was sorry a'd that, weirdly, he1d missed her% The 'erdy, o-erweight girl with the aw&ward crush% The girl he had destroyed +or 'o more reaso' the' he +ou'd her crush embarrassi'g a'd he1d bee' a'gry with her% She had'1t go'e to the reu'io'% "er 'ame tag, with her maide' 'ame i' pare'thesis, sat u'claimed o' the table all 'ight% "e1d bee' surprised to lear' she1d gotte' married% "e doubted she had aged well% She was probably e-e' hea-ier at 2F tha' she had bee' at 1G% "e pictured her husba'd as a' o-erweight, baldi'g ma' with a large hoo& 'ose% "er 'ew last 'ame was C&rai'ia'% t made se'se, co'sideri'g she1d +led their <assachusetts hometow' shortly a+ter graduatio' a'd settled dow' i' South (lorida% "e wo'dered i+ she was happy, i+ she1d had childre'% "e wo'dered i+ she still dwelled o' high school the way he did% t would'1t surprise him i+ she did% She had, a+ter all, bee' the -ictim% :?ou o' somethi'g, so'=9 >esse loo&ed up, sha&e' out o+ his thoughts% :,o, sir% >ust o-erheated% Sure is hot here%9 >esse tugged at the collar o+ his tBshirt u'com+ortably a'd stared up at the a+ter'oo' su'% "is thoughts stayed with !abby% The more he thought about it, the more his mi'd stuc& to that day% t was shortly a+ter the day he1d humiliated her i' +ro't o+ the e'tire school that his luc& had started to go bad% : 1m goi'g to <ississippi, sir%9 :Right,9 The trooper 'odded a'd poi'ted to the curb% :)a' you come o-er here +or me=9 >esse 'early growled i' +rustratio' as the trooper started to guide him through a +ield sobriety test% As he said his alphabet bac&wards, he thought more a'd more about !abby% "er sad, grey eyes a'd her bro&e' heart% The way e-erythi'g had go'e per+ectly +or him be+ore that day, a'd how it had all tur'ed to shit a+terwards% Perhaps it had bee' &arma=

:(ollow my pe', so'%9 >esse +ollowed the pe', but his mi'd stayed elsewhere% "e was dow' to his last H800, 'o 4ob prospects i' sight, dri-i'g a bro&e'Bdow' 4eep a'd li-i'g o' a wardrobe o+ +i-e di++ere't shirts a'd the same two pairs o+ 4ea's% <aybe his 4eep had bro&e' dow' +or a reaso'% <aybe &arma was telli'g him that i+ he wa'ted to mo-e +orward, i+ he wa'ted a'ythi'g good to happe' agai', he 'eeded to go bac&% "e 'eeded to apologi*e to !abrielle <ac<illa', the girl he1d o'ce li&ed so much a'd hurt so badly% ;hat could it hurt= "e had 'owhere else to be% As he was hoppi'g o' o'e +oot dow' a straight li'e, he tur'ed his +ace to the trooper% :"ow +ar is <iami +rom here=9 The trooper loo&ed at him i' co'+usio'% :<iami=9 "e tilted his head i' thought% :About eight hours%9 >esse dropped his +oot to the grou'd% "e was less the' G hours +rom !abby% ;hat would it hurt to alter his course a'd see i+ a' apology would actually wor&= :;hy do you as&=9 >esse s'apped his atte'tio' bac& to the trooper% :There1s a girl &'ow3 +rom high schoolI9 Sudde'ly, the ster' trooper1s +ace slid i'to a' easy smile% :(irst lo-e, huh=9 :Somethi'g li&e that%9 :;ell, that e.plai's why you1-e bee' so distracted%9 The trooper smiled a'd closed his tic&et boo&, seemi'g to +orget he was about to issue a tic&et +or a' e.pired registratio'% : married my high school sweetheart% 2est choice e-er made was hu'ti'g her dow' a'd &'oc&i'g o' her door%9 >esse watched i' ama*eme't as the trooper wal&ed arou'd his 4eep, +orgetti'g about the sobriety test a'd i'stead, getti'g stuc& i' his ow' lo-e story% :She1s i' <iami% +igured it 'e-er hurts to try agai'%9 The trooper 'odded, :?eah, but you1re 'ot goi'g to get there o' this tire%9 The trooper &ic&ed the lea&y +ro't dri-er1s side tire o' >esse1s car% :2ut my brotherBi'Blaw 4ust bought a 'ew car a'd has bee' selli'g the parts o++ his old 4eep% Pretty sure o'e o+ his tires would +it yours%9 >esse1s eyebrow shot up% )ould &arma wor& this +ast= :$o you thi'& he1d be willi'g to sell them +or cheap, because do'1t ha-e a lot o+ mo'ey=9 The trooper shoo& his head% :)o'sider it o' me%9 A shoc&ed >esse got i'to his bro&e'Bdow' 4eep a'd +ollowed the trooper to a modest, +amily commu'ity i' >ac&so'-ille% The 'ow ge'ial state trooper i'troduced him to his brotherBi'Blaw a'd they soo' had the +ro't tire o' >esse1s 4eep cha'ged, +ree o+ charge% As >esse pulled out o+ the dirt dri-eway a'd o'to the road, he smiled a'd wa-ed to the brotherBi'Blaw a'd the closet roma'tic state trooper% "e was goi'g to +i'd !abrielle <ac<illa' a'd he was goi'g to +i. what he1d do'e wro'g% (or the +irst time i' a little o-er ele-e' years, he +elt li&e he was +i'ally o' the right path% @@@ !abrielle sat across +rom her husba'd, 'er-ously +iddli'g with her +or& a'd a-oidi'g eye co'tact% E-erythi'g +elt surreal, li&e she was wal&i'g through a dream% A+ter her husba'd a'd !rigor had +i'ished with the body, they had le+t it, presumably

e.pecti'g the Eidiot1 !abrielle to be home a'y mi'ute% She1d waited +or D0 terri+yi'g mi'utes, alo'e with the mutilated body o+ Lu&a, u'til she had +i'ally had the courage to bra-e her way out o+ the attic% She1d slipped out u''oticed a'd the' had spe't the a+ter'oo' dri-i'g arou'd tow', goi'g 'owhere, doi'g 'othi'g% >ust dri-i'g i' a bla'&, pa'ic&ed ha*e, u'sure o+ what to do or i+ she could do a'ythi'g at all% She would'1t go to the cops% She had wit'essed +irstBha'd what happe'ed to people who tal&ed about her husba'd% :The chic&e' is a little tough%9 Please dont kill Lucia. : thi'& it1s 4ust the cut%9 Oh, GodI said cut. !abrielle1s heart started to thump agai'% ,ic& sho-ed his plate away% :Probably% Tell Lucia to start shoppi'g at a di++ere't butcher% This is the third time this wee&%9 !abrielle o++ered a sile't prayer that ,ic& would'1t &ill the butcher +or his subpar selectio'% She 'odded wordlessly% :"ow was shoppi'g=9 It was going great until I came home and witnessed you mutilating someone. : t was +i'e%9 ,ic& too& a sip o+ his wi'e, still watchi'g her care+ully% :"a-e you decided what you wa't +or )hristmas, yet=9 es, a di!orceand please dont kill me. :,o%9 She shoo& her head, tryi'g to get the sou'd o+ a' electric car-i'g &'i+e clea-i'g through bo'e out o+ her thoughts% She started to clear her plate% : 1m 'ot +eeli'g -ery well% thi'& might go lay dow'%9 ,ic& ga-e her a ge'tle smile% :Too much shoppi'g=9 "oo much watching my hus#and and his henchmen commit murder. :Somethi'g li&e that%9 !abrielle could +eel her husba'd1s eyes bur'i'g i'to her bac& as she wal&ed up the stairs% She wo'dered how lo'g it would be u'til he got tired o+ his idiot wi+e a'd she got her tur' with the car-i'g &'i+e% @@@ >esse chec&ed the address +or the third time% Accordi'g to his !PS, this was where !abrielle 'ow li-ed with her husba'd o+ 7 mo'ths, ,icholas ?a&i-% t was better tha' he1d e.pected% <uch better% >esse had e.pected a o'eBbedroom, ti'y house i' a rough part o+ tow'% 'stead, he was loo&i'g at a twoBstory <c<a'sio' with a Le.us i' the dri-eway% !abrielle had do'e -ery well +or hersel+, i'deed% "e slid out o+ the dri-er1s seat a'd wal&ed up the cobblesto'e path li'ed by pristi'e +lowerbeds% !abrielle1s home was located i' a' e.clusi-e gated commu'ity% Luc&ily +or him, the elderly security guard had mista&e' him +or the pool clea'er a'd let him i' without 5uestio'% "e had bee' a+raid to gi-e his 'ame at the gate% "e was a+raid that !abrielle would hear it a'd re+use to see him% >esse too& a deep breath as he raised the brass door &'oc&er a'd rapped o' the door% "e had barely &'oc&ed o'ce whe' the door was pulled ope' a'd a short, middle aged, hea-yset woma' was smili'g at him%

:!abrielle=9 >esse stared at her i' shoc&% "e1d e.pected her to age poorly, but 'ot at twice the rate o+ a 'ormal perso'% "er hair was still deep aubur', but it was strea&ed with grey% "er eyes were hidde' behi'd hea-y bi+ocals% 2e+ore he could get a'other word out, the woma' tur'ed away% :<rs% ?a&i-, you ha-e a -isitor%9 The woma' had a Spa'ish acce't a'd >esse +elt a little stupid +or mista&i'g her +or !abrielle% "is 'er-es were getti'g the better o+ him% :;ho is it=9 "e heard the sou'd o+ approachi'g +ootsteps3 the so+t sopra'o -oice% The' she was there% + it was'1t +or her u'i5ue grey eyes, he would ha-e 'e-er recog'i*ed her% She had lost the weight3 that was clear% The chubby pearBshaped body a'd ugly, bul&y clothes were go'e% She was weari'g a +ormB+itti'g yellow halter top a'd a pair o+ tight low rise 4ea's% She had the body o+ a 801s ce'ter+old% Ti'y waist, rou'ded hips a'd +ull breasts% "er aubur' hair was cut short, i' a chi' le'gth, layered bob that e.posed high chee&bo'es, +ull lips a'd a ti'y butto' 'ose% The 'ose was de+i'itely the result o+ a -ery s&illed plastic surgeo'% The !abrielle he1d &'ow' had a bea& li&e a touca'% :!abrielle=9 She crossed her arms o-er her chest a'd watched him cautiously% :?eah=9 The words were out o+ his mouth be+ore he could stop them% :<y !od, you loo& ama*i'gJ9 She rolled her eyes% :Tell me somethi'g do'1t &'ow%9 A ha'd dropped o' a cur-y hip% :Loo&, i+ you1re tryi'g to +latter me to get me to buy somethi'g, it wo'1t wor&%9 >esse shoo& his head, surprised she had'1t recog'i*ed him% :,o, !abby3 it1s me, >esse%9 !abby1s grey eyes ga-e 'o hi't o+ rememberi'g who he was% :>esse Tur'blatt=9 Still, 'othi'g chimed i' !abby1s memory% :(rom high school=9 "e was starti'g to +eel li&e a' idiot% :"igh school=9 !abby shoo& her head% : did'1t go to high school here3 we't i' I9 :<assachusetts,9 he +i'ished +or her% : &'ow%9 >esse ra&ed his ha'd through his hair i' +rustratio'% :That1s why 1m here 6 to apologi*e%9 :Apologi*e=9 !abby tilted her head i' co'+usio'% :Are you the guy who hit our mailbo. a'd dro-e away=9 She put up a ha'd as he started to spea& agai'% :Loo&, it1s +i'e% 2ut let1s 4ust +orget it happe'ed, o&= <y husba'd was &i'd o+ obsessed about that a'd i+ he +i'ds out who did it, he1ll probably +lip out%9 :,o, I9 This meeti'g was 'ot goi'g as >esse had pla''ed% !abrielle seemed to ha-e 'o memory at all% + a'ythi'g, she seemed distracted a'd a'.ious% She also seemed to be i' a big hurry to get him o++ her doorstep% :Are you o&=9 !abrielle 'early laughed at the stra'ger1s 5uestio'% 0&= She would 'e-er be o& agai'J "er husba'd was a murderer a'd she was a terrible actress% All 'ight, she had struggled to prete'd she was +i'e a'd 'othi'g was wro'g, but ,ic& was starti'g to catch o'% "e1d bee' shooti'g her odd loo&s a'd the odd loo&s were ma&i'g her e-e' more 'er-ous, which made her act e-e' more stra'gely% t was a -icious circle that was goi'g to get her &illed% She still had 'o idea what to do% She could'1t go to the police% "e husba'd was'1t 4ust a &iller, he was a Ki'gpi'% She had see' how that mo-ie e'ded a'd she had 'o desire to wi'd up a bag o+ body parts +loati'g i' 2iscay'e 2ay%

She could ru'% The idea had come a'd go'e a +ew times% She origi'ally pla''ed to prete'd 'othi'g had happe'ed, but she &'ew 'ow that she1d 'e-er be able to pull it o++% E-e' a stra'ger sta'di'g o' her doorstep could tell there was somethi'g wro'g with her% She had to ru'% !abby was -aguely aware she had bee' sile't +or a' aw&ward amou't o+ time, but she did'1t care% She was'1t upset about the mailbo. a'd she hoped >ames or whoe-er he was would 4ust ta&e her +orgi-e'ess a'd mo-e o'% "e was the last thi'g she 'eeded 'ow% She would ru', she +i'ally decided% She would ru' a'd she would'1t ta&e a'ythi'g with her that belo'ged to ,ic&% She still had her sa-i'gs accou't +rom be+ore her marriage% She could get by o' that u'til she +ou'd out what she was goi'g to do% She1d lea-e his credit cards, his car, e-e' the purse he1d gotte' her +or her last birthday% + he saw that she was'1t goi'g to ta&e a'ythi'g o+ his a'd that she was'1t goi'g to cause a'y trouble +or him, maybe he1d let her be% t was a lo'g shot, but it was the o'ly shot she had% ,ow, she 4ust had to +igure out how to get to tow'% :!abby=9 She loo&ed up at the stra'ger% The' she loo&ed behi'd him, to the 4eep par&ed i' the street i' +ro't o+ her house% "er words came out i' a rush% : + +orgi-e you +or the mailbo., will you gi-e me a ride to tow'=9 :<ailbo.=9 "e shoo& his head agai'% :!abby, this is'1t about your mailbo.%9 She 'early screamed i' +rustratio'% ;hat was with this guy= :(i'e, whate-er it1s about% ;ill you gi-e me a ride to tow'=9 :Loo&, do'1t &'ow what1s goi'g o',9 he +i'ally seemed to 'otice the desperatio' i' her eyes, because he rele'ted% :(i'e, 1ll bri'g you to tow'% 1ll bri'g you a'ywhere you wa't to go%9 !abby let out a sigh o+ relie+% :Tha'&s,9 She tur'ed towards the stairs% :>ust wait right there3 please do'1t lea-e o&= 1ll o'ly be a +ew mi'utes%9 "e 'odded a'd !abby raced up the stairs, worried that he would lea-e be+ore she retur'ed% "e was her o'ly hope% She had 'o idea whe' ,ic& would be bac& a'd cabs le+t a trail% She 'eeded him% ;ith her heart thu'deri'g i' her chest, she raced i'to the bedroom she a'd ,ic& shared% She started strippi'g o++ the clothes she1d bought with his mo'ey% She too& e-erythi'g o++ a'd bega' rummagi'g through the drawers +or clothes that had bee' hers si'ce be+ore they got married% A+ter a +ew mi'utes, she was luc&y e'ough to +i'd a' old !ree' $ay tBshirt, a pair o+ poorlyB+itti'g 4ea's a'd a sweatshirt% She had 'o u'derwear% ,ic& had i'sisted o' o'ly highBe'd li'gerie a+ter they were married, a'd had tossed all her old cotto' brie+s% ,o'e o+ her prior u'dergarme'ts had made the cut% She ya'&ed ope' her purse, +ou'd her dri-er1s lice'se a'd the picture o+ her mother that she always carried% She stu++ed them i' the bac& poc&et o+ her 4ea's% (i'ally, she +ou'd the ba'& boo& +rom her old sa-i'gs accou't a'd grabbed that, too% She had 'othi'g o' her that did'1t belo'g to her, e.cept +or her weddi'g ri'g% ;ith eyes that were surprisi'gly teary, she ya'&ed at the weddi'g ba'd set% She had a mome't o+ pa'ic whe' they re+used to budge% t would all be +or 'othi'g i+ he thought she had stole' the ri'g% The gaudy diamo'd was easily worth si. +igures% She pulled agai' a'd the ri'g merci+ully came loose% ;ith ha'ds sha&i'g so hard they hurt, she dropped the ri'g o' their dresser a'd

made her way bac& dow'stairs% She could o'ly pray he was still waiti'g +or her% @@@ >esse stood i' the doorway o+ !abrielle1s home, waiti'g +or her retur'% She came raci'g dow' the stairs, dressed di++ere'tly tha' she had bee' be+ore% The se.y clothes were go'e a'd, i'stead, she was weari'g a pair o+ 4ea's that were too big +or her, a +aded tBshirt a'd, i+ he was'1t mista&e' +rom the 4iggle he was seei'g whe' she wal&ed, she was 'o lo'ger weari'g a bra% :?ou ready=9 She 'odded happily a'd started to march out the door i' +ro't o+ him% :?ou do'1t 'eed a purse or a'ythi'g=9 She slapped the bac& poc&et o+ her illB+itti'g 4ea's% :!ot e-erythi'g 'eed right here%9 >esse shoo& his head a'd +ollowed her out the door% "is apology was de+i'itely 'ot goi'g as pla''ed%

)hapter 2 >esse1s passe'ger was stari'g at him% "e could +eel her eyes o' his +ace, studyi'g him% (i'ally, she spo&e% :"eyJ9 "er pretty grey eyes were wide% : we't to high school with youJ9 >esse let out a laugh at her stateme't% :As 1-e bee' tryi'g to tell you%9 :"mph,9 She plopped bac& i' her seat, her pretty +ace scru'ched up i' thought% :;hat a weird coi'cide'ce%9 :)oi'cide'ce=9 :?eah,9 She gestured towards him% :The guy who +latte'ed our mailbo. was someo'e we't to high school with% Small world%9 >esse let out a s'ort o+ +rustratio'% "er loo&s had cha'ged, but !abrielle was 4ust as +la&ey as she1d bee' i' high school% : did'1t ru' o-er your mailbo.J9 :0h,9 she shot him a hurt loo&% :;ell you do'1t ha-e to yell at me o-er it% ?ou were the o'e who was apologi*i'g +or ru''i'g it o-er%9 >esse too& a deep breath a'd let it out agai'% : was'1t apologi*i'g +or ru''i'g o-er your mailbo.% was apologi*i'g +or the way treated you i' high school%9 :Really=9 !abrielle thought bac& to high school% #ague memories o+ bei'g a chubby sub4ect o+ ridicule, goi'g home alo'e e-ery day a+ter school to liste' to music, to ta&e care o+ her -arious pets, a'd hold her mother1s ha'd whe' the pai' got bad played i' her mi'd li&e a carousel% :That was li&e a millio' years ago%9 : t was te'% Te' years ago% ?ou 4ust had your high school reu'io'%9 >esse1s +rustratio' was comi'g out i' his -oice, e-e' though he was tryi'g to hide it% !abrielle did'1t miss it% :(or someo'e tryi'g to apologi*e, you1re &i'd o+ bei'g a dic& about the whole thi'g%9 "e gestured to the road% : 1m gi-i'g you a ride%9 :True,9 !abrielle pressed her +orehead to the passe'ger side wi'dow a'd watched the sce'ery +ly past% :;ell, o'ce you drop me o++, you ca' co'sider all +orgi-e' a'd all your si's absol-ed%9 >esse co'sidered her stateme't, wo'deri'g what his 'ew+ou'd &arma god would thi'& o+ that% (i'ally, he shoo& his head 'egati-ely% :?ou ca'1t +orgi-e me +or somethi'g you do'1t remember%9 !abby rolled her eyes a'd shot him a loo&% :Loo&, 1m deeply sorry do'1t remember your tau'ts i' high school% had a large list o+ torme'tors a'd ho'estly, all their +aces ha-e &i'd o+ blurred together% So you ca' either accept the +orgi-e'ess or you could go o' +eeli'g guilty +or the rest o+ your li+e% do'1t care either way%9 "er eyes +ell o'to the ope' road agai'% : ha-e bigger problems right 'ow tha' high school% + could, would go bac& to high school a millio' times o-er, i+ it would get me out o+ the situatio' 1m i' right 'ow%9 "er -oice was so sad, >esse tur'ed to loo& at her% :A'ythi'g ca' help with=9 She shoo& her head% :The o'ly thi'g you ca' help with is bri'gi'g me where 'eed to go a'd droppi'g me o++%9 >esse shoo& his head a'd +ocused o' the road agai'% :;here are we goi'g=9 :Liberty )ity%9 @@@

,ic& ?a&i- arri-ed home to a stra'gely sile't house% :!abby=9 "is -oice echoed o++ the 5uiet walls% t was L pm a'd Lucia was lo'g go'e, lea-i'g him a'd his wi+e alo'e +or the e-e'i'g% :!abby, &itte'% 1m home early%9 "e tossed his &eys o' the table% :Let1s wor& o' that baby you owe me%9 ,ic& raised his eyebrow as the sile'ce o+ the room moc&ed him% t was u'usual +or !abby to 'ot come bou'di'g dow' the stairs as soo' as he ope'ed the door, ready to hop i'to his arms% t was especially u'usual o+ !abby to 'ot respo'd to him whe' he called +or her% "e started to wo'der i+ she was sic&% She1d bee' acti'g stra'gely the 'ight be+ore% "e headed up the stairs to i'-estigate, sure she was lyi'g i' their bed asleep% "e pushed ope' the door to the master suite% :!abby, &itte', you o&=9 t was deserted% The lights were out a'd their &i'g si*ed bed was still made% t had'1t bee' slept i'% :!abby=9 ,ic& was starti'g to get 'er-ous% !abby 'e-er stayed out late o' a Su'day a'd she1d 'e-er le+t the house without lea-i'g him a 'ote% "is eyes dropped to the +loor% The clothes !abby had bee' weari'g whe' he1d le+t were i' a pile o' the +loor% <ore u'usual beha-ior% !abby 'e-er le+t a'ythi'g lyi'g arou'd% She was almost obsessi-ely 'eat% "is eyes +ell o' the dresser they shared% A'ti5ue, polished oa&% t had cost him more the' te' thousa'd dollars% 2ut !abby had wa'ted it, had gi-e' him those big, grey &itte' eyes that made him melt e-ery time% A'd he1d bro&e' out his America' E.press% t was'1t 4ust the dresser he was stari'g at, though% t was the ob4ect sitti'g o' top o+ it% A plati'um gold, pri'cess cut M%8 carat pi'& diamo'd weddi'g ri'g% t had cost him a +ortu'e a'd he1d pic&ed it out himsel+% The seco'd he saw it, he thought o+ her% She1d lo-ed it% She 'e-er too& it o++% C'til today% "e marched towards the dresser a'd pic&ed the ri'g up, mar-eli'g at how ti'y it loo&ed i' his large ha'd% ;he' !abby wore it, it loo&ed giga'tic% "e li&ed the way it loo&ed o' her, li&ed the way a'yo'e could see +rom a mile away that she was ta&e'% She was his% "e pulled out his cell pho'e a'd pressed D o' his speed dial% !rigor pic&ed up be+ore the +irst ri'g was o-er% : 'eed you here 'ow%9 "e glared at the ri'g i' his ha'd, determi'ed to glue it o' to his beauti+ul wi+e1s +i'ger the seco'd he +ou'd her, so she could 'e-er ta&e it o++ agai'% : t seems my wi+e has decided to lea-e me%9 @@@ >esse lea'ed +orward a'd read the peeli'g pai't o' the door% :Stra'gely Sober=9 They were par&ed outside a bar i' o'e o+ the roughest 'eighborhoods i' <iami% >esse was actually pretty surprised that !abrielle would wa't to come here% "e had bee' e.pecti'g to drop his pampered pri'cess o++ at a (our Seaso's, where she could ru' up her husba'd1s credit card i' re-e'ge +or whate-er +ight they were ha-i'g% 'stead, they were idli'g i' +ro't o+ a dilapidated bar, o' a deserted street +illed with empty busi'esses a'd bums loiteri'g i' the alleyway% :?es,9 !abrielle reached +or her door ha'dle a'd shot him a 'er-ous smile%

