“Where are we off to next?” Terra inquired. “Can I drop into my apartment in California? I want to get some fresh clothes and my contact book. It may come in handy.”
“Negative. It was a risk taking you to my apartment last week. Our residences will be under constant surveillance now. Who’s in your little black book that’s so important?”
Terra cocked an eyebrow at him. “I happen to know some important people too. They can help us elude your employer. They’ve done it for some friends of mine.”
“Can they be trusted?”
“Yeah. They have safe houses in random cities around the country. I can make some calls on a secure line when we make our next stop.”
“Do it.” At that moment, Seth’s cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He thought he had retired his number. “That’s strange. I’m getting a video call.” He pressed a button on his cell and a holographic screen popped up. Spencer’s face flickered into view. “Fuck, it’s my boss.”
“I’m happy to see you too, Seth,” Spencer quipped. “I’ve been looking all over for you, lad.”
“What do you want?”
“Don’t play stupid. You know my answer.”
“You don’t scare me, Hack. I’ll run from you for the rest of my life. You’ll never get your hands on Terra.”
“I heard you had a sudden attack of conscience and I didn’t believe it. I thought I might meet some rebuttal so I brought along my own insurance policy.” He yanked a young woman into view. For a second, Seth didn’t recognize the pale face underneath the soiled blonde hair and broken, bloodied nose. When she looked up, the air was sucked from his lungs.
“Trix! Spencer, you fuckwit. Let her go!”
“Come back to the agency and we can end this smoothly,” he replied coolly. “Give me Terra Bloom and I’ll hand over Trix. Clear trade.”
Seth pulled at his bottom lip, angered by Trix’s involvement in the deal. He should have known Spencer would target the most vulnerable part of his soul. He felt the bench move as Terra shifted closer to him, her touch providing him with needed strength.
“No. I’m going to have to decline your offer.”
A pitiful noise escaped Trix’s lips, mirrored by the look of surprise on Spencer’s face. It was quickly replaced with renewed determination. “Who’s more valuable to you, Seth? Your woman of five years or some trouble-making broad you’ve only just met?”
“I can’t give Terra up.”
“Why not? She’s the crux of all your problems. Give her to me.”
“No, Spencer. Terra represents everything I stand for now. I can’t work for you anymore.”
“So that’s it? After ten years of working for me, killing the most high profile men and women in the world, you fall back to Earth and succumb to human rights? Oh boy, you’ve hit harder than I thought.”
“I no longer care what you think. I know you’re tracking this call. By the time your guys reach this park, Terra and I will be long gone.”
“Then you leave me no choice,” Spencer retorted. “If you can’t give me what it is rightfully mine, I’m going to take what is yours.” A handgun snapped into view and was pressed against Trix’s temple. She started whimpering.
Seth wrenched in his seat. “Spencer, stop! Keep her out of this. This is between you and me.”
“Your woman owes me a lot of money. Did you know she’s lied to you all along? Trix was never going to stop her Clandestine habit. She still shoots up in the club.”
“I don’t believe you,” Seth remarked, keeping his eyes trained on Trix. Her eyes were downward, avoiding his stare. Her bottom lip quivered. “She’s never lied to me.”
“I can see this relationship is built on a foundation of lies so I’m going to make this easy on you.” Spencer grabbed a handful of Trix’s hair and jerked her closer to the screen. “Go on, tell her what you do, Seth. Trix deserves to know.”
He swallowed the lump of bile in his throat and tightened his grip on the phone, unsure of where to begin. “Trix, you know I love you and would never intentionally hurt you. Spencer’s right. Now is the time to unbury my past.” He stole a glance at Terra, who remained tightlipped. “Baby, I’m a professional killer. I seek out and eliminate targets for money.”
Trix didn’t respond, so he continued. “I’ve been working for Spencer’s company for ten years. I travel the world via portals and murder people who are doing the wrong thing. I get paid based on what that person is worth. Do you remember that diamond necklace I gave you last Valentine’s Day? A wealthy rogue CIA agent helped pay for it.”
