by Ethan Egorov
“Yeah. It’s a huge fucking spider. Not to mention that’s Kristina’s necklace.”
“Choker.”
“Yeah, whatever. Cassie you look like you’ve seen a ghost. What the hell’s going on?”
“You need to get Drew now. Call all of those reinforcements you have. This is definitely Augustin’s handiwork. That’s his calling card. He has her Trent and fuck, we’re too late. Honestly she’s probably already dead…or worse.”
“No. I know Kristina. She’s not dead, if anything she’s already tried to kick his ass. Fuck! Why did you have to drag her into your mess anyway?! You know her and you knew good and well that she couldn’t tell you no. That’s just not how she is. She’s a decent person who will bend over backwards to help anyone.”
“Yeah…well I guess in the future she’ll consider that a weakness and don’t you fucking dare put this on me. It’s not like I actively was looking for trouble. I wanted to walk away from that life quietly.”
“You know how this works Cassie. You knew it as soon as you started working for Augustin. There is no walking away. There can’t be white picket fences and a domestic life full of marriage and children. There’s just no room for it in this job. There’s no such thing as early retirement.”
“Well we really don’t have time to talk about your shortcomings in your relationship with Kristina…we have to go find her. Fuck. She could be anywhere.”
Trent began pacing the room as he pulled out his cell phone. He pressed a button and then turned it off. He then picked it up on a few moments later and dialed again. He exhaled shakily as the voice at the other end of the line picked up. “Hey brother! Why are you calling me?! I figured you’d be elbows deep in a Tequila Sunrise poolside still.”
“Tommy… there’s been some well….developments. I know that you and Pop know a bunch of different higher level guys. I need you to put the word out for an Augustin Bellerose. It’s important.”
“Yeah, sure I’ll ask Pop. Why? Did you lose a bet to him or something?”
“Worse than that. Tommy…he has Kristina. He’s kidnapped her and she could be anything in the world. I woke up this morning to only her choker and a giant, scary-ass spider on my pillow.”
“Are you fucking serious, Trent?! Fuck! You were on vacation only a couple days! How the fuck do you manage to screw up a vacation?! You were supposed to be just drinking and gambling. Sigh. I’ll let Pop know. Expect a call back soon. Don’t turn off your phone or do anything stupid yet. You got it?!”
“Yeah. I’ll just wait until I hear back before we do anything.”
“We?! Who the fuck is we?!”
“Kristina had a bit of a reunion with a long-lost friend.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah. Call me back.”
They walked across the hallway and pounded on Drew’s door. The driver answered the door, still groggy from sleep. He ran a hand though his greying hair and looked confused. “What’s going on?”
“Sorry to wake you Drew… I know that it’s been a rough couple of days, but there’s been an incident.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Kristina is gone. She’s been kidnapped. We think that Augustin has her.”
“Shit. That’s all we needed. Let me get dressed. Ya know, the next time you want to go on a nice vacation, I think I’ll pass on being your driver.”
“I understand bro. I’m sorry I definitely didn’t plan on it being like this.”
“Yeah, it’s alright. I’m just worried about Kristina right now. I mean shit…she’s been in trouble before.”
“Yup and I definitely don’t like the feel of it this time.”
Before they could continue the conversation, Trent’s phone rang loudly. “Hey Tommy.”
“Well… fortunately for us Pop has heard of him before and well, let’s just say he’s a pretty big fish Trenton. I don’t know how you got mixed up in this, but it may be bigger than us. Though let’s just say that if somehow you can take him out and make that our territory we would be unstoppable.”
“Hold up, Tommy. We’re not trying to do all that. All I care about right now is getting Kristina back. This guy…well he’s good Tommy. He’s like a ghost. None of us even knew he was here. Even the assassin next door didn’t hear him.”
“The assassin next door…fuck Trent what are you doing there?!”
