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“What’s to stop him from going through with the deal he just made?” Uncle Suki asks, now standing beside his chair facing Artyom. I'm annoyed with his lack of concern for Honey's emotional state, but it is a valid question. I can't help but worry that this is all a set-up, and Artyom is just placating us, so we'll do what he says.
“Yosef is coming. Katana is back on his side, our side, and he is coming too. That is what Ghost was doing. Siren had his brother captive until Ghost rescued him. It is what he does. The Siren will not hurt any of you now. You have my word,” Artyom promises.
“How can you be sure of that?”She wants to kill our dad,I almost add, but I stop myself. That's the last thing Honey needs to hear right now. I feel like my head is spinning, and I grow dizzy at the weight of it all. My dad might die tonight. I take a deep breath.
“All I can do is ask that you trust me,” Artyom shuts his eyes and runs a hand across his forehead. He’s thinking about something and seems distressed, which does not inspire much confidence in me.
“We need a game plan, Artyom,” I rise from my seat and step toward him. “And if you already have one, we need to know all the cards you’re holding. Got it?”
“You heard everything,” he says after just a moment of hesitation, though long enough for me to know he's bluffing.
“I can see it in your eyes. Tell us, Artyom,” I order.
His eyes dart all around, from one direction to another. He is going all-in even though he knows he's got a losing hand. I’ve seen this same tell in many poker players.
“Dammit, Artyom! Tell me!” I shout, taking another step toward him.
He knows I've got him pegged. He lets out a defeated sigh before he speaks.
“My men will shoot Sonomi and everyone who boards this boat, besides Yosef and Katana. I gave them instructions when we first arrived in this cove,” he says.
“No!” Honey sobs. “Oh, God, no!” Her body is shaking and heaving. She is having a full-blown panic attack.
“Those people will not be actively trying to harm anyone when they board the boat, and some of them may be coming to help us,” my dad argues. “That’s not exactly self-defense.”
“That is best time to shoot them,” Artyom replies.
“Dad, he may be right,” I say to him. “The Siren can’t hurt you if she’s dead.”
“Marika, we will not be accessories to murder,” he tells me.
“She has a point,” Uncle Suki chimes in. “And I don’t think it would be murder. Not legally speaking, it wouldn't be.”
“Exactly. We can’t be legally held accountable as accessories to murder. Not while we’re prisoners,” I agree.
“Good point,” Artyom says. “So we go with my plan, and Yumiko family will be safe. Yes?”
“Safe?” my dad cuts in. “With hundreds of bullets flying around? I don’t believe these walls or ceilings are bullet-proof, are they?”
Everyone is silent, including Artyom.
“I didn't think so,” my dad continues, “but it's alright. I have another plan.”
Artyom, Uncle Suki, and I stare at my dad as he sits, his arms still wrapped around my crying sister.
“Alright, let’s hear it,” Artyom finally speaks.
“I go with her,” my dad says plainly.
“No!” Honey screams right in his face causing him to wince. Though, I'm not sure what he expected her to do after hearing him say what he just said.
“Hold on,” he tries to calm her. “Part of my plan is for someone to save me after Sonomi takes me.”
I look at him, waiting for him to finish, but he doesn’t.
“And?” I ask.
“Ok, so maybe my plan isn’t fully developed,” he says.