“I can’t believe you never trusted me,” she finally said, her voice weakened by Spencer’s forearm crushing her neck. “After all these years, you lied to me.”
“I wanted to keep you safe and protected from that world. I never took my work home with me because I know firsthand what it can do to someone.”
“You’re the criminal, Seth,” Trix said between clenched teeth. “You never had my interests at heart. It’s always about you.” Her eyes fell onto Terra sitting beside him and the fire inside her returned full force. “I hope he makes you happy, lady. Be careful. You never know what he may do behind your back.”
“Trix, don’t say that,” he begged. “Please, baby. I’ll come and get you now.”
Spencer threw his head back and groaned incredulously. “For God’s sake, this isn’t an episode of a daytime soap. Make a decision, Seth, or I'll make it for you.”
For the first time in his life, Seth was indecisive. If he had to make a choice between two targets, he would have taken both out without a second thought. The women in his life were different. He had established a life with Trix long before he met Terra. Sure, their relationship was unstable, dangerous, and at times self-destructive, but he loved her, and it pained him to think he was forced to choose who would live.
On the other hand, the passive woman sitting beside him, Terra Bloom, had unearthed something inside him he never thought existed: compassion and hope. Their circumstances were unique and he never envisioned being this type of man—so easily swayed by anyone. So what changed him? He studied Spencer digging the pistol into Trix’s head and decided he was dead no matter what path he chose.
“Spencer, let Trix go and you can have me instead. You can punish me however you like.”
“No deal. It’s Terra or nothing.”
“She’s worthless to you, Spencer. Terra has been through enough with me in these last few days that’s she’s too scared to say anything. She won’t disclose what she’s heard or seen. You can trust me on that.”
“Seth, I lost trust for you the moment you spared her life. How do I know what you’re saying is correct?”
“You have to take my word for it.”
Spencer curled his lip. “You see, I don’t value your word anymore. I’m giving you forty-eight hours to return Terra to me or I’ll start gunning down the people you love. Is your father still living in that rat-infested apartment in Astoria?”
“My father is ill. Don’t drag him into this.” Seth’s body was so rigid he could hardly breathe. “Tell me where to meet and I’ll be there.”
“It’s not as simple as that, boy,” Spencer said. “My men are just as skilled as you are. Joca isn’t far from your location.”
A rush of white hot anger surfaced from Seth’s belly, igniting a volcano inside him. He didn’t realize he was screaming into the phone. “Bring it on, Spencer. If you want to fight, then I will fucking fight you!”
His threat was welcomed by an eerie silence. Spencer smiled a lupine grin that sent a shiver down his spine.
“Wrong answer.”
As if in slow motion, Spencer pulled the trigger and Trix’s head spewed blood and brain matter onto the screen. As Seth screamed out, his boss ended the call.
“NO!” He hurled the cell across the park, uncaring when it smashed into a million pieces against a rock. For the first time in years the tears flowed, down his cheeks and into his open mou
th. “She’s gone. Trix, Trix. My darling Trix. It’s my entire fault.” Forgetting Terra was there, he buried his face in his hands and wept. “I’m done. I can’t do this anymore.”
“Seth, look at me.” Terra’s hand enveloped his and squeezed it. He looked into her eyes, finding strength and compassion. “You’re not done. Get up. Do not let Spencer win. You’ve got work to do.”
Chapter Eleven
Seth tore the hotel room apart looking for anything to numb the pain. The bottle of pills he found under the sink didn’t cut it; neither did the bottle of vodka he boosted from the bodega down the road. Despite the promise of a bone-crunching headache in the morning, he tilted his head and tipped the liquid into his empty gut.
From his position on the bed, he sneered at the bible on the table, forcing a half-assed laugh. The book cruelly reminded him that he had no right to ask for retribution from anyone. He was the last man to redeem himself. Trix was dead because of him. Was this punishment for choosing Terra over her? Spencer did the one thing he’d vowed he would never do: kill an agent’s loved one. For his act of treason, Seth was expecting some sort of rebuttal, but not this.
