NERI
Long ago, I learned to kill without mercy or guilt. The people running this safe house were a threat to my family. They would have destroyed us for money. I destroyed them for love. I refuse to feel shame over that decision.
After dealing with the bodies, Cobain watches me as we stand in the kitchen. Robin sits nearby, growling at the hallway where the other animal occasionally barks.
“I didn’t know they had a dog,” I say to break the silence.
Under the fluorescent kitchen lights, Cobain’s dark eyes give off a menacing vibe. He refuses to speak. I wish I better understood why Cobain behaves the way he does, but I’m afraid asking will only reveal answers I won’t want to hear.
“What happens when we leave?” I ask, still hoping to break the silence. “I assume you’ll want to burn down the house to ensure there’s nothing of us left behind.”
Cobain finally relents to my questioning. “We’ll let the fucking thing loose before we set the fire.”
“Why are you angry with me?”
“The world doesn’t revolve around you, Neri James.”
Cobain seeks to intimidate me, but I’ve seen his real face. This scowling one is a mask he wears. I reach over to caress his jaw, and Cobain proves I’m right.
A man his size shouldn’t move with such silent speed, but he has his lips against mine almost instantly. I soak in the heat of his greedy embrace. When I waited in the room—knowing Kai and Cobain were on the hunt—my heart remained coldly steady. Now it beats wildly, celebrating we’re alive.
“You distract me,” he says, peeling himself from my body.
“You distract me, too, Cobain.”
Upon hearing his name on my lips, he kisses me again. I relish the power I have over this man. I wonder if he feels the same way about how weak he makes me.
“My brother is coming,” I whisper when we part. “What do you suggest we do next?”
“Get rid of him, so I can fuck you.”
I smile at his frustrated growl. “Where do we go next if everyone is looking for us?”
My brother arrives in the kitchen doorway as I finish my question. Cobain frowns at Kai, viewing him as an obstacle in regaining access to my body.
“Should we leave now or at dawn as planned?” Kai asks Cobain.
Having us relinquish power to him nearly inspires Cobain to smile. Of course, my brother doesn’t care who’s in charge as long as he gets what he wants.
On his phone, Cobain pulls up a map of the western states we need to drive through to reach a major airport.
“The green dots are safe houses affiliated with the Arizona Moving Company. As you can see, the closest one is nearly a thousand miles away. We can’t make that in one day, especially since we’ll need to zigzag to avoid obvious hot spots.”
“Define hot spots,” I ask.
“The bounty on you will appeal to any local militia. We’re currently in the territory of a group of Aryans. I can’t remember what they call themselves anymore since they change their name every time they get sued.”
Cobain rests his phone on the table and frowns at where the Rottweiler barks again. “This entire area is a no man’s land. Just using the back roads won’t be enough. We’ll be noticed everywhere we go. That’s why I think we need to change up our plan and travel at night. People will always notice us, so we need to be out when there are fewer people to notice.”
“Then we’ll leave this evening.”
“Then drive all night and find a place to bunk for most of the day. Our next stop should be a motel. None of the safe houses is an option between here and the one run by the Arizona Moving Company.”
“Can any safe house be trusted?” Kai asks, glancing up at the ceiling and thinking about his woman and child. “Arizona said they won’t take the job, but are their people bound to that?”
“No. We’re independent contractors, staying at Arizona-affiliated houses. Meaning, they control the property, not the staff. The people at the next safe house could turn on us, sure. I’m more worried about getting there without drawing the attention of every armed-to-the-teeth good old boy looking to make money by killing foreigners.”
Kai studies the map and nods. “I agree with your plan to travel at night.”
“I hope you’re feeling as fucking agreeable about this next part,” Cobain says, and Kai reveals the smallest frown. If the big man wants to agitate my brother, he’ll need to use all his tricks. Kai James doesn’t fluster easily. “You need to do to your hair whatever the fuck she did to hers.”
Kai gives me a mild smile. “Is there bleach left?”
“Yes, in a supply case.”
“Then I’ll bleach my hair before we leave tonight.”
“I insist on helping,” I say, fighting giggles.
Kai smirks at my enthusiasm while Cobain looks at his phone. “Let’s hope no one shows up at this house before we leave. These assholes were dealers. The last thing we need is junkies adding to the body count.”
“I feel optimistic,” I say, very excited to bleach Kai’s hair. “But I think we should rest now. Sunny is likely worried upstairs alone.”
Inching backward, Kai nods. “We’ll contact Papa in the morning to learn more about the people at the next safe house. He can give us a better sense of what awaits our arrival.”
Cobain frowns. “He can tell you whatever you want, but I don’t care if someone was his best fucking friend in high school. No one can be trusted outside of the people currently in this house.”
Kai gives me a look that I understand immediately. If the bounty was put on our heads before we arrived at his safe house, Cobain might have killed us on sight. Now, though, he views himself as one of the hunted.
“I’ll see you whenever Anika wakes later,” Kai tells Cobain and gestures for me to follow.
“Cobain and I will remain downstairs, just in case we have visitors,” I tell my brother. “I’ll sleep down here on the couch while he enjoys the recliner.”
Despite his disapproval, Kai chooses not to argue. He might understand how Cobain will relax and sleep deeper if I’m nearby. Besides, Kai knows arguing with me is often a waste of time, and he’s in a hurry to return to Sunny and Anika.
Once we’re alone again, I walk to the living room where I turn on a small lamp and study the country-style décor. The people who chose to hang these ugly fishing paintings are now dead. I can’t say the world will suffer much from their absence.
Robin rests on the floor next to the couch where I sit. Cobain lingers at the kitchen doorway, watching me.
“If it helps you relax, we can enjoy a quick tryst,” I offer and pat the spot to my right.
Cobain doesn’t move. He and I watch each other until Robin begins to snore.
“You won’t survive to see Guatemala,” he says.
I only smile, ignoring his attempt to upset me. If he were sharing a harsh truth, he would get the name of my country correct. This is more male aggression to prevent me from expecting too much from him.
“I had many boyfriends in Guatemala,” I say and tug off my boots. “They bought me things and took me out on the town. It was fun. However, I never cared if they craved me.”