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When Fylox returns, breathless and blushing in excitement, he carries a garment cover bag as big as him. With one hand, he’s hooked his fingers in the boots that we wear for jobs that involve chemicals.
I breathe out in relief. It’s a simple gesture, but it feels good to trust. Fylox thinks of everything. If I give up portions of my responsibilities, he won’t let my family get hurt.
After this final deed, I’ll free my little doe from her woes like she’s freed me from mine with her mere presence and her hard work all those years.
Work I never appreciated.
“Look at you. Is Ivy turning you soft?” Fylox comments. He strolls by me, heading for the table nearby. He lays out the garment cover bag, and his fingers reach for the zipper. I follow him, studying him as he presents my new fit. His eyes sparkle with an intoxicating excitement.
“Nothing gets through this protective suit. Look at the mask!” Fylox takes out the badass mask that can cover my entire face, my neck. It’s a hard protective shield that not even acid can burn through. He hands me the mask, and I try it on. It’s a tight fit, but I’ll manage.
I slip into the black suit that Fylox designed, and he helps me zip everything up. In the end, he helps with the gloves.
Working with chemicals and my big ego… I need to look a certain way. Can’t risk marring my beautiful skin, now, can I? Leave no trace behind. Not even on myself.
“Don’t lose yourself tonight. You’ve got a girl now. That’s… That makes the pain worth it,” Fylox says, stepping back. His head hangs low, his eyes avoiding me. I try not to think about what this dungeon means to him, but it’s hard. I back away with a shudder.
“I…” I’m not in pain, I want to lie.
“What is it?” Fylox asks.
“I’m in love.”
“You are?” His eyes go wide, and he swallows. “It can be painful, you know. That feeling.”
“I’ll manage, won’t I? It’s better than being on an endless quest of soul-sucking solutions to my anger management issues. I can’t keep killing time at work so that I don’t feel alone, Fylox. I’m too old for that,” I confess. I stretch in my protective suit, making sure it won’t rip in action. “My sister once told me I need comfort. Not everyone does, but I do. I’ve finally grown comfortable with admitting it. I need a friend outside of this. Somebody who’s mine and mine alone.”
Fylox nods, averting his gaze. “Like Kamila for me.”
“I have no idea how you manage to share your woman,” I blurt out.
“It’s not sharing when it’s Alex. We’re one,” Fylox explains. “There are no percentages.”
“I can’t have Hugh lay claim on Ivy, Fylox. Am I a fool for what I’m about to do? We’re supposed to be out of this game. We’re palace employees now,” I tell him.
“Speak for yourself.” Fylox shakes his head. He clears his throat. “When you’re done, bring the girl back. Our guests from California want her safe and sound,” Fylox warns me.
I give him a quick nod. I check my pockets, making sure to leave any devices behind.
“What’s our clean-up team’s status?” I ask.
Fylox confirms, “They’re one phone call away.”
“Perfect. Hugh’s at his mansion?”
He takes out his phone, sending out a quick message. A couple of seconds later, his phone perks up. Swoosh. He nods for me. “Yes. It’s five minutes away from the palace. Next to the Hole Store Aris and Valentina love to sneak out to when Penelope Jade’s sleeping over at Felicita’s.”
“That’s a visual I don’t want,” I say, grimacing.
Repulsed, I shake off the imagery of my niece and her husband doing whatever young couples like them do in their free time away from their daughter.
“Knock him dead, will you?” Fylox says, grinning like a fool. “Make us proud.”
“Always.”
* * *
I takeoff my mask for the ride to Hugh’s mansion.
