by Kiru Taye
It didn’t have the luxury of the suite she’d checked into on her first arrival in the city. Still, it was a good room. First, she washed the wig and left it to air dry. She stripped off and stepped into the shower. She’d spent most of the day repairing blockages in the water system, and it had been a hot day. However, temperatures had cooled slightly when they headed to the city.
After scrubbing her body clean and washing her short hair, she rinsed off, switched off the faucet and stepped out of the cubicle.
Dressing meticulously, she wore a blue linen dress and studded strappy stilettos.
She locked the small handgun in the safe. She’d brought it along in case there was trouble. On second thoughts, it was best not to take it. She wouldn't be able to explain to Ebuka if the scanners found it.
Dressed, she headed across to Ebuka’s room. He opened the door, and her mouth dropped open.
Hot damn. The man was fine with a capital F. He looked fantastic in a white dress shirt and navy slacks, which set off his caramel skin tone. He’d trimmed his beard, and along with the new taper-fade haircut, he had swag.
She’d never seen him in anything other than jeans, chambray or t-shirts. Instead of boots, he wore brown leather brogues.
He stared at her with an odd expression before saying, “You look good,” and turning away.
“Wow,” Ginika said, looking her over. “You scrub up well for a farmhand.”
She wore a lovely emerald silk dress that was cut off across one shoulder and draped in an asymmetrical style beyond her knees. Strappy diamante sandals and her hair styled in a loose chignon completed the classy outfit.
“She sure does,” Ebuka added, still giving her that look that made her heart thud faster.
“And there I was worried you wouldn’t have anything suitable to wear.” She beamed a smile at Xandra, and then turned to her brother, holding up a maroon silk tie. “Come on, Ebuka. The tie will go great with your suit. Tell him, please, Allie.”
“No, I don’t need one. I’m just escorting two beautiful women to a party.” He turned away as if he hadn’t expected the words to come out as awestruck as they did.
Xandra’s smile blossomed. Ebuka really liked her dress then.
“You can’t let an ordinary employee like me outshine you, boss.” She winked at Ginika. “But the tie will work well with your suit. Here let me help you.”
She walked over to Ginika and took the tie from her.
“You look amazing,” she said and pressed a kiss to the other woman’s cheek.
Then she sashayed over to where Ebuka leaned against the table. “Trust me, you’ll look great.”
“Hmmm,” was all he said, but he let her come close enough to turn the collar of his shirt up.
She was conscious of Ginika behind them, so she maintained a reasonable gap between her and Ebuka as she slid the silk around his neck.
Each breath she took filled her lungs with his scent—man and spice—that transported her back to the night in the cabin.
As she looped and knotted the tie, she couldn’t help brushing fingers against his chin. His breath hitched.
A smile played at the corner of her mouth.
He’d shaved the skin smooth. She missed the bristles and wanted them rubbing against her skin.
“I can’t find my perfume in my purse,” Ginika called out. "I’m going to pop back to my room and get it."
Xandra’s body trembled, knowing she would be alone with Ebuka for a few minutes. Tension oozed off his body too.
As soon as the door closed behind his sister, she couldn't keep away any longer. She leaned her body against his, boobs crushed to his chest, the bulge of his erection rubbing her thigh.
“I’ve missed you,” she whispered before brushing her lips on his. He gripped her nape, angled her head and devoured her mouth.
She moaned long and deep as she sank into him, loving his strength, loving the contact. Her hands slid around his back. She stepped into him, as physically close as they could be with clothes on.
What happened to her whenever this man touched her? As if being in his arms was where she should be.
A rattling noise at the door broke them apart when Ebuka shoved her away. Then he picked up his leather wallet just as Ginika walked into the room.
“Found it,” she announced, holding up a small bottle of perfume.
“Good.” Xandra forced a smile. Her body still shook from the impact of the kiss and the abrupt way it ended.
“You look wonderful with the tie. In fact, I’m taking a picture of both of you.” She pulled out her smartphone and waved it. “Go on. Get closer together.”
If only she knew how much closer Xandra wanted to get to Ebuka. She glanced at Ebuka, but he wasn’t looking her way.
“Do we have to?” he grumbled.
“Oh, come on. It’s just a phone. It’s not going to trap your soul, you know,” Gigi teased.
Xandra chuckled as she took a step to Ebuka and put an arm across his shoulders. “You have nothing to worry about. I’ll protect you from soul snatchers.”
Ginika giggled, and even Ebuka serious face broke in a smile.
“Well, okay then,” he said. “Since you both promise to keep me safe, I guess I can survive one photo session.”
She set them where she wanted them to stand, took a couple of snaps and then squeezed between them and took a few more of the three together.
They headed out to Nweke’s mansion, which was up a private, winding road at the top of a hill in a location Ebuka described as millionaire row. He had opted to not move into the government-appointed housing.
“How he could afford to live here on the SAG’s salary is anyone’s guess,” he said as they pulled up the gravel drive that curved around a stone fountain.
“I suppose he has a few business interests outside of the SAG’s office,” his sister said. There was about an acre of lush green lawn in front with a section of landscaped plants.
