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Daniel makes an illegal U-turn and horns blare at us. I don’t care—we can’t lose this guy.“Did you see the car?”

“Bronze Cadillac,” I point, “there!”

There are three cars between us when we get to a traffic light on the four lanes of road. Store fronts are on either side, nothing higher than two stories—It’s a sleepy kind of neighborhood.

The light turns green and we follow along.

“Get closer,” I say.

Daniel shakes his head, “That’s not how you follow someone. We get too close while we’re matching his movements and he’ll make us. You also need time to react to any changes. Three car lengths is good, don’t worry.”

“Okay,” I squeeze his thigh again, “you’re the expert.”

We follow the bronze Cadillac for five blocks before he uses his blinker and makes a right.

We tail him another three blocks at a leisurely pace and his blinker fires again, this time to park at the curb.

Daniel gives me a worried look, “I don’t like this, Chelsea. It’s too exposed.”

“You letmeworry about that,” I point to a vacant spot ahead, “park there.”

We breeze past the Cadillac on our right as the fat guy gets out. Seconds later, Daniel slots us in two bays down.

I give him a kiss on the cheek, “Don’t move.” I get out of the car and tuck the silenced Glock under my black hoodie, close the car door and hug myself like I’m cold, then start walking.

I move slowly, like I’m stranded with nowhere to be—maybe just another runaway who can’t afford a bus ticket.

I check out the street and traffic lights to see if there are any cameras mounted on them—Nothing.

The store the fat man went into is a butchery. The façade is a thick glass window with the specials painted on it from the inside. There are no cameras here either—None that I can see.

I spot the fat man at the counter, he’s talking to a skinny old man in an apron.

A week ago, I’d never have imagined myself in a situation like this. Today, there’s not one cell in my body that feels any hesitation.

The street is quiet. In the minute that I wait—at the side of the window where they can’t see me—only one car goes by.

This is going to be risky, there’s no doubt about that. I’m no professional, but I know this guy has a lot of meat on him. Body shots won’t do. If I don’t drop him first, he’ll sure as fuck drop me.

Also, there are the guys in the store. When they see the fat man fall, they’re going to run out here to check what’s going on—they’ve got a clear view through the window.

He’s got to go around the car to get into the driver’s side, so my options are to take him before he gets there and give the guys in the store a show before they chase me…or…take the fat man out when he gets in his car.

Option #2.

I hear a bell chime as the door to the butchery opens and the fat man comes out, sticking another Manila envelope into his coat.

He doesn’t notice me.

The hoodie I’m wearing is big. I have the silenced Glock underneath in my hand, pointed forward, and you can’t even tell. My hand is rested on my hip—my elbow sticks out the back, the gun sticks out the front.

There are tents on either side so it just looks like I’ve got a bag under the hoodie.

I have to time this perfectly. I wait till he goes around the car and opens his door before Istart walking. I keep my pace slow and relaxed. I want him to be sitting when I reach him.

It’s time to channel all the hate and rage that’s been building within me for sixteen years.

Bitchy dorm mistresses, ragtag bullies, asshole bosses, cunty customers, abusive boyfriends…shrinks, doctors and everybody else who looked down on me because they thought I was nobody…

I get to his door as he sits behind the wheel. I could shoot him right now, but for some reason I say, “Mister, do you have the time?”

“What?” He adjusts his fat ass and looks at me like I’m a loser, “You don’t gotta watch? No phone?”

I sniff and play teary-eyed, “They stole everything at the bus station, mister. I’ve been waiting for someone to pick me up.”

He looks annoyed, “Hey, just get the fuck-outta-here-alri—”

THUNK. THUNK. THUNK.

Three shots to the face.

He looks like tomato chutney—Chunky, red, bone, sinew, brain and teeth.I hold back the puke, take a deep breath and—

SHIT!I’M ON FIRE!

The fucking muzzle flash ignited my clothes! I quickly pull out the gun and pat down the flames on my hoodie, then take a quick look around—no one saw anything.

We’re out of line-of-sight to the butchery. The shots didn’t sound any louder than a car door slamming.

I should probably take the money.If it doesn’t look like arobbery, it’ll definitelylook like ahit.

I search the fat man’s coat pockets and find three Manila envelopes, stuff them down my shirt, close the car door and use my sleeve to wipe where I touched it, then run back to the Hyundai.

The door opens before I get there.

Daniel has a worried look on his face, “You okay?”

I nod. “Let’s get the hell out of here!”

My legs keep bouncing…it’s the adrenaline.

Daniel puts his hand on my thigh, “Hey! Look at me.”

I turn to him.

“Are you good?”

“I’m fine, drive the car!”

Iamfine.

Fuck that fat asshole!Whoever the hell he was.

I’ll admit though…it’s a little tough getting the image of what was left of his face out of my mind. Hmm…nothing a little tequila won’t fix.

“Hey,” I tap Daniel on his thigh.

“Yeah?”

“You look like aDany. Can I call you Dany?”

“Sure,” he gives me smile.

“Dany, can we go to a bar?”

“What?” He looks surprised, “Now?”

“Yeah, now.”

“You sure? I mean, we’re almost home, we can drink there.”

“I’m sure. The first shitty bar you find please.”