:Tha'&s so much +or dri-i'g me here% A'd li&e said, whate-er you did, you1re totally +orgi-e' 'ow%9 >esse watched !abby pe'si-ely, wo'deri'g i+ what he1d do'e was e'ough to satis+y the &arma gods a'd ma&e his li+e 'ormal agai'% "e watched her push her way out o+ the 4eep a'd march to the sidewal& i' +ro't o+ the bar, with a determi'ed air% Sha&i'g his head, he put his ha'd to the &ey i' the ig'itio', pla''i'g o' gu''i'g the e'gi'e a'd getti'g the hell out o+ dodge% >ust as he was tur'i'g the &ey, a blue +lame o+ static electricity attac&ed his ha'd so bad that his i'de. +i'ger we't 'umb% :0&, +i'e, we1re 'ot do'e yet%9 >esse muttered as he +lic&ed o++ the e'gi'e a'd pushed ope' his door% "e too& a brie+ loo& arou'd a'd could &i'd o+ u'dersta'd where &arma was comi'g +rom% "e was i'cli'ed to agree% There was 'o way i' hell he was lea-i'g the sheltered !abrielle i' a' area o+ tow' li&e this% E-e' i' her cheaper clothes, e-erythi'g about her screamed mo'ey, +rom her per+ectly styled hair to her per+ectly ma'icured ha'ds% She would be raped a'd murdered i' a matter o+ hours% !abby loo&ed bac& as she reali*ed >esse was +ollowi'g her% : 1m +i'e,9 !abrielle shot a 'er-ous loo& to the bar% : ha-e +rie'ds here%9 "e wal&ed arou'd to her side o+ the car a'd caught her by the elbow% :?ou ha-e +rie'ds here=9 !abby cleared her throat% :;ell, ha-e a +rie'd here%9 She pulled out o+ his grip a'd headed towards the door% >esse +li'ched as she pushed it ope'% The hi'ges had'1t bee' oiled i' years a'd the door screamed i' protest o-er bei'g mo-ed out o+ its slightly ope'/slightly closed state% :!abbyI9 >esse started to spea&, but she was already sho-i'g hersel+ i'to the bar% "e +ollowed her i'% The i'side matched the outside% t was bro&e' dow'3 the smell o+ rotti'g wood, cigarette smo&e a'd old -omit hu'g hea-y i' the air% ' the ce'ter o+ the bar, two me' sat at a crea&y, sha&i'g table, playi'g a game o+ chess% 0'e was middleB aged, talia', with blac& hair that was 4ust starti'g to grey at the temple% "e was the de+i'itio' o+ ruggedly ha'dsome% The other ma' de+ied de+i'itio'% E-e' seated, >esse could tell he was the appro.imate si*e o+ a re+rigerator% "e was mid'ight blac&, completely bald a'd completely e.pressio'less% 0'e o+ the ma'1s eyes was pitch blac&3 so dar&, the pupil was 'o lo'ger discer'able% The other was co-ered i' a' eye patch% + !abrielle was claimi'g she had a +rie'd here, >esse was seriously starti'g to worry about what &i'd o+ boo& clubs she was 4oi'i'g% 2oth the me' tur'ed towards them whe' they wal&ed i' a'd were eyei'g them with ope' hostility% >esse was 4ust starti'g to prepare +or a +ight, whe' a 'ew -oice ra'g out% :!abby, you horrible cu'tJ9 They both spu' as a blo'd woma' i' her midBthirties rou'ded the bar% : t1s about time you came to chec& out the 'ew digsJ9 The woma' was pretty, but i' a' i'credibly rough way% "er hair was bleached blo'de, with a good +our i'ches o+ dar& roots stic&i'g out o+ the top% A +ourBi'ch scar ra' +rom right u'der her right 'ostril all the way up to her ear% "er eyes were redBrimmed a'd bloodshot, as though she1d bee' up +or a lo'g period o+ time% !abby let out a sigh o+ relie+ 'e.t to him a'd the me' we't bac& to their chess game% :SalJ9 >esse watched i' shoc& as his pri'cess raced arou'd the cur-e o+ the mahoga'y bar to hug the blo'de woma'% : 1-e missed you so muchJ ?ou really ha-e to stop disappeari'g%9

Sal ga-e a croo&ed smile% : t1s &i'd o+ my thi'g%9 :2ut si. mo'ths=9 Sal sighed% :;hat ca' say= <ista&es were made, peacoc&s were stole'%9 She wa-ed a ha'd clutchi'g a cigarette% : t1s all water u'der the bridge%9 "er eyes met >esse1s a'd +or a seco'd, he was ta&e' abac&% "er ga*e was +amiliar% "er eyes were the eyes he1d see' be+ore% They were the eyes o+ a &i'gpi' telli'g him to throw a +ight% They were the eyes o+ a bo.i'g ri'g doctor who told him o'e more co'cussio' would'1t matter% They were da'gerous eyes% ;hoe-er this Sal was, she was more tha' a barte'der% She too& a drag o++ her cigarette a'd eyed him with suspicio'% :;ho1s this=9 "e reached out a ha'd to sha&e% : 1m >esse Tur'blatt, ma1am%9 She loo&ed at his ha'd as though he1d e.te'ded a s'a&e% :<a1am=9 She shot her ga*e to the table across the bar, +ocusi'g o' the dar&Bhaired ma' with her same bloodshot eyes% :!io, am old e'ough to be a ma1am=9 : ' my mi'd, you1re always twel-e, Sally girl%9 Sal sighed, :Such is my li+e%9 She loo&ed !abrielle deep i' the eye% :Tell me, what is the poi't o+ bei'g a crimi'al mastermi'd whe' you ca'1t e-e' get the respect o+ your ow' u'cle=9 She tur'ed bac& towards the bar% :So, what are you ru''i'g +rom, pretty, pretty !abby=9 Sal too& a'other drag o++ her cigarette% !abby let out a 'er-ous giggle% :;ho said was ru''i'g=9 Sal s'orted% : &'ow the loo& o+ hu'ted prey whe' see it%9 !abby swallowed deeply a'd shot a loo& to >esse% :)a' we tal& i' pri-ate=9 Sal ya'&ed up the partitio' i' her bar a'd gestured !abby i'% :Sure thi'g% ;e ca' use my wor&room% Tha'&s to my 'ew assista't, it is almost 100N rat +ree%9 !abby started to +ollow her a'd >esse caught her arm agai'% :,o%9 ,o way was &arma god o& with !abby disappeari'g i'to the bowels o+ a crimi'al1s hideout% "e was sure that1s where he was 'ow% This was 'o regular bar a'd these were 'o regular people% "is brie+ sti't i' u'regulated bo.i'g had taught him how to recog'i*e the seedy u'derworld whe' he saw it% !abby did'1t belo'g i' it% !abby glared at him% :Liste', 1-e already +orgi-e' you% t1s already i' the past%9 She wa-ed a ha'd towards the door% :?ou ca' go 'ow with your co'scie'ce completely absol-ed, o&=9 She loo&ed to where the clearly i'sa'e Sal was waiti'g to lead her dow' to her Erat +ree1 wor&room% :She ca' help me 'ow%9 !abby tried to tug her arm +ree% :?ou ca'1t%9 : might be able to i+ you would tell me what1s wro'g%9 >esse was 'o lo'ger co'-i'ced that !abrielle was a spoiled millio'aire1s wi+e tryi'g to get re-e'ge o' her husba'd% She was clearly scared a'd clearly i' o-er her head, i+ she was co'sideri'g mi.i'g up with the li&es o+ Sal% !abrielle let out a sigh, her +ace +illed with te'sio' a'd +rustratio'% :Loo&, 1ll be +i'e%9 "er -oice was soothi'g% t was a -oice she had used be+ore, a'd it had always wor&ed to calm ,ic& dow' whe' he got upset about somethi'g% ;eirdly, >esse was'1t buyi'g it% She tried agai'% : ts 'othi'g you 'eed to i'-ol-e yoursel+ i'%9 >esse was +irm% :?ou1re 'ot goi'g a'ywhere without me%9 !abby ga-e a heart+elt sigh a'd tur'ed bac& towards Sal% :$o you mi'd i+ he comes=9 Sal watched >esse care+ully a'd too& a drag o++ her cigarette% : do'1t care who

comes, so lo'g as get paid%9 She watched as !abby 'odded a'd wal&ed dow' the stairs to her mysterious wor&room% Sal threw up a' arm a'd bloc&ed >esse1s way be+ore he could +ollow her, the 'o'chala'ce go'e% : &'ow how to cho&e a ma' with his ow' shirt%9 She tur'ed to >esse a'd suc&ed a'other drag o++ her cigarette% >esse tried to sho-e his way past her a'd Sal ga-e him a smir&% "e tilted his head a'd reali*ed that the two me' playi'g a game o+ chess were 'o lo'ger playi'g% They were sta'di'g a'd watchi'g him, waiti'g +or his 'e.t mo-e% :A'd ha-e Lyme i' the baseme't%9 A'other drag% >esse &'ew, 4ust by loo&i'g at Sal 6 this was her house a'd he would play by her rules, e-e' i+ he did'1t &'ow what they were, yet% >esse cle'ched his +ists, his e'tire body wa'ti'g to go i'to +ight mode, despite the +act that he &'ew he was outmatched% Si'ce lear'i'g that !abby was i' serious trouble, a'd 'ot throwi'g a spoiled rich wi+e ta'trum, somethi'g primal i' him had wo&e' up% Somethi'g that told him to protect her at all costs% "is 'ostrils +lared a'd he lea'ed dow' to meet Sal 'ose to 'ose, 'ot cari'g about what she or her patro's could do to him% ,ot i+ she was goi'g to &eep him +rom !abby% "is -oice was gra-e whe' he spo&e agai'% : o'ly wa't to help her%9 To his surprise, Sal raised her arm a'd let him pass% Right as he bega' to mo-e past her, she met his ga*e deadBo' a'd ga-e him a co'spirator1s wi'&% :"a-e'1t you e-er heard the road to hell is pa-ed with good i'te'tio's=9 @@@ : swear, she was completely +aith+ul%9 A terri+ied ma' sat i' the wi'gchair i' his li-i'g room, loo&i'g up at a +urious ,ic&% <arcus, the ma' bei'g i'terrogated, had bee' hired +or o'e thi'g a'd o'e thi'g o'ly% To +ollow his !abrielle a'd to e'sure that she stayed committed to ,ic&% To date, all o+ <arcus1 reports had bee' mu'da'e% !abrielle we't to the store% !abrielle was lear'i'g how to pai't% !abrielle was lear'i'g C&rai'ia'% That part had touched him% 2ut, i' e-ery si'gle o'e o+ <arcus1 reports, E!abrielle has ta&e' a lo-er1, had 'e-er bee' a sub4ect li'e% As +ar as the ma' hired to watch his wi+e was co'cer'ed, !abrielle was as i''oce't as the dri-e' s'ow% ,ic& lea'ed +orward, his dar& eyes +lashi'g% :The' why the hell is Lucia telli'g me that she too& o++ with some ma' yesterday=9 ,ic& was +urious% 0' disco-eri'g his missi'g wi+e, he1d ope'ed his ow' i'-estigatio', complete with e-ery he'chma' at his disposal% "e1d always had !abrielle watched a'd she1d 'e-er disappoi'ted him% She did'1t cheat3 she did'1t +lirt% She seemed e'tirely obli-ious that other me' e.isted at all% "e shot a +urious loo& at his house&eeper% :Tell it agai'%9 Lucia clutched her 'ap&i' she1d bee' usi'g to 'er-ously clea' his di'i'g room table, despite the +act that it was spotless% :A ma' came to the door% "e said somethi'g about the mailbo.% !abrielle le+t with him%9 ,ic& growled i' +rustratio' a'd grabbed a -ase that had bee' sitti'g o' the table% "e studied it +or a mome't a'd the' sudde'ly, tossed it across the room, watchi'g i' mild satis+actio' as it smashed agai'st the +ar wall% E-eryo'e but !rigor +li'ched% The', as 5uic&ly as his temper ta'trum had started, it was o-er% "e tur'ed bac& to his 5uarry, <arcus, loo&i'g stra'gely calm% :So he destroyed my mailbo. a'd stole my wi+e=9

<arcus lea'ed +orward i' his chair% :<r% ?a&i-, swear, she 'e-er ga-e a'y i'dicatio'%9 <arcus swallowed as ,ic&1s +urious eyes la'ded o' him% :She o'ly we't shoppi'g yesterday% 'e-er lost sight o+ her o'ce% She we't to a +ew stores a'd the' dro-e bac& home%9 <arcus let out a 'er-ous laugh% : could e-e' tell you e-ery si'gle o'e o+ the )hristmas prese'ts she got +or you%9 ,ic& co'sidered his stateme't% :)hristmas prese'ts=9 <arcus 'odded, desperate to ma&e his boss u'dersta'd% :?es% As +ar as could tell, she was shoppi'g +or you all day yesterday%9 ,ic& swallowed as a' idea started to +orm% :;hat time did she come home=9 :Arou'd three% The house&eeper tried to help her u'pac&, but !abrielle would'1t let her% She too& all the bags she had a'd we't bac& i'side%9 <arcus too& a deep breath% :A+ter that, le+t, because it loo&ed li&e she was home +or the 'ight a'yway%9 "e +ocused his dar& ga*e o' Lucia% : t is true, <r% ?a&i-% She brought i' gi+ts +or you, but would'1t let me help% thi'& she was goi'g to hide them%9 ,ic& cleared his throat% :"ide them where, Lucia=9 Lucia watched him 'er-ously, still twisti'g the 'ap&i' i' her ha'ds% : ' the attic, thi'&%9 ,ic&1s eyebrow shot up% t could'1t be possible% "e met !rigor1s eyes a'd 'odded towards the seco'd +loor% !rigor +ollowed close behi'd him as he headed +or the seco'd +loor% :$o you really thi'& she saw=9 ,ic& did'1t a'swer him% 'stead, he ya'&ed dow' the attic ladder a'd asce'ded be+ore !rigor could cut i' +ro't o+ him% The room had bee' clea'ed, the body remo-ed, but still, the metallic sce't o+ blood clu'g% "e loo&ed arou'd +or a hidi'g place a'd his ga*e +ell o' the brow' slatted +oldi'g door o+ a closet that he a'd !abrielle had 'e-er used% t was too i'co'-e'ie't% ;ith !rigor hot o' his heels, ,ic& ya'&ed ope' the slidi'g door% 'side, he +ou'd a hapha*ardly stac&ed pile o+ prese'ts% The arm o+ a brow' wool sweater was da'gli'g out o+ o'e o+ the bags3 a 'ew set o+ gol+ clubs was stic&i'g out o+ the other% ' the middle o+ the massi-e mou'tai' o+ gi+ts, he saw a small i'de'tatio'% t was 4ust the si*e o+ !abrielle1s cur-y body% "e pulled the door shut a'd peered through the slats to co'+irm his suspicio'% "is wi+e had see' e-erythi'g%

)hapter D !abby +ocused a sel+Bco'scious loo& at >esse% She was +righte'ed o-er the reaso' she 'eeded Sal1s cou'sel a'd she was hesita't to let a'yo'e else i' o' her secret% Truth be told, she1d go'e to Sal because she &'ew Sal could be discreet% The last thi'g she 'eeded was >esse getti'g i'-ol-ed i' her 'ightmare% She stretched to ma&e hersel+ com+ortable i' the plastic beach chair Sal had o++ered a'd +i'ally ga-e up% >esse was'1t goi'g a'ywhere% : 'eed to disappear%9 She heard >esse suc& i' a breath a'd ig'ored it% Sal, at least, seemed less co'cer'ed o-er her stateme't% 'stead, she +illed a shot glass +ull o+ 181 a'd sho-ed it at her% :$o'1t we all%9 !abrielle swallowed, 'ot wa'ti'g to share more o+ the story% She co'sidered pushi'g the shot away, a'd the' elected to ta&e it% (eeli'g a little bra-er a+ter she swallowed the +iery li5uid, she we't o'% :Liste', it1s becauseI9 Sal held up a ha'd% :Trust me, i+ there1s somethi'g that ma&es you 'eed to disappear, the less people you share it with, the better%9 !abby too& a'other shot Sal o++ered grate+ully3 relie-ed she would'1t ha-e to share her 'ightmare story% : 1m assumi'g you1re loo&i'g +or crede'tials=9 !abby tilted her head 5ui**ically as she coughed o-er the 181% :)rede'tials=9 Sal let out a sigh% :?ou are 'ot cut out +or a li+e o+ crime%9 She too& her ow' shot a'd we't o'% :)rede'tials% Passport, dri-er1s lice'se% All that 4a**%9 !abby 'odded% Sal stretched a'd stood% :<oo&i, we got a 4ob%9 !abby spu' arou'd as a bleach blo'de sur+er boy appeared out o+ 'owhere behi'd them% "e clutched a bo'g i' his ha'd a'd brought the disti'ct smell o+ mari4ua'a with him% :;hat1s up=9 :;e are i' 'eed o+ your artistic abilities%9 :$ig it%9 "e too& a hit o++ his bo'g% :Passport, dri-er1s lice'se= The whole sheba'g=9 :The whole sheba'g, times two% ;e 'eed a male a'd a +emale%9 !abby put up a ha'd% : o'ly 'eed o'e%9 She gestured to >esse% :"e1s 'ot comi'g with me%9 Sal eyed >esse% :Shame%9 She met !abby1s eyes agai'% :Regardless, they1re both +or you%9 !abby was co'+used% :?ou clear customs as a male% People are less li&ely to loo& at you i+ they1re loo&i'g +or the wro'g ge'der%9 She ga-e a 'od to <oo&i who we't o++ to begi' his wor&% :?ou arri-e i' )osta Rica a +emale% t1s li&e you 'e-er e.isted at all%9 She ga-e a'other wi'&% :Trust me3 i+ you1re loo&i'g to disappear, you1-e come to the right girl% Accordi'g to the RS, died +our years agoJ9 !abby too& a'other deep breath, a'd a'other, a'd a'other% Soo', she was gaspi'g% Somewhere, she heard someo'e say she was ha-i'g a pa'ic attac&% She -aguely +elt >esse press a ha'd i'to her lower bac&% A bag was sho-ed o-er her +ace a'd she breathed i'to it grate+ully, the sou'd o+ crumpli'g paper +i'ally drow'i'g out the sou'd o+ the electric car-i'g &'i+e% :That1s right,9 A ha'd co'ti'ued rubbi'g small circles i'to her bac&% :?ou1re doi'g good% ?ou1re doi'g real good% >ust &eep breathi'g%9 The world arou'd her started

to come bac& i'to +ocus a'd she could +eel >esse1s lips brushi'g agai'st her ear% She +elt a small tremor o+ e.citeme't at his close'ess that she tried to sha&e away% $e-elopi'g a crush was the last thi'g she 'eeded% "is ha'd co'ti'ued to rub her bac& i' small circles that rela.ed her% She +elt sa+e% (or the +irst time si'ce she1d +ou'd out her husba'd was a murderer, she +elt sa+e% :Tha'&s,9 She gasped out as she sat bac& up agai'% : 1m sorry% >ustI e-erythi'g got to be too much%9 >esse watched !abby1s pretty +ace i' co'cer'% She was white as a sheet a'd her eyes were tight% "e could tell she was tryi'g to be bra-e, but that she was bo'e tired a'd terri+ied% : t1s o&%9 "e caught her chi' a'd tilted her +ace towards his% :,o o'e is goi'g to let a'yo'e hurt you, o&=9 !abby 'odded a'd we't bac& to breathi'g i'to her paper bag% "e could +eel Sal1s redBrimmed eyes bur'i'g i'to the side o+ his +ace% 2ut this time, whe' he loo&ed up, her e.pressio' was'1t +illed with s&epticism or suspicio'% 'stead, it loo&ed li&e somethi'g a&i' to amused admiratio'% She waited u'til !abby was u'der co'trol be+ore she spo&e agai'% :$o 'eed to do somethi'g besides getti'g you tic&ets=9 !abby shoo& her head i' co'+usio', clutchi'g the paper bag i' her ha'd% :;hat=9 :Are you i' more trouble the' disappeari'g ca' help=9 !abby shoo& her head agai'% :,o, do'1t thi'& so%9 "er +ace too& o' a stubbor' set% :,o, 1m sure% 2ut 'eed a +a&e passport% ,ot tic&ets to a'ythi'g%9 :Tic&ets are +a&e passports% + you1re goi'g to embar& o' a crimi'al li+e, you could at least try to lear' the li'go,9 Sal admo'ished her% :They1ll be ready i' two days%9 She caught !abby1s horri+ied loo& a'd ga-e a sad smile% :Sorry3 i+ could do it soo'er, would% 2ut that1s 4ust how lo'g it ta&es +or <oo&i to ma&e crede'tials that ca' +ool a go-er'me't o++icial%9 She gestured towards the door% :0+ course, you1re welcome to stay here u'til that time%9 2oth >esse a'd !abby watched as a rat the si*e o+ a' o-erweight tabby s&ittered across the +loor% !abby ga-e a te'se smile% : 1m sure we1ll be +i'e%9 She let out a'other deep breath alo'g with a'other clutch o+ her brow' paper bag% :;hat do owe you=9 Sal shoo& her head% :,o charge%9 :Sal,9 !abby loo&ed at her i' shoc&% : i'sist%9 Sal shoo& her head% :,ope, owed you a solid%9 : ga-e you a threeBbloc& rideJ9 !abrielle raised her head o++ >esse1s shoulder a'd he watched her with amuseme't% :That is 'ot worth te' thousa'd dollars1 worth o+ +orged crede'tialsJ9 Sal 5uir&ed her lips% :So you ha-e'1t +orgotte' e-erythi'g told you=9 She let out a sigh% :(a-ors are worth whate-er decide they1re worth%9 She pulled a busi'ess card out o+ her wallet% : will see you i' two days%9 !abrielle too& the busi'ess card a'd stopped argui'g% ,o o'e had e-er wo' a' argume't with Sal, a'd 'o o'e e-er would% She had 'o illusio's that she would be the +irst% :(i'e, but 1m gi-i'g to charity i' your 'ame%9 :$o what you +eel, pretty !abby%9 Sal wi'&ed agai'% :>ust do'1t +orget to come bac& i+ you 'eed me%9

@@@ >esse held !abby care+ully as she climbed i'to the passe'ger side o+ his 4eep% The trip to the Stra'gely Sober had ta&e' a lot out o+ her% The whole day had ta&e' a lot out o+ her, a'd she was starti'g to loo& drai'ed% "e brushed her hair out o+ her +ace a'd buc&led her i', +eeli'g oddly protecti-e% :;here to 'ow=9 :There1s a motel dow' the street that will let me pay i' cash% ?ou ca' drop me there%9 >esse1s ha'ds tighte'ed o' the steeri'g wheel% : 1m 'ot lea-i'g you alo'e%9 !abby let out a'other sigh% :Liste', >esse, whate-er you did to me i' high school, you1-e completely made up +or it a+ter this cra*y 'ight%9 She pressed her +ace agai'st the glass o+ his passe'ger side wi'dow as she abse'tly wo'dered what her 'ew li+e i' )osta Rica would be li&e% :>ust drop me o++ a'd mo-e o'% Trust me3 you wa't 'o part o+ my cra*y li+e%9 >esse1s grip got e-e' harder% :C'til you1-e actually remembered what did to you, a'd u'til you1-e actually pu'ched me i' the +ace +or what did to you, co'sider my debt u'paid a'd 1m cli'gi'g to you li&e a bar'acle%9 "e caught her ti'y ha'd 4ust as it was +lyi'g at his +ace% t was li&e bei'g attac&ed with butter+ly wi'gs% >esse ga-e her a ster' loo&% :(irst, that was adorable% Remi'd me to teach you how to throw a dece't pu'ch later%9 "e pushed her ha'd bac& o'to her &'ee% :Seco'd, the pu'ch i' the +ace does'1t cou't i+ you do'1t remember me%9 "e +lic&ed o' his tur' sig'al% :A'd third, whe' you do decide to pu'ch me i' the +ace, please do'1t do it while 1m dri-i'g%9 "e could +eel !abrielle seethi'g +rom the passe'ger seat a'd had to hold i' a chuc&le% She was cute whe' she was mad% (i'ally, she calmed dow'% :So where are we goi'g=9 : 1m getti'g us a room at a place that does'1t re't by the hour%9 "e could practically +eel the te'sio' pouri'g o++ o+ her% : 1m married%9 : &'ow%9 A'd he1d already decided that they were goi'g to discuss that situatio' +urther as soo' as he got them settled i' a room% ;hate-er she was ru''i'g +rom, her husba'd was at the dead ce'ter% There was 'o way he was getti'g his ha'ds bac& o' her% :?ou1re sa+e with me, o&=9 !abby +elt his ha'd drop to her &'ee, but she had 'o desire to push it o++% + his o'ly ulterior moti-e was +orgi-e'ess +or a crime she could'1t1 remember, the' she was +i'e with that% All she cared about was that whe' he told her she was sa+e, she belie-ed him @@@ :She was spotted i' Liberty )ity%9 ,ic& suc&ed i' a stra'gled breath% :Please tell me you1re 4o&i'g%9 !rigor shoo& his head sadly% :She was see' there with a ma' who matches the descriptio' o+ your pool clea'er% ;e thi'& he ga-e her a ride%9 : 'to Liberty +uc&i'g )ity=9 ,ic& slammed his ha'ds dow' o' the table% :That1s the most da'gerous part o+ <iamiJ9 :She was'1t there lo'g% 0'ly +or a meet with the Sal-atori crew%9 :The Sal-atori crew=9 The suggestio' did 'othi'g to soothe him% The Sal-atori crew was smallBtime, but -icious% "e &'ew that !abby had a sort o+ +rie'dship with their

lead, but he1d chose' to discourage it% A'gelica Sal-atori, who !abby called Sal, was rumored to be more tha' a little u'bala'ced% "e thought o+ his +ragile little !abrielle, terri+ied by what she had see', raci'g alo'g +or a'y &i'd o+ help she could get% :She was i' a'd out i' less the' twe'ty mi'utes% ;ith the pool clea'er%9 ,ic& cle'ched his +ists% : wa't her retur'ed to me% wa't her retur'ed to me u'harmed a'd wa't the pool clea'er dead +or ta&i'g her%9 "e shot a' icy cold loo& to his seco'd i' comma'd% :$o you u'dersta'd=9 !rigor 'odded wordlessly a'd mo-ed o' to do his master1s biddi'g% t was goi'g to be a' i'teresti'g wee&%

