“What's going on?” she asked, thrown off by my sudden movement.
“The Knights are here.”
“They're early? I thought you said—”
I reached for her. “Listen to me closely. We have to go.”
“No.” Flora jerked backwards, stepping just out of range. “No. This was the plan. I appreciate what you've done for me, but, I'm going with them!”
The bikes roared, tearing up the country road. It wouldn't be long now. “Dammit, girl! We don't have time for this! I'll explain later.” I lunged for her, this time firmly latching onto her arm and pulling her towards the foyer. I'd drag her out of here if I had to.
“Let me go! I'm going with them, I have to!” Her free arm punched my chest ineffectually.
“Flora, they're not going to take you to your fucking sister! Listen to me, they're—” That's when I felt cold steel jamming into the side of my head. I should've been paying more attention.
Insects are sneaky like that.
“Do what the girl says, Ronin.” Roach's voice oozed with smugness. I felt my gun get lifted out of the back of my pants. The sneaky prick must've slipped into the kitchen when my back was turned.
Gritting my teeth, I hissed a warning. “Flora, they're going to kill—” The thick wooden stock of Roach's revolver staggered me when it connected with the side of my head. The searing pain brought a burst of white fireworks to my eyes, but it was Roach's second strike that dropped me.
Only then did I feel Flora's forearm slip from my fingers.
The rumbling engines outside slowed to a rapid purr, like that of great metal cats that had finished their hunt. Then they turned off, causing the sound to cut out completely.
The Knights of the Only Order had arrived.
Chapter Seven
Ronin
Still in a daze, I finally managed to get the full warning out. “They're going to kill you, Flora, you have to get out of here.”
“Oh, they're not going to kill you.” Roach attempted to soothe Flora's growing apprehension. “I heard the whole story from the Knights. You'd be reunited with your loving sister by now if it wasn't for Ronin.” He shot me a derisive look. “'Ronin.' That means 'a master-less samurai' or some bullshit, right? Talk about fitting.” He laughed hoarsely. “You see, Ronin here has a problem with authority. He can't keep his pride in check, and now because of it, he got himself kicked out of his own fucking club.”
I could see her through my wobbling vision. Flora was pale as ivory.
Finally turning back to me, Roach kicked me in the ribs, growling, “You never could let things go, could you?”
My head was still swimming, but I was able to roll with the blow. It stung, but I'd been hit harder. On my hands and knees, I spotted the empty bottle of Jim Beam from last night. It had slid under a nearby cabinet.
“I'm a pacifist, man, I don't believe in violence,” I groaned the words out. “Nothing but good vibrations.”
“Yes, yes. Always with the fucking jokes. Well, who's laughing now, fuckhead!” Roach bent down to scream into my face, obviously venting some pent up rage. Then he stood back up, sliding a hand over his head, calming himself. He straightened out his vest before continuing his placation of Flora. “He's using you, dear girl. You're nothing but a poker chip to him. Expendable. Something to be spent.”
Curling her fists to her lips, she said, “Stop hurting him!” Her voice was fragile, unsure about the situation. “I don't understand. Ronin, why would you tell me you were letting me free, only to try and drag me off again?” Her eyes sought me out, wet and gigantic. “Was it a trick?”
She thought I was the liar, here? Maybe locking her up and claiming her story about Claudine was fake wasn't the best idea, after all. Between the three of us, including Flora, I was the only one in this damn room not actively trying to get her killed. And she was torn between believing me or siding with Roach.
It was depressing and funny all at once.
I heard the foyer door open, but it wasn't until they got in the kitchen that I realized only a pair of Knights had walked in. I'd heard three bikes pull up, so the third man must have stayed out to keep watch. Of the two inside, I only remembered one from the brothel. It was hard to forget the face of a man that had tried to kill you, especially when he walked in with an electric bone saw.
“Why didn't you just call them,” I asked, cocking my head at the Serbian and his lackey, “When I showed up, Roach?”
He snorted. “Because I had a good thing going before you fucking ruined it! The Knights paid me to feed the Veins with bad info, and the Veins paid me for the privilege of eating it. 'Another day.' Fuck you! I knew you were going to run. You forced me to pick a side.”