We drive on for a few minutes and it seems like we’re moving back into our own territory. I don’t know exactly where the lines are, but I’ll find out—Later.For now, I need to get a buzz going.

I need a mind eraser—with no chaser.

We get to a nice-looking place as the sun is about to set. It’s called,Bobby’s,according to the big neon sign outside.

As soon as Dany parks, I open the door and set off at a trot.

“Hey,” he yells at me. I don’t bother turning around.

I’ve got a pocket full of a dead man’s cash and I need to burn out the memory of him…at least for now.

I’m going to have to have to become a ruthless killer if I’m going to take back what is mine. Till I adjust to the blood and gore, I’ll need a coping mechanism.

I push through the saloon doors and find a bar like any other—A dank, dingy little hole in the wall.A few tables and chairs, maybe twelve patrons and a blonde in her thirties behind the counter.

I take a stool in front of her and say, “Five tequila shots please,” putting down a crisp, hundred-dollar-bill.

“Boyfriend trouble?” she gives me a smile, then looks to my left, “Oh.” Daniel sits down and it seems like she’s waiting for his permission.

“Come on!” I snap at her, “What are you looking at him for?”

Dany nods and she starts pouring. He leans close to me and whispers, “Would you take it easy?”

I shrug him off and knock back the first shot. I don’t bother with the salt and lemon.

Blech.

That’s one. Maybe if that fat bastard was a little nicer and hadn’t told me to fuck off, I wouldn’t have shot him.

I take shot number two.

Ick.

Nope, I’d have still shot him. That’s what we were there to do.

Shot number three.

To hell with him.

“Maybe you want to slow down there?” Dany looks at me with concern. “At least wash it down with something?”

“Almost done.” I grab number four, down it and quickly take number five before I can change my mind.

Five is my limit.

I’m a murderer.

I feel woozy.

The blonde slides some cash back towards me. “Your change.”

“Thanks,” I try to smile at her, “you keep it. He doesn’t need it anymore.”

“Who?”

“The man I—”

Dany pulls at me, “We’d better get going.”

He’s right…we should get going. I link arms with Dany and start walking.

“Bye!” I wave to the bartender as we pass through the doors.

Daniel puts me in the car and we drive.

I listen on the radio for any news about what happened and check my phone as well, but there’s nothing. Maybe it’s too soon?

What would they even say?Motorist found shot dead outside butchery?

Or maybe—Known mob associate the victim of gangland violence?

“Come on,” Daniel pokes my shoulder, “we’re home.”

“Oh.”That was quick.We park in the same spot we started from. I get out of the car and feel just the teensiest bit unsteady. “Daniel?”

When he comes around the car to me, I push him against it and plant a kiss on him…then another…and now, it’s a full-blown making out session—my fingers are in his hair, his hands on my ass…

He stops me after a minute and whispers, “Everyone will see! Let’s go to your room.”

“Okay,” I whisper back, even though there’s absolutely no one around and the place looks deserted.He’s funny!

I take his hand and start running…then stop because I have no idea which way I’m going.

“This way,” Dany laughs and pulls me along.

This place can be like a maze sometimes.I wonder if they made it like this on purpose?

After a number of twists and turns, which I’m assuming we’re taking so as not to run into anyone—Carlo, Charles, guards, brothers, fathers—we finally get to my room.

I’m pleasantly surprised to find that it’s as empty as we left it—because my life is all about plot twists these days. It would have been funny if the whole family was waiting for us in here.

I lock the door from the inside and take Dany to the bed. I push him down and climb on top of him. I plunge my tongue into his mouth and have my way with him, grinding myself against his crotch.

The second I reach down his pants for his cock, he pushes me away and sits up, “I can’t do this, Chelsea.”

“What the fuck?”

“I can’t do this,” he stands up. The way he says it, I don’t think it’s about performance anxiety.

“You mean you can’t or you won’t?” I want to be a hundred percent sure—because I really need to fuck right now.

He looks scared. “That was wrong, Chelsea. We shouldn’t have done it.”

“We didn’t do anything, Daniel,” I take his hand and pull him back to me and give him the kind of sensuous kiss that got both his brothers rock hard, “I killed that Cassaduchi fucker. You don’t have to worry.”

He pulls away—Damn, I shouldn’t have added that last part.“Chelsea I’m the one who let you out and gave you the gun. Idroveyou there! This is allmy fault.”

“Can you just relax, Dany?” I move toward him but he backs up. “I spoke to the guy, he wasn’t a nice man. What are you getting so worked up about? No one saw us. No one ever has to know this happened.” I put my arms around his waist and kiss him again.

He kisses me back for just a moment, then pushes me away. “We should tell them, Chelsea. If we don’t tell my brothers and my father, we’re leaving them vulnerable.”

“No, Daniel! They’re just going to start complaining and then you’ll be in even more trouble than I am.Do not tell anyone!”

“You’re drunk. You’re not thinking straight. I don’t even really know if you want me or you just want sex.”

Sigh.What the hell is wrong with this guy?“Okay, we don’t have to have sex. Can we at least cuddle? I don’t want to be alone.”

The long pause makes me think he doesn’t want to, but he nods and sheepishly says, “Okay.”

We curl up together with my head on his chest and I close my eyes, listening to his heartbeat.

This is the first time I’ve ever offered a guy sex and gotten turned down.It’s kind of hot!