)hapter M :;as he abusi-e=9 >esse rolled o'to his side to appraise !abrielle1s respo'se% They were stayi'g i' a midBra'ge, +amilyB+ocused hotel chai' i' a much less scary part o+ <iami tha' Liberty )ity% "e1d gotte' them a room with two double beds% !abby had wa'ted separate rooms at +irst, but >esse had tal&ed her out o+ it% "e wa'ted her to stay close% !abrielle laid o' her ow' bed, her eyes o' the ceili'g% She sighed% :,o%9 She shoo& her head 'egati-ely% :"e could be a little i'te'se, but he 'e-er hit me or a'ythi'g%9 :2ut you1re cha'gi'g your ide'tity a'd +leei'g the cou'try to a-oid him=9 !abrielle rolled o'to her side a'd +ocused her ga*e o' >esse% :Liste', that part, Sal was right about% The less people who &'ow, the better%9 >esse +olded his arm behi'd his head a'd decided to let the issue drop +or awhile% "e1d get it out o+ her e-e'tually% 'stead, he we't +or a sub4ect cha'ge% :"ow does someo'e li&e you get ta'gled up with someo'e li&e Sal, a'yway=9 !abby smiled at the memory% : met her about three years ago% was dri-i'g past a re'aissa'ce +air a'd she was bei'g chased by a group o+ -illagers with pitch+or&s a'd torches%9 !abrielle s'orted% : t was &i'd o+ surreal% slammed o' my bra&es a'd let her i' the passe'ger seat% 1m 'ot e-e' sure why did%9 :Please tell me you1re ma&i'g this up=9 >esse was lea'i'g +orward with i'terest% !abby shoo& her head 'egati-ely% :,ope% Tur's out, she was ha-i'g o'e o+ her Eepisodes1% She tried to orga'i*e a hostile ta&eo-er o+ a' imagi'ary &i'gdom%9 :0'e o+ her episodes=9 :?eah,9 !abby rolled o'to her bac&% :She1s i'sa'e%9 >esse shot to a seated positio'% :Literally=9 :Para'oid schi*ophre'ia%9 "e tur'ed towards !abby, his +ace serious% :A'd you1re goi'g to her +or help=9 "e shot up +rom the bed% :>esus, !abbyJ "ow much trouble are you i' that you1re goi'g to a cra*y perso' +or help=9 !abby crossed her arms o-er her chest a'd re+used to loo& at >esse% :She1s 'ot always cra*y% >ust sometimes% <ost o+ the time, she1s 'ormal%9 "er brow wri'&led% :;ell, 'ot really 'ormal, but as 'ormal as she ca' get%9 >esse had started paci'g the room% :"ow do you &'ow that she1s e-e' goi'g to come through= "ow do you &'ow that she ca' help you a'd get you out o+ the cou'try=9 "e sat agai', this time, o' !abby1s bed a'd she lea'ed up o' her elbows to see him% :2ecause she1s do'e thi'gs li&e this be+ore% All the time% t1s what she does%9 !abby lay bac& dow'% :<a&i'g a couple o+ $ cards +or me is 'othi'g%9 >esse lea'ed towards her agai', tryi'g to get her to loo& at him% :!abby, what &i'd o+ trouble are you i'= ?ou1re getti'g +a&e $1s so you ca' lea-e the cou'try% ?ou1re co'sorti'g with crimi'als=9 !abrielle s'orted% :Says the guy who ra' o-er my mailbo. a'd dro-e away% That1s a +ederal o++e'se, you &'ow%9 : did'1t ru' o-er your mailbo.J9 "e grabbed !abby by the upper arms a'd ga-e her a rough sha&e% :$o you ha-e a'y idea how stupid you1re bei'g=9 !abby1s eyes +lashed with a'ger% : 1m 'ot stupid%9 She sho-ed her way bac&% :?eah, might 'ot be the smartest perso' i' the world, but 1m 'ot a' idiot%9

>esse sighed a'd shoo& his head% :That1s 'ot what mea't, !abby%9 "e ga-e her shoulders a s5uee*e% : 4ust do'1t thi'& you1re thi'&i'g clearly%9 "e released her a'd tur'ed so he was seated 'e.t to her, his head pressed agai'st the headboard o+ the bed% :"a-e you thought that maybe i+ you told someo'e, they might ha-e other ideas=9 !abby shoo& her head% : ca'1t tell a'yo'e% They could get hurt, too%9 : 1ll 'e-er tell a'yo'e% ,o o'e e-er 'eeds to &'ow that &'ow%9 ;he' she stayed sile't, he we't o'% :A'yway, i+ a'yo'e was watchi'g, they1re goi'g to thi'& &'ow, regardless% Thi'& about it% ?ou le+t i' my 4eep, a+ter your house&eeper saw you tal&i'g to me% t wo'1t ta&e lo'g +or a'yo'e to +i'd out who am%9 !abby let out a gasp a'd her eyes sudde'ly clouded with tears% : did'1t e-e' thi'& o+ that% 0h, !od, >esse, 1m so sorry%9 She spru'g out o+ the bed% : ha-e to get out o+ here% 1ll go bac& to Sal% >esse, you 'eed to lea-e tow'% ?ou 'eed to lea-e tow' to'ight%9 "er eyes were raci'g arou'd the room, searchi'g +or thi'gs that belo'ged to her% The' she remembered3 she had 'othi'g% She made a dash towards the motel room door a'd had'1t e-e' made it a +oot be+ore >esse1s arm was s'a&i'g arou'd her waist% : 1m assumi'g that mea's you remember what happe'ed i' high school, the'=9 >esse muttered agai'st her ear as he pulled her bac& agai'st his broad chest% :;hat the hell are you tal&i'g about= Let me goJ9 She struggled to brea& +ree, but his grip was li&e iro'% :That was the deal% ?ou remember what happe'ed, you +orgi-e me +or it, let you go% C'til the', you1re 'ot goi'g a'ywhere%9 :$am' it >esseJ9 She struggled i' his grip u'til she was +aci'g him% She pulled bac& a ha'd to hit him a'd he caught it be+ore her wild pu'ch co''ected% : really 'eed to teach you how to pu'ch%9 !abby glared at him with hate i' her eyes% She li+ted a dai'ty +oot while he was +ocused o' her +ace, still loo&i'g amused, a'd slammed it dow' o' his i'step as hard as she could% :0w, (uc&J9 >esse yelped as he released her% :;ell, at least you &'ow how to do that right%9 "e plopped dow' o' the edge o+ the bed a'd bega' rubbi'g his +oot% :This is bigger tha' high school, >esse% This is bigger tha' a couple o+ i'sults a'd +at 4o&es% This is the &i'd o+ big 'o o'e ca' help me with%9 >esse glared at his +oot as he peeled o++ his soc&% A bruise was already starti'g to +orm% :;ell, maybe they could, i+ you would tell them what1s goi'g o'%9 !abby threw her ha'ds up i' the air% :(i'e, you wa't to &'ow, >esse=9 "er heart was pou'di'g a'd whe' she ma'aged to push the words out, they came out li&e a 4er&y burst o+ gu'+ire% :<y husba'd is a C&rai'ia' mobster a'd whe' he +i'ds me, he1s goi'g to &ill me%9 She threw a wild gesture at >esse, :A'd probably a'ybody 1m with%9 The' she passed out% @@@ ;he' !abby awo&e, she was stari'g at a' eggshellBwhite motel room ceili'g% There was a cold cloth o' her 'ec& a'd someo'e was tal&i'g to her i' a low, soothi'g -oice% She bli'&ed o'ce, bli'&ed agai' a'd tried to +ocus% :;elcome bac&%9 >esse started rubbi'g her +orehead with the cloth a'd she loo&ed up at him stupidly% :So how did you lose the weight=9 "er brow' eyebrows crumpled i' co'+usio'% :;hat=9

:The weight%9 >esse reached o-er to a' ice buc&et a'd dipped the cloth i' the water agai'% "e s5uee*ed it out a'd put it bac& o' her +orehead% :?ou1-e dropped at least eighty pou'ds% "ow1d you do it=9 !abby sat up a'd pulled the cloth o++ her +orehead% :At&i's%9 She ha'ded the cloth bac& to >esse% :?ou1re 'ot goi'g to as& about my husba'd bei'g a C&rai'ia' mobster=9 >esse shoo& his head% :,ope%9 "e dropped the cloth bac& i' the ice buc&et% :The way see it, you1-e already bee' through e'ough% Truth be told, already &i'd o+ +igured out the whole EC&rai'ia' mobster1 a'gle a'yway%9 :Really= "ow=9 :;ell,9 >esse tur'ed a'd pic&ed up the ice buc&et to dump it i' the si'& i' the bathroom% :?ou li-e i' a giga'tic house i' <iami with a wealthy C&rai'ia' ma' who has 'o de+i'able career%9 !abby +lopped bac& agai'st the pillows% : am a' idiot%9 >esse smir&ed as he retur'ed to the room with the empty ice buc&et% :,o you1re 'ot%9 :Really=9 !abby glared at him s&eptically% :The' why am the o'ly perso' o' the pla'et who appare'tly had 'o idea that my husba'd was a crimi'al= "e was right% am a' idiot%9 >esse sat o' the bed 'e.t to !abby% :Agai', 'o you1re 'ot% ?ou1re -ery smart%9 "e smiled% :?ou1re 4ust a -ery sweet woma' who o'ly e.pects the best +rom people% Also, i+ he was calli'g you a' idiot, the' 1m glad you le+t him% ,o o'e should treat you li&e that%9 !abby1s +ace heated up a'd she was surprised to +i'd tears pric&li'g her eyelids% :;hy are you bei'g so 'ice to me=9 >esse stood a'd let out a sigh% :2ecause you1re 'ice% ?ou1-e always bee' 'ice% E-e' i' high school, whe' most people were complete pric&s to you, you were still 'ice% 4ust thi'& you deser-e someo'e bei'g 'ice to you +or a cha'ge%9 >esse crossed his arms o-er his chest% : made a mista&e with you be+ore% really hurt you, e-e' i+ you do'1t remember it% The way see it, this is &arma% Karma brought me here +or a reaso' a'd that reaso' is to help you%9 >esse1s serious eyes met hers% : wo'1t +orce you to stay here i+ you do'1t wa't to% + you wa't to ta&e o++ i'to the 'ight, would'1t blame you% 2ut i+ you do decide to stay, the' &'ow that 1m here a'd 1m 'ot goi'g to let a'yo'e hurt you% 0&=9 !abby 'odded% She could'1t spea& o-er the lump i' her throat a'd she did'1t trust hersel+ to, a'yway% :,ow let1s tal& about somethi'g else9 >esse was u'com+ortable with tears% :Somethi'g that does'1t ma&e you cho&e up e-ery +i-e seco'ds%9 "e plopped bac& dow' o' the bed 'e.t to her% :"ow1d you do all this=9 "e gestured i' her directio'% :$o all what=9 :!o +rom a'gstB+illed chubby tee' to smo&i'1 hot supermodel%9 (or the +irst time i' hours, !abby let out a ge'ui'e laugh% :<y mom had a' i'sura'ce policy% A+ter she died, got this +i.ed%9 !abby gestured at her 'ose% :;hile was reco-eri'g +rom the 'ose 4ob, lost my appetite a'd +ourtee' pou'ds% decided to 4ust go with it a'd &ept dieti'g%9 !abby lea'ed bac& o' the pillows% :<y +amily 'e-er had much mo'ey% ;e had to rely o' 'o'Bperishable, starchB+illed +ood to &eep us +ed%9 She ga-e >esse a &'owi'g loo&% :;he' you1re eati'g mac a'd cheese +our times a wee&,

it1s hard to lose weight% ;he' my mom passed, she le+t a' i'sura'ce policy that paid out +i+ty thousa'd dollars% A+ter paid her doctors1 bills, there was still thirty +i-e le+t% t was more mo'ey tha' 1d e-er see' i' my li+e%9 >esse stretched out o' the bed beside her a'd !abby sti++e'ed% :Rela., &'ow you1re married% 4ust wa't to liste' a'd lay dow' at the same time% wo'1t try a'ythi'g%9 !abby 'odded, e-e' though she was weirdly disappoi'ted% :A'yway, with so much mo'ey, decided that could mo-e to a'ywhere wa'ted to go% pic&ed <iami% 2ei'g +rom <assachusetts, always li&ed the idea o+ ha-i'g a summer that 'e-er e'ded% got my 'ose +i.ed a'd lost the weight% was wor&i'g as a barte'der whe' a guy there o++ered me a 4ob i' the # P room o+ his club% t was a great opportu'ity, because was ta&i'g classes duri'g the day%9 !abby let out a 'ostalgic sigh% : was goi'g to be a -eteri'aria'%9 >esse lea'ed up o++ the pillows% :?ou wor&ed i' the a'imal shelter i' high school%9 "e thought bac& to the way !abby1s eyes would light up whe' she tal&ed about the a'imals there% !abby 'odded% : 1-e always lo-ed a'imals% They1re a lot easier to +igure out tha' people%9 She smiled rue+ully% :A'yway, it was wor&i'g out well +or me% o'ly had to wor& a +ew hours a wee& a'd could spe'd the rest o+ my time studyi'g% The' o'e 'ight, some really rich guy came i'% 'stead o+ wa'ti'g me to wait o' him, he wa'ted me to sit at his table% So did%9 : 1m assumi'g the really rich guy is 'ow your husba'd=9 !abby 'odded% : was really 'er-ous at +irst% &ept spilli'g thi'gs a'd apologi*i'g% ,ic& was surrou'ded by all these beauti+ul girls a'd did'1t &'ow how to act arou'd him%9 She shoo& her head% :"e told me was charmi'g% '-ited me out to di''er% Two mo'ths later, we were married% always wo'dered what he saw i' me%9 :;hat do you mea'=9 :"e could ha-e had a'yo'e he wa'ted% 'stead, he chose me%9 !abrielle1s e.pressio' tur'ed bitter% :Tur's out, was 4ust some beauti+ul idiot% All he wa'ted was pretty babies%9 :?ou1re 'ot a beauti+ul idiot%9 >esse i'+ormed her +irmly% :;ell, you1re beauti+ul, do'1t get me wro'g% 2ut you1re 'ot stupid, so please stop sayi'g that%9 :"ow do you &'ow=9 :;hat=9 !abby lea'ed up o' her elbow a'd stared at him i'te'tly% :"ow do you &'ow 1m 'ot stupid= ?ou barely &'ow me%9 >esse laughed% :;ell, you1re 'ot stupid, but you ha-e a terrible memory%9 "e too& i' !abby1s 5uestio'i'g loo&% :?ou tutored me i' biology +or the last si. mo'ths o+ my se'ior year% + it was'1t +or you, would'1t ha-e graduated%9 The' it came bac&% !abby remembered bac& to high school% A ha'dsome dar&B eyed boy she1d had a crush o'% She1d bee' a year behi'd him i' school, but <r% Steer, her Ad-a'ced 2iology teacher, had begged her a'yway% :"e1s goi'g to +ail without you, !abby%9 :$am' it, <r% Steer, 1m a doctor, 'ot a scie'tistJ9 They1d both laughed o-er her 'erdy Star Tre& re+ere'ce a'd she1d agreed, because she li&ed <r% Steer% A'd because >esse was right% She was 'ice% She1d met him e-ery day a+ter school i' the scie'ce lab% Thirty mi'utes e-ery day

o+ her e.plai'i'g the +i'er poi'ts o+ biology a'd goi'g o-er his homewor& with him% At +irst, he1d bee' a'gry a'd sulle' o-er bei'g +orced to ha'g out with the +at girl i' class whe' he could ha-e bee' partyi'g with his popular +rie'ds% 2ut she1d always bee' 'ice% 0-er time, she thought they had become +rie'ds% They1d laughed together% They1d made 4o&es together% She1d de-eloped a little crush o' him, but she &'ew it was hopeless% "e was the ha'dsome, popular +ootball 5uarterbac&% She was the dumpy i'tellectual% t was such a +uc&i'g clichO% The' came that day i' the ca+eteria% t was right a+ter he1d passed his +i'al e.am a'd was about to graduate3 tha'&s to her% "e1d come up to her with a beauti+ully wrapped pi'& bo.% :!abby,9 "e1d loo&ed 'er-ous a'd she1d wo'dered why% "e1d already passed all his tests% :?eah=9 "is +rie'ds were arou'd him s'ic&eri'g% She did'1t &'ow why3 she o'ly &'ew that >esse was acti'g weird% : wa'ted to as& you a 5uestio'=9 !abby had 'er-ously reached +or her bac&pac&% : s it about biology, because do'1t ha-e myI9 >esse had cut her o++% :,o% t1s about prom%9 :Prom=9 Prom had bee' her +a'tasy% She1d see' e-ery >oh' "ughes mo-ie but she1d 'e-er allowed hersel+ to hope% The girl did'1t get the guy, 'o matter how ma'y times the script said she did% ,o way >esse Tur'blatt, the &i'g o+ Esse. "igh, was as&i'g her to prom% : wa't you to come with me%9 "er heart had stopped% "er eyes had +illed with 4oy% >esse Tur'blatt was as&i'g her to prom% : I 1d lo-e to >esse%9 "er -oice had crac&ed with emotio's% She1d 'e-er bee' so happy% >esse had cleared his throat% :!ood, because got somethi'g +or you to wear%9 !abby had gasped% ' all her +a'tasies, she1d 'e-er e.pected it to go this +ar% She1d always pictured hersel+ pic&i'g out her ow' dress, magically droppi'g +i-e si*es a'd da**li'g >esse i' the doorway o+ her mother1s twoBbedroom trailer% She1d rushed to ope' the bo., ploppi'g it o' the lu'ch table% The lu'chroom had go'e still i' a'ticipatio'% All her dreams were comi'g true% The', a+ter rippi'g o++ the pretty pi'& paper, she1d bee' dashed bac& to reality% She ope'ed the bo.% 'side was a paper bag with two dar&, blac& eyeholes cut out% >esse1s moc&i'g -oice echoed i' her ears% :2ecause the o'ly way 1d e-er go a'ywhere with you is with a bag o' your head%9 !abby1s ears had started to ri'g a'd she had +elt her +ace bur'i'g red% All she could hear was the cruel laughter o+ e-eryo'e i' the se'ior class3 their moc&i'g loo&s i'te'si+ied >esse1s i'sult% "er eyes had +illed with tears a'd she1d raced out o+ the lu'chroom with their laughter +ollowi'g her% Echoi'g% Echoi'g louder tha' a car-i'g &'i+e% Echoi'g i' a way that ma&es you ta&e the +irst a-ailable ma' that ma&es you +eel beauti+ul% Echoi'g i' a way that messes you up +or li+e% Echoi'g i' a way that ma&es you blac& out the bad parts, because whe' the cruelest 4o&e was played, your mother was already dyi'g o+ ca'cer a'd you could'1t ha'dle a'ythi'g else% !abby suc&ed i' a gasp as she was dragged bac& to the prese't% >esse, the same

>esse +rom high school, watchi'g her with eyes +illed with guilt% t was guilt he deser-ed% !abby pulled her elbow bac&% She u'tuc&ed her thumb% She sho-ed her +ist out agai', directly at >esse1s 'ose% She threw the pu'ch with all the weight i' her body% A'd she +elt the satis+actio' as she +elt it co''ect% t was wo'der+ul% :(uc& youJ9 !abby screamed as she pulled up +rom the bed% All o+ >esse1s pretty words were +orgotte'% All she could remember was the humiliatio' i' the ca+eteria% ;ell, she was'1t that +at little girl a'ymore% She was beauti+ul a'd she would 'e-er deal with his tau'ts gai'% :(uc& you%9 She did'1t e-e' remember ru''i'g% She could +eel the door closi'g behi'd her% Slammi'g behi'd her% She could hear his desperate plea% :!abby come bac&J9 2ut she was 'e-er comi'g bac&% She was 'e-er comi'g bac& because she was 'e-er goi'g to be the girl she had bee' be+ore% >esse was right% She was 'ice% As +ar as she was co'cer'ed, it was a massi-e character +law% @@@ She had'1t e-e' made it to the par&i'g lot whe' she reali*ed she had 'o idea where to go% Sal had o++ered to let her stay at the Stra'gely Sober, but !abby &'ew that i+ ,ic& +ou'd her there, Sal would'1t 4ust tur' her o-er% She1d probably start a war% E-e' seriously out'umbered, the Sal-atori crew would 'e-er go dow' without a +ight% t was 4ust how they were built% She did'1t wa't a'yo'e to get hurt because o+ her% ;ell, e.cept maybe >esseI a'd ,ic&% A'd she probably would'1t mi'd i+ !rigor were to su++er a' i'4ury or two% !abby loo&ed arou'd u'certai'ly% They were i' a tourismBhea-y area o+ <iami% There were ple'ty o+ other motels, but she did'1t ha-e a dime o' her% All she had was a passboo& to her sa-i'gs accou't, completely useless u'til the ba'&s were ope' i' the mor'i'g% She +ocused her ga*e at the bright lights o+ the strip, ali-e with music a'd bars that catered to tourists% ;ith 'o desti'atio' i' mi'd, she bega' wal&i'g towards them% She had 'o idea what she was goi'g to do, but she would thi'& o+ somethi'g% She had to% As always, she was o' her ow'%

)hapter 8 >esse stared i' the mirror a'd +li'ched i' pai' as he put his 'ose bac& i' the right positio'% !abby1s wild attac& had pac&ed a power+ul hit% "e decided he 'o lo'ger 'eeded to teach her how to pu'ch% >esse sighed, wo'deri'g what to do% She1d ob-iously remembered who he was a'd there was 'o way she wa'ted a'ythi'g to do with him% "e was a+raid to lea-e her alo'e% She was +ragile% She was sweet a'd she de+i'itely did'1t deser-e the li+e she1d bee' gi-e'% :(uc&,9 >esse muttered as he plopped dow' o' the bed, holdi'g a cold cloth to his 'ose to reduce the swelli'g% The pu'ch did'1t bother him the way her e.pressio' had% Those sad, grey eyes, loo&i'g lost, betrayed% "e1d betrayed her a'd he1d 'e-er gotte' o-er it% Appare'tly, she had'1t, either% ,ow, she was o' the ru' +rom a ma' tryi'g to &ill her a'd she did'1t ha-e a'y o+ the 'ecessary e5uipme't to ta&e o' the +ight% >esse wo'dered i+ she1d go bac& to Sal, but he doubted it% She would'1t wa't her +rie'd to get hurt% "e1d wa'ted to go a+ter her whe' she ra' out o+ the room% "e1d started to +ollow her, but stopped, reali*i'g he was the last perso' she wa'ted% "e still wa'ted to go +i'd her, drag her bac& to the room a'd &eep her sa+e, e-e' i+ she did'1t wa't him to% 2ut he thought logically% She was scared e'ough% Cpset e'ough% "e did'1t wa't to bother her +urther% :2ut i+ she does'1t &'ow 1m there%9 >esse stood up a'd loo&ed i' the mirror% "e1d ha-e a bruise i' the mor'i'g a'd a slightly croo&ed 'ose i' the +uture, but he loo&ed o& e'ough to go out i' public% "e1d +ollow her% + she 'eeded him, he1d be there% + 'ot, she1d 'e-er &'ow he was there% >esse stood a'd grabbed his &eys% She could'1t ha-e gotte' too +ar o' +oot% @@@ !abby 'er-ously pushed the door ope'% She pic&ed the 5uietest bar she could +i'd% t was a ta&eo++ o' a' rish pub3 dim, dar&, mahoga'y pa'eli'g a'd classic roc&% She1d hoped she1d be able to at least get o++ the street, hide +or awhile% She +li'ched a little as she reali*ed the place was +illed with college &ids% !abby duc&ed her head a'd pulled o++ her hood as she tried to s'ea& her way to the bathroom% <aybe she could hide out i' o'e o+ the stalls +or the e-e'i'g% :;ow, hello%9 !abby duc&ed her head a little harder, hopi'g someo'e had'1t recog'i*ed her% She +ocused her eyes o' the bathroom door, where a' oldBtimey car-i'g i'dicated it was +or Elassies o'ly1% :;aitJ9 !abby gasped a'd too& a step bac& as her way was bloc&ed by a big blo'de ma', who was barely more tha' a boy, bou'ci'g i' +ro't o+ her li&e a' e.ubera't puppy% :;hat=9 She glared at him a'd he ga-e her a dopy smile% :Are you here with someo'e=9 "e was tall, weari'g a hat that proudly displayed he was +rom the C'i-ersity o+ )e'tral (lorida% "is smile was wide a'd his eyes were u'+ocused% "e1d clearly had o'e too ma'y dri'&s%

: 4ust 'eeded to use the bathroom%9 She sho-ed her way past, hopi'g she was'1t loo&i'g at a dru'&e' co'+ro'tatio' already% "e mo-ed out o+ her way easily a'd ga-e her a good 'atured smile as he did% :;eird% $o'1t you guys usually go i' pac&s=9 :;hat=9 :!irls% thought you all we't to the bathroom i' groups=9 "e swayed aw&wardly a'd !abby reached out a ha'd to steady him% :Tha'&s%9 :,o problem%9 !abby watched his +ace% t was ope' a'd ho'est, a'd a little dit*y% "e seemed to be the harmless type% :?ou o&=9 "e 'odded dru'&e'ly% : celeIcelebrIcelebretati'g%9 "e let out a dru'&e' hiccup% : 1m twe'tyBo'e%9 !abby smiled as she remembered her ow' 21st birthday, which had e'ded with her dru'&e'ly -omiti'g i' the par&i'g lot o+ a <iami $e''y1s% :)o'gratulatio's%9 She smiled at him a'd started to wal& by agai'% "e reached out a'd caught her elbow% !e'tly3 'ot e'ough to cause her alarm% :<e a'd my +rie'ds ha-e a table, i+ you 'eed somewhere to ha'g out%9 !abby co'sidered her optio's% She could hide out i' a bathroom stall or she could at least ha-e a warm seat at a table arou'd a group o+ people% 2ei'g arou'd people +elt sa+er to her% : cha'ged my mi'd about the bathroom% ;here are you guys=9 The dru'& 21ByearBold smiled happily a'd caught her by the ha'd, leadi'g her bac& to a table where +our other guys arou'd his age sat% E-eryo'e i' the group smiled as she approached% :>esus, Kyle, tal& about birthday wishes%9 A dar&Bhaired ma' lea'ed o-er to gi-e him a high +i-e% Kyle dru'&e'ly missed it by a mile% :2irthday wishes=9 !abby was co'+used% :"e wished +or a smo&i'g hot redhead that loo&ed 4ust li&e >essica Rabbit9 The dar&Bhaired ma' ga-e her a o'ce o-er% :?ou1re dead o'%9 !abby smiled happily% :?ou thi'& loo& li&e >essica Rabbit=9 The dar&Bhaired ma' 'odded% :0'ly 'ot a cartoo', which ma&es you e-e' more awesome%9 "e lea'ed dow' a'd smiled% :;hat are you dri'&i'g=9 !abby +elt hersel+ blush a little% : 1m 'ot% do'1t ha-e a'yI9 Kyle cut her o++ a'd wrapped a dru'&e' arm arou'd her shoulder, leadi'g her to a seat at the table% : 1ll pay +or it% saw her +irst%9 The dar&Bhaired ma' glared% :2ut o++ered +irst%9 "e reached out a ha'd a'd ga-e a charmi'g smile to !abby% : 1m <att%9 !abby smiled% :!abby%9 She reached out to sha&e his ha'd a'd !abby laughed out loud as he 'early gasped whe' he touched her% She1d bee' arou'd these &i'd o+ guys be+ore% They were 'erds% She lo-ed 'erds% ,erds, she could ha'dle% She had bee' o'e at o'e time, a+ter all% : do'1t thi'& so% 1m 'ot really loo&i'g +or a hoo&up% ?ou do'1t 'eed to waste your dri'& mo'ey o' me%9 She +elt li&e she was bac& at her old lu'ch table i' high school, with the guys who tal&ed about <ystery Scie'ce Theater a'd argued about whether 2atma' or Superma' would wi' i' a +ight% Kyle lea'ed o-er agai'st her a'd spo&e directly i' her ear% :;e do'1t 'eed o'e +rom you% t1s a biological law o+ attractio'% "ot girls wa't what other hot girls ha-e% As you1re the hottest chic& i' the bar, we1ll soo' be +looded with ladies%9 <att 'odded% :So the +act that you do'1t wa't to hoo& up o'ly ma&es it better%

