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“Yes,” Yasmin says firmly. “That was the worst thing Mr. Red, Mike, whatever his name is, ever did…letting Felix go from scared to angry, from scared to wanting to keep us safe. Not just me, Freya, and not just Felicia. Butyouas well. That’s what he’s fighting for out there.”
My hands smooth over my belly. I can feel my heart beating through my body, and it’s like I can feel my child kicking, the life waking inside of me, a preview of what’s to come.
If Yasmin’s right.
If Felix comes back.
CHAPTERTWENTY
Felix
“So this is the man who turned me into his personal attack dog,” I snarl, looking across the dark street at the bar as Mike – real name Deacon – heads for the bar, two men walking behind him.
He’s a tall man, thin but not skinny, more sinewy. His hair is a shaggy mop of red, and he wears a suit that doesn’t match his frame, and jewelry glints from his ears and his fingers in the streetlights.
Mr. Red – it’s hard to think of him in any other way – heads inside.
“Don’t beat yourself up,” Kenny says, clapping me on the arm. “I wouldn’t have been able to find him before this anyway.”
“No?”
Kenny shakes his head. “He was being careful until recently. Word is, he’s back on the booze. He quit for years before that. It explains why he suddenly tried to use his Mr. Red bullshit to make you kill an innocent. It also explains why he’s being so careless with his digital footprint.”
“He didn’t just try to make me kill a civilian,” I say, grinding my teeth from side to side. “He tried to make me kill a woman.”
“Justawoman?” Kenny says, eyebrow raised.
I smirk, laughing gruffly. “Did Yasmin tell you?”
“She didn’t have to,” Kenny says. “I saw the way you were looking at her. How long has it been going on? It’s one hell of a coincidence that this bastard hired you to kill your girlfriend.”
Kenny grins, adding, “You could’ve told me, though.”
“There was nothing to tell,” I murmur.
“How’s that?” he asks.
“We only met the night Mr. Red gave me the contract.”
Kenny narrows his eyes, looking at me with rare skepticism. Ever since we served together, he’s always looked at me with trust, the same way I look at him.
But there’s doubt now.
“That’s difficult to accept,” he says quietly. “You look at her the same way men look at their wives, Felix. There’s no way this is just a casual fling. Or new. It can’t be.”
I shrug. “It’s the truth. She means everything to me, far more than any other woman…not justhas, butcould.”
“And she feels the same?”
“I don’t know. I hope so.” I nod at the bar. “But we need to focus. There won’t be any new or old relationship if we don’t handle this like professionals.”
Kenny pops his neck from side to side. “You’re right. But I want you to know I’m happy for you.”
“Thank you.” I smile, genuine emotion touching me. “I just hope she feels the same.”
“I think she does,” Kenny says. “If the way she looks atyouis any indication.”
I let his words settle inside of me, praying they’re true.
