Chapter 82
Chapter 82
He’s a young boy, maybe ten years old. Brown hair, light brown eyes, tanned skin, barefoot. He’s so thin you can see his collarbones.
He’s wearing a faded, hole–ridden t–shirt and dirty pants. His face is smeared with grime and he smells strong.
It’s obvious he’s a street kid.
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He holds a large blue box with a red ribbon wrapped around it like a gift.
“Hello, ma’am, someone told me to bring you this box.”
As soon as Alexander hears the boy’s voice, he puts away his gun and steps out from hiding. He stands behind me–so close I feel his muscles against my
back.
The boy explains that a man approached him while he was begging, gave him a ten–euro bill to make the delivery.
We both keep our eyes on the boy. He genuinely seems clueless.
Alexander leans in and whispers:
“Pick up the box gently–it might be a bomb. If it is, the kid needs to get out fast.”
I sigh. As I reach for the box, Alexander suddenly grabs my hand to stop me. I look at him, confused, especially when I see the concern in his eyes.
“I’ll do it.”
He lets go of my hand. Alexander approaches the boy and puts his ear to the box for several seconds without saying a word.
“It’s not a bomb. I don’t hear anything.”
He takes the box from the boy and places it inside, just by the door.
The boy is about to leave, but I manage to grab his t–shirt before he moves. He gives me a startled look.
“Wait, please.”
I let go, realizing I was a bit too rough. I crouch to his level.
“Where are your parents?”
He raises his eyebrows.
“I don’t have any.”
“Do you want to take a shower and eat something before you go?”
He looks surprised.
“No thank you, ma’am. I have everything I need.”
“Where are you going?”
“Outside.”
As
“Want to stay with us for a bit? We can take you wherever you want afterward,” Alexander offers.
I think Alexander intimidates him. The boy avoids his gaze.
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Chapter 82
“I just want to leave, please.”
“You’re free to do what you want. But take this first.”
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I search my pocket and pull out a fifty–euro bill, handing it to him. I wish I had more cash on me to give him. He looks at me strangely, then gives me a small, shy smile.
“Buy yourself something to eat.”
“Thank you, ma’am. You’re kind.”
I close the hotel room door and turn to Alexander, who’s watching me closely.
“You’re not as tough as you look, doll.”
Children are innocence. So precious and fragile that it makes you want to protect them from this cruel and horrifying world.
I hope the little one makes it. I hope I’ll see him again. We all deserve someone to reach out when we need it.
“He was just a kid.”
He shrugs as I glance back at the box still on the floor.
“What do you think is inside? Why all the mystery?”
“I have no idea–but we’re about to find out.”
He opens it without hesitation. I barely stop myself from screaming.
Alexander remains stoic–he’s probably seen worse.
Inside the box is Jared’s head, decapitated and packed with salt to preserve it.
“Close the box.”
Alexander does so as soon as he sees me go pale. I feel like throwing up.
And yet I shouldn’t be surprised by such horrors anymore.
I place a hand on my stomach and try to compose myself, not wanting to collapse in front of Alexander.
“What kind of psychopath chops off a head, puts it in a box, and gives it to a kid? Imagine if the boy had been curious and opened it.”
He clenches his jaw.
“The kind who wants to send us a haunting, unforgettable message. Whoever did this made sure we’d be together to receive their little ‘gift.”
Suddenly, it hits me. My heart rate spikes.
“That means someone’s watching me! They’ve known I was here all along!”
I rush to the window, which overlooks several rooftops–all exposed.
I could be watched from anywhere, and I’d never know.
Alexander grabs my wrist violently and pulls me back from the window, slamuning the curtains shut. He glares at me, frowning.
“Are you stupid or just pretending to be? You find out you’re being watched and the first thing you do is walk to the damn window so they can put a bullet through your head?”
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He yells. I hadn’t considered that possibility. No need to scream at me.
“I didn’t think of that.”
He clenches his fists, still glaring.
“You’re about to drive me insane! I have to find the son of a bitch who sent us Jared’s head and think for you to keep your dumb ass safe because you’re just a reckless idiot!”
His words hurt, but as always, I fake indifference.
“When did I ask you to take care of me? And do you really think you’re the only one they’re targeting? I remind you–we’re both in this.”
I hold back from yelling and try to stay calm.
“We have to put our differences aside–now’s not the time to fight. We have to be smart and work together if we want to find whoever did this.”
He doesn’t respond. I take that as a yes.
“You and I don’t share many enemies–except Khalid. And Khalid had no reason to send us Jared’s head since Jared was about to kill me. He was more of an ally to him.”
“Khalid’s not smart enough to come up with something like this. He couldn’t even think of cutting off a head, putting it in a box, and giving it to a kid who can’t identify him.”
He clearly knows Khalid’s weaknesses better than I do.
“Several men have tried to kill or test me on behalf of someone I’ve called Mr. X.”
He stares at me silently.
“Someone wants to take us both down.”
I sigh to brace myself for the storm ahead.
“Alexander, you need to tell me what you’re hiding.”
He frowns and clenches his fists.
“What are you talking about?”
“I know you’re keeping a big secret.”
“Mind your own business. That’s advice.”
His voice is cold and threatening, but I don’t back down.
“What were you looking for in prison? What did you find that’s so valuable? I know you have it–otherwise, you would’ve stayed there.”
He glares daggers at me.
“You’re stepping onto very dangerous ground. Stop.”
My life is in danger. I have nothing left to lose.
“Inara, I’m not telling you anything. if I do, I’ll have to kill you.
Whatever’s going on has nothing to do with this crap.”
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He really thinks I’m an idiot.
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“Don’t you find it odd that Jared was killed right after searching your place for whatever the hell everyone’s after? You’re not stupid–you know it’s all
connected.”
I know he’s boiling inside. I stay calm.
“You won’t know anything, got it? Never!”
He storms out of my room without another word. I sigh in frustration at his coldness.
I no longer trust this hiding place.
I move to my suitcase–barely unpacked since I arrived–and quickly start closing it up.
1 place it by the door and glance over at the box with Jared’s head.
I can’t leave it here. It’s far too risky.
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Chapter 83
Chapter 83