Ebuka pulled up in a parking space where the attendant directed him. From the limousines and sports cars all lined up, it seemed the crème of the city had turned up.
Xandra opened the door and helped Ginika off the truck. Ebuka came around to join them.
“Gigi, head up to the house. I just want to chat with Allie quickly.”
“Okay.” She walked off.
Ebuka leaned forward, his voice low. “What happened tonight at the hotel between us is never going to happen again.”
Jerking, Xandra was stunned by his vehemence. “Why? We kissed. No big deal.”
“No big deal?” His hands balled into fists. “My sister nearly walked in on us.”
Feeling irritated by his attitude and refusal to acknowledge this thing between them, Xandra crossed arms over her chest and eyeballed him. “What are you afraid of?”
His eyes narrowed. “Look. I can’t get involved in a relationship. I’m still trying to get myself out of the last one.”
She flinched. “What the hell does that mean?”
He turned away and scrubbed a hand over his short hair. “It means that I was married. Technically I’m still married, awaiting the divorce, although we’re separated. So, I’m sorry. But this is over. If you do what you did again, I’ll be forced to let you go.”
Xandra’s stomach congealed, and bile rose in her throat.
How in Hell did she miss such information from his dossier? Not that marital status was necessary for a kill contract. But it helped to understand the close family of the target.
Unfamiliar emotions coursed through her, making her listless. She latched onto the one she could understand and deal with—anger.
Anger at herself for not checking out the information about him. Anger for letting herself care about him and his sister.
He was no different from anyone else, the nuns who had sold her and the man who only took her so he could turn her into a killing machine.
Her back stiffened and she straightened from where she leaned on the tr
uck, glaring at him. “It looks like you don’t want me here. So, I’m going to leave tomorrow.”
Something flickered in his gaze. It was gone so quickly she couldn't decipher it.
“That’ll be a good idea.” He turned and walked towards the house.
Xandra stood there for a few seconds as her gut clenched and her chest tightened. Fuck. What was going on with her? Why couldn’t she let it go?
She hadn’t felt this shitty when Osagie had ended their arrangement. So why did she have this hollow disappointment wrecking her now?
She finally found her feet and went inside. The mansion had a mix of old and new done very well—crystal chandeliers dangling from the high ceilings, classic paintings on the wall and Persian rugs covering marble floors. Everything and everyone seemed to glitter.
Ebuka and Ginika were in a group chatting with people she didn’t recognize.
She didn’t approach them. Instead, she stood in the shadows, watching. She had never been great in social situations.
Tell her to kill someone, and she could walk right up to the person and put a bullet in their skull. However, approaching someone and talking was not her thing. A leftover from when she was a child and all the other kids would play together, and she would sit on a pile of sand playing by herself.
To be fair, with the status of the people at the party, this was probably not as bad as she’d imagined it would be. She didn’t drink often, but she grabbed one of the passing flutes filled with champagne.
Halfway through the event, Nweke in another shiny expensive suit, this time blue, which seemed to be the theme, announced his bid to run for governor. There were cheers and toasts to him.
Ginika was chatting with another woman. Xandra wanted to walk over and ask her about Ebuka’s wife. She imagined the woman would be beautiful and charming and full of life. Had Ebuka been in love with her? Why were they separated?
So many questions. The only person who could provide answers was Ebuka. Xandra scanned the space, searching for him, inside and then out in the garden.
Her heart jolted when she saw a couple sitting in a darkened alcove—Ebuka and a woman she didn’t immediately recognise. They spoke in low voices, and their body language showed they were intimate.
Xandra’s stomach hardened, and a burning sensation spread across her chest. Yes, he’d said they were over. But how could he move on so quickly?
Her breathing became coarser, faster. Her chest burned hotter.
The feeling was strange, unfamiliar. She didn’t know how to stop it.
The woman stood and spoke loud enough for Xandra to hear. “I’m going to the ladies, and then you’re taking me back to your hotel room.”
No! Say, no!
Ebuka didn’t say anything as she sashayed away.
Xandra took a secretive shot of her face and used her image identifier app to scan. Her photo showed up on social media.
Xandra’s stomach dropped as she stared at the name. Sabina Dede-Njoku.
Ebuka’s wife? She was as beautiful as Xandra imagined, flawless skin, round curves and petite.
More information about her showed she was a lawyer who worked in the SAG’s office with Ralph Nweke.
This was getting more complicated by the minute. Was she as corrupt as Nweke?
Xandra followed her into the bathroom and waited outside the stall until she came out.
Sabina jerked back and placed a hand on her chest, giggling. “You frightened me, standing there like that.”
Xandra flashed a smile full of teeth and little humour and stepped forward so that Sabina backed up against the wall. She locked the bathroom door and leaned on it.
“What’s going on?” Sabina asked, a frown marring her otherwise flawless skin.
“I brought you a message. When you leave the bathroom, make your excuses and go home. Not with Ebuka Njoku.”
“Or what?” the other woman sneered.
“Or I’ll break your neck.”
Her breath hitched, and she pulled out her phone. “You can’t threaten me.”
Xandra snatched it from her, tossed it on the floor and crushed it under her shoes.