?ou ca' ha'g out with us a'd be hot girl bait%9 :"ot girl bait=9 The me' at the table 'odded i' agreeme't% :?eah% "a-i'g someo'e as pretty as you will ma&e other girls come o-er, too% They1ll be more com+ortable% Thi'& we all wor& at <icroso+t or somethi'g%9 :"mph,9 !abby co'sidered her optio's% She loo&ed at the table +ull o+ college boys watchi'g her hope+ully, a'd did'1t ha-e the heart to hurt their +eeli'gs% :The' guess 1ll ta&e a cosmopolita'%9 0'e hour a'd three cosmopolita's later, !abby was laughi'g with the group li&e they1d bee' +rie'ds si'ce birth% They1d bee' right about the hot girl bait, as well% !abby1s prese'ce at the table seemed to attract other attracti-e woma'% A bedroomBeyed bru'ette was draped o-er <att1s lap as he pushed a'other )osmo at her% The bru'ette stared at her chest i' ama*eme't% : s that a -i'tage !ree'day shirt=9 !abby loo&ed dow' at the shirt she wore to dye her hair i' co'+usio'% : t might be% 1-e had it +or years%9 :0h my god,9 the bru'ette gasped i' ama*eme't% : 1-e bee' loo&i'g +or o'e o+ those +or years%9 She reached +or her purse% : 1ll gi-e you a hu'dred dollars +or it%9 !abby1s mouth +elt slac& as she stared at the girl% A hu'dred dollars +or a used shirt she1d spe't the day sweati'g i'= !abby shoo& her head% : do'1t ha-e a'ythi'g else to wear%9 The bru'ette 'odded at the bar% :They1re gi-i'g out shirts +or a wet tBshirt co'test%9 !abby shoo& her head% : 1m 'ot getti'g i' a wet tBshirt co'test% <y husba'd would &ill me%9 Somewhere i' her blurry ha*e, !abby remembered% "er husba'd actually was tyi'g to &ill her% The bru'ette wide'ed her eyes% :;hy 'otJ ?our tits are per+ect%9 She loo&ed dow' at !abby1s chest% :?ou1d probably wi'%9 :Really=9 The bru'ette 'odded emphatically a'd the people at the table started cheeri'g her o'% !abby too& a'other slug o+ her dri'&% :;here do get o'e o+ these shirts=9 @@@ >esse was pretty sure his 4aw had dropped so hard it had actually u'hi'ged whe' he1d wal&ed i'to a ti'y rish pub called 01(la''ery1s% 01(la''ery1s was a desperate attempt to loo& li&e a' rish pub without loo&i'g li&e it was tryi'g to loo& li&e a' rish pub, a'd it had bee' the last place he decided to loo& +or !abby, a+ter goi'g to e-ery bar i' tow' a'd comi'g up empty% "e1d +ou'd her% "e was supposed to stay hidde', but he was +ro*e' to the +loor i' shoc&% !abby was sta'di'g ce'ter stage a'd accepti'g a pri*e o+ H800 a+ter wi''i'g a wet tBshirt co'test% She was weari'g a white tBshirt with the bar 'ame, :01(la''ery1s9 draped o-er her le+t breast a'd the shirt was dam' 'ear i'-isible a+ter bei'g sprayed dow' with a water bottle% People were screami'g +or her li&e she was a roc& star% She was a roc& star% >esse +elt his mouth go a little dry as he stared at the girl he1d &'ow' si'ce high school% She was per+ect% She was 4umpi'g up a'd dow' a'd ma&i'g e-ery guy i' the bar swoo' as she wa-ed her pri*e arou'd%

:!abby=9 "er 'ame came out li&e a croa&% !abby +i'ally spotted him a'd her eyes wide'ed% She ga-e him a happy smile a'd 4umped dow' +rom the stage, causi'g her chest to 4iggle i' a way that made the <) +or the co'test immediately propose% :>esseJ9 >esse let out a'other gasp as she +lu'g hersel+ i'to his arms, soa&i'g the +ro't o+ his shirt% "e did'1t care% She +elt i'credible% "e too& ad-a'tage o+ her dru'&e' mome't a'd ga-e her a s5uee*e% :0h my !odJ9 She shrie&ed i' his ear% : 1m ha-i'g so much +u'%9 A dar&Bhaired ma' with a beauti+ul bru'ette draped o-er him wa'dered past% :?ou are o'e luc&y bastard%9 The pretty bru'ette o' his arm ga-e a bleary 'od% :$o'1t be mad at her% told her to do it% "er tits are per+ect%9 !abby 'odded% :The tric& is growi'g up +at a'd losi'g a bu'ch o+ weight%9 !abby shot him a dru'&e' glare% :?ou wa''a put a bag o' my head 'ow, +uc&er=9 She slumped agai'st him a'd >esse smiled% !abby was de+i'itely wasted% : 'e-er wa'ted to,9 he muttered i' her ear% :2ut we1ll tal& about that whe' you1re sober%9 "e loo&ed dow' at her ti'y, stumbli'g, soa&i'g wet +rame% :?ou wa't me to carry you=9 !abby ga-e him a dru'&e' 'od a'd wrapped her arms arou'd his 'ec&% :The room wo'1t stop spi''i'g% <a&e it stop doi'g that%9 :0&,9 he li+ted her easily% She was light a'd her cur-es made her +u' to carry% :(i-e hu'dred dollars, huh=9 !abby shoo& her head as it lolled agai'st his shoulder% :Si. hu'dred% That pretty girl bought my !ree'day tBshirt%9 She raised her head a'd loo&ed dow' at hersel+% :0'ly 'ow, do'1t ha-e a'ythi'g to wear a'd this o'e is all wet +or some reaso'%9 >esse chuc&led% :?ou ca' ha-e o'e o+ mi'e%9 !abby ga-e a dru'&e' smile, loo&i'g molli+ied% :0&%9 >esse carried her out the door to his 4eep a'd pulled ope' the passe'ger side door% :"as a'yo'e e-er told you you1re adorable whe' you1re dru'&=9 !abby shoo& her head as well as she could without ma&i'g the 4eep spi' as >esse tuc&ed her i'to the passe'ger seat a'd buc&led her i'% :,ope% do'1t get dru'& a lot%9 She slid her ga*e o-er to him% :?ou thi'& 1m adorable=9 >esse 'odded as he gu''ed the e'gi'e% : 'credibly%9 :?ou wa''a ha-e se.=9 >esse suc&ed i' a breath a'd had to resist the urge to tac&le her% :#ery much%9 "e ga-e his passe'ger, e'cased i' a tight, white, wet tBshirt a thorough o'ce o-er% :<ore tha' a'ythi'g, to be ho'est% 2ut 1m 'ot goi'g to%9 !abby pouted, ma'agi'g to loo& e-e' cuter% :;hy 'ot=9 >esse sighed, :2ecause you1re dru'& a'd you1ll hate me i' the mor'i'g%9 :0h >esse,9 !abby laughed% : already hate youJ ;hat does a little more hatred matter=9 She s'orted a'd le+t her head dri+t to the right so she could loo& out the wi'dow% :The -ery least you could do is get me o++%9 >esse +elt li&e he had bee' pu'ched i' the stomach% :?ou hate me=9 !abby s'orted% :;hy would'1t =9 "er e.pressio' we't bitter% :!et i' my shoes +or o'ce% ?our mother is dyi'g% ?our home is +illed with 'othi'g but the smell o+ death, the sou'd o+ death% The little 'oises she ma&es whe' the doctor is ta&i'g yet a'other bo'e

sample% ?ou &'ow she1s tryi'g 'ot to scream +rom the pai'% She1s doi'g it +or you% 2ut you wa't to scream +or her a'd you ca'1t% ?ou go to school a'd people treat you li&e a mo'ster because you dare 'ot to be per+ect% ?ou do'1t weight 'i'etyB+i-e pou'ds a'd you do'1t ha-e a per+ect butto' 'ose%9 "er eyes slid to him% :The', you +i'ally meet someo'e you trust% ?ou spe'd thirty mi'utes a day with him a'd it1s the best thirty mi'utes o+ your e'tirely miserable day%9 She straighte'ed i' her seat% :The', the o'ly perso' you trust humiliates you i' +ro't o+ the e'tire school +or 'o more reaso' tha' you dared to ha-e a crush o' him%9 She rolled her eyes% :?ou wa''a try that day +or a cha'ge, >esse= ;ill that help with your sel+ish little guilt problem%9 >esse1s heart cle'ched a'd his ha'ds tighte'ed o' the steeri'g wheel% :!abbyI9 :?ou &'ow why you +eel guilty, >esse=9 !abby1s -oice was getti'g stro'ger a'd a'ger was ma&i'g her bu** wear o++% :2ecause you deser-e to% &'ow your e.cuses a'd &'ow your reaso's% ?our popular +rie'ds were ma&i'g +u' o+ you% They were teasi'g you about your relatio'ship with the +at girl% 'stead o+ bei'g bra-e, telli'g them to +uc& o++, you decided to destroy me%9 !abby smir&ed% :;ell the 4o&e was o' you, >esse% The 4o&e was o' you a'd 'ow you1re li-i'g it%9 She reached +or the door ha'dle as they pulled i'to the motel par&i'g lot% She sho-ed her door ope', dam' 'ear sober a'd +ully ready to wal& o++ i'to the 'ight agai'% :2ecause 1-e always bee' bra-e a'd you do'1t e-e' &'ow what the word mea's%9 She slammed the door shut, +eeli'g sel+ riotous a'd power+ul% She stomped arou'd the >eep without heari'g >esse1s respo'se, +ully ready to go o++ o' her ow'% A'd wal&ed right i'to !rigor1s arms% @@@ >esse heard !abby1s harsh i'ta&e o+ breath a'd reali*ed what had happe'ed% There was a blac& Tow' )ar par&ed behi'd his 4eep a'd he had'1t e-e' 'oticed them pull up% "e1d bee' too busy bei'g berated by !abrielleIa'd a little heartbro&e' o-er the +act that she hated him% ,ow, a ma' who was easily twice his si*e a'd triple hers was wrappi'g his arms arou'd her% "e spo&e, with 4ust a hi't o+ a C&rai'ia' acce't, to a ma' behi'd him% :Ta&e care o+ the pool boy% 1ll get <rs% ?a&i- i' the car%9 :Pool boy=9 >esse muttered% "e watched as a smaller ma' raised a gu' a'd trai'ed it o' him% >esse duc&ed 4ust i' time to a-oid the bullet% "e could hear !abby shrie&i'g as she struggled i' the other ma'1s grip% The ma' bega' to drag !abby towards the bac& seat o+ the Tow' )ar% A'other bullet shot o++ the pa-eme't i' +ro't o+ him a'd >esse duc&ed dow' +urther% "e could still hear !abby1s struggles% "is +ists tighte'ed as !abby let out a yelp o+ pai'% >esse stood% "e ig'ored the smaller ma' loo&i'g at him i' +righte'ed alarm a'd, i'stead, +ocused o' the larger ma', who was tryi'g to sho-e !abrielle i'to the bac&seat o+ their car% >esse s5uared his chest a'd he ra'% >ust as the ma' was sho-i'g her i'to the car, he tac&led him with all the weight i' his body% The ma' was +orced to let go o+ !abrielle% :!abby, ru'J9 >esse yelled at her as he tac&led the ma' to the grou'd% "e did'1t tur' arou'd to ma&e sure she had do'e as he told her to% 'stead, he bega' pummeli'g the larger ma' with his +ists, his ha'ds ma&i'g a meaty thud e-ery time they co''ected% >esse

'ailed him i' the +ace a'd +elt the blood spray his arm% "e1d bro&e' the bastard1s 'ose% "e threw a'other pu'ch, 'aili'g him i' the eye soc&et, a'd a'other a'd a'other u'til the ma' had stopped struggli'g% >esse stopped pu'chi'g, reali*i'g that the bastard was u'co'scious% "e stood% The smaller ma' was still holdi'g a gu' o' him but had yet to +ire a shot% "e could see the +ear i' his eyes% :Are you goi'g to shoot me or 'ot=9 >esse too& a me'aci'g step towards him, aware o+ how gri**ly he loo&ed co-ered i' blood% The ma' too& a step bac& a'd dropped his gu', throwi'g his ha'ds i' the air i' a gesture o+ surre'der% :That1s what thought% ;here did she go=9 The ma' poi'ted towards the bac& o+ the motel a'd >esse ra' i' that directio'% "e cut dow' the o'ly alley behi'd it, ma&i'g a sharp right at a chai'Bli'& +e'ce% "e cut dow' yet a'other ally, +ollowi'g the streetlights% (or some reaso', &'ew that !abby would ha-e +ollowed the streetlights whe' she ra'% (i'ally, a+ter ru''i'g +or what +elt li&e hours, he stopped u'der the dim ora'ge light o+ a par&i'g lamp% "e gasped to catch his breath a'd wiped o++ his +orehead with his arm% As he was gaspi'g +or air, he heard a whisper behi'd him% :>esse=9 >esse let out a gasp o+ relie+ a'd raced to where !abby was crouched behi'd a dumpster, hidi'g a'd watchi'g him with wide eyes% :!abby, ho'ey% told you to ru',9 he admo'ished her ge'tly, at the same time +eeli'g relie-ed that he +ou'd her% : called Sal%9 !abby poi'ted to the co'-e'ie'ce store across the street% : +igured it was a sig' whe' the guy let me use his pho'e%9 >esse thought bac& to the psychopath he1d met earlier% : do'1t &'ow i+ bri'gi'g Sal i'to this is a goodI9 >esse did'1t get to +i'ish his se'te'ce% >ust as he was about to, a )he-elle s5uealed to a stop i' +ro't o+ them% The passe'ger side wi'dow rolled dow' a'd a bleached blo'de head popped out% :;ell, are you guys comi'g or 'ot=9 @@@ !abby1s eyes wide'ed as she reali*ed what was i' the passe'ger seat% : s that a llama=9 Sal s'orted% :0+ course 'ot%9 She ga-e the a'imal1s +u**y head a pat% : could 'e-er +it a llama i' my car% This is a baby alpaca%9 Sal smiled a'd tur'ed her atte'tio' bac& o' the road% : 'amed him Russell%9 >esse +ocused o' the a'imal, who was 'ow glari'g at him% :A'd you1re dri-i'g a' alpaca arou'd why=9 :;ell, he could'1t -ery well dri-e himsel+, 'ow could he=9 >esse tur'ed to !abby% :This is the woma' who is goi'g to help you +lee the cou'try=9 "e tur'ed bac& to the alpaca i' the passe'ger seat i' time to watch it rear bac& its head a'd spit% A glob o+ goo smac&ed i'to the bac& seat wi'dow as >esse duc&ed% :;hy the hell is he gaggi'g up brow' stu++=9 :)are+ul,9 Sal ga-e Russell1s head a'other pat% :"e gets -ery territorial% "e thi'&s 1m his girl+rie'd%9 Sal tilted her head% :0r mother% 1m 'ot sure which% + it1s mother, si'cerely hope he does'1t e.pect me to breast+eed%9 Sal1s eyes got wide% :$id you see the

si*e o+ those teeth= <y 'ipples would 'e-er sur-i-e%9 Sal wa-ed her ha'd at them as she saw headlights approachi'g% :!et dow'%9 >esse a'd !abby did'1t 'eed to be told twice% They both duc&ed i' the bac&seat as low as they could% :She1s +uc&i'g i'sa'e%9 >esse hissed at !abby% They both held their breath as Sal slammed o' the bra&es, clearly ha-i'g bee' cut o++ by someo'e% They heard Sal let out a swear a'd roll dow' the wi'dow% :E-e'i'g Sal-atori%9 !abby sti++e'ed as !rigor1s -oice +illed the car% :;hat1s got you out o' this side o+ tow' so late at 'ight=9 :;hat1s it to you, Lurch=9 !abby had to hold i' a giggle% !rigor did loo& a little li&e Lurch% !rigor1s -oice was tight whe' he spo&e agai'% :Loo&, I;hat the +uc& is that=9 !rigor had spotted Russell% :Alpaca%9 Russell let out a weird, &ee'i'g s'ort% :;ould'1t happe' to be the same alpaca that those )olumbia's ha-e bee' loo&i'g +or=9 !rigor1s -oice was slightly amused% :The purebred o'e that1s worth o-er a hu'dred gra'd=9 :,ope,9 Sal1s -oice was 'o'chala't% :)ompletely di++ere't o'e% A' i'-isible o'e, i+ you get my dri+t%9 !rigor chuc&led% :?ou &'ow, those same )olumbia's lost a peacoc& they were smuggli'g a +ew mo'ths bac&%9 :;eird%9 :?up, really weird%9 !rigor lea'ed i' the wi'dow% : t would be a shame i+ they +ou'd out who &ept steali'g the a'imals they were tryi'g to smuggle%9 Sal sighed a'd >esse te'sed% ;ould she tur' them o-er to sa-e her ow' ass= "e tilted his head as Sal bega' to spea& agai'% : t would be a shame i+ a certai' C&rai'ia' got blow' to hell whe' he was tryi'g to set up a meet with a bu'ch o+ )olumbia's% ?ou wa''a tal& to them about me3 be my guest% ;e both &'ow you1d 'e-er lea-e their place ali-e% C&rai'ia's a'd )olumbia's are li&e -i'egar a'd water9 :?ou mea' oil a'd water=9 :,ope, -i'egar a'd water% >ust li&e douche bags%9 Sal tapped her steeri'g wheel impatie'tly% :,ow ca' you get to your poi't a'd mo-e your +uc&i'g car= 'eed to get this thi'g home be+ore it shits all o-er my passe'ger seat%9 !rigor let out a de+eated s'ort% : 'eed to &'ow why !abrielle ?a&i- was at your bar to'ight%9 :"ow the +uc& should &'ow=9 Sal gestured to the alpaca% : was out steali'g this thi'g%9 :That would'1t ta&e all 'ight%9 :"a-e you e-er tried to cram a' alpaca i'to a )he-elle=9 Sal let out a laugh% :Liste', my guess would be that !abby was at the bar to see my brother%9 :?our brother=9 :?eah, <oo&i%9 Sal stretched i' her seat% :"e1s a' artist% !abby as&ed him to do a picture o+ her a +ew wee&s bac&%9 !rigor sou'ded co'+used% :A picture%9 :?up, a portrait% Supposed to be a gi+t +or her husba'd%9

:So !abrielle ?a&i- was at your bar to chec& o' a pai'ti'g she was ha-i'g do'e=9 :That would be my guess%9 Sal started to roll up her wi'dow% :0r she was getti'g her mo'ey bac& +or it% do'1t thi'& <oo&i had e-e' started it, yet% ,ow i+ you1ll e.cuse me%9 !rigor sighed a'd stepped bac& +rom the car% :(i'e, but i+ you hear a'ythi'g,9 !rigor sho-ed a slip o+ paper at Sal, :co'tact me% There1s a reward out%9 Sal loo&ed at the slip o+ paper% :A reward, you say= ;ell, we both &'ow how much lo-e mo'ey%9 The', to !abby1s surprise, !rigor laughed a'd wal&ed away +rom the wi'dow% A +ew seco'ds later, Sal was dri-i'g agai'% 2oth !abby a'd >esse waited% :All clear%9 They both popped up i' the bac&seat, breathi'g hard% : ta&e bac& what said,9 >esse i'+ormed Sal% :?ou1re 'ot i'sa'e% ?ou1re a ge'ius%9 !abby was worried% :;o'1t they chec& with <oo&i=9 :,ope,9 Sal shoo& her head% :Lurch is 4ust goi'g to assume that you we't to <oo&i to get your mo'ey bac& so you1d ha-e a' escape stash% The Sal-atori crew is o++icially 'ot related to your disappeara'ce a'd ha-e dried up their o'ly lead%9 Sal smiled proudly% : 1m a worldBclass liar% So where to= ha-e to get Russell to a meeti'g%9 :;ell, we would'1t wa't your alpaca to miss his appoi'tme't%9 >esse tur'ed to !abby% :;here are we goi'g=9 !abby +row'ed a'd glared at >esse% : 1m still mad at you% do'1t care where you go% 1m goi'g with Sal%9 :,eato, we ca' ha-e a sleepo-er, braid each other1s hair a'd tal& about boys a'd stu++%9 Russell let out a wail% :(i'e, you ca' come, too%9 Russell s'orted% :!abbyI9 >esse tried to reach +or her ha'd a'd she ya'&ed it away, glari'g out o+ the bac&seat wi'dow a'd re+usi'g to meet his eye% :Ch oh%9 Sal1s slightly u'bala'ced ga*e +ocused o' the rear-iew% :;e got compa'y%9 !abby spu' arou'd i' her seat% :0h, god% t1s !rigor, is'1t it=9 She watched as a yellow <o'te )arlo bega' approachi'g them at a high rate o+ speed% Sal shoo& her head% :,ope, these +uc&ers are here +or me%9 She met !abby1s 5uestio'i'g loo&% :The )olumbia's%9 Sal slammed her +oot dow' o' the gas a'd the car shot +orward% Russell1s lo'g 'ec& s'apped bac& agai'st the passe'ger seat a'd he let out somethi'g close to a hiss% : was &i'd o+ i' the middle o+ my ow' highBspeed chase whe' you called me%9 !abby screamed as the <o'te )arlo caught up to them a'd rammed i'to the rear bumper% Sal let out a swear a'd 4er&ed the wheel hard to the le+t% She reached out a ha'd a'd popped ope' the glo-e compartme't% :"ey ha'dsome, you1re a wa''abe mari'e, right=9 :?eah, how1d youI9 She tossed a gu' bac& at him% :;e1ll discuss my ama*i'g powers o+ obser-atio' later% (or 'ow, shoot them%9 Sal 4er&ed the wheel harder a'd spu' a uBtur' i' the middle o+ the road% The <o'te )arlo slammed o' its bra&es a'd bega' to re-erse, clearly 'ot e.pecti'g a +ro'tal assault%

>esse loo&ed at the gu' i' his ha'd a'd the' loo&ed to !abby1s terri+ied +ace as she clutched o' the rear o+ the passe'ger seat to a-oid bei'g tossed arou'd li&e a rag doll% ;ithout a'other thought, he slammed the butt o+ the gu' i'to the wi'dow, shatteri'g the glass% The', he pushed his body hal+way out a'd bega' +iri'g% "is +irst shot too& out the wi'dshield a'd the <o'te )arlo1s tires s5uealed as it co'ti'ued its bac&wards race to get away +rom Sal1s approachi'g )he-elle% :!o +or the tires,9 Sal yelled o-er Russell1s pa'ic&ed s'orti'g a'd spitti'g% >esse liste'ed% "e dropped the site o' the gloc& low to the grou'd, led the car slightly a'd +ired% "e watched i' satis+actio' as the +ro't dri-er1s side tire e.ploded a'd the <o'te )arlo bega' roc&i'g out o+ co'trol% "e +ired agai' a'd too& out a rear tire% The <o'te )arlo bega' to slip% Spar&s shot up +rom the pa-eme't as the rims o+ the e.ploded tires scraped the road% The <o'te )arlo listed to the right a'd crashed i'to a telepho'e pole, comi'g to a 4arri'g stop% Sal let out a whoop o+ 4oy +rom the +ro't seat as she raced past the wrec&age% :,icely do'e, >arhead% ?ou do this o+te'=9 >esse let out a gasp a'd stared at the gu' i' his ha'd% :,ope, ca' ho'estly say that this is my +irst highBspeed chase%9 Sal smiled a'd too& the gu' bac&, reduci'g her speed to 'ormal 'ow that the threat was passed% :;ell, you1ll get used to it% ;elcome to <iami%9 :Tha'&s%9 >esse shoo& his head% :So how1d you &'ow=9 :The wa''a be mari'e thi'g= ?our haircut is terrible, you1re built li&e a bric& shithouse a'd you called me ma1am% ?ou wa'ted to be a military ma' at some poi't% ?ou lear'ed all the protocol% The o'ly thi'g that &ept you bac& was your color bli'd'ess%9 Sal smir&ed% :Russell does'1t spit up Ebrow' stu++1% "e spits up Egree' stu++1% Stomach acid, to be speci+ic% t1s a -ery disti'cti-e colorIe.cept to someo'e who is color bli'd% Someo'e who1s color bli'd would'1t be able to tell the di++ere'ce%9 >esse sat bac&, stu''ed% :?ou 'oticed all that=9 Sal wi'&ed% : 1m 'ot 4ust cra*y3 1m also a ge'ius%9 Sal tur'ed her +ocus to !abby% : s she go''a hyper-e'tilate agai'= 1m out o+ bags%9 >esse reali*ed that !abby had'1t spo&e' i' awhile a'd he tur'ed to her% She was watchi'g him with ope' asto'ishme't% :"ow1d you do that=9 :$o what=9 :Shoot out their tires li&e that=9 >esse gestured to Sal% :Trai'i'g +or the mari'es, li&e Sal said% did wee&e'd classes be+ore e'listme't, part o+ a military prep class% The' +ailed the -isio' test a'd that was that%9 :"ow1d you get away +rom !rigor=9 : &ic&ed his ass%9 >esse1s brow crumpled i' co'+usio'% :"ow do you thi'&=9 Sal let out a laugh +rom the +ro't seat% :So you1re the perso' who crushed !rigor1s 'ose= >esse, got to tell you, 1m really starti'g to li&e you% "is +ace loo&ed e-e' worse tha' yours% ,ot too ma'y people ca' say that a+ter a +ight with !rigor%9 >esse smir&ed% :Actually, !abby did this%9 Sal burst out laughi'g, a'd weirdly, it sou'ded li&e Russell was laughi'g right alo'g with her% ;he' she +i'ally calmed dow', she started spea&i'g agai'% :Liste', guys, 'ot that you two are'1t truly e'tertai'i'g, but me a'd Russell ha-e some pla''i'g to do% &'ow a motel% Sa+e part o+ tow', you ca' pay i' cash, a'd it1s meth lab +ree% ?ou wa't

me to bri'g you there=9 :?ou did that +or me=9 !abby still loo&ed asto'ished% :;hy=9 >esse sighed% :2ecause li&e you% A'd owe you% ?ou were the o'ly reaso' graduated high school a'd repaid that by betrayi'g you% As +ar as 1m co'cer'ed, all the cra*y shit that1s happe'ed si'ce met you is &arma payi'g me bac& +or that% So 1m goi'g to help you, e-e' i+ it mea's getti'g my ass &ic&ed, getti'g spit o' by a llamaI9 :Alpaca,9 Sal corrected% :!etti'g spit o' by a' alpaca a'd ta&i'g o' the e'tire C&rai'ia' u'derworld%9 >esse caught !abby1s ha'd a'd ga-e it a s5uee*e% She did'1t try to pull away% : 4ust wa't to help%9 !abby bli'&ed the' slowly, 'odded% :0&,9 she +i'ally decided% :0&, you ca' help% Sal= )a' you bri'g us=9 :?ou got it%9 Sal +lic&ed o' the directio'al a'd made a right tur' to bri'g them to the Emeth lab +ree1 motel%

