"Can't make it, Madeline." I hold the receiver up to take a deep breath, feeling bad for hurting my friend. Every time I bring her pain, I recall the first time she was there to help bandage me up after one of Father's thrashings.
"Wh...Why not? You've been avoiding me for long enough. Victor, you're wise when it comes to D'Ross Enterprises – though you do skirt the line by being away so much. I'll even say very much so, when it comes to being Duke of Arlington – if and when you ever come home. Yet, your favor with The Queen allows you to thwart your royal duties and go traipsing across the world!" Madeline has this hardness that I've gifted her with. After years of knowing me, bitterness has begun to twine around her spirit. A spirit that reminds me of Luxury and her beautiful laughter.
However, I am the byproduct of a womanizing child beater and a woman blinded by perfection, my parents cold war has made me into the man that I am today. I am a powerful businessman and connoisseur of murder. My presence has changed Madeline for the worst; it is capable of doing the same to Lux after a time.
Madeline finally reclaims some of that innocent, soft tone, asking, "Do I not mean anything to you?"
"Maddy, you are my longest friend," I begin. "Yes, why would you ask?"
There's a silence that makes me pause to look at the iPhone screen and make sure Madeline hasn't hung up. Then my eyes are back on Luxury. She's staring up at me from her out of earshot. There's a quick glimmer of learned distrust. Wow, it took Madeline years to glance at me like that. Damn, am I doing this to Luxury, too?
"Vic," Madeline starts, as if it hurts just to say the words, "Should I ask if your delay has to do with a female?"
"I'll be in England by tomorrow evening."
"That's great because the newspaper announcement of our set marriage date is ready to be delivered from Arlington to Cambridge! All the way to Camden!" My fiancée provides in a condescending tone that she's begun to practice in the past few years. "Victor, you can do anything but your title right! I'm sorry for saying as much, but as your friend, I would be wrong if I didn't say so. Now you've always been a man of your word. I'll operate under the guise that you honestly couldn't get here this morning, because of something beyond your control … "
Damn, if I want the world handed to me at a certain point in time, it would be at that exact second. Risk assessment coordinators, financial advisors, business wiz's, I spare no expense or lack of knowledge when it comes to my desires. Madeline rationalizes this for me. I have no desire to break her spirit further.
"Victor, I'll tell Princess Mary, okay?" Madeline provides this bit of friendship, hopeful that telling Mother of my delay will salvage our relationship. Maddy has made favors all our life. Even going so far as accepting an open relationship that we have now, just to pacify me. When all she wants is me.
"Victor, tomorrow, before the first course is served, I will see you?"
The uncertainty is there, but the commanding in her tone tells me that Madeline has had enough. So I agree and we end the call.
"Victor, are you having girl problems?" Luxury asks hand on her hip.
"We need to have a serious chat when we get you home."
"No," she rolls her neck. "We're going to have it now!"
I look around. It's too late, and the conversation is too important to have out in the dark. "Not now, Luxury!"
"Oh, what happened to little one? Easy to manipulate little one. Huh?" God, how she does play the part dressed to the nines and with an attitude to boot.
Luxury starts to slap at me, but hurts herself on my forearm when I put it up in defense.
"Owe! That hurt." Luxury pouts.
"You hit me!" I snap, trying to come to terms with how much I like the cheeky girl.
"So?" She folds her arms. "And that's another thing. I'm so tired of you keeping secrets and lies – "
"Luxury, we will talk about this later," I begin, as a car creeps by.
"We don't need to talk later." She begins to walk down the street, while shouting over her shoulder, "I feel like walking. Maybe on my way home, I'll teach you a thing or two. For starters, learn how to pay your debts!"
"Debts?" Now I'm following her, not entirely aware of my surroundings as I'm accustomed to, because she's consuming me with these illogical allegations.
"Hello, Victor, $500 grand's!"
"500 what?" I shout so hard that Luxury's bones jump in fear.