The hotel room door opened and Terra entered, cradling a paper bag of groceries against her chest. “Are you still nursing that bottle? Why don’t you take a shower? It will make you feel better.”
He snorted a response.
“Come on,” she cajoled. “You’ve always told me to move on. I’m sorry about Trix but maybe it was for the—”
He was out of the chair and in her face so fast the paper bag slipped from her fingers and spewed its contents onto the carpet.
“You don’t get to say shit about Trix!” he yelled, shoving a finger in her face. “You didn’t know her at all. If I never listened to the fucking voice in my head and saved you, she might be still alive.”
“You can’t blame me for that,” Terra shot back, gathering the fallen items back into the bag. “I’m sorry for her death, but you saved me for a reason. That little voice in your head decided to make a decision that ultimately changed your life. You’re a good man, Seth, and for what it’s worth, I trust you. Somewhere deep inside me, I know I’m safe around you.” He had no response.
“When I lost my father, I didn’t understand the pain I was feeling. He and I never got along when I was growing up, we were polar opposites. As a teenager, I made his life hell and my mother was at her wit’s end. When I turned sixteen, I moved out and never looked back. I did love him, of course, and it hurts that we never got to resolve our issues. I moved on.”
“Your father was a criminal.” He sneered.
Her lips formed a thin line and she turned her back on him. “You’re hurting so I’m going to let that one slide. I knew my dad. He was a good man, despite our history.”
“I knew who he was.”
Terra ripped the empty vodka bottle from his grip. “Shut up, Seth. You just want revenge.”
“Of course I do.”
She came up close, pressing her breasts against his chest, breathing hot air onto his neck. “The best revenge is to live, Seth. Spencer hasn’t tracked us down yet. We left the park before his men could find us. Would Trix want you to cower in fear all your life?”
He gazed into her azure blue eyes and saw something he thought he’d never find again: redemption. He wanted to kiss her, to taste her, but the memory of Trix’s head exploding into million pieces expelled the desire.
“Do you remember their faces?” Terra asked, unmoving, still close to him. “The men and women you killed over the years.”
“There’s too many of them.”
She drew lazy circles in his shirt, her eyes burrowing into his. “You need to relax and let loose. You’re too uptight. We sat in that stinky state train for two days to Richmond and you of all people need to unwind. I know a place.”
***
Terra breathed in a toxic cloud of cigarette smoke and cheap perfume and wondered how she had stayed away for so long. The club was pulsating with dancers from all walks of life. Screen actors, politicians, athletes, dealers, users, and soldiers formed a mass in the middle of the dance floor. Beats Club held no judgement toward their patrons. Everyone was welcome.
Some people stopped when Terra and Seth entered the room, their hushed whispers muted by the techno music. She bit the inside of her cheek, hoping the club’s open door policy included them also.
Warmth radiated through her body when Seth’s shoulder brushed against her own. She looked up at him. His body language was combative, back straight, eyes blank, lips downturned. She felt guilty for bringing him here when all he wanted to do was mourn, but he needed to dig out of his hole and move on.
“Are you going to hand me over to Spencer?” she asked above the music. “You only have forty-eight hours. You can live a proper life.”
At first he didn’t respond, his gaze surveying the blinding strobe lights, ink black floor, and the large screen above the DJs playing real time video of the dancers.
“I don’t like it here,” he said. “Why did you bring me to a club?”
She ignored the pang of hurt in her chest and linked her arm through his. “I know you’d rather be back at the hotel drinking your sorrows away but we’re here to meet a contact of mine.”
“Who are they?”
“Terra Bloom, is that you?” A redheaded woman weaved her way through the dancers and approached them. “Do you remember me?”