)hapter 7 :;hat the hell do you mea' she got away=9 !rigor sighed a'd 'early rubbed his eye, be+ore he remembered how swolle' it was% :The pool boy has a' e.celle't le+t hoo&%9 "e cleared his throat, 'er-ous with his boss1 sile'ce% : did trac& dow' Sal +rom the Sal-atori crew, though% :$oes'1t loo& li&e the wops were too hea-ily i'-ol-ed% <rs% ?a&i- 4ust we't there to get her mo'ey bac& +or a pai'ti'g she was ha-i'g do'e +or you%9 ,ic& 'early hissed i'to the pho'e% :She retur'ed o'e o+ my gi+ts to get mo'ey to ru' away +rom me=9 :That1s what it sou'ds li&e%9 :!rigor, perhaps you did'1t u'dersta'd my wishes i'itially% wa't my wi+e retur'ed a'd wa't the pool boy dead, great le+t hoo& or 'o% + you are u'able to ha'dle that, will +i'd somebody who ca'%9 ,ic& too& a deep breath% :C'+ortu'ately, that mea's will ha-e to termi'ate your employme't% ?ou u'dersta'd what that mea's i' this busi'ess, correct=9 !rigor swallowed, rememberi'g a car-i'g &'i+e% : u'dersta'd%9 :!ood%9 ,ic& cle'ched the pho'e% : 1ll e.pect her bac& 'o later the' tomorrow e-e'i'g, the'% See that it happe's%9 "e hu'g up the pho'e without waiti'g +or a' a'swer% :2ad 'ews=9 !rigor glared at the dri-er o+ the Tow' )ar, <arcus% "e let out a sigh a'd placed the icepac& bac& o' his +orehead% :,othi'g 'ew% <y boss is a dic&%9 @@@ !abby wi'ced at the same time >esse +li'ched as she placed a'd icepac& o' his 'ose% : 1m really sorry%9 >esse held the icepac& to his +ace a'd let a ha'd dri+t to !abby1s hip% :,o worries% deser-ed it%9 !abby shoo& her head% :,o you did'1t% Liste', that stu++ said, be+ore !rigor attac&ed usI9 :;as completely right%9 >esse pressed the icepac& o' his +ace harder, layi'g bac& agai'st the pillows% : was a' idiot i' high school% 2elie-e it or 'ot, really li&ed you%9 >esse pee&ed out +rom u'der the icepac& to watch !abby1s reactio'% : 4ust did'1t &'ow what to do about it% ;he' my +rie'ds started ma&i'g +u' o+ me, got pissed a'd too& it out o' you% <y li+e was 'e-er the same a+ter that day%9 !abby pic&ed up the icepac& to e.ami'e his eye% :;hat do you mea'=9 >esse tried to 'ot stare at her chest as he co'ti'ued% :2ad luc& started +ollowi'g me arou'd%9 >esse thought bac&% :0' prom 'ight, the 'ight that should ha-e bee' with you, too& some idiot 'amed 2ritta'y, i'stead% She was so dam' ob'o.ious3 4ust started dri'&i'g to a-oid her tal&i'g%9 : remember 2ritta'y% )heerleader, right=9 :?eah,9 >esse 'odded% :A'yway, we we't to her brother1s place, because he was o-er twe'tyBo'e a'd could buy beer% got wasted a'd decided to be the big ma' by dri-i'g e-eryo'e home%9 >esse shoo& his head bitterly% : did'1t e-e' ma&e it out o+ the dri-eway be+ore bac&ed i'to a tree% ,o ma4or damage, but tore my A)L i' the accide't% lost my +ootball scholarship%9

:>esse, 1m so sorry%9 >esse shoo& his head empathically% :,ope, deser-ed it% did'1t deser-e a +ootball scholarship a+ter what did to you%9 "e sat up straight i' the bed a'd the icepac& dropped o++ his +ace% : 'stead, tried to 4oi' the mari'es% Li&e Sal said, e-e' they did'1t wa't me% 1m color bli'd% The', tra-eled arou'd +or a bit% tried to go bac& to college, but could'1t a++ord it a'd could'1t get +i'a'cial aid% tried bo.i'g, but a+ter si. mo'ths, e-e' the worst doctor would'1t let me i' the ri'g% E-ery time thi'gs started to go right, somethi'g would happe' to ma&e them all go bad agai'% A+ter awhile, thought maybe it was the u'i-erse1s way o+ getti'g bac& at me% E-ery time thought somethi'g was goi'g good, 1d 4ust +lash bac& to your sad, grey eyes a'd e-erythi'g would tur' to shit agai'% So, whe' was dri-i'g by <iami, decided to drop i' a'd see you, 4ust to tell you was sorry%9 >esse ga-e a rue+ul smile as a sudde' thought occurred to him% :Are your eyes really grey, or am wro'g about that, too=9 !abby smiled ge'tly% :,o, they1re really grey%9 >esse lea'ed closer a'd started to stro&e her chee&% : &'ew it% &'ew could'1t be wro'g about that%9 "e let out a 'ostalgic smile% :?ou always had the most beauti+ul eyes, e-e' whe' the rest o+ you was'1t beauti+ul%9 :That1s &i'd o+ a dic& thi'g to say%9 >esse shoo& his head, reali*i'g he1d go'e the wro'g way% :,ot li&e that% mea', e-e' though you were'1t the prettiest girl i' school, li&ed you a'yway% li&ed you more tha' those other girls a'd +elt weird about li&i'g you that way% So got mad% The' did that thi'g to you, a'd it destroyed me, i' more ways tha' o'e% <y li+e will 'e-er be right u'til ma&e up +or that day%9 !abby pulled bac& i' surprise% :"a-e you always +elt this guilty=9 >esse 'odded% :Liste', >esse,9 !abby sighed% :<y e'tire li+e was'1t de+i'ed by that mome't% had good times a'd had bad times% A+ter a while, +orgot about you e'tirely a'd we't o' with my li+e% made my ow' decisio's%9 !abby shoo& her head% : 1m sorry you +eel bad +or the way my li+e is 'ow, but it1s 'ot your +ault% E-e' i+ it was, would'1t trade it%9 :?ou would'1t=9 :,o%9 !abby laughed as she remembered her +irst +ew years i' <iami% : had +u'% made a lot o+ great +rie'ds% lear'ed you ca' ma&e mista&es a'd rei'-e't yoursel+% lear'ed that desti'y is'1t preBdetermi'ed% ?ou create it yoursel+% would ha-e 'e-er had the bra-ery 'eeded to wal& away +rom the tow' we grew up i' i+ 1d thought there was a'ythi'g le+t +or me there% 'stead, did a'd got to lead a pretty i'teresti'g li+e%9 She caught >esse1s ha'd% :"igh school is o'ly +our years o+ your li+e, >esse% t does'1t decide who you are% ?ou do%9 >esse was loo&i'g at her oddly% "is eyes dropped to her mouth a'd her +orehead cri'&led i' co'+usio'% Sudde'ly, he lurched out a'd latched o'to her, his lips meeti'g hers% She let out a little s5uea& at the start o+ the &iss, but as the warmth e'-eloped her, she wrapped her arms arou'd his 'ec&% She pressed her mouth to his, harder, a'd parted her lips, e'couragi'g him i'% Sudde'ly, >esse pulled bac&% : 1m sorry% do'1t &'ow what was thi'&i'g%9 >esse pushed away% : &'ow you1re married% 4ust &eep thi'&i'g you should'1t be%9 !abby let out a gasp, still breathi'g hea-y o-er their -ery brie+ &iss% :;hat do you mea'=9

>esse sat 'e.t to her o' the bed, still watchi'g her lips% "e was hesita't +or a mi'ute, but +i'ally spo&e% :?ou should ha-e bee' mi'e%9 :;hat=9 >esse shoo& his head% : t1s so dam' clear 'ow% ?our asshole husba'd should ha-e 'e-er got his ha'ds o' you i' the +irst place%9 >esse lea'ed i' close to her ear% :?ou were supposed to be with me% t was'1t &arma telli'g me to +i'd you% t was +ate%9 :>esse, I9 !abby let out as gasp as >esse tac&led her, his mouth pushi'g dow' o' hers i'siste'tly% (or a seco'd, she was +righte'ed, but a+ter a mome't, she ga-e i'% "e was what she1d wa'ted all alo'g, a+ter all% She wrapped her arms arou'd him a'd pulled him closer% She started pulli'g at his shirt% :?ou promised me a shirt%9 >esse raised his mouth +rom hers +or a seco'd% :$id =9 : wa't this o'e%9 >esse chuc&led as she ripped the shirt +rom his body% :0&%9 "e suc&ed i' a breath as her +i'ger'ails gra*ed his chest% :?ou wa't the pa'ts, too=9 !abby 'odded a'd he mo-ed his ha'ds to oblige her% @@@ !abby awo&e i' a sweaty ta'gle o+ limbs% >esse1s body was draped o-er hers, his arm wrapped arou'd her waist i' the same possessi-e way ,ic& always held her% !abby &'ew the di++ere'ce% >esse wa'ted to be with her% ,ic& thought o+ her as property% She studied his sleepi'g, ha'dsome +ace i' the dar&'ess% "is arm reached out +or her, e-e' though she was'Et there% "e s'atched the pillow she1d bee' sleepi'g o' a'd cuddled it close% She bli'&ed o-er the tears that were starti'g a'd wal&ed across the room to the pho'e o' the table% She had 'o choice% She had'1t missed the words that !rigor had spo&e'% $"ake care of the pool #oy.% !abby shoo& her head% She &'ew e'ough o+ the u'derworld termi'ology to &'ow that Eta&e care o+1 did 'ot mea' >esse was getti'g a bowl o+ hot soup a'd a warm bla'&et% >esse1s guilt, his cra*ed belie+ i' &arma, would dri-e him to do a'ythi'g +or her, but she was'1t goi'g to let that happe'% 'stead, she was goi'g to ma&e sure he was sa+e, e-e' i+ it mea't sacri+ici'g hersel+ i' the process% 2ecause she lo-ed him% She1d always lo-ed him% t o'ly too& o'e 'ight with him to remember how much% She pic&ed up the pho'e% She could e'dure ,ic&% She would li-e with her ow' 'ight i' the attic3 accept the pai' that he would i'still o' her% A+ter what she1d see', it would o'ly ta&e a +ew hours, probably less% She was decidedly less obli-ious to pai' tha' Lu&a% She could li-e with a +ew hours o+ pai' be+ore she died, as lo'g as he promised o'e thi'g% That he would lea-e the pool boy alo'e% She ga-e >esse a ge'tle gla'ce as she put the pho'e to her ear% "e would lo-e agai' a'd he would +i'd someo'e agai'% She could do that much +or him, a+ter e-erythi'g he1d tried to do +or her% She could do that o'e thi'g +or him be+ore she stopped breathi'g altogether% She was scared, but she would be bra-e% She would be bra-e +or him, a'd someday, she would meet him i' hea-e'% !abby +li'ched as her husba'd1s gru++ -oice a'swered o' the +irst ri'g% :,ic&, 1m ready to come homeIbut ha-e a couple o+ co'ditio's%9

@@@ :?ou ha-e 'o idea how pissed o++ <r% ?a&i- is%9 !abby rolled her eyes as !rigor sho-ed her i'to the bac&seat o+ a Tow' )ar% She1d accepted her +ate, as lo'g as >esse was sa+e% True to his word, ,ic& had le+t >esse alo'e, o' the co'ditio' that !abby retur' home immediately% : ha-e a ge'eral idea%9 !abby a'swered dryly% : 1m assumi'g it i'-ol-es a car-i'g &'i+e%9 !abby was'1t scared% ,ic& could'1t hurt her 'ow% She was i' lo-e a'd she was &eepi'g the ma' she lo-ed sa+e% ,othi'g could hurt her% She was bulletproo+% !rigor loo&ed at her stra'gely i' the rear-iew% :;e1ll see about that%9 <arcos was seated 'e.t to him a'd re+used to meet her eyes% She was dead% A'd she was weirdly o& with that% She let her ga*e dri+t as she was dri-e' through the +amiliar ora'ge blossom +ield she1d become accustomed to% The 'ight was light, tha'&s to the +ull moo'% As they le+t <iami a'd headed to the suburbs o+ the city, the starlight grew% !abby wo'dered i+ she would be able to see it +rom the attic wi'dow% She was'1t a+raid% She was +eeli'g stra'gely stoic about her impe'di'g death% As lo'g as >esse was all right% :;e1re home%9 !rigor a''ou'ced as he stopped the car% !abby sighed% "er 'ight o+ +a'tasies was o-er a'd the pai' would begi' soo'% She did'1t struggle as !rigor dragged her out o+ the car% She did'1t protest or +ight% She was'1t e-e' a+raid as she saw ,ic&1s silhouette appear i' the doorway o+ the home she1d o'ce lo-ed% She was o'ly apathetic a'd ready +or it all to be o-er with% :!abrielle%9 ,ic& let out a breath a'd s'atched her by the shoulders, studyi'g her closely% :Loo& at me%9 !abby glared at ,ic&, tryi'g to ma&e sure her ob-ious hatred o+ him showed through% :;hat=9 ,ic& glared at her% :;hat do you mea' what= $o you ha-e a'y idea how worried 1-e bee'=9 :;hate-er,9 !abby sho-ed her way past him% :Let1s get this o-er with%9 :!et what o-er with=9 !abby sighed% :The part where you murder me with a car-i'g &'i+e i' our attic%9 She tur'ed towards the stairs% :Let1s get this party started% do'1t ha-e all 'ight%9 ,ic& shoo& his head% :!abby, would 'e-er do that to you%9 "e mo-ed to grab his you'g wi+e a'd she +li'ched away% :?ou1-e bee' 'othi'g but loyal to me%9 "e sighed as he dragged her agai'st his chest% : &'ow what you saw was scary, but you 'eed to belie-e me3 would'1t do that to you%9 !abby tried to sho-e away, but ,ic& held tight% :;ait, you1re 'ot goi'g to &ill me=9 ,ic& let out a laugh% :;hy would do that=9 :2ecause o+ what saw%9 ,ic& ga-e her a' i'dulge't smile% :A'd did you tell a'yo'e what you saw=9 :;ell, 'o but thoughtI9 :That was your problem right there%9 ,ic& ga-e her a &iss o' the +orehead% :Thi'&i'g%9 "e ga-e her a ge'tle pat o' the bottom to sho-e her up the stairs% :!o to bed% ;e1ll tal& about it i' the mor'i'g%9

!abby shoo& her head i' co'+usio', but co'ti'ued her way up the stairs% So ,ic& wa'ted to &ill her i' the mor'i'g% ;hate-er% She was dead i'side, already% !abby sighed a'd we't to bed li&e ,ic& told her to% @@@ ,ic& watched as !abby sulle'ly we't up the stairs to their room% She seemed di++ere't 'ow that she1d retur'ed 6 agitated, a'gry a'd 'ot more tha' a little de+ia't% "e shoo& his head% "e would ta&e care o+ whate-er attitude problem !abby had de-eloped i' the mor'i'g% (or 'ow, he had other thi'gs to deal with% "e tur'ed a'd +ocused his a'gry eyes o' !rigor% :,ow get bac& to the motel a'd +i'ish the pool boy o++%9 :?ou told <rs% ?a&i-I9 ,ic& 'early growled i' +rustratio'% :;hat tell my wi+e is 'o'e o+ your busi'ess%9 "e too& a' a'gry step towards !rigor% :That pool boy too& somethi'g that belo'gs to me% do 'ot ta&e &i'dly to others touchi'g my property%9 "e shot a loo& up the stairs% :"e also crushed my mailbo.% That1s two items ow' that he1s damaged% @@@ >esse1s eyes wide'ed as he wal&ed i'to the Stra'gely Sober% ;he' he1d wo&e' i' the motel room a'd +ou'd a goodbye 'ote +rom !abby, he did'1t waste time goi'g to her house% 'stead, he &'ew that he 'eeded help o+ a'other &i'd% The &i'd o+ the crimi'al -ariety% "e1d go'e bac& to see Sal, hopi'g she had'1t le+t tow'% yet% She had'1t, but she1d ob-iously had a -ery busy 'ight a+ter she1d dropped them o++% The Stra'gely Sober had bee' a mess be+ore, but 'ow it was a *oo% Literally% There were a'imals e-erywhere% E.otic o'es% A touca' perched o' a barstool, 'e.t to a bowl o+ +ood% Russell, the alpaca, was chewi'g a plastic bottle he1d +ou'd 'ear the pool table% At least +our di++ere't breeds o+ mo'&ey hu'g +rom the ra+ters a'd a s'a&e was wi'di'g its way across the +loor% The woma' he was loo&i'g +or sat o' the bar, legs crossed 'dia' style as she studied a laptop scree'% There was a large tropical bird perched o' her shoulder% She reached i' the bowl i' +ro't o+ the touca' a'd pulled out a piece o+ +ood, which it s'apped up immediately% Sal the' popped o'e i' her ow' mouth be+ore she +i'ally loo&ed up +rom the computer% :"ey >esse%9 >esse let out a laugh, u'sure o+ where to begi'% : thought you were splitti'g tow' to hide +rom the )olumbia's%9 Sal spu' arou'd a'd, as she did, the bird +lew o++ her shoulders% : was goi'g to, but the' decided Ei' +or a pe''y, i' +or a pou'd1 a'd we't bac& to steal all their a'imals, i'stead%9 She gestured towards the bar% :"e'ce, the curre't state o+ my establishme't% )a' get you a'ythi'g= 2eer, whis&y=9 She held up the bowl the touca' was eati'g +rom% :(ruit Loop=9 :?ou1re +eedi'g a touca' +ruit loops=9 Sal shrugged% :E-erythi'g &'ow about a'imals, lear'ed +rom cereal commercials a'd Loo'ey Too's episodes% Ta&e a seat,9 she gestured towards the +loor, :but mi'd the tiger%9 >esse spru'g o++ o+ the barstool as he saw what was sleepi'g o' the +loor less tha' a +ew +eet away +rom him% :?ou stole a +uc&i'g tiger=9

:;ell yeah,9 Sal held up a bo.% :;ho did you thi'& the +rosted +la&es were +or=9 She smiled at >esse1s hesitatio'% :Rela.% All the da'gerous o'es are drugged out o+ their mi'ds% A'astasia wo'1t be wa&i'g up a'y time soo'%9 :?ou 'amed the tiger A'astasia%9 :She1s a lady tiger%9 Sal loo&ed towards the door% :Spea&i'g o+ ladies, where1s !abby=9 >esse shoo& his head as he slumped bac& dow' o'to the barstool, ma'Beati'g lady tiger +orgotte'% :That1s why 1m here%9 >esse ya'&ed a piece o+ paper out o+ his bac& poc&et% :She le+t this +or me this mor'i'g%9 Sal spread out the piece o+ paper o' the bar i' +ro't o+ her a'd read !abby1s messy, cursi-e script out loud% &ear 'esse, Last night was wonderful. I really missed you and it was great to see you again. (ut #eing with you made me reali)e how much I lo!e my hus#and. I know hes not the #est person in the world, #ut hes #een good to me and I think we can work it out. Im going home. Please dont come looking for me. Im sorry for e!erything I got you in!ol!ed in. It wasnt right to drag you into my pro#lems. In any case, it might #e a good idea if you lea!e *iami. Good luck with e!erything and I hope you ha!e a wonderful life. oure a !ery good person, e!en if you dont think you are. In case you were wondering, your apology is accepted and I forgi!e you for e!erythingincluding running o!er my mail#o+. our ,riend, Ga##y p.s. thanks for the shirt Sal loo&ed bac& up at >esse as she +i'ished% :So i' ge'eral, you two did the dirty deed, !abby had some mor'i'gBa+ter regrets a'd we't ru''i'g bac& to her husba'd%9 She sho-ed the paper bac& at >esse% : 1m sorry, but i+ you1re loo&i'g +or relatio'ship ad-ice, 1m the last perso' i' the word that ca' help% bro&e up with my last boy+rie'd by stabbi'g him with a +or&%9 >esse shoo& his head as he too& bac& the E$ear >oh'1 letter% :She1s lyi'g%9 :"ow do you &'ow=9 >esse +olded the paper as he sho-ed it i' his bac& poc&et% : ' high school, showed !abby a 'ote +orged +rom my pare'ts +or se'ior s&ip day% !abby laughed a'd threw it out, a'd the' she rewrote it +or me% She told me my ha'dwriti'g was Etoo per+ect1 a'd that i+ you were goi'g to tell a lie, it was best to write messy% That way, it loo&s li&e you did'1t thi'& about it too much%9 >esse shoo& his head% :!abby1s ha'dwriti'g is usually per+ect% 1-e see' it% t1s li&e dam' calligraphy%9 :?eah, she1s got a bit o+ 0)$%9

:She thought would'1t remember her tric&% She wa'ted to ma&e the 'ote loo& ge'ui'e, li&e she was 4ust some spoiled rich wi+e goi'g bac& to her husba'd a+ter a wee&e'd ad-e'ture%9 >esse1s eyes dar&e'ed% : &'ow better% She was terri+ied o+ him%9 Sal let out a humorous laugh% :0+ course she was terri+ied% "e1s a C&rai'ia' mobster, +or gods sa&e%9 :!abby did'1t &'ow that%9 Sal1s eyes got wide% :She did'1t=9 Sal sho-ed her way arou'd the bar% :0+ +uc&i'g course she did'1t% was'1t here to tell her that whe' they got married%9 Sal smac&ed hersel+ i' the +orehead% : barely e-e' &'ew they were dati'g% ;he' got bac& +rom hidi'g out a+ter the whole peacoc& thi'g, they were already married%9 :Peacoc& thi'g=9 Sal gestured to the a'imals i' the bar agai'% :This is a' o'goi'g thi'g% was distracted%9 :;ith a'imal smuggli'g=9 Sal s'orted% :Please% There1s 'o mo'ey i' a'imal smuggli'g% This is about diamo'd smuggli'g%9 "er eyes wide'ed e.citedly as she said the word Ediamo'd%1 :$iamo'd smuggli'g=9 >esse spu' arou'd o' his barstool as Sal wal&ed across the bar% She reached +or Russell a'd ga-e him a' a++ectio'ate scratch o' the 'ec&% Sal 'odded% : disco-ered it purely by accide't% was at the doc&s, doi'g a little busi'ess o+ my ow', whe' my Ebusi'ess1 got s'atched out o+ my ha'd a'd eate' by a peacoc& i' a shippi'g crate% So did the o'ly reaso'able thi'g a'yo'e would do a'd stole the peacoc&% $ecided to disappear +or awhile a+terwards because was'1t sure i+ a'yo'e saw me% So me a'd the peacoc& are li-i'g it up i' a beach shac& i' Souther' )ali+or'ia a'd 1m waiti'g +or the peacoc& to do his busi'ess, so ca' get Emy busi'ess1 bac&, i+ you &'ow what mea'%9 : 1m 'ot sure that do%9 Sal rolled her eyes% : was waiti'g +or the peacoc& to ta&e a dump%9 Sal raised a ha'd% :0'ly, whe' the peacoc& +i'ally did, it was'1t 4ust my two diamo'ds that came out% (our more did% reali*ed the' that either had a bird that shits diamo'ds, or had a smuggli'g operatio' o' my ha'ds%9 Sal started to pace% :So loo&ed i'to it a bit more a'd +ou'd out some i'teresti'g stu++% (or e.ample, this bird, amo'g ma'y others, was bei'g shipped +rom a *oo i' A+rica to a *oo here called the Sa'ctity Poo% :So=9 >esse was co'+used% :So,9 Sal emphasi*ed, :The Sa'ctity Poo does'1t e.istJ t1s 4ust a really cle-er way to smuggle co'+lict diamo'ds +rom A+rica to America without a'yo'e bei'g the wiser%9 Sal laughed out loud% :E.otic A'imals do'1t ha-e to go through the same security e.ams whe' they1re bei'g shipped +rom *oo to *oo% They1re +ragile, a'd te'd to die whe' sub4ected to thi'gs li&e e.ams a'd .Brays% So some cle-er +uc&ers started trai'i'g the dam' thi'gs to eat diamo'ds% That way, it 4ust loo&s li&e a *oo a'imal bei'g shipped to a *oo, the smugglers collect their diamo'ds a'd 'o o'e is the wiser% C'+ortu'ately, was i' the doc&s the same 'ight a rare peacoc& was bei'g shipped i'% was there with two diamo'ds, waiti'g to pay o++ some guys &'ow +or a shipme't o+ plastic e.plosi-es% The +uc&i'g thi'g ate my payme't out o+ my ha'd while was waiti'g% t saw the diamo'ds i' my ha'ds a'd s'atched them up li&e they were a dam' treat, because that1s what it had bee' trai'ed to do%9 She gestured arou'd the bar% :E-ery a'imal i' here has bee' +ed co'+lict diamo'ds% Csually, whe' they get here, the assholes will 4ust &ill them or se'd

them o++ to some thirdBrate *oo% 1m rehabilitati'g them a'd collecti'g the diamo'ds +or my e++ort% +i'd *oos i' the area that actually ta&e care o+ their a'imals a'd tur' them o-er +ree o+ charge%9 Sal smiled as she petted Russell agai'% :E-erybody wi's%9 :;hat does this ha-e to do with !abby=9 :Absolutely 'othi'g%9 She smiled at >esse% :Sorry, ha-e a te'de'cy to get distracted%9 She loo&ed arou'd at her bar/*oo% :2ut we might be able to use this to our ad-a'tage%9 :"ow so=9 :?ou probably do'1t wa't to &'ow%9 She reached i' her bac& poc&et +or her &eys% :,ow help me get the tiger i'to the tru'& o+ my car%9 >esse sighed as he stood +rom his barstool% Sure, she was i'sa'e, but she was his o'ly hope%