“Let’s just say that Kristina had a little unfinished business with a friend. Now tell me all you’ve got on this guy. I don’t want to waste anymore time. Fuck, I mean she could be anywhere.”
“Well I had Pop look into and there’s word that he’s got a safe house in the French quarter… some of his old family money he hadn’t redistributed yet. Unless he’s on his way back overseas I think that’s the best chance you have in finding Kristina.”
“Alright. We’re on our way. Thanks, Tommy.”
“Hey Trent?”
“Yeah? Hey bring her back home you understand? No excuses. Do whatever’s necessary to get the job done.”
“Don’t I always?”
“You always do…but make certain of it this time.”
Trent hung up his phone and slipped it in his jacket pocket. He then turned to Drew and Cassandra. “I don’t know how much of that conversation you overheard, if any? Long story short though, we think that he’s got a safe house somewhere in the French Quarter. Apparently he had some inheritance. So get out your charms and beads ready, we’re going to the Big Easy.”
“Wow. Augustin never told me he had property anywhere else. He was a very private man, though.”
“Well I’m sure since he’s a cold-blooded killer secrets are inevitable. I just can’t believe you. What made you think that you could just walk away from anything when you started this?”
“Look, I know you’re looking for someone to blame, Trent, but you can’t put this on me! You would have done the same fucking thing in that situation and you know it.”
“That just shows your poor judgement in character once again. I wouldn’t have. Now get your shit together it’s going to take hours to get there and we’ve wasted enough time.”
Before Cassandra could respond to Trent’s remarks, Drew cleared his throat.”
“I have a better idea Trent.”
“Oh yeah? What do you propose?”
“I agree we’ve already wasted enough time in even figuring out what direction to go. Lucky for you… I just got my pilot’s license last year. I’ve been itching to use them for professional purposes.”
“You want to fly?”
“Sure, besides it will be more comfortable for me that way. My earphones will block out your yapping.”
“Hah. Well Drew, you’ve got it. Let me call Tommy so he can arrange for a plane.”
“Sounds good, Trent.”
The Las Vegas skyline faded into the distance as Drew navigated expertly off of the small runway. He was proud of his pilot’s license and showed it to Trent with a wide grin. Trent then rolled his eyes and pulled out his wallet, giving Drew a wad of cash in appreciation of his services. Tommy, of course, would pay him extra for his assistance and Drew was considered part of the family, but Trent wanted to show his gratitude as well. They had a gem in Drew. It was tough to find help that wasn’t only qualified but also loyal.
Trent grew quiet as he watched the sun in the afternoon sky. It was tranquil and he felt a sudden peace as he watched the clouds gather then dissolve into mist. It reminded him of how the waves used to splash against the shoreline at the lake in the summers then return to their own center only to pool out and crash into the bank once again. As he stared out the window lost in thought, he felt a hand move from the armrest next to him to the top of his kneecap. Cassandra had placed it there unexpectedly and gave his leg a gentle squeeze. “Penny for your thoughts.”
“Oh, I was just thinking about Kristina. It’s so quiet up here. It reminds me of our favorite place in the mountains. There’s a deep lake with just the purest waters you’ve e
ven seen. Everything there is just so … still. It’s always made me feel at peace. It’s a place a man can really get lost in ya know?”
“Mhm. I understand. I had a place like that back in Paris. I was hiking and found a cave one summer off a trail. I spent many nights there. Sometimes I would sketch, but other times I would just sit and stare into the fire I’d made. I’d watch the flames makes shapes in front of me and let my mind wander. You wouldn’t believe the stories I saw in those flames. It was a place where I always felt safe. I was warm and protected. Do you know what makes me feel safe now Trent?”
“What’s that?”
“You.”