It took a moment for Terra to recognize the waist length crimson hair, nose piercing, and the inelastic body wrapped in a black leather dress. If it was the same person she knew years ago, she’d lost a hell of a lot of weight. When the woman smiled and she caught sight of a gold incisor shining in the strobe lights, she knew who she was straight away.
“Samantha, it’s been years!” The women embraced amid a sea of writhing bodies. “The place has changed so much since I was last here. It’s amazing!”
“Well, stop coming every five years and you might not have such a culture shock.” Samantha’s eyes fell onto Seth and she jerked a chin in his direction. “Is this your bodyguard? Have things gotten that bad?”
“No, he’s my—” Terra stopped. What was Seth to her? Friend was too common, acquaintance was too casual, and lover—well, that hadn’t happened yet. Before she could think of a lie, Seth shot out his hand toward Samantha.
“I’m Seth, a colleague of hers from Wick Wheaton Enterprises. We go way back.”
Before her friend started asking questions, Terra interjected, “Seth, this is Samantha Quinn. She owns Beats and other dance clubs around the country. She and I used to rally outside the White House a few years back until she was thrown in prison. When she was released, she bought this place and renovated it. It’s now the hottest club in the state.”
“Oh, cool.”
The rhythmic house music intensified to a deafening boom boom and Terra noticed the muscles along Seth’s jawline tense. Dressed in black, he was almost swallowed up by the pulsating crowd. His eyes no longer held the usual charm and she could tell he was trying hard to fit in for her sake. She had to make this quick because she remembered the ankle handgun underneath his pant leg. Seth wasn’t one for friendly conversations.
“Sam, do you still own that safe house in Richards County?”
“Yeah, it’s vacant right now. Why do you ask?”
“Things aren’t good right now and Seth and I need a place to hang low while shit gets sorted. I can pay you rent if you want.”
“How long do you intend to stay?”
“A few days, maybe a week.”
Samantha’s bottom lip curled and Terra feared the news of their exploits had surpassed Spencer Hack’s common circle. Samantha used to be a good ally she could rely on, but time often weakened friendships.
“Yeah, you can shack up there for a while,” she finally said. “I’ll tell my boys to stay clear of the place. How much trouble are you in, Terra?”
“Enough to be scared for
my life. I owe you one.”
“Come and find me after you’re done dancin’ and I’ll give you the address.” She embraced Terra once more, said goodbye to Seth, and disappeared into the crowd.
When Samantha was out of sight, Terra welcomed a wave of relief. They were safe for another day. She elbowed Seth in the side. “Hey, how did you know I worked at Wick Wheaton?”
He threw her a wink. “I’m a professional, honey. I dig up information on all my clients.”
“Oh, am I a client now?”
“I’m providing a service, aren’t I?” he retorted. “I’m protecting you from trigger happy goons.”
She plucked a cigarette from a passing dancer and slipped it between her lips. His gaze followed her every move. When she was done, she tossed the butt onto the floor and extinguished it with the toe of her shoe. “You’re so serious all the time, Seth. You need to lighten up.”
When she heard her favorite song playing, Terra decided to take a risk and dance with him. She pressed her body against his and felt his muscles tighten instantly. Their eyes met and she reached for his arms, wrapping them around her waist. He smelled of cologne, male scent, and an underlying hint of sandalwood. His whole body felt stiff in her embrace.
“Relax, I’m not trying to seduce you,” she whispered. “I’m merely breaking the mold you’ve set yourself in. Break free, Seth.”
The side of his mouth twitched. “I don’t need to you to heal me.”
Terra dropped her arms from his shoulders and distanced herself. “Why are you shutting me out again? I’m trying to help.”
‘‘I was never open to you, Terra. I just lost my girlfriend. How do you expect me to react when another woman comes onto me?”
“I wasn’t trying to come onto you,” she mumbled.
“What did you do when you heard of your father’s death? How did you manage it? Did you cry? Call your best friend? Find a random guy on the street and screw him?”
“It was nothing like that!”
Rogue Agent Page 11