)hapter L !abby glared across the brea&+ast table at her husba'd% ,ic& had yet to say a'ythi'g to her about what she1d see' a'd what she &'ew% :Are we e-e' goi'g to tal& about it=9 ,ic& ga-e her a' i'dulge't loo& a'd retur'ed to his sports page% :There is 'othi'g to discuss !abrielle% ?ou1re home 'ow% That1s all that matters%9 !abby glared at him i' co'+usio'% :"ow ca' you say that= ;hat sawI9 :;as 'othi'g more tha' a busi'ess matter a'd you do'1t 'eed to worry your beauti+ul head about that%9 !abby glared agai'% :<y beauti+ul idiot head, you mea'%9 ,ic& sighed a'd +olded his paper, +i'ally gi-i'g !abby his +ull atte'tio'% : am sorry you too& o++e'se at that% will admit, it was a' illB+ormed opi'io'% was 4ust tryi'g to say that it is 'ot your 4ob i' this household to thi'&% t is your 4ob to be beauti+ul a'd gi-e me childre'% Stic& to your stre'gths%9 !abby +elt a wa-e o+ +ury that she1d 'e-er +elt be+ore% :<y stre'gths= ;ell, you1re right about o'e thi'g% 1m great at baby ma&i'g%9 "er eyes met his i' a deadBo' challe'ge% :,ot that you1ll e-er +i'd out agai'% 2ut i+ you1re e-er curious about how good am i' bed, 4ust as& >esse% 1m sure he1d be more tha' happy to tell you%9 ,ic& +ro*e% She had his +ull atte'tio' 'ow% :;hat do you mea'=9 !abby smir&ed% :;ell, ha-e to tell you, you might be great at +i'di'g someo'e1s wea&'ess, but >esse &ic&s ass at +i'di'g someo'e1s gBspot% ?ou &'ow what a gBspot is right, ,ic&=9 !abby wa-ed a ha'd% :;hat am sayi'g3 o+ course you do'1t% ;e1-e bee' married si. mo'ths a'd you ha-e'1t +ou'd it, yetJ9 ,ic& stood a'd slammed his ha'ds dow' o' the table, but !abby barely mo-ed% She was used to his mood swi'gs% :"e touched you=9 !abby was'1t a+raid% She1d bee' waiti'g to die all mor'i'g a'd ,ic&1s hesita'ce to &ill her was starti'g to drag o' her 'er-es% :<ore tha' o'ce% >udgi'g by my orgasms, he touched me multiple times%9 ,ic& cle'ched his +ists a'd ga-e a humorless smile% :;ell the' 1m glad had him &illed%9 !abby +ro*e% :;hat do you mea'=9 :$ead,9 ,ic&1s eyes were ice as he marched arou'd the table% :?our little boy+rie'd is dead% ga-e !rigor the order this mor'i'g%9 !abby +elt her heart stop% She1d thought she was dead i'side be+ore, but that was o'ly a' illusio' compared to the pai' she +elt whe' ,ic& told her >esse was dead% :?ou promisedI9 :A'd you promised to lo-e, ho'or a'd obey me%9 ,ic& spat out% :>ust what part o+ that lo-i'g a'd ho'ori'g i'-ol-ed +uc&i'g our pool boy=9 !abby could'1t a'swer him because she could'1t +i'd words% The boy she1d lo-ed +ore-er was dead a'd her mo'ster o+ a husba'd was the ma' who1d &illed him% + >esse had'1t +elt the 'eed to apologi*e, i+ he1d 'e-er &'ow' her, he would still be ali-e% t was all her +ault% She wa'ted to die% $ead eyes met her husba'dQs as he came to sta'd i' +ro't o+ her% :Are you goi'g to &ill me yet= 2ecause ha-e to tell you, e-ery seco'd 1m +orced to spe'd with you is torture%9 ,ic& lea'ed dow' o-er her chair a'd stared her dead i' the eye% :;hy would

&ill you% !abby=9 ,ic& lea'ed i' close to her +ace, twisti'g her hair arou'd his ha'd a'd ya'&i'g her head bac&% :Li&e you said, i+ you1re so dam' good at baby ma&i'g, let1s go try +or o'e 'ow%9 !abby screamed as ,ic& ripped her out o+ the chair by her hair, ya'&i'g her towards the stairs to their bedroom% @@@ :;hat are you goi'g to do=9 >esse loo&ed arou'd the car 'er-ously% Aside +rom the tiger i' the tru'&, their car was +illed with e.otic A+rica' a'imals% Russell sat betwee' them, as the cra*ed crimi'al mastermi'd seemed to ha-e a weird attachme't to her pet alpaca% There were +our mo'&eys i' the bac& seat a'd a midBsi*ed boa co'strictor wi'di'g its la*y way arou'd the passe'ger seat% The touca' sat i' the bac& wi'dow, happily immersed i' a bowl o+ (ruit Loops, a'd tropical birds perched o' both his a'd Sal1s shoulders% :?ou probably do'1t wa't to &'ow%9 :;ho1s +ollowi'g us=9 Sal peered i'to the rear-iew% : 1d &'ow that large slopi'g +orehead a'ywhere%9 She smir&ed at >esse% :That tail ai'1t +or me% t1s +or you% t1s !rigor a'd some o+ ?a&i-1s thugs% <y guess would be that they came to +i'ish you o++ +or what you did to their mailbo.%9 >esse 'early e.ploded% : did'1t smash their mailbo.J9 Sal giggled a'd >esse was a little throw' o++ by such a girlish sou'd comi'g +rom such a 'o'Bgirlish perso'% : &'ow% t was totally me%9 She laughed agai'% : we't to drop o++ a weddi'g prese't a'd my ha'd slipped%9 She met his i'credulous ga*e, loo&i'g slightly shame+aced% : am a terrible dri-er%9 >esse shoo& his head, +eeli'g more tha' a little a''oyed% :;hy am 'ot surprised=9 :"ey, 1m 'ot the o'e that +uc&ed his wi+e%9 :TouchO%9 >esse tossed a 'er-ous loo& o-er his shoulder% :So we1re really goi'g to ta&e o' a bu'ch o+ a'gry C&rai'ia's3 4ust the two o+ us=9 Sal 'odded% :,o way am telli'g my u'cle that &id'apped a *oo% "e was mad e'ough o-er the alpaca%9 Sal shrugged% :2ut we1ll sort o+ ha-e help%9 :Sort o+=9 >esse was getti'g e-e' more 'er-ous% :$o you wa't your girl+rie'd bac& or 'ot=9 >esse 'odded% :The' yes, sort o+%9 Sal pee&ed out the wi'dow as they pulled up 'e.t to a crushed yellow <o'te )arlo% :;e1re here%9 :;ait, is'1t that theI9 :?es, it1s the )olumbia's1 car%9 She poi'ted at the warehouse% :SmallBtime group% ,ot a++iliated a'd 'ot locals%9 :A'd what does that ha-e to do with our curre't situatio'=9 : 1m usi'g your situatio' to +i. my situatio'%9 Sudde'ly, Sal rammed her ha'd dow' o' the hor' o+ her )he-elle% A+ter a +ew seco'ds, se-eral dar&Bs&i''ed me' popped out o+ the warehouse% Sal rolled dow' the wi'dow% :"ey +uc&ers, chec& out my 'ew me'agerieJ9 She slammed o' the hor' agai'% <o'&eys bega' whoopi'g% 2irds bega' chirpi'g%

:;hat the +uc& are you doi'gJ9 :Tryi'g to get them to chase us,9 Sal a''ou'ced as she laid o' the hor' agai'% t o'ly too& a seco'd +or the )olumbia's to reali*e what was goi'g o' a'd they bega' scrambli'g to get i'to their ow' car, a gia't brow' Escalade% Sal slammed o' the gas% :Remember the gu'=9 >esse sighed a'd popped ope' the glo-e compartme't% :?ou1re +uc&i'g 'uts3 you &'ow that right=9 :?up,9 She 'odded at the car i' the rear-iew% :$o 'ot disable their -ehicle,9 Sal i'+ormed him de+i'itely as a' Escalade pulled up behi'd them% :>ust &eep them i'terested%9 >esse lea'ed out the wi'dow a'd bega' his seco'd rou'd o+ gu'+ire i' his seco'd (lorida highBspeed chase% @@@ :!et the +uc& o++ o+ me, you bastard,9 !abby shrie&ed as ,ic& sho-ed her dow' o' the bed% She s5uirmed helplessly as ,ic& pi''ed her wrists dow' to the mattress% "is +ace loomed o-er hers% : thought you were good at baby ma&i'g, !abrielle,9 "is -oice was moc&i'g a'd his eyes were amused% :?ou1re so e.perie'ced at it, a+ter all%9 ,ic& lowered his head to &iss her a'd !abrielle pulled bac&% She +le.ed her 'ec& a'd, 4ust as his mouth started to co-er hers, headBbutted him with all her might% :(uc&J9 ,ic& 4umped up a'd stumbled bac&wards away +rom her% "e touched his lip, where blood was starti'g to well% :;he' the +uc& did you get so -icious=9 :Probably the day saw my husba'd murder someo'e with the same car-i'g &'i+e that used to cut our Tha'&sgi-i'g tur&ey%9 !abby stared him dow' +rom the place she was crouched i' her marital bed, waiti'g +or his 'e.t attac&% : told you was sorry about that%9 ,ic& spru'g a'd lu'ged at her a'd !abby rolled away 4ust i' time to a-oid getti'g caught% !abby bac&ed away as ,ic& started to stal& her arou'd the bed% :;ell that 4ust ma&es up +or e-erythi'g, the'%9 ,ic& watched her li&e prey, breathi'g hard% :?ou do'1t 'eed to co'cer' yoursel+ about busi'ess matters% 1-e told you that already%9 : do whe' Ebusi'ess matters1 i'-ol-e you murderi'g someo'e1s +amily%9 !abby +elt tears pric& her eyes as she remembered Lu&a1s destroyed e.pressio' a+ter +i'di'g out his childre' had bee' murdered% She bac&ed away +rom ,ic& as he ad-a'ced o' her% :"ow could you do that= "ow could you &ill i''oce't people= "ow could you murder >esse whe' all he did was gi-e me a ride=9 :"e ra' o-er our mailbo.,9 ,ic& hissed as he too& a'other step towards her% !abby too& a deep breath% ,ic& had her pi''ed i'to a cor'er% :So he deser-ed to die +or that= $id Lu&a deser-e to die li&e that= $oes a'yo'e deser-e to die li&e that= >esus, ,ic&, you murdered his +amily% ?ou &illed i''oce't people +or 'othi'g more tha' busi'ess a'd you e.pect me to be able to ha-e a +amily +or a ma' li&e that=9 !abby shoo& her head as tears +illed her eyes% : 1d rather die% 1d rather die the' bri'g a ma' i'to the world that is 4ust li&e you%9

,ic& cle'ched his +ists as he glared at his wi+e, coweri'g i' the cor'er% "er words had cut to the bo'e a'd he had 'othi'g le+t% :The' guess you ha-e to%9 !abby met his ga*e u'+eeli'gly% : t1s about +uc&i'g time%9 The', all hell bro&e loose% @@@ >esse +elt a +risso' o+ e.citeme't whe' he reali*ed that Sal was'1t pla''i'g o' stoppi'g at the gate% (or at least 20 mi'utes, he1d bee' e.cha'gi'g gu'+ire with a' Escalade without i'te'tio'ally disabli'g it% The' he1d lear'ed why% They were goi'g to the belly o+ the beast% Sal burst through the +ro't gates o+ !abby1s gated commu'ity, with both a Li'col' Tow'car a'd a brow' Escalade hot o' their heels% The a'imals i' their car were 4ust comi'g out o+ their drugged stupors a'd the shrie&i'g a'd whistli'g was starti'g to gi-e >esse a headache% >esse te'sed as they started to pull up i' +ro't o+ !abby1s house% 'stead o+ stoppi'g, though, Sal did somethi'g he did'1t e.pect% She dro-e through the +ro't doors he1d bee' sta'di'g i' less tha' MG hours be+ore% The per+ect (re'ch doors burst ope' as the )he-elle plowed through them% They were'1t e-e' stopped whe' Sal sho-ed ope' her door a'd rolled o'to the +loor% >esse +ollowed her lead, ta&i'g the gu' with him% "e duc&ed his head at the )olumbia's +ollowed them i', their ow' gu'+ire a'd the debris +rom the crash ma&i'g the air thic& a'd smo&y% "e loo&ed arou'd% E-erythi'g was slightly grey with the di' o+ dust a'd gu' smo&e i' the air% Sal crab wal&ed her way to the dri-er1s side o+ the door, usi'g the car as co-er% >esse +ired bli'dly, 'ot cari'g i+ he was hitti'g a'ythi'g, 4ust wa'ti'g to &eep up the chaos% ,ic& had'1t bee' e.pecti'g a +ull +ro'tal attac&, or a'y attac& at all, +or that matter% ,o'e o+ his u'derli'gs had bee' i' reside'ce at the time a'd he was pretty sure !rigor had opted to par& his car, rather the' dri-e it i'to the house% >esse a'd Sal were crouched beside her car% <e' sweari'g i' Spa'ish +ired gu'shots at them a'd they were seriously out'umbered% The )olumbia's were 5uic&ly wi''i'g the +ight a'd >esse was'1t sure what he was supposed to do% :0&,9 Sal smiled, e-e' though she was breathi'g hard% : imagi'e A'astasia is good a'd pissed 'ow%9 Keepi'g low, she mo-ed to her )he-elle a'd ya'&ed a le-er 'e.t to the dri-er1s seat o+ the car, poppi'g ope' the truc&% >esse waited +or a seco'd, thi'&i'g that the tiger had bee' &illed i' the crash% >ust as he was starti'g to get worried, the lid +lew up a'd about 2M0 pou'ds o+ seriously +urious tiger shot out o+ the tru'&% The Spa'ish swears 5uic&ly tur'ed to prayers% The tiger +ocused o' o'e o+ the smaller me' i' the group a'd lu'ged% They heard a collecti-e scream as all the )olumbia's scattered at o'ce, some disappeari'g i'to the house while o'e 4umped i' the Escalade a'd re-ersed out o+ the house a'd dow' the street, his screechi'g tires audible e-e' abo-e the commotio' i'side% Sal tur'ed a mischie-ous smile to >esse% : thi'& it1s time to go get your girl% 1ll ha'dle thi'gs dow' here%9 >esse did'1t 'eed to be told twice%

@@@ !abby bac&ed up agai'st the +ar wall, +li'chi'g as her husba'd repeatedly &ic&ed the bathroom door, tryi'g to brea& it dow'% She1d ta&e' the commotio' dow'stairs as a' opportu'ity to ru', but the +arthest she had gotte' was her a'd ,ic&1s bathroom, where she had slammed the hea-y oa& door a'd loc&ed it behi'd her% She did'1t &'ow what was goi'g o'% Through the door a'd ,ic&1s +urious &ic&s, she could hear the mu++led sou'd o+ somethi'g that sou'ded li&e gu' +ire a'd e'dless crashi'g% She abse'tly wo'dered what was goi'g o'% The world outside her lu.ury bathroom sou'ded li&e Armageddo'% ,ic& &ic&ed the door agai' a'd she +li'ched% As stoic as she had bee' earlier, she was'1t loo&i'g +orward to the pai' he would i'+lict o' her% Especially 'ow that she &'ew what he1d do'e to >esse% "er sacri+ice had bee' i' -ai'% "er eyes +illed with tears a'd she +orced hersel+ to bli'& them away% 'stead, as ,ic& ga-e the door a'other &ic& that came da'gerously close to brea&i'g it dow', !abby bega' to scour the room +or a weapo'% She spied o'e thi'g she might be able to use i' the soap dish o+ the shower% A ti'y, purple ra*or% She was 4ust wrappi'g her ha'd arou'd the plastic ha'dle whe' the wood o+ the door 4am +i'ally ga-e i' a'd burst ope'% !abby spu' a'd watched ,ic& with wide eyes as he ad-a'ced o' her% She clutched her ra*or i' a sha&i'g ha'd a'd cowered away as he mo-ed towards her% "is eyes were +ull o+ +ury% :,ot so +earless 'ow, are you, you little bitch=9 Sudde'ly, he was o' top o+ her, his ha'd s5uee*i'g her throat% !abby gasped +or air a'd, i' desperatio', lashed out with the ra*or% ,ic& let out a howl o+ pai' a'd released her, causi'g !abby to slide to the +loor% "is ha'd was clutched o-er his eye a'd he was bleedi'g% !abby did'1t waste time3 she raced past her husba'd, through the bro&e' shards o+ the door a'd let out a scream as she crashed i'to a broad masculi'e chest% :!abby=9 >esse clutched her upper arms a'd pulled her bac& a bit so he could loo& at her% :Are you o&=9 !abby could barely spea&% She stared up at >esse i' wo'der% :?ou1re ali-e%9 :>ust barely, but a bit heartbro&e'%9 >esse1s dar& eyes +ocused o' hers% :;hy1d you ta&e o++ o' me=9 :>esse, I9 :;ell is'1t this sweet%9 They both spu' to where ,ic& was comi'g out o+ the bathroom, &ic&i'g the ruble o+ the door out o+ his way, a large gash u'der his right eye streami'g blood% :?our little boy+rie'd showed up to die with you%9 ,ic& too& a me'aci'g step towards them a'd >esse sho-ed !abby behi'd him% :Stay the hell away +rom her%9 ,ic& smir&ed% : do'1t 'eed to worry about her% !rigor ca' ta&e care o+ her whe' he gets here%9 ,ic& crac&ed his &'uc&les a'd too& a step +orward% :?ou, ca' ha'dle mysel+% t1s the least owe you +or steali'g my wi+e,9 ,ic& too& a'other step, :a'd ru''i'g o-er my mailbo.%9 >esse1s eyes +lashed i' rage% "e pushed !abby bac& out o+ the li'e o+ +ire a'd met ,ic&1s a'gry ga*e deadBo'% : might ha-e stole' your wi+e, but did 'ot ru' o-er your mailbo.%9 "e lu'ged at ,ic&, throwi'g a pu'ch that caught him s5uare i' the 4aw a'd made his head s'ap bac&% ,ic& swore a'd threw o'e bac& a'd, soo', they were grappli'g

a'd >esse was starti'g to reali*e he was pretty e-e'ly matched% >esse had bee' trai'ed by si. mo'ths o+ pri*e +ighti'g i' the ri'g a'd his hits were clea' a'd +ocused% ,ic& had bee' trai'ed o' the streets o+ the C&rai'e a'd his +ighti'g style was streetBtaught a'd -icious% >esse 4umped bac& 4ust i' time to a-oid a &'ee to the balls a'd caught a'other pu'ch i' the +ace +or his e++orts% "e +ei'ted a right, which ,ic& easily bloc&ed, a'd while he was distracted, 'ailed him i' the stomach% ,ic& gru'ted a'd doubled o-er, sho-i'g his way bac&% "e stumbled his way to the 'ightsta'd 'ear the bed a'd >esse too& a loo& at !abby, ho-eri'g behi'd him 'er-ously% :E'ough o+ this,9 ,ic& gru'ted% "e ripped ope' the drawer, a'd pulled out a gu'% :!abby, get the hell out o+ here%9 >esse cursed himsel+ +or lea-i'g his ow' gu' dow'stairs with Sal% 0+ course, she was +ighti'g a large group o+ a'gry )olumbia'sI a'd a *oo +ull o+ a'imals, but still% : 1m 'ot lea-i'g you, >esse%9 >esse sighed o-er her stubbor''ess, starti'g to wal& bac&wards out o+ the room% She struggled to get arou'd him, but he would'1t let her% ,ic& ga-e a cruel smile as he bac&ed them i'to the hallway% : t1s o&3 ha-e e'ough bullets +or both o+ you%9 !abby1s bac& hit the raili'g o+ the stairs a'd they were +orced to stop% She wrapped her arms arou'd >esse1s waist, waiti'g +or the bullet% The' she heard a growl% : s that a tiger=9 !abby 'oticed at the same time ,ic& a'd >esse did% t was surreal% A large ora'ge tiger sat i' her upstairs hallway% :,obody mo-e,9 She whispered breathlessly% : + you ru', it will thi'& you1re prey% >ust hold still%9 >esse liste'ed% "e slipped his ha'd o-er hers a'd s5uee*ed tightly% ,ic& did'1t% 'stead, he tur'ed the gu' o' the tiger a'd +ired a shot% "e missed by a mile a'd o'ly succeeded i' pissi'g it o++% The', ,ic& pa'ic&ed a'd did the worst possible thi'g i' the world he could ha-e% "e tur'ed his bac& a'd ra'% The co'+used beast was immediately i' predator mode, +ocusi'g its a'gry eyes o' ,ic&1s bac&% t was o' him i' o'ly a +ew leaps, si'&i'g its teeth i'to his 'ec&% !abby held i' her horri+ied scream as she watched her husba'd getti'g mauled by a tiger i' her upstairs hallway% The blood spurted a'd, despite the hatred she +elt +or her husba'd, she hoped he died o' the +irst bite% "e was limp, +loppi'g arou'd as the tiger attac&ed him a'd she could o'ly assume he was dead% !abby bega' to pull >esse with her, tuggi'g him towards the stairs% They both bac&ed dow' 5uietly a'd, +or the +irst time, !abby 'oticed the bedlam that was goi'g o' i' the place she1d o'ce called home% :;hat the hell=9 She gasped as she loo&ed arou'd the room% There were mo'&eys ha'gi'g +rom her cha'delier, birds perched at -arious poi'ts i' her house, a'd what appeared to be a terri+ied )olumbia' ma' pee&i'g out +rom behi'd her curtai's% The biggest cha'ge was the +act that the +ro't wall o+ her +oyer was go'e% t had bee' replaced by a -ery +amiliar purple )he-elle% >esse smiled wryly% :As you ca' probably tell, we't to Sal +or help whe' +ou'd out you were go'e%9 :?ou we't to Sal=9 !abby tur'ed to >esse with shoc& o' her +ace% :?ou= thought you thought she was i'sa'e9 :She is i'sa'e,9 >esse emphasi*ed as he wrapped his arms arou'd !abby, :but would ha-e go'e to Sata' i+ it mea't helpi'g you%9

