AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What’s the job?” I ask since that’s what everyone expects. But I have a million other questions swirling around my head.
“A delivery. Nothing like last time. I’ll text you an address. Go there tomorrow night, pick up the package, and take it to the address listed on the label.”
“That’s it? I thought there was an entire United State Postal Service dedicated to moving crap around.”
“Very funny. Let’s say the contents are hazardous and the post office wouldn’t want to ship it. Are you going to help?”
I glance at Lanzo. He nods once.
“How much are you offering?”
“Fifty grand.”
I cough then clear my throat. “Must be a very big package.”
“You’ll see. Keep your cell nearby.” Then he hangs up.
I stare at the blank screen before shoving the phone back at Lanzo. “This is crazy,” I tell him. “He didn’t even wait for me to say yes. Just hung up.”
He takes the phone. “It’ll be great.”
“You really want me to do this? What if it’s another trap?”
“Let’s hope it is,” he says, his eyes sparkling with excitement. “Might force Burian out into the open.”
“I’ll note that it isn’t your life being used as bait.”
Lanzo lowers the laptop screen. He stares at me, the full weight of his attention pressing down into my chest.
“I swear, Renny, I won’t let you get hurt.”
I groan. “Don’t call me that, you asshole.”
His smile makes me want to rip his teeth out of his skull. “You’re much too valuable to waste.”
“Great, you look at me like a useful tool. That’s fantastic. You and Burian have that in common then.”
“We’re using each other, don’t forget it.” He goes back to his laptop. “I have some data to sift through. Fucker doubled his security since the last call. I’m guessing we caught him off guard the first time.” He murmurs quietly to himself in a language I don’t recognize, probably Russian, already forgetting about me.
I walk away, vibrating with anger. Lanzo’s single-minded, which means I’m all but forgotten until I’m useful to him again. He’s lost in his screen, and I’m out here drifting.
I have to remember why I’m doing this. Grandpop’s dying, but three million can ease his final days. Hell, it might even buy him more time—better doctors, better drugs, some experimental stuff that might just work. Money buys miracles all the time. Why not for me, too?
A decision crystallizes. One I didn’t think I’d make this quickly, but I don’t see any other choices.
“I’ll follow your rules,” I say, standing by the window.
Lanzo perks up. His eyes smolder into mine as I look back at him. “I knew you would,” he says, not an ounce of surprise in his voice.
“But don’t think this means you’re in control. I’m going to ask questions, and you’re going to answer them. Like right now, I want to know how you’re going to keep me safe when I pick up that package.”
“With guns,” he says, his lips pulling into a smirk. “Lots and lots of guns.”
Chapter13
Renata
Lanzo insists I dress up, but the joke’s on him, because I didn’t bring anything nice.