She pauses for a second, as if recollecting her thoughts. Then exclaims, "Thousand dollars! You owe someone $500,000 but would rather spend it on something so stupid as this dress," Lux looks down at herself, then points at me, "And that fucking suit!"
"What are you talking about? Oh … " Actually, I know exactly what she's talking about. Damn, she had been listening to my call with the contact from X-Member.
"I'm betting you're spending so much money on a lifestyle, and to impress the next cutie that walks by, that me and the girl on your cell phone are the only ones suffering. I feel sorry for any woman that has crossed paths with you!"
"Lux!" I snap, but she's already walking again.
Lux moves as quickly as her short legs will go. So pissed that she isn't aware of her environment.
A male and female, jogging, past midnight, comes toward us. Both wear dark sweat suits, about 5'5 each. They represent a man and wife assassin duo. My eyes connect with the husband's. His steely gray eyes that catch the moons reflection. Instantly, my hand goes for my waistband. Nothing is there. I left my desert eagle in the car before we went into Burberry. Damn, Lux! Trying to make sure she enjoyed the day, I didn't stay prepared.
"And another thing," Luxury turns around.
She speaks. I've tuned her out. The guy is less than ten yards away. Coming at full speed. Lux has a one-track mind. He goes for the weapon in his hoodie. Sidestepping her quickly, I throw a quick jab. It connects with the jogger's nose.
"Victor!" she shouts, starting to turn around. "Listen to me!"
The jogger is unprepared and easily fazed by the punch. My hands wraps around his neck. I snap it.
The wife who usually is quick to react is on pause. Her heart breaks as she watches his body fall. Before he hits the ground, I snatch the gun from the front pocket of his hoodie. As she stares, I squeeze two rounds into her forehead before her roundhouse kick can even leave the ground.
Luxury
Fear can cling to you. Instantly paralyzing your brain. Entire body shut down. Go figure I'm finally in that state of catatonia. Where I wanted to be while waiting for Victor. When I didn't want to consider anything while Victor was away. Now, I can't move.
There's an echoing sound of someone's neck snapping.
Then Victor draws a gun. Where the fuck did that gun come from? It just appeared. What's more jaw dropping? Vic shoots a female jogger. She was just running past with her mate. Now her body pulsates as two bullets rip through her skull. Before her body finds its final resting place, Victor has claimed another soul. A bum across the street; slumps over his shopping cart.
Then his gun – which I still can't comprehend how it got here – comes toward me. He lets off another round of shots. My eyes close.
…
Cool air floods my lungs. I'm still breathing. It's dark. I'm too afraid to open my eyes. And I'm too afraid to move. I raise my lids one at a time.
God, my body shakes like a leaf. Gradually, I turn to see a fourth person. A construction worker is lying in a chest full of blood.
Blood.
Mom …
There's no time to blink.
"Help!" I start for the alleyway. Don't ask. Not the smartest idea. But that's the direction that my feet were standing.
My luck finally turns, and I see a figure down a ways.
"Help!" Silently I pray. My stilettos pound the pavement. A dude with a puffer jacket and saggy jeans starts toward me.
CLICK. CLICK.
The sound of Victor's gun snatches away my air. It must not have any more bullets.
"Hey lady," the guy from down the alley calls out to me. From the busted out and dotted lampposts, I can see that this guy plans to save me!
From Victor!
Now I've put his life in jeopardy. Somehow I have to get the fuck away from Doctor Finch!
Victor
"Lux, Luxury," I shout as she continues to run.
The assassin is here for me and not for her. I'm running at top speed and in the hardness of the night. There's a glimmer of something shiny when the guy unzips his puffer jacket.
He watches Lux run, with disinterest for a second. Then his soulless eyes are on me. Less than a second later, his puffer jacket is off. A row of jagged knives is holstered at his chest. He snatches one out. With the flick of his wrist, the first knife comes zipping into my direction. Swoosh, the ultra sharp knife soars past my ear. Then another misses me by a long shot. One pierces straight into my bicep. Adrenaline on high, I can't feel anything. But at least four inches have dug into my bicep. I snatch it out, and it clanks to the floor.