!abby tried to pull bac&% : thi'& you might be ta&i'g this guilt thi'g a bit too +ar%9 :!abbyI9 >esse did'1t get time to +i'ish his se'te'ce because Sal came screami'g out o+ the &itche', !rigor hot o' her heels% :Rot i' hell, you C&rai'ia' bastard% The C&rai'e is 'othi'g more tha' ge'eric RussiaJ9 Sal let out a laugh a'd +ired i' !rigor1s ge'eral directio', 4umpi'g a'd slidi'g o-er the hood o+ her )he-elle% !rigor stopped midBchase, +ro*e' i' shoc& to see >esse still ali-e% :Pool boy,9 he hissed, starti'g to march his way up the stairs% >esse shoo& his head i' co'+usio' as he prepared to do battle with !rigor% :;hy does e-eryo'e &eep calli'g me that=9 !abby ga-e >esse a o'ce o-er% :?ou do loo& a little li&e our pool boy%9 :Really=9 !abby 'odded, :0lder though% A'd cuter%9 :E'oughJ9 !rigor1s shout brought them bac& to their predicame't% >esse started to sho-e !abby behi'd him agai', prepari'g +or a'other +ight% The', !rigor1s asce't was paused by the arri-al o+ a 'ew party% The hidi'g "ispa'ic ma' had see' him, &'owi'g the threat o+ the tiger was go'e, a'd come out +rom behi'd the curtai's% :C&rai'ia',9 the ma' hissed as he came out +rom behi'd the curtai's, : t was you who is steali'g the a'imals +rom our operatio's%9 (rom somewhere beside the )he-elle, !abby could swear she heard Sal giggle% !rigor spu', seemi'g to 'otice the )olumbia's i' the house +or the +irst time% :;hat are you tal&i'g about=9 Sal popped up +rom where she was hidi'g behi'd the )he-elle% :"ey !rigor,9 she had put dow' her gu' a'd pic&ed up somethi'g much bigger% :"ere1s that s'a&e you told me to steal%9 She held the s'a&e up o-er her head% The', sudde'ly, almost i' slow motio', she tossed it i' his directio'% !rigor let out a girlish s5ueal a'd duc&ed, but he was too slow% The pissed o++ s'a&e wrapped its body arou'd his upper shoulders a'd bega' hissi'g a'd spitti'g, lashi'g out to bite him i' the +ace% !rigor bega' ru''i'g arou'd i' a pa'ic, tryi'g to dislodge the s'a&e, but the more he pa'ic&ed, the tighter the s'a&e wrapped itsel+ arou'd him a'd the more it bit% "e stumbled a'd +ell to the +loor, gaspi'g a'd cho&i'g as the boa co'strictor tighte'ed its grip% :;ell,9 Sal brushed hersel+ o++ a'd wal&ed arou'd the car, :That ta&es care o+ him%9 She started to wal& towards !abby a'd >esse whe' the last sta'di'g )olumbia' raised his gu'% :?ou pay +or this, puta%9 Sal tur'ed a'd her eyes wide'ed% She1d le+t her gu' o' the +loor a'd &ept her +ace +ocused o' the )olumbia's% Sudde'ly, there was a loud, &ee'i'g wail a'd 4ust as the ma' was s5uee*i'g the trigger, a gree' glob o+ goo hit him i' the +ace% The ma' let out a disgusted shout a'd reached up to co-er his +ace% :;hat the hell=9 :,icely do'e, Russell,9 Sal shouted as she dropped to the grou'd +or her gu'% Seco'ds later, she popped up by the dri-er1s side o+ her car a'd !abby ma'aged to close her eyes 4ust i' time to a-oid watchi'g her put a 'eat hole right i' the ce'ter o+ the ma'1s head% !abby appraised the room% There was a car par&ed i' her +oyer, a dead ma'

weari'g a s'a&e 'ec&tie at the +oot o+ her stairs a'd a tiger eati'g her husba'd% :;hat the hell=9 Sal ga-e her a charmi'g smile% :;e should probably get our stories straight be+ore the cops get here%9 @@@ !abby sat i' the passe'ger seat o+ >esse1s 4eep as they rode o-er to the Stra'gely Sober% The police had closed o++ her house as part o+ a' o'goi'g i'-estigatio'% $uri'g the three hours o+ 5uestio's, !abby had played stupid% She1d claimed 'o &'owledge o+ her husba'd1s crimi'al e'terprise a'd the detecti-es had appare'tly bought it% She1d alleged that she1d bee' hidi'g i' the attic the whole time% ,either >esse 'or Sal1s 'ame had come up% 'stead, the police determi'ed that her husba'd had bee' attac&ed by a small orga'i*ed crime sy'dicate, a+ter they1d determi'ed that ,ic& was butti'g i'to their a'imal/diamo'd smuggli'g busi'ess% A'imal co'trol was called i' to ta&e care o+ a large group o+ a'imals, i'cludi'g se-eral rare birds, mo'&eys, a tiger a'd a mediumBsi*ed boa co'strictor% A' alpaca 'amed Russell was 'ot amo'g the a'imal i'-e'tory% The police had told !abby that she may be called o' to testi+y i' court, but were'1t sure% All the i'-ol-ed parties were dead% There was probably 'othi'g to testi+y about% !abby had played the role o+ shellBshoc&ed, slightly dit*y widow well a'd she was allowed to call a +rie'd to pic& her up% She called >esse, who1d s'uc& away with Sal o'ly hours be+ore% :?ou o&%9 !abby 'odded 'umbly% She was +ree a'd she was ali-e% The e-e'ts o+ the day were almost blurry% They +elt li&e they had happe'ed to someo'e else% : should +eel somethi'g,9 She loo&ed i' co'+usio' at >esse% : was married to the ma' +or si. mo'ths% should +eel somethi'g%9 >esse rested his ha'd o' her &'ee% :?ou1re probably still i' shoc&%9 !abby shoo& her head% : t1s more tha' that% t1s li&e 'e-er +elt a'ythi'g +or him%9 She bli'&ed bac& tears% : li&ed him well e'ough% &'ew he could ta&e care o+ me, but i' si. mo'ths o+ marriage, 'e-er +elt +or him what it too& me o'e 'ight to +eelI9 !abby stopped, a+raid o+ sayi'g too much% >esse was +ree 'ow, too% "e1d more tha' made up +or o'e horrible i'sult i' high school% :Loo&, >esseI9 >esse put up a ha'd% :;hat were you goi'g to say=9 !abby shoo& her head agai'% : t does'1t matter%9 !abby1s body shot +orward i' her seat as >esse slammed o' the bra&es% : t matters%9 !abby let out a +rustrated groa'% : t does'1t, >esse% t was o'e 'ight% Sure, +elt somethi'g, but 1-e had a crush o' you si'ce high school% was bou'd to +eel somethi'g%9 Tears blurred her -isio'% : &'ow you +eel guilty, li&e what1s happe'i'g i' my li+e is your +ault, but it1s 'ot% ?ou do'1t 'eed to ta&e care o+ me, a'ymore% ha-e +rie'ds3 they ca' help me%9 :That1s 'ot why 1m doi'g this, !abby%9 !abby spu' towards him i' her seat% :The' why= ;hy are you doi'g this, >esse,

because ha-e to tell you, ca'1t ta&e it a'ymore% ?our guilt is ma&i'g me +eel guilty a'd the guiltier +eel, the guiltier you act u'til it 4ust gets worse a'd worse a'd do'1t &'ow how to ma&e you u'dersta'd that it1s o& 'ow% 1m goi'g to be o&%9 : 1m doi'g this because o+ what said that 'ight% ?ou belo'g with me, !abby% ?ou always ha-e%9 >esse cle'ched the steeri'g wheel, u'able to loo& at !abby% : was a' idiot i' high school% ;he' you were tutori'g me, was getti'g more a'd more attached to you e-ery day% A'd you stayed so detached, it was dri-i'g me cra*y% 0+ all the girls i' school, had a crush o' the o'e who would tur' me dow' +or a date +or a Star ;ars se5uel%9 !abby shoo& her head% :That1s ridiculous% ?ou did'1t li&e me li&e that%9 >esse s'orted% :Really=9 "e glared at her% : 1d bee' struggli'g with how to as& you out +or a wee&% The', whe' you came i' +or tutori'g, built up my courage a'd as&ed you to come to my game%9 "e shot her a loo&, :$o you remember that=9 :?eah,9 !abby 'odded at the ha*y memory% :?ou told me you were playi'g that 'ight% thought you were 4ust ma&i'g co'-ersatio'%9 : wa'ted you to watch me play,9 >esse 'early shouted% : 'stead, you told me you already had pla's3 that you were goi'g to the dam' mo-ie% 4ust wa'ted you to see me doi'g somethi'g was actually good at, i'stead o+ thi'&i'g was some dumb 4oc&% 'stead, you told me that you were spe'di'g the 'ight waiti'g to get tic&ets to the dam' Star ;ars se5uel%9 : t was Episode J9 !abby shoo& her head% :?ou had to wait all 'ight to get tic&ets to that% t was the o'ly way to do it% Plus, +ootball is bori'g%9 :;ell, you1re goi'g to ha-e to lear' to lo-e it%9 >esse did'1t gi-e !abby time to as& what he mea't by that% :A+ter that, was so dam' mad at you, a'd my +rie'ds &ept ma&i'g +u' o+ me% thought it would be per+ect re-e'ge 6 to pro-e that you wa'ted me% played that stupid pra'&,9 >esse bli'&ed bac& tears a'd his -oice caught a little, :a'd the' 'e-er saw you agai'%9 :The school let me do the rest o+ my classes +rom home a+ter that%9 !abby whispered% :The semester was almost o-er, a'yway, a'd my mom was really sic&%9 :?ou 'e-er told me that% ?ou 'e-er told me a'ythi'g about you%9 !abby1s breath hitched% : t was too hard to tal& about% ;he'e-er me'tio'ed it, it 4ust +elt too real% ;e69 !abby bli'&ed, :<y whole +amily &'ew she was termi'al% 2ut she wa'ted to prete'd e-erythi'g was 'ormal% >esse, it was a hard time +or me% barely e-e' &'ew what was thi'&i'g, mysel+% A'd you were the &i'g o+ the high school% did'1t thi'& you would wa't me% did'1t thi'& a'yo'e would wa't me%9 !abby suc&ed i' a deep breath% :The truth is, was cra*y about you, but was too a+raid to admit it% (or me, thi'gs were easier whe' they were bad% "ope a'd daydreams 4ust e'ded i' disappoi'tme't%9 She swallowed agai'% :They still do%9 !abby pushed a ha'd through her hair% : pic&ed ,ic& because he was easy% "e would ta&e care o+ me a'd he was too dista't to get attached to% "e +elt sa+e% +elt sa+e% 4ust could'1t bare the thought o+ losi'g someo'e lo-ed agai'%9 >esse reached o-er, starli'g !abby as he clutched her ha'd% : 1m sorry% was a sel+ish asshole% 'e-er thought o+ what you were goi'g through% was 4ust pissed that could get a'y girl i' the school that wa'ted, but that could'1t ha-e you%9 "e pressed !abby1s ha'd to his mouth% :(or years, the loo& o' your +ace stayed with me% ,o matter what 1d see', it was your sad grey eyes that stayed with me% thought that 4ust +elt

guilty% told mysel+ that you1d gotte' ugly a'd +at whe' you got older% told mysel+ you were li-i'g i' a trailer with eight &ids% told mysel+ a'ythi'g could to co'-i'ce mysel+ that you did'1t belo'g with me3 that had'1t rui'ed the o'e cha'ce 1d had at lo-e, because it1s true% ?ou1re the o'ly woma' e-er lo-ed%9 "e ig'ored !abby1s gasp a'd &ept tal&i'g% : was 4ust goi'g to +i'd you3 to see +or mysel+ that you were a happy, bori'g housewi+e% 'stead,9 he gestured at !abby, :you were a goddess with a C&rai'ia' mobster husba'd%9 >esse pressed her ha'd to his mouth agai'% : made a mista&e bac& the', !abby, but 1m 'ot ma&i'g it 'ow% mea't what said that 'ight% ?ou belo'g with me% ?ou1re supposed to be mi'e%9 :>esse,9 !abby cho&ed out the words% : do'1tI9 >esse tur'ed towards her a'd tugged her i'to his arms% : &'ow it1s scary a'd &'ow that you1-e bee' through a lot, but 1m 'ot ris&i'g losi'g you agai'% lo-ed you the' a'd lo-e you 'ow, !abby% + you 'eed some time to get used to that, u'dersta'd% 1ll &eep my ha'ds to mysel+% 2ut 1m 'ot letti'g you go%9 >esse shoo& his head% :,ot 'ow that 1-e +ou'd you agai'% 2ecause 1m right% ;e belo'g together%9 !abby swallowed 'er-ously% :,ot e-e' +or a seco'd duri'g my marriage did +eel the way about ,ic& that did about you +or o'e 'ight% That1s what was goi'g to say%9 !abby too& a deep breath% : did'1t go bac& to him because lo-ed him% The truth is 'e-er lo-ed him% 2ut 1-e always lo-ed you%9 She pressed hersel+ agai'st him, e'4oyi'g the heat +rom his body% : 1-e always lo-ed you%9 >esse lowered his head to her% :;ell, it1s about dam' time that you admitted that%9 "e pressed his lips dow' o'to hers a'd +orgot about the past%

)hapter G >esse a'd !abby wal&ed ha'd i' ha'd i'to the Stra'gely Sober, their clothes still slightly rumpled +rom their roadside tryst% Sal1s middleBaged u'cle was behi'd the bar, +i.i'g himsel+ a midBa+ter'oo' dri'&% :"ey !io,9 >esse s5uee*ed !abby close% :;here1s Sal=9 !io 'odded to the stairway headi'g to the seco'd +loor% :She1s upstairs, dyi'g her alpaca%9 :2et that se'te'ce has 'e-er bee' said be+ore%9 !abby shoo& her head a'd lead >esse to the staircase% Sure e'ough, they +ou'd Sal cloistered away i' her ti'y bathroom, towel dryi'g a 'ewly blac&e'ed Russell% She smiled whe' she saw them% :Russell is i' the Ealpaca wit'ess protectio' program%19 !abby was surprised to see Sal1s lower lip wobble a little% : 1m really goi'g to miss him%9 Russell let out a &ee'i'g wail a'd hac&ed up o'e o+ his sig'ature gree' loogies% : wo'1t miss that%9 Sal let Russell out o+ her bathroom a'd i'to the &itche', where they stood with >esse a'd !abby% She reached +or a har'ess she1d i'-e'ted +or Russell% :Are you sure you wa't to do this=9 Sal shoo& her head% :,ope, but he ca'1t stay here% did'1t wor& my ass o++ usi'g your husba'd1s orga'i*atio' as a scapegoat, 4ust to lose it all because got weirdly attached to a' alpaca%9 Sal loo&ed up at !abby% :?ou1re probably sa+e i' <iami, but would'1t ta&e a'y cha'ces%9 !abby 'odded as she too& Russell1s ma&eshi+t leash% She smiled at >esse% :;e1ll ta&e really good care o+ him%9 >esse shoo& his head% :?ou &'ew that ,ic& would get the blame% That1s why you did it% ?ou had the whole dam' thi'g pla''ed%9 Sal 'odded, :(rom the seco'd you wal&ed i'to the bar without !abby a'd as&ed +or my help% &'ew that was i' o-er my head%9 Sal rubbed her +orehead, loo&i'g tired% : 1d gotte' a little, let1s 4ust call it, co'+used, earlier i' the day a'd decided steali'g all those a'imals was a great idea% The' reali*ed 1d 'e-er be able to mo-e them% ,ot without getti'g caught% So you come i' here, telli'g me that !abby1s go'e bac& to her C&rai'ia' mobster husba'd a'd decided to &'oc& out two birds with o'e sto'e a'd put all the blame o' him%9 She ga-e Russell a' a++ectio'ate pat% : 4ust could'1t gi-e this o'e up%9 She ga-e !abby a mea'i'g+ul loo&% : 1m sorry that used you +or my ow' e-il mea'sIa'd that your husba'd got eate' by a tiger%9 :Agai', probably 'ot a se'te'ce that a'yo'e has said out loud be+ore,9 !abby shoo& her head% : ca'1t be mad at you, Sal% ?ou sa-ed our li-es%9 Sal hea-ed out a sigh o+ relie+ a'd slid moist eyes to Russell% :?ou1ll buy him some +rie'ds1 right= Alpaca1s are herdi'g a'imals% "e1ll get lo'ely i+ there are'1t other alpacas arou'd%9 !abby 'odded a'd swallowed o-er the lump i' her throat% As Sal had suggested, she1d decided to lea-e tow' a'd head out to a 5uiet area outside o+ a little tow' called Sierra #ista i' Ari*o'a% The climate was per+ect +or raisi'g alpacas a'd she had agreed to ta&e Sal1s camelid charge with her% 2ut she was really goi'g to miss Sal% >esse s5uee*ed her ha'd a'd !abby +elt her tears dry up% At least he would be with her% : was thi'&i'g we might start a +arm, i+ we ma&e e'ough mo'ey%9 She ga-e a wobbly smile% : 1m goi'g bac& to -eteri'ary school%9

Sal smiled happily at the 'ews a'd >esse s5uee*ed !abby closer% : 1m thi'&i'g ca' get a 4ob out there, while we wor& o' buildi'g up the +arm% Support !abby while she goes bac& to school%9 Sal smiled agai' a'd shoo& her head% She lead them to the door, the alpaca that had sa-ed her li+e +ollowi'g loyally behi'd them% She did'1t spea& as they got i'to >esse1s 4eep, prepari'g to start their 'ew li-es i' Ari*o'a% She simply hugged them all3 reser-i'g her hardest s5uee*e +or the alpaca she1d 'amed Russell% Sal lea'ed i' >esse1s wi'dow as he started the 4eep, +i'ally spea&i'g% :About you getti'g a 4ob to pay +or !abby1s schoolI9 >esse shoo& his head% :Sal, you1-e do'e e'ough%9 : t is'1t me that1s goi'g to gi-e you a'ythi'g%9 Sal 'odded to Russell, who had curled up i' the bac&seat% :2ut whe' you let my little buddy out at the rest stops, you may wa't to chec& his poops thoroughly% 'e-er did get a cha'ce to har-est what he was carryi'g%9 :?ou mea'I9 >esse tur'ed his head to Russell% :?up, little Russell is still loaded with diamo'ds%9 Sal sho-ed a busi'ess card i'to his ha'ds% :)all my +rie'd% "e1ll gi-e you a good deal% <ore tha' e'ough to start a' alpaca +arm a'd se'd !abby bac& to -eteri'ary school%9 >esse too& the busi'ess card a'd Sal said her goodbyes, getti'g a little teary as she said goodbye to Russell% A+ter a +ew mome'ts, she was go'e a'd he a'd !abby were alo'e i' the car agai'% :She1s i'sa'e,9 he +i'ally said to brea& the sile'ce, :but a little wo'der+ul%9 !abby glared a'd ga-e him a moc& 4ealous pu'ch i' the arm% :A'd what am =9 >esse tugged !abby towards him% :)ompletely sa'e a'd completely wo'der+ul%9 "e ga-e her a lo'g &iss o' the mouth be+ore +i'ally reli'5uishi'g his hold% !abby suc&ed i' a breath% Lea-i'g tow' with >esse, to start a +arm a'd go bac& to school sudde'ly seemed o-erwhelmi'g, li&e she was as&i'g too much o+ him% :Are you sure you wa't to do this=9 >esse gu''ed the e'gi'e a'd pulled out i'to the street% : 1-e 'e-er bee' more sure o+ a'ythi'g%9 :2ecause i+ you1re still +eeli'g guiltyI9 >esse smiled% :$o 'eed to pull o-er a'd show you how 'ot guilty +eel= 2ecause Russell is a little you'g to wit'ess that &i'd o+ actio'%9 !abby blushed a'd smiled% :,o, but you could &iss me agai'%9 >esse chuc&led a'd put o' the bra&es, pulli'g o-er to the side o+ the road% "e tugged !abby i'to his arms a'd lowered his mouth to meet hers% "is lips brushed agai'st hers ge'tly a'd !abby clutched his shirt, pulli'g him closer% "e &issed her u'til she was di**y, +i'ally pulli'g bac&, gaspi'g a'd watchi'g her with dilated pupils% :"ow was that=9 !abby smiled agai' a'd pulled his head bac& dow' towards her% :That,9 she said be+ore her lips met his agai', :was the best apology e-er%9 The E'd%

Stra'gely Sober A'gelica Sal-atori, a&a Sal, is a'ythi'g but sober% As a hard partyi'g a'd e-e' harder li-i'g crimi'al, she co'siders her status as mastermi'd 'ot 4ust a 4ob, but a calli'g% 2etwee' ru''i'g her crew, tryi'g to bur' dow' her bar, a'd deali'g with her occasio'al brea&s with reality, she has e'ough o' her plate% ;he' she +i'ds out that she has a twi' she did'1t &'ow about, o'e that may be i' serious da'ger because o+ somethi'g she did, Sal reacts by doi'g what a'y good delusio'al sociopath would do% She goes o' a -iole'ce pac&ed, cross cou'try crime spree to +i'd out who1s hu'ti'g them a'd why% ;he' security co'sulta't )ole ;ar'er is hired by Sal1s sister to trac& her dow' a'd &eep her sa+e, he gets a lot more tha' he bargai'ed +or% ;hile pursui'g Sal through a series o+ e.plosio's, gu' +ights a'd meeti'gs with drug cartel, he starts to wo'der i+ the woma' he1s tryi'g to protect 'eeds to be protected +rom hersel+% The more he gets to &'ow Sal, the more he thi'&s that the sel+ declared e-il ge'ius may ha-e a death wish% At the same time, he also +i'ds himsel+ ha-i'g more +u' tha' heQs e-er had i' his li+e, so she must be doi'g somethi'g right% Sal a'd )ole soo' +i'd themsel-es draw' i'to the illicit u'derworld o+ huma' tra++ic&i'g as they try to sol-e the mystery% ;ith the help o+ Sal1s di-erse +amily, a suitcase +ull o+ e.plosi-es, a'd a recurri'g !ary 2usey halluci'atio', the two will embar& o' a 4our'ey to co'+ro't a &i'gpi' who may be as da'gerous to Sal as she is to hersel+%

RSee the 'e.t page +or a s'ea& pea& at Stra'gely SoberS

CHAPTER 1 The girl o' the bed was per+ect i' e-ery co'cei-able way% Lo'g, white blo'de, sil&e' hair lay +a''ed out behi'd her% "er s&i' was light i-ory, co'trasted with pi'& i' her chee&s a'd the dar& red crushed strawberry o+ her +ull, parted lips% "er eyes were hal+ closed, ope' o'ly e'ough to re-eal the startli'g blue -iolet o+ her eyes% She lay o' her side, o'e delicate arm draped o-er her stomach, +aci'g a wi'dow o' the seco'd +loor o+ the house that loo&ed out i'to su'Bdre'ched, beige la'dscape% She 'e-er saw the sa'd du'es i' the dista'ce or brushy spotti'g o+ cacti% + 'ot +or the occasio'al rise a'd +all o+ her chest, the outside obser-er would assume she was dead% She had bee' li&e that si'ce shortly a+ter her abductio'% The girl o' the bed, Tia, to the +ew people who &'ew her, was i' the room i' body o'ly% "er mi'd was e.isti'g outside o+ the room i' a clea' pla'e o+ white, slightly lumi'ous tile% 0ccasio'ally, s'atches o+ co'-ersatio' came through to her +rom the me' who stood o-er the bed% :So you1-e +ou'd the other o'e the'=9 A' older ma' stood with his +ocus o' Tia% "is dar&, +ierce eyes ra&ed her o-er greedily% :2ecause we1re ru''i'g out o+ time%9 The you'ger ma' 'e.t to him crossed his arms o-er his a'd 'odded de+i'itely% :;e1ll ha-e her soo' e'ough% ha-e #adim wor&i'g o' it%9 The older ma'1s eyes wide'ed i' alarm% : 'eed her ali-e%9 "is compa'io' loo&ed u'co'cer'ed% :"e1s rough, but he1ll get it do'e right% She might be a little beat up, but she1ll suit your purposes%9 "e watched his boss1s +ace% A+ter se-eral lo'g mome'ts, he smiled% :;ell the',9 the older ma' clapped his ha'ds together cheer+ully as he shu++led bac& to the des& where his chess table was set up% : guess you1ll wa't to ta&e this o'e%9 The you'ger ma' balled his +ists but said 'othi'g% "e mo-ed with e-e', +luid grace a'd too& the seat opposite the older ma'1s, crossi'g a' a'&le o-er his &'ee a'd lea'i'g bac& to appraise Tia% :That was the deal% ?ou wo'1t 'eed her 'ow%9 :The deal was you get me her sister i' e.cha'ge +or her%9 The older ma' sho-ed a paw' +orward% :As the sister,9 the ma' wa-ed his ha'd towards the room, :is 'ot yet here, you ha-e'1t completed your portio' o+ the co'tract%9 The you'ger ma', ,atha' ;yatt, wisely said 'othi'g a'd co'ti'ued to watch the woma'% ,atha' was possibly as ha'dsome as she was beauti+ul, with light brow' hair a'd pierci'g gree' eyes% "is +ace was misleadi'gly boyish a'd placid a'd showed 'o i'dicatio' o+ the dar&'ess o+ the ma' withi'% "e lea'ed +orward sudde'ly, as +or the +irst time i' days, he saw Tia twitch% Somewhere i' the white plai's o+ Tia1s mi'd, a word echoed through, be+ore +adi'g% $-ister.% Tia tried to ig'ore it a'd go bac& to thoughtless bliss, but the word re+used to be ig'ored% $-ister.% t echoed agai' a'd Tia1s mi'd +ollowed it i' ha*y, muddled co'+usio'% Someo'e said she had a sister= They could'1t ha-e% Tia was a' o'ly child% "er dad had bee' si'gle% "er e'tire li+e, growi'g up, it had o'ly bee' him a'd her% ,o +amily, gra'dpare'ts, au'ts or u'cles% A'd de+i'itely, 'o sister% 2ut they said she had a sister= Tia1s mi'd clu'g to the possibility% ,o lo'ger alo'e, as she had bee' si'ce her dad1s death si. mo'ths earlier% ;as it possible= <aybe

her mother had a'other child% 2ut her +ather had told her that her mother had died gi-i'g birth to her% Tia1s 5uiet place was +adi'g, slippi'g away as she tried to clutch at it li&e smo&e through her +i'gertips% She did'1t wa't to go bac& to that room% Tia1s eyes 5ui-ered as the room started to come bac& i'to +ocus agai'% ;ith her sa+e place +adi'g, she was agai' clutched by the roll o+ pa'ic i' her stomach% She struggled to ma&e hersel+ hold still% :"er 'ame is A'gelica Sal-atori%9 :Trust $elia to gi-e her a ridiculous 'ame li&e that% ;here is she=9 :<iami is what 1m bei'g told% She ow's a bar there% ;e should ha-e her by tomorrow, day a+ter at the latest%9 Tia +elt pressure i' her bladder, 'ot sure i+ it was because o+ her +ear, or the +act that she had'1t go'e to the bathroom i' days% + she did ha-e a sister, these me' were pla''i'g o' ta&i'g her li&e they1d ta&e' Tia% A lump +ormed i' Tia1s throat, ma&i'g it impossible to swallow% Thoughts whirred i' her head as she tried to ma&e se'se o+ what she had heard% She had a sister% She had a sister she1d 'e-er met, did'1t e-e' &'ow about% These me' were goi'g to ta&e her, hurt her li&e they had hurt Tia% Tia tried to reig' i' her pa'ic% "er eyes +ocused agai' o' the wi'dow, loo&i'g out o'to the desert la'dscape, the tall cacti sitti'g thirty +eet high i' the dista'ce, the su' a sharp glowi'g disc behi'd them% She 'e-er &'ew they could be so high or the su' so yellow% t loo&ed so bright a'd beauti+ul% t did'1t ma&e se'se that somethi'g so dar& a'd horrible could be happe'i'g i'side% Tia suc&ed i' a breath, this o'e loud e'ough to ma&e both me' stop their chess game a'd loo& o-er at her% ;ith a'other gasp, +or the +irst time i' o'e wee& a'd three days, Tia sat up% :Tia,9 ,atha' started to rise out o+ his chair% Seei'g the mo-eme't, Tia 4umped to her +eet, pi's a'd 'eedles shooti'g through her legs as she used them +or the +irst time i' days% :Tia=9 Tia bac&ed away i' pa'ic as ,atha' started to wal& to her% "e stopped o' the other side o+ the bed, watchi'g her cautiously% :?ou1re awa&e%9 Tia1s bac& hit the wall a'd she tur'ed to the side% ,e.t to her, the wi'dow% t was ope', 'ot e-e' a pa'e o+ glass separated her +rom the s&y% She reached out a ha'd li&e a sleepwal&er a'd put it outside i' the ope' air% "er ha'd was +ree% :Tia%9 ,atha' watched Tia +rom across the room, a+raid to startle her% The wi'dow was large but two stories up% Tia mo-ed i' +ro't o+ it a'd tur'ed to +ace him, lea'i'g bac& o' the sill% ,atha' li+ted a ha'd towards her as she tilted bac& a little% :Tia, come away +rom there% ?ou1re goi'g to +all%9 "er -oice was smo&y +rom 'o'use% : ha-e a sister=9 ,atha' 'odded 5uietly% :?es, a'd whe' we get her, you ca' come away with me%9 ,atha' slowly started to wal& arou'd the bed% :;hy do'1t you lie bac& dow'=9 "e started to approach her% "e stopped whe' Tia lea'ed +arther i'to the wi'dow% :;hat are you goi'g to do to her=9 :?ou do'1t 'eed to be co'cer'ed about that%9 ,atha'1s -oice had grow' +irmer% :,ow come away +rom the wi'dow%9 "e started to ta&e a'other purpose+ul step towards her, a'd Tia lea'ed bac& e-e' +urther% This time, the elderly ma' too& 'otice as well% :,atha', you 'eed to put a stop to this%9 The older ma', #ictor Slo', started to rise +rom his chair%

