Cruz
As we were leaving the place I’d seen a few figures following us. I recognized one of the Russians who I’d bumped into on the flight to Paris. There were at least three others, probably more lurking in the shadows.
They were close. This was it. It was time to stop thinking.
The sheer power of the car I drove was even a shock to me. I’d done getaway driving in the past, but this car was something else.
As I accelerated out onto the main road, tires and loud engines revved behind me. Two cars were on my tail, swerving around shocked drivers.
The game was up now. I just had to be one step ahead. Set up the first meeting so it went in my favor.
I felt sorry for Alexandra in the passenger seat as I barely made it through a red light, swerving violently right across a large intersection. The tires cried out as they kept the car on the road, back end tailing out as we sped around the corner. I eased off the accelerator until the car righted itself, and then slammed my foot down.
We shot forward again, the road ahead clear. Two cars followed, slightly farther behind now; they had obviously run the red light.
I visualized the map of the city I’d spent time memorizing, looking around for landmarks. I was fairly sure I knew where we were. I was heading towards a hotel I knew had an underground car park.
If I could get there first…
I reasoned that it would give me a few minutes at least. Enough time to get to a room.
I was unarmed, but the first bad guy to get near me would solve that problem. I would simply break his fucking arm and take his gun. Easy. I’d done it before plenty of times.
Might even shoot him if he looks at me funny, I thought angrily.
The lights at the huge intersection a little way down the road were red, and traffic was backed up. I braked sharply and swerved into a narrow side street for a quick detour, dodging a couple market stalls and a few pedestrians who looked at me, shocked.
Guess I ain't meant to drive down here. Too late now.
I reached the end of the narrow road, braking slightly as I scanned for traffic. A car was approaching to my right, slower than was necessary. I put my foot down. I didn't have time to wait.
A horn beeped behind me.
“Fuck off,” I yelled over my shoulder. “Learn to fucking drive!”
Obviously, I wasn’t the most patient of drivers.
The car shot forward, leaving our pursuers behind for dust. I took another sharp right a little while longer. Our tail was nowhere to be seen; I hoped they were sitting behind a fucking red light somewhere.
The hotel I had in mind wasn’t far. I accelerated viciously at the next clear section of road just before I heard the wail of sirens in the distance.
Great. Just what I needed. I was actually glad to see the police this time because they would be just as much of a hindrance to my followers as they would be to me. I needed all the help I could get.
Deciding on another short cut, I turned down a narrow side road. This one was clear, thankfully. My car gripped wonderfully as I threw it around the bends of the winding road. Adrenaline coursed through my veins.
I risked a sideways glance at Alexandra as I slowed for the junction. She looked like she was going to be sick.
“Almost there now, babe,” I said.
The junction was clear as I tore across it, the sound of the car’s engine echoing noisily off the surrounding buildings. The hotel was at the end of the next narrow road. Or at least I hoped so. Otherwise, we were fucked and would possibly have to run the fuckers over. I’d never done that before, although some part of me thought it might be fun.
I swerved onto the road approaching the hotel and turned violently into the underground car park. I stuck the car as far back as I could out of sight behind a massive SUV.
I ran to Alexandra’s door, helping her out. She looked pissed.
“Can you tell me what the fuck that was all about? You nearly got us killed, you maniac!”
“No time. Let's go.” I grabbed her arm and rushed towards the stairs to the hotel, stopping briefly to grab her bag.
We were checked in and on the top floor in a matter of minutes.
Chapter Fourteen
Alexandra
I turned on him as we got into the room. “Cruz, now isn’t the time to go silent on me. Tell me what the fuck is going on!”
But he didn’t say anything. He was thinking, his gaze fixed on the door. “Now ain’t the time. I need to think,” he finally said, not even looking at me.
Emotion rose up inside me. Selfish indignation at him. I began to wonder if he had even cared about me or had just used me the previous night.
I worried that maybe his charms had been false and suddenly, I felt scared and lonely in his company for the first time.
“Do you even care? Or was everything last night just fake? Are you going to just fuck off when your job’s done? Talk to me, Cruz! I need you!”
He clenched his jaw. “Alexandra! I can’t keep you safe if you’re shouting at me! I need a minute!”
“Fuck off then, Cruz. Just do what you’ve been paid to do.” I turned on my heels and headed for what I hoped was a bedroom. Warm tears unexpectedly fell down my face.
What is up with me? I wondered, hastily wiping them away. More importantly, what the fuck is up with Cruz? Fucking iceman. Switches his emotions off and on like a light bulb.
I got to the main bedroom and stepped inside, slamming the door behind me.