Trent’s heart stopped beating in his chest for a brief moment. The shock of Cassandra’s words hit it with a force he hadn’t felt since the first time he spent the night with Kristina so many years ago. He swallowed and took a deep breath to steady himself. Surely she hadn’t said that. He was just tired and sound from the plane masked what she was truly saying. Trent remained silent as Cassandra moved her hand further up his leg. “You know it really is a shame about Kristina though…I remember when I met her, there was just something about her that drew me in. To sound cliché I was like a moth to a flame. She was intoxicating. I still find it hard to believe that she hasn’t even had her cherry popped yet. Don’t you?” Trent exhaled and turned his head to look into Cassandra’s eyes which had turned a darker shade of amber. They looked almost like pure gold in the sun. “Yeah. It’s hard to believe, but I guess she has her reasons for waiting.” Cassandra’s voice was almost a whisper, yet Trent could still feel the heat in it, despite the noise from the engine in the tiny passenger plane.
“Is she waiting for the right man Trent?”
“I suppose so. I really don’t know.”
“I think you do. The question is…are you that man? Are you really waiting for her?” Cassandra moved her hand closer up his thigh and he felt sweat break out on his back and forehead. The woman was lust, sex, and sin all in one package. He knew what she was referring to. Trent bit his lip and looked down at her hand, he then said firmly. “Yes. I’m that man. I’m the right man she’s waiting for and she’s worth all the time in the world.”
“Good. Now I won’t have to kill you after we find her.” Cassandra then removed her hand from Trent’s leg before pulling her sketchbook out of her bag. She was working on what appeared to be a personal drawing and nothing for her tattoo shop, though it would have made a nice larger piece on someone’s back. “Wow. That’s amazing. What’s that going to be?”
“Oh I don’t know yet. Maybe when I get my life back I’ll frame it and put it in the shop. I may get some prints made, I haven’t decided yet.” She focused her eyes and began shading the side of what appeared to be a tiger’s face. It was fierce looking, yet at the same time seemed to be holding back its anger. Trent thought to himself that it seemed to mirror Cassandra. “Well hell, I could use some new art. I’m sure that you’ll have something I can put our house.”
“Our house? Aren’t you putting the proverbial cart before the horse Trent?”
“Nah. I’ve got this. I just hope we get to her in time. Hey Drew? How much longer do we have?”
“We’re about 45 minutes out. If you have any preparations to make, I suggest you go ahead and do them now.” Trent then got in his own bag and pulled out an item with left Cassandra shocked. “Wow. You’re not?”
“Yeah…it’s been a while, but I figured what could it? After all, I think we’ll need all the help we can get, especially if Augustin is as formidable as you say.”
“He’s ruthless, Trent. Say a few extra prayers for me. I wish I’d never met him.”
“Sadly that’s one thing that prayer can’t do. You can change your future though, I mean we all have that choice.”
Cassandra went back to her drawing and Trent bowed his head in the plane, holding his rosary tightly between his fingers. “Yes, never underestimate the power of choice, right?”
“Nope.”
They landed at a small airstrip near a bayou. Drew thought it would be best if they utilized a private site to land at as opposed to one of the larger airports. After all they didn’t want to be spotted, not until they were inside Augustin’s residence. After getting off the plane and going to a waiting car, Trent took in a deep breath and all he felt was the sticky humidity which inundated the hot air. It was muggy and judging by the toads and random fish in the murky waters, it was going to be one of the laziest days on record. Drew wiped sweat from his forehead and made quick work of putting their bags in his trunk. “Come on, let’s get out of this heat. I’ll crank up the air conditioner. It’s really too hot for man or beast out today.”
“Yeah I agree. So what’s our travelling plan?”
Chapter 16
“I’ll get you as close to the French Quarter as possible without drawing attention to your arrival. You’ll probably have to walk at least six blocks, stick to the outside perimeters of the city, that’s where he’s likely to have his hideout. Just act like tourists and you shouldn’t have any trouble.”
“Hah! That’s what got us into this mess to begin with.”
“Just be inconspicuous. You know I don’t do the action stuff, so I’ll keep my ear to the ground for any updates. Trent you and Cassandra be careful.”