: 1m wor&i'g o' it% Tia, please come away +rom there be+ore you get hurt%9 'stead, Tia lea'ed out u'til the o'ly thi'g &eepi'g her +rom +alli'g out was her ha'ds grippi'g the wi'dowsill% She let her +ocus dri+t away +rom ,atha'% She tur'ed her +ace a'd saw the s&y, +elt the warm su' o' her bac&% She let go o+ the wi'dowsill a'd let hersel+ +loat i'to it% ,atha' raced to the wi'dow as Tia disappeared, arms outstretched, tumbli'g o-er% :TiaJ9 Tia heard her 'ame as she +ell +rom the s&y, her heart pou'di'g i' her ears as the wi'd rushed by her% She lay suspe'ded i' air +ore-er, her hair +ormi'g a halo arou'd her a'gelic +ace% Time stopped, e-erythi'g stopped% Sudde'ly, e-erythi'g slammed out o+ her as her body hit the grou'd, her breath le+t her i' a whoosh o+ air% She lay o' the grou'd, stu''ed +or a mome't, wo'deri'g i+ she was dead% The s&y stretched o' e'dlessly abo-e her a'd sudde'ly Tia was +eeli'g less bra-e% She gi'gerly sat up, a'd +elt +or bro&e' bo'es% Tia heard shouti'g +rom abo-e a'd &'ew they would be comi'g +or her soo'% She got to her +eet, her sta'di'g still u'sure, a'd bolted towards the hori*o' to +i'd her sister% @@@ The ?uma $esert sits outside ?uma, Ari*o'a, a ti'y slice o+ the larger So'ora' $esert that routes drug dealers a'd illegal alie's ali&e i'to the C'ited States% The harsh la'ds, lac& o+ rai'+all, a'd u'stable sa'd du'es ma&e it a poor choice +or de-elopme't a'd it sits deserted, with the occasio'al spots o+ )oyotes smuggli'g illegals i'to the large 'eighbori'g city o+ ?uma% There are almost 'o 'atural water reser-oirs% (re5ue'tly, u'prepared tra-elers e.pire o' the trip through the harsh terrai'% The most commo' cause is dehydratio', either +rom the immigra'ts 'ot bri'gi'g e'ough o+ their ow' supply, or +rom ha-i'g it stole' by the o+te' -icious outlaws who wa'der the terrai'% The problem had grow' so sig'i+ica't, the CS $epartme't o+ (ish a'd ;ildli+e had, with great co'tro-ersy, i'stalled se-eral wateri'g statio's alo'g the border that allowed the border 4umpers to re+ill as 'eeded% $arre' )alipso, border patrol age't, had bee' gi-e' the lo+ty duty o+ reBchec&i'g the water statio's% t was a' easy 4ob that could be surprisi'gly +u', whe' gi-e' the proper e5uipme't to play with% $arre' raced i' the sa'd, the trac&s +rom his AT# disappeari'g almost as soo' as he made them, miles o+ empty desert stretchi'g i' +ro't o+ him% "e +elt alo'e i' the u'i-erse, a'd the +eeli'g was good% The wi'd whipped through his hair, sa'd spotted agai'st his goggles% "e 4umped a'other du'e, his AT# +lyi'g i' the air, a'd laughed as it came dow' with a delicate bou'ce o+ per+ect suspe'sio'% ;ith all +our wheels o' the grou'd agai', he sur-eyed the hori*o', e.pecti'g to +i'd it empty% To his surprise, +or o'ce, it was'1t% A lo'e +igure, blac& agai'st the su' behi'd it too& halteri'g, stumbli'g steps% The +igure paused, lea'ed +orward, +ell to the grou'd% t struggled to a' u'certai' sta'd, agai' stumbli'g +orward with determi'ed steps% $arre' shoo& his head a'd reached +or his ca'tee'% A'other illegal getti'g ready to +or+eit their li+e to the desert% "e gu''ed the AT# a'd too& o++ towards the +igure% As he drew closer a'd the su' stopped blotti'g the +eatures o+ the +igure, he stared i' surprise%

The stumbli'g perso' co'ti'ued to tru'dle a'd trip i' the sa'd% $arre' stopped the AT# a'd watched her +or a mome't% She ga-e 'o i'dicatio' she e-e' &'ew he was there% She was tall, i' a lo'g white dress de+i'itely 'ot desig'ed +or a tre& i' the desert% + a'ythi'g, it loo&ed li&e a 'ightgow'% 2ut the gow' was'1t the most surprisi'g thi'g% ' a desert populated by illegal <e.ica' immigra'ts, drug dealers a'd outlaws, $arre' had e.pected to see swarthy dar&, su'bur'ed s&i' with coarse blac& hair% 'stead, the woma' i' +ro't o+ him was a -isio' o+ pearl s&i', 4ust starti'g to tur' pi'& +rom the su', a'd white blo'de hair that hu'g to her waist% (or the +irst time, the woma' tur'ed towards him a'd he saw her wide -iolet blue eyes wide' i' alarm% :;hat are you doi'g out here=9 $arre' too& a step towards her a'd held out the ca'tee'% She stared at it as though she had 'e-er see' o'e be+ore% : do'1t &'ow%9 The words were whispered a'd gra-elly, co'+used% $arre' studied her +ace as he wal&ed closer% She was beauti+ul, but haggard, her hair ta'gled +rom the wi'd, her lips a'd chee&s chapped% : do'1t &'ow how got here%9 She whispered it agai' a'd dropped to her &'ees o' the grou'd% $arre' raced to her side, still i' shoc& +rom the surreal situatio'% "e s5uatted dow' 'e.t to her a'd pushed the ca'tee' at her agai'% :Are you lost= Are you loo&i'g +or somethi'g=9 The girl1s eyes loc&ed o' his a'd +i'ally seemed to +ocus +or a mome't% : thi'&,9 she started halti'gly, her -oice getti'g wea&er3 : 1m loo&i'g +or my sister%9 She slumped to the grou'd, u'co'scious% @@@ (rom the outside, the bar loo&ed closed, e-e' aba'do'ed% The dirty wi'dows were so ca&ed i' years o+ cigarette smo&e, bar +ight blood a'd mystery smears that it was completely impossible to see what was goi'g o' i'side u'less you pressed your +ace agai'st the glass% ,obody e-er did u'less they wa'ted to wal& away with a +orehead +ull o+ hepatitis% A chipped red door sat croo&edly o' a door +rame, 'e-er +ully closed% 0' that, a sig', i' peeli'g stic&Bo' blac& letters, the 'ame o+ the bar% $-trangely -o#er.% :?o, Sal, 9 <oo&i1s -oice caught o' the last word as he suc&ed i' a mouth+ul o+ some seriously stro'g blac& hash% : t1s your hit%9 "e held the pipe out +rom the table he was sitti'g at i' the bar, deserted e.cept +or the +our regular patro's% <oo&i, also &'ow' as <arlo' Loo&ey, Sal1s hal+Bbrother +rom her mother1s +ourth marriage, was o'e o+ those regular patro's% :"a-e ,ic&y ta&e it +or me,9 came a pac& a day, but decidedly +emi'i'e -oice +rom somewhere u'der the bar% Rustli'g, hammeri'g, +emi'i'e sweari'g% A ha'd reached up +or a lighter, chipped bro&e' +i'ger'ails, cuts a'd bur's, multiple 2a'dBAids% The ha'd shoo& as it s'atched a lighter a'd disappeared agai'% ,ic&y, usually &'ow' as ,icholas Sal-atori, reached o-er to oblige his 'iece1s re5uest% :;hatcha ma&i'g i' there Sally girl=9 ,ic&y said i' the ge'eral directio' o+ the bar% (rom below the bar, a mi'i commotio', mu++led sweari'g, a possible blowtorch= :?ou three are goi'g to rot your brai's with that shit%9 Sal1s other u'cle, !io-a''i Sal-atori, a&a !io, stated +rom where he was studyi'g a mismatched chess set, watchi'g

his u'li&ely oppo'e't% "e too& a hea-y belt +rom his si'gle malt scotch a'd mo-ed a paw'% "is compa'io' said 'othi'g, but the' agai', his compa'io' rarely said a'ythi'g% :)hec&,9 >oh' 2er'ard St% Pierre, o'e o+ Sal1s +ormer step+athers, stated as he sho-ed his bishop i'to the spot i' +ro't o+ !io1s u'protected &i'g% E-eryo'e called him <umbai, despite the +act that he was'1t 'dia' a'd had 'e-er bee' to 'dia% The iro'y was lost o' the group, as they were all really bad at geography% :So' o+ a bitch,9 !io respo'ded% :<y brai'1s already rotti'g% 1m 4ust ma&i'g the process more com+ortable%9 (rom behi'd the bar stood a girl, who o' +irst gla'ce, loo&ed surprisi'gly li&e Tia% 0' closer i'spectio', she was a +ar more tattered copy% 'stead o+ a 'atural white blo'de, her hair was 'aturally golde'% That could be discer'ed by the +ourBi'ch roots that grew +rom the top% The rest was bleached almost yellow, with dried a'd bro&e' e'ds% The le'gth ra'ged +rom two i'ches to mid bac&% "er +eatures were small li&e Tia1s, but her lips were pale a'd chapped, curre'tly clamped arou'd a cigarette% "er 'ose sat aw&wardly croo&ed i' the ce'ter o+ her +ace, the result o+ a pre-ious +racture% Two scars, o'e 'ew, a slim red li'e gra*i'g her right chee&bo'e, the seco'd older, less pro'ou'ced, slici'g through the middle o+ her top lip% "er most alluri'g a'd disturbi'g +eature were her eyes% ' Tia1s +ace, the blue -iolet was so+t a'd limpid, sere'e% ' Sal1s +ace, they bur'ed +e-er bright, the dar& circles a'd red rims ma&i'g the color more pro'ou'ced% "er ga*e was disturbi'g, but slightly i'trigui'g, mai'ly i' its stra'ge'ess% She was a' e.act replica o+ Tia% >ust 'ot a pretty o'e% "er ha'ds clutched a lit cigarette, despite the o'e that was already i' her mouth, a lighter, a +ire e.ti'guisher, a beer, se-eral rolls o+ duct tape a'd a hal+Bempty bottle o+ 181% She placed e-erythi'g o' the bar i' +ro't o+ her a'd too& a drag o++ her cigarette i' her mouth, a'other drag o++ the cigarette i' her ha'd, a'd sur-eyed the mess with a critical eye% To a'y outsider, the occupa'ts o+ the bar were a' oddlyBmatched group% !io a'd ,ic&y were middle aged a'd middle agi'g, respecti-ely% They were both wiry talia's with 5uic& tempers% !io, the older brother, was the highBstru'g hothead, gi-e' to goi'g o++ +or a'ythi'g% ,ic&y was the you'ger laid bac& ladies1 ma' with a lo'g stri'g o+ girl+rie'ds with 'ames li&e Ta++y, )a'dy, )rystal a'd so o'% They were the brothers o+ Sal1s mother a'd the +a-orites o+ her -arious u'cles% <oo&i was the you'gest% "e was the short, thi' hal+ !erma' result o+ a gree' card marriage that Sal1s mother too& too seriously% "e mai'ly +ollowed Sal arou'd dow'i'g a steady supply o+ drugs a'd occasio'ally starti'g some brother/sister bic&eri'g that both secretly e'4oyed% "e was also the muscle o+ the group% That would ha-e seemed stra'ge, co'sideri'g his u'imposi'g, hippie perso'a, e.cept he grew up with a 'ame li&e <oo&i so he had a lot o+ e.perie'ce +ighti'g% <umbai was a mystery% "e was a si. +oot +i-e "aitia' re+ugee with o'e eye a'd he was Sal1s +i+th +ormer step+ather% The o'ly thi'g he e-er said o+ the marriage to Sal1s mother was that it made him 'ostalgic +or his days as a political priso'er% Sal li+ted the +ire e.ti'guisher, cigarette da'gli'g +rom her lip a'd s5ui'ted as she li+ted the 'o**le% She poi'ted it towards <oo&i who was watchi'g +rom the table% : t1s 4ust a +ire e.ti'guisher%9 <oo&i was u'impressed% :)orrectio', it was a' e.ti'guisher, 'ow it1s a' em#ellisher%9 Sal pressed the 'o**le ge'tly a'd laughed as <oo&i tumbled out o+ the chair he was sitti'g i' to a-oid

the +our +oot +lames that shot out% :Rela., it1s o' the lowest setti'g%9 Sal +lic&ed a switch a'd set the +ire e.ti'guisher o' the +loor% :?ou should see whe' put it o' high%9 :"oly shit,9 <oo&i respo'ded as he pee&ed his head abo-e the table a'd stood, mo-i'g to where Sal was sta'di'g% :?ou ga-e it setti'gs a'd e-erythi'g%9 "e pic&ed it up, placi'g it o' the bar, admiri'g Sal1s ha'dy wor&% The e.ti'guisher had u'dergo'e some mi'or cha'ges% There was a small cartridge o' the bottom 'ow, with a small bottle u'der'eath% The e'tire 'o**le had bee' wrapped i' electrical tape% 0' the +ro't, Sal had writte' i' blac& magic mar&er $.se in case of water%. :,ice%9 ,ic&y had 4oi'ed them% Sal smiled proudly% :The hard part was +i'di'g somethi'g that -apori*ed i'to stro'g e'ough alcohol to bur'% <oo&i ga-e me the idea whe' he passed out a+ter dri'&i'g all that 181, a'd dropped that cigarette o' him%9 : do'1t remember that%9 :?our eyebrows came bac& i' 'icely%9 ,ic&y li+ted the 'o**le a'd tur'ed his atte'tio' bac& to Sal% :"ow did you &'ow how to ma&e it=9 : guess the better 5uestio' would be, E;hy=19 !io said +rom across the room, still stari'g at the chessboard i' dismay% Sal was i'credulous% : will ha-e you &'ow that this,9 Sal patted her +lamethrower +o'dly, :is the thi'g that is +i'ally goi'g to ta&e care o+ this problem o'ce a'd +or all%9 Sal slapped her ha'd dow' o' the bar a'd +i.ed her eyes o' her u'cle, who co'ti'ued to play his game with <umbai% :Ai'1t go''a wor&, Sal%9 : t will i+ hit all the support beams%9 :?ou1re o'ly goi'g to bur' the support beams= That wo'1t be a dead gi-eaway to the +ire i'spector%9 !io rolled his eyes a'd sho-ed a paw' +orward% : t would be, i+ was usi'g a' accelera't li&e gasoli'e or lighter +luid% ,ot,9 Sal patted the +ire e.ti'guisher, :i+ it ru's o' alcohol% So they +i'd spots o+ alcohol,9 Sal shrugged a'd spread her arms wide% : t1s a bar, o+ course they1re go''a +i'd boo*eJ9 ,ic&y raised a' eyebrow a'd tur'ed to !io% :She ma&es a good poi't% ?ou really thi'& this will wor&=9 ,ic&y tur'ed bac& to Sal% She 'odded emphatically as !io shoo& his head% :;hy do'1t you 4ust &eep it=9 Sal sighed as !io started the same argume't they1d had a millio' times be+ore% :2ecause 1m 'ot ready to retire yet%9 Sal glared at the bar that had bee' the ba'e o+ her e.iste'ce +or the past three mo'ths% She scratched a spot o' her 'ec&, the idea o+ retireme't ma&i'g her itch% :;e1-e bee' o-er this, !io% + you wa't to retire, do it% wo'1t hold it agai'st you i+ you1re ready to get out%9 Sal loo&ed at her u'cle, still +ocused o' the chess board% "is ha'd was still% :That1s 'ot what this is about Sal%9 Sal let out a'other deep sigh% : &'ow%9 She +lou'ced arou'd the bar a'd mo-ed to the table by <oo&i % Loo&i'g +or allies% :2ut you ha'gi'g out to &eep me i' chec& is'1t 'ecessary% thi'& 1-e pro-e' that ha-e e-erythi'g u'der co'trol%9 Sal raised a' eyebrow at <oo&i a'd 'odded% The -ery sto'ed <oo&i bega' to 'od alo'g with her% :$ude, your e.ti'guisher is awesome%9 Sal smiled at <oo&i% "is comme't was o++ topic but the best she could hope +or gi-e' his co'ditio'% :)a' play with it=9

: ' a mi'ute%9 Sal loo&ed o-er to ,ic&y% :,ic&y agrees% "e made out better i' #egas tha' a'y o+ us%9 ,ic&y 'odded i' agreeme't% :#egas was too big%9 !io shoo& his head, mo-ed a bishop to a &i'g% : 1m still 'ot co'-i'ced we got out clea'%9 Sal s'orted a'd tossed ta'gled hair% :?ou1re 'e-er co'-i'ced we got out clea'% Seriously, you1re more para'oid tha' am% That1s sayi'g somethi'g%9 :#egas is +i'e%9 ,ic&y mo-ed bac& to the table, glari'g at !io% 2ei'g the biggest gambler i' the group, he also had the most to lose i+ #egas came bac& to bite them% "e chose to go the optimistic route% As Sal had poi'ted out, it had always wor&ed out be+ore% Sal smiled% Two dow'% The third would be easiest% :;hat do you thi'& <umbai=9 :;hat happe's will happe'%9 <umbai1s mouth barely mo-ed as he spo&e% :)hec&mate%9 :So' o+ a bitch,9 !io let out a swear as he lost yet a'other game o+ chess to <umbai a'd a' argume't to Sal i' record time% The co'-ersatio' died dow' +or a bit a'd the room was 5uiet as !io a'd <umbai ga-e up o' chess a'd the cards came out% <oo&i a'd ,ic&y mo-ed to the table, draggi'g wobbly bar stools% :Sal, get beer%9 <oo&i tossed o-er his shoulder% :!et it yoursel+%9 Sal we't bac& to playi'g with her +ire e.ti'guisher a'd hopped up o' the bar to sit% :!et me o'e too% <y ha'ds are sha&i'g% 1m getti'g too e.cited%9 Sal 4iggled the +ire e.ti'guisher a'd li+ted a butt chee& to reach i'to her bac& poc&et% She tugged a pe' out o+ where she had sho-ed it i'to the ta'gled mess o+ her hair as she spread out a piece o+ +olded paper i' +ro't o+ her% The layout o+ the bar, draw' to +rea&ishly detailed scale, lay i' +ro't o+ her% She studied the a'gles a'd bega' ma&i'g 'otes o' the paper% :?ou are the world1s worst barte'der%9 <oo&i dropped a beer 'e.t to her a'd loo&ed at the paper% Sal reached out without loo&i'g a'd promptly &'oc&ed o-er the beer% :(uc&, 1m too hyped up% 1m writi'g li&e a three year old with palsy% This might be a'other stro&e%9 Sal too& a slug o++ her beer% She lit a'other cigarette a'd dropped the o'e that had bur'ed dow' to a 'ub betwee' her i'de. a'd middle +i'gers o' her right ha'd% : 'eed a game o+ logic to determi'e i+ am ha-i'g a stro&e%9 Sal dumped beer dow' her shirt as she attempted to ta&e a drag o++ her cigarette a'd a sip o+ her beer at the same time% :<oo&i, +uc&, marry or &ill=9 :,ame the co'testa'ts%9 :?our choices are a'y +our o+ the Golden Girls% ?ou ca' lea-e o'e out, but you ha-e to use at least three%9 Sal coc&ed her head as she stretched her bac& at the bar, waiti'g +or the a'swer to her 5uestio'% :0uch, 'ice set up,9 <oo&i loo&ed dow'% :;ell, ob-iously, 1d +uc& 2la'che, cause she was &i'da the slutty o'e%9 :$isgusti'g,9 !io said, 4oi'i'g the co'-ersatio'% : would'1t +uc& that o'e with a borrowed dic&% Tell you who 1d do, 2etty ;hite% She was a pretty hot piece +or a' old broad%9 : pic&ed her to &ill,9 ,ic&y respo'ded% "e bega' to shu++le, deali'g out a ha'd o+ po&er with the s&ill o+ a #egas casi'o wor&er% :?ou &iddi'gJ "ow the +uc& could you &ill 2etty ;hite% The woma'1s a +uc&i'g

sai't%9 :,othi'g perso'al,9 ,ic&y respo'ded as he orga'i*ed his cards% :>ust busi'ess%9 :"ow=9 <oo&i pulled up a chair% : got a celebrity death pool goi'g o'li'e%9 "e smiled as !io loo&ed at him i' co'+usio'% :People ma&e lists o+ what celebrity they thi'& is goi'g to die, a'd pay a buc& a 'ame to bet% Their celebrity &ic&s it, they get a piece o+ the wi'% They do'1t, &eep the mo'ey% got so ma'y people betti'g o' 2etty ;hite, i+ she dies a'y time 'e.t year, 1m go''a be +riggi' ba'&rupt%9 ,ic&y shi+ted the cards i' his ha'ds% :So would o++ the old broad, the' &eep it o' the dow' low u'til the year was o-er% >a'uary 1, 2etty1s body shows up i' a -aca't lot a'd &eep all the mo'ey%9 ,ic&y met the horri+ied eyes watchi'g him +rom arou'd the table% : t1s 4ust good busi'ess%9 : would marry 2etty ;hite%9 "eads swi-eled i' <umbai1s directio' as his low -oice caught them o++ guard% :She has much mo'ey a'd +ew years le+t%9 : lo-e how practically you guys -iew this game%9 Sal comme'ted as she pressed two +i'gers to the pulse i' her throat% :,ot a stro&e% >ust a little wor&ed up% 1m go''a bur' my bar dow'J9 Sal smiled li&e a &id o' )hristmas mor'i'g a'd retur'ed to ma&i'g circles o' her paper% The me' sat playi'g a loud, argume'tati-e rou'd o+ po&er while Sal sat o' the bar, +lamethrower betwee' her &'ees, pe' i' ha'd, absorbed i' the paper i' +ro't o+ her% She muttered to hersel+ a'd crossed somethi'g out% Arou'd the third ha'd the group all tur'ed as they heard a sou'd they had 'e-er heard be+ore% The 4i'gle o+ the bell i' the e'tryway% A customer% Sal1s eyes retur'ed to her paper% :Sorry, we1re re'o-ati'g,9 she said without loo&i'g at the 'ewcomer% :?our sig' says you1re ope',9 the ma' respo'ded +latly% :?eah, it1s stuc& to the wi'dow with some &i'd o+ mystery goo%9 Sal gestured to the sig' a'd loo&ed up i' +rustratio', a''oyed at the customer attempti'g to patro'i*e her busi'ess% :Liste', you do'1t wa't to dri'& here% "ell, e-e' do'1t wa't to dri'& here, a'd ow' the place% There1s a pretty 'ice barI9 The ma' cut her o++% : 1m 'ot here to dri'&% Are you A'gelica Sal-atori=9 :;ho wa'ts to &'ow=9 Sal crossed her arms o-er her +ire e.ti'guisher a'd watched as the ma' bega' to wal& towards her% "e was tall, at least a +oot a'd a hal+ taller tha' her, a'd thic&% She could see where his suit cut i'to his 'ec&% The slee-es were too short +or his arms% "e had the &i'd o+ body that made his head loo& too small% "u'dreds o+ hours logged i' a gym, hell o+ a lot o+ steroids% :The (2 %9 The ma' pulled out his bill+old a'd +lashed a badge 5uic&ly% Sal watched as he s'apped it shut a'd put it away% : ha-e some 5uestio's 'eed to as& you% 1m goi'g to ha-e to as& you to come with me%9 The ma' stopped i' +ro't o+ her, o'ly a +ew +eet away% >ust out o+ reachi'g dista'ce% The me' at the po&er table watched the e.cha'ge% ,o o'e spo&e as they waited +or Sal to ta&e the lead% :(2 ,9 Sal loo&ed at the ma' thought+ully with a slight smir&% :Right%9 The ma' too& a'other step% This time, with a stretch, he could reach out a'd touch her% :Are you A'gelica=9 Sal did'1t li&e his -oice% t was +lat a'd odd, li&e he was readi'g o++ a script% Sal raised the 'o**le o+ the e.ti'guisher a'd poi'ted it at the ma'% :So what i+

am=9 She held it cautiously, a'd her eyes too& o' their sharp u'settli'g glare% (or a mome't, the ma' seemed u'able to loo& away% The' he seemed to s'ap out o+ it% "is woode' +ace split i'to a' amused gri'% :;hat are you goi'g to do= E.ti'guish me to death=9 :,o, but could rui' your suit%9 She giggled a weird little laugh the' shoo& her head% : 1m 4ust teasi'g though,9 Sal said as she loo&ed dow' at the +ire e.ti'guisher, her eyes 4ust slightly abse't% "er -oice +ar away% : do'1t wa't to be a'y trouble% actually really respect the (2 % E-e' thought about 4oi'i'g up i' high school% There was somethi'g about that E(irst do 'o harm1 motto that really called to me% That1s the motto, right=9 Sal coc&ed a' eyebrow as she watched the ma', waiti'g +or co'+irmatio' o+ her suspicio'% The ma' shoo& his head while he loo&ed at her% :Sure ho'ey, that1s the motto%9 "e started to reach out a ha'd towards her, pla''i'g o' s'atchi'g her while her guard was dow'% "e had time to watch her eyes 'arrow a'd her lips cur-e i'to a' e-il little gri' be+ore his world erupted i' +lame%