I’m so fucked and so deep in denial that I refuse to let myself think about it.
“Would you please sit down?” Deanna’s checking herself in the mirror. Her dark hair’s slicked back and she’s wearing a gorgeous tight dress that shows off hints of her curves but is still appropriate for a business meeting. “You’re starting to make me nervous.”
“Wouldn’t want to do that.” I glance at my phone for the fiftieth time. “Carbone said we’d get the location an hour before the meeting. That’s in five minutes.”
“Relax.” She glides over and puts a hand on my arm, guiding me to sit on the edge of our bed. “We know the plan. We’ve gone over it a dozen times. There’s nothing to worry about. What do you think’s going to go wrong?”
I could list it all out. Deanna with a hole in her chest. Deanna with her skull blown to pieces. Deanna gasping for air, dying in my arms, staring at me with hate and accusation in her dimming eyes. She’s been murdered a hundred times or more in my dreams these past few days and it’s deeply fucking with my head.
“Nothing will go wrong.” I lean over and kiss her. She smiles back, not sure how to react. “I’m fine. I mean it.”
“You’re sure?”
“Impatient, but fine.” I have to be strong for her. She does a good job of hiding it, but she’s even more afraid than I am. I tug her close, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “You’re right, we know our roles, and you’re going to stick to it, correct?”
“Absolutely.”
“No matter what happens.”
She lifts her chin. “What’s that mean?”
“It means what I said. No matter what happens, you won’t deviate from the plan. You’re the data girl. You talk numbers. Otherwise, you remain at the table and sit quietly, not drawing attention to yourself. That’s for your own protection, not some sexist bullshit.”
“I know, you’ve explained a thousand times.” She worried at her lip, but kisses my neck. “It’ll be great. And, you know, if it’ll help to relax you and we have time—“ Her mouth moves up toward mine.
The doorbell rings. I grunt in frustration. “As much as I’d love to hike that dress up and fuck you until you’re a gooey mess, I think that’s for me.”
She pouts as I leave the room. Down the steps and to the door. I hesitate, looking through the peephole, and almost laugh: Ricardo’s on my stoop looking sweaty and uncomfortable. He reaches for the bell but I open before he can press it.
“I was expecting a phone call, not a warm body.”
Ricardo’s smile is deeply pained. “You know how these things go. My boss doesn’t trust the phone.”
“That’s probably smart.”
“And a massive pain in the ass. Are you ready?”
“Tell me where to go.”
Ricardo shakes his head. “Not how it works. My car’s waiting. I’m driving.”
“I was told I’d be given the location. I already called my driver.”
“That’s the problem, you involve too many outside people. Bad enough you’re bringing your wife.” Ricardo scowls like I’m tainting his boys-only club. “It’s my car or not at all. Decide now. My employer hates when I’m late.”
My jaw sets. This isn’t right. Already the plan’s getting altered. We’re supposed to have the car waiting and ready in case weneed a quick escape, but if I’m trapped with Ricardo as my way home?—
Fucking hell, that increases the risk to Deanna.
“Is everything okay?” She descends the steps and appears by my side. Her face brightens. “Ricardo! Wonderful! How are you? Would you like a drink? Please, come in?—“
“I appreciate the offer, Deanna, but I’m only here as your chauffeur. Last chance.”
“He’s our ride?” Deanna looks at me quizzically. “What are we waiting for? I’ll fetch my coat and the documents.”
She turns to leave. I catch her wrist, stepping to the side so the door blocks my expression. I give her a look I hope she’ll understand:this is deeply fucked already, but she only smiles back like this is no big deal.
“Don’t worry. I’ll be quick.” She leans in and kisses my cheek before hurrying off.
