“I’ll be with my husband. Hanging on his arm, and looking lovingly at him as we walk through the streets.” She spoke with a nauseating sweetness to her voice.
“Tell us again where we are going to be,” Tick said, then began to down his glass of milk.
“There is an apartment building just at the south end of the market. Two of the apartments are empty, the one on the second floor has a window overlooking the street. You should be able to see us clearly from there. The sun will be behind you; looking up at that building it's difficult at that time of day.”
“Good morning!” Julio bounded into the room, looking as tailor made as before. He stopped at Carmella’s chair to give her a kiss, then stood behind her with his hands on her shoulders. “Are you both well prepared?”
“Just going over the details once more.” I nodded.
“Good. Good. I’m headed to Bernardo’s home now. Carmella, you will follow me in one hour.”
“Where does he think she is now?” Tick leaned forward, his hands folded over his plate.
“He believes I’m visiting my mother for breakfast.” Carmella smiled, a plastic smile. “She lives just up the road.”
“We won’t be seeing you after this is finished. We are leaving straight away for home,” I interjected before Tick could start asking more questions. I could see his distrust and disgust in his eyes for Carmella, but that shit needed to be kept buried. We had enough trouble coming our way, we didn't need to add cartel lover’s revenge to that.
“Yes, I understand.”
“And we never met you before. If you come up to our part of the world, you never knew us.” Tick stood from his chair, the fierceness was back in his expression.
“Of course.” Julio nodded.
Tick didn’t say anything else, he just walked out of the room. I sighed then stood from my chair, giving Julio a nod. “He’s wound up a bit.” I jerked a thumb toward the door Tick had just disappeared through.
“I understand.” Julio patted Carmella’s shoulder. “Understand that if you are caught, you don’t know me. I will not be helping you escape if you don't get out of there before you are tracked down.”
“Yeah. I figured.” I nodded toward Carmella then went after Tick. I wanted out of that house, out of that fucking town, and out of that fucking country. Quick.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
LUCY
My bag was packed and hidden in the front hall closet. I parked my car a block down the road, not in the motor pool like usual. No one even noticed when I walked through the gates that afternoon after moving it. Since Jayson claimed me, the other guys didn’t seem to see me anymore. It was as though I’d become transparent. Since I wasn't available to fuck or suck, I simply didn’t exist for them. Suited me just fine.
The clock kept ticking away as I sat in the bedroom. I needed Jayson to get home and fall asleep before I left. I needed as much time between my leaving and him finding out as I could get. I had the note ready, same as usual. Gone for coffee. He wouldn’t know what time I left that note, and wouldn’t think much about my not being around for a few hours after he woke up. He usually didn’t send me a text until around noon. Plenty of time for me to get to where I was going. But first he needed to get his ass home.
Just as I was about text him, against my better judgement, the front door slammed and I heard his booted feet head for the bedroom.
“Lucy!” He threw open the bedroom door and stood in the doorway, taking up most of the space. “Where were you today? I haven’t seen you all day.” His tone wavered, softened as he closed the door behind him. I could smell the beer on him, but he wasn't drunk.
“I was here most of the day,” I lied. “Looking at nursing programs.” Another lie.
“Huh. You should be at the clubhouse at night with me. Unless I tell you to go home.” He sat on the edge of the bed. “Come here and take off my boots for me.” He waved me over. Swallowing hard, I pushed myself to do as he said. Fighting him would only get me a sore jaw or a black eye, and I needed him to get to sleep. If I pissed him off, he’d be up for a few more hours stewing about it.
I knelt on the floor in front of him and pulled off each boot, holding my breath as I did so. The man needed odor eaters. When I started to get up, he pushed my back down. “While you’re there.” He grinned while unbuckling his belt. I swallowed again, this time to keep the bile from rising up. He leaned back to unbutton his jeans, his belly getting in the way. Pulling down his jeans and boxers far enough that his short, fat cock sprang free and bobbed in front of me. “Go ahead, suck it.” Fat fingers laced into my hair, dragging my face forward.