Chapter 69
The more time passes, the more I realize he’s different from Khalid–and that he can show humanity.
It’s so much easier to hate than to admit someone is starting to slip into your life and into your head.
“What are you thinking about? I remind you it only takes one second of distraction to get shot!”
We’re on a mission with Larbi, and he’s right to call me out. I look down at the weapon I’m holding against my chest, my finger lightly resting on the trigger. I was so deep in thought I almost forgot my life’s on the line.
“Stay focused. You can’t afford to get hurt.”
I vaguely nod.
We’re supposed to drop off weapons to one of our new contacts in exchange for a briefcase full of cash.
I check once again that my weapon is loaded, then tuck it into the back of my pants as I head toward the entrance of the warehouse where the meet–up is set.
Larbi follows lightly, carrying tightly against him the two duffel bags filled with guns.
I go in first and immediately notice the men lounging on the couches. They don’t look like arms buyers or traffickers. They look more like henchmen.
I give Larbi a questioning look–he just shrugs.
“You stay here and don’t take your eyes off the weapons, got it?”
He nods silently.
I walk toward the seven men with a determined step. They all eye me up and down, and one of them stands to face me. He’s wearing a khaki tank top stained in various places, showing off his bulging muscles and sweat, with short brown pants, also stained, and muddy black boots.
He stares me down and towers over me. I don’t flinch. I stare him straight in the eye without blinking or looking away.
“Who are you? I’m here to deliver weapons–tell me who you work for.”
“The weapons are for me.”
1 frown.
“In my gang, we only deal with people we trust. And your face doesn’t exactly inspire that.”
He shrugs.
“I’m not supposed to be trustworthy–I’m a criminal. If we’re judging by looks, I shouldn’t trust you either–you’re a
woman.”
Sexist prick.
“I’m the one with the weapons, so I’m the one who decides.”
“What do you want?”
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Chapter 69
falls to the ground groaning.
Five left.
I launch myself off the warehouse wall with one foot and slam one guy’s head violently into the wall.
Four.
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I follow with a headbutt to another and double it with a kick to his stomach–he
goes down.
The two remaining try to grab my hair but I manage to break free by kicking the first one in the balls–he crumples in pain -and I slap the other across the face. I grab my weapon from the ground and strike one in the head–he collapses. Then I hit the last one again.
I finish the fight with one final blow to the guy who originally spoke to me–he drops while clutching his face.
Business handled, I turn toward the camera. I know someone’s watching, analyzing every move that led me here.
I won’t get answers today. I give the camera one last look–then shoot it dead center.
I get in the passenger seat of Larbi’s car. His hands are on the wheel. As soon as our eyes meet, he scans me to see if I’m hurt.
“I don’t want to talk about what just happened. Forget all of it. Don’t say anything to Khalid. If anyone asks, you say the new buyers tried to ambush us and we had to defend ourselves to make it out alive and protect the goods.”
He nods.
“You know you can absolutely trust me, Inara.”
“You’re the one I trust most in this gang.”
Larbi has never betrayed me. He’s always stood by my side. He’s one of the rare ones who doesn’t underestimate me because I’m a woman, and who’s always followed orders without question. But even he doesn’t get full trust–too risky. You can always get screwed.
“Let’s get out of here. We’ve wasted enough time.”
AD
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Chapter 69
“Who do you work for?”
“No one.”
I snort, and he frowns.
“The weapons I’m carrying are worth thousands of euros. You clearly can’t afford them. The guys around you are slouched on couches like rats. If you were really the boss, you’d have them by the balls and they’d be too afraid you’d kill them to sit
like that.”
He doesn’t deny it.
“You made me drag my ass here for these weapons, only to sit in front of me looking like a clueless idiot.”
I walk closer, dangerously close.
“I’m out. No need to call Khalid to reschedule.”
I head back toward Larbi, but the guy grabs my arm roughly, pulling me back. All the couch guys get up and surround us. I’m standing way too close to him.
He reeks of tobacco mixed with something familiar I can’t quite place–but I know I’ve smelled it before.
“Go back to the car, Larbi. If anyone tries to take the weapons, shoot–no hesitation.”
I don’t look at him. I just hear him leave. I glare at the man holding me. I shove him, forcing him to let go of my arm.
“What if I told you I just want to test you, Inara?”
I raise an eyebrow.
“How do you know my name?”
He bites his lip.
“You mentioned it.”
“I haven’t said my name once since I got here. I’ll ask you again–how do you know my name?”
“That’s not what matters most.”
I turn my head. I smile when I see what’s hanging on the wall—a camera.
I look back at the man in front of me.
“I guess you’re the other guy hired to hurt me. Like Paco, right? Mister X still wants to mess with me, huh? After the state I left Paco in, I thought he’d stop pestering me.”
“Paco was alone with you. There are seven of us here.”
I look at them all one by one and burst out laughing to throw them off. I got screwed once–not twice.
I grab the gun from the back of my pants and throw it to the ground under their stunned gazes. They’re unarmed. I want a fair fight.
I kick one of them straight in the nose. He tries to hit me back, but I duck. He ends up punching his buddy behind me,
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Chapter 70