She opened her mouth to scream.
Xandra covered her mouth with one hand before she could make a sound while wrapping the other around her neck as she struggled.
“I can break your neck right now,” Xandra whispered against her ear from behind, pressing Sabina’s front to the wall.
Sabina froze, pulse racing as sweat broke on her skin.
“Are you ready to do what I say?” Xandra asked.
She nodded and made a muffled sound.
“Good. Leave and head to your car. Don’t talk to anyone about what just happened. And don’t go back to Ebuka. I promise you won’t live past tonight if you do.”
She nodded again, and Xandra released her.
She bent forward, leaned against the wall and panted for breath.
“Have a good night, Ms Dede-Njoku,” Xandra said before walking out of the bathroom. She didn’t look back. She didn’t need to as she could hear Sabina coughing.
Xandra rounded the corner and waited for her out of sight. Sabina came out and headed to the car park in a hurry.
Xandra turned towards the party where she found Ginika.
“It looks like you’re driving me back to the hotel. Ebuka is grabbing a lift with someone else.”
“No, he isn’t,” Xandra muttered.
“What did you say?” she asked.
“Nothing.”
Ebuka appeared a few minutes later. “It seems I’ve been abandoned. Come on. Let’s head to the hotel.”
Xandra said nothing on the drive back although Ginika chatted for most of it. In her mind, she saw Ebuka and Sabina and her blood boiled hot.
She was resolute in her decision.
If Ebuka wanted her gone tomorrow, she would go. But she would kill him tonight.
As soon as she could, she bid them good night and went to her room. In quiet solitude, she hacked into the hotel system and changed the code to her card so she could get into any space. Then she waited another hour to make sure Ebuka would be asleep.
She opened the safe and took out her weapons. A small bottle of liquid sedative. She pulled the required dose into a syringe and capped it. Then she took the handgun. It was a backup. The plan was to make it look like he drowned in the bath. He put the gun, suppressor and syringe into her jacket pockets.
Following the steps needed to complete a kill, she turned from Allie the farmworker to Xandra the assassin. She became focused on the objective—terminate a life.
Finally, she changed the camera angle in the hallway so it would leave a blind spot at Ebuka’s door.
She left her room and strode across to Ebuka’s. Hearing nothing, she opened the door and slid in noiselessly, shutting it.
Darkness surrounded her, and she blinked to adjust her sight.
Ebuka lay in bed, covered in a white sheet. She pulled out the syringe and walked up to stand beside the bed.
The needle caught the light and glinted. Ginika’s face came into her mind, making her pause. Ginika in tears and broken-hearted after finding her brother dead. She pictured Nweke's face when he found out Ginika was now at his mercy.
Xandra’s chest squeezed tight, aching. There would be no one to protect Ginika because she would have to return to Jokogi. The thought of Nweke getting his paws on Gigi made Xandra’s skin crawl.
She had never considered the families of the people she killed before. Why was she obsessed about Ginika?
Xandra lowered the syringe, but her fury remained.
Why the hell did she have to do what anyone else wanted? Ebuka wanted her gone, and Nweke wanted him dead.
She wasn’t ready to leave Ebuka, and she wasn’t prepared to kill him.
Perhaps she was living in a bubble of deceit that she had built. But she wasn’t ready to burst it.
She would rather kill Ebuka than have him fuck anyone else.
But she wasn’t done fucking him yet. He would just have to get used to her being around for a while.
Capping the syringe, she pocketed it and then removed the jacket, flinging it over the chair as she picked up Ebuka’s silk tie.
He stirred in bed. “Allie? What are you doing here?”
He flicked on the side lamp, bathing the room in a dim orange glow.
She turned and faced him.
His expression was a mix of sleep and surprise. The sheet only covered his hips, and his chest was bare, revealing a small trail of hairs disappearing in a v shape under the sheet.
He looked fuckable.
Her mouth watered as she stepped close to the bed. “Thing is, I’m not done with you yet. And I don’t think you’re done with me. You just don’t want to admit it.”
She stretched the tie taut between her clenched hands.
“Allie, don’t fuck with me.” He growled the words.
“Oh, I think that’s the general idea.” She winked.
He tried to get up. “I swear— “
She shoved his chest and cut him off. “No. You don’t. Do you think you can kiss me in this very room and then within a few hours end up with someone else?”
His eyes widened. “You know about that?”
“I saw you two. You were going to bring her back here and fuck her.”
“It’s not what you think. She’s my soon-to-be ex-wife. We were just going to talk.”
“No. I don’t like it. You don’t get to bring her to your hotel room.”
“Allie, we ended it.”
“No, you ended it.”
He tried getting up again, and she shoved him down. They wrestled like they had done the night in the rain. This time she had the upper hand as he was beneath and she used the sheets tangled around him to her advantage so he couldn't move his legs in a wide range.
She knotted the tie around his wrists, the other end hooked on the lamp above the bed, panting and sweating, same as him.
He could yank the lamp off the wall if he tugged hard enough. But the upright man in him wouldn’t want to damage hotel furniture. The items on the bedside table had crashed to the floor. He wouldn’t want to explain how the damages occurred.