“Thanks, Drew. You do the same.”
“Trent?”
“Yeah?”
“You be sure to being Kristina home. I can’t imagine what she’s going through, but let’s just say that I’d use any means necessary to get her back.”
“Oh don’t you worry Drew. I will.”
When Drew dropped them off in an alley near the end of the French Quarter, the first thing Trent heard was the sound of soft jazz drifting through the steamy air, they were playing an old funeral hymn and Trent was struck by its beauty and melody. He made a mental note that he’d have to find more out about the history of the jazz they were playing. He wasn’t much of a music guy, but there was something haunting about the melody that stuck in his brain. It was bittersweet. “Just like my life,” he thought.
Before he had a chance to get completely lost in his thoughts, he felt Cassandra take his hand within her out. She looked over at him and gave him a grin before raising an eyebrow in his direction. “Well Trent, come on darling. Let’s go on a charming romantic walk through the French Quarter.”
“Of course, my dear. Perhaps this evening we’ll even get a carriage.”
“Good. See, you’re playing the part of a doting tourist very well. Now let’s go find Kristina before something terrible happens to her. I have a feeling that she’s not going to give into Augustin’s wishes, and I’ve been on the receiving end of disobeying his orders during training. One day if you play your cards right I’ll show you the scars.”
“If anything happens to her I swear I’ll lose my shit. I’ll burn the whole damned city down to kill him if I have to.”
“The best assassins are quiet, Trent. Just watch and learn. You did remember to bring the bag didn’t you?”
“Yeah. I’ve got everything we should need in this one on my shoulder.”
“Good. Lucy’s my favorite.”
“You name your guns?”
“Yeah, don’t you?”
“Hah…um no.”
“Then how can you depend on them?”
“You’re a strange woman.”
“I’m a strange woman in a strange city… you should be more grateful.”
“Oh… I am.”
They made their way together around the first block of the city, taking in the sights and sounds of the festivities. Trent as amazed by the variety of shops and just the sheer number of people laughing and some even dancing in the streets. It really was just like one big party where everyone just showed up and left their inhibitions in the bottle of a bottle. Trent suddenly wished that he had the thought to bring Kristina with him to New Orleans for their getaway instead of Vegas. Had they been in a different city t
o begin with, then they wouldn’t have met Cassandra and things would have possibly been different. He also regretted that things hadn’t really been the same between him and Kristina since their first night together at the hotel. “Trent… really, I need you to focus here. Come on…put on that smile, you’re in the happiest city on Earth. We’ll find her, but you need to play along here.”
“How are we supposed to know where his place is even at?”
“We’ll ask the locals of course.”
He followed her lead and they rounded the corner to turn down an alley that had fewer people. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll see. I have a plan. Come on…you’re not scared are you?”
“Why fuck no why would I be?”
“You’ll see.”
She led them to a small shop at the end of the street. Trent could still hear the sounds from the jazz band but the music had become more distorted and softer since they were farther away now. Trent gave Cassandra a look before she led them into the shop. “Shh… you just play along, Trent. You do have cash with you right?”
“Yeah. I always have cash.”
“Good. We’re going to need it. I’m sure Lady Larue appreciates that over a check.”
“We’re not doing this are we?”
“Yup.”
Chapter 17
Cassandra let him into the middle of the psychic’s store and Trent looked around at the curiosities that lined the walls. There were paintings of men and women all with either distorted faces or in some instances three eyes. There were neon signs every advertising varying services such as palm reading, tarot reading, and other fortunes told. The shelves were lined with crystal balls and candles. There were also a few leather bound books about the occult and magic in the South which stood prominently on display in a lighted display case. The case had other curiosities in it as well, such as sachet pillows for love and protection. There were also some other items such as ‘ingredients,’ for various potions. “Cassandra, are you sure we want to do this? I mean…. Aren’t we cursed enough?”
