Invincible(21)

I put Rose’s bag there and left mine at the bottom of the steps. I wasn’t sure if I was going to sleep upstairs or crash on the couch.

Just in case.

Off the small kitchen was a large deck. A set of steps went down to the ground and within spitting distance was a large lake.

I stood at the railing of the deck and stared out at the horizon. There was a peaceful feeling up here, but it was all bullshit. I was meant to be a fighter and nothing more. I shouldn’t have fought on the anniversary of Shane’s death.

But even then, she was there.

Rose was there.

Standing behind me, worried about me.

“Can I get you anything?”

I looked back and Rose stood there. “No.”

“So what’s your plan now?” she asked. “Aton is connected. If he finds out we’re lying.”

“I’ll worry about that when it happens,” I said. “We need to get some food and supplies if we’re going to stay here.”

“How long are we staying here?” Rose asked.

“Not sure. What’s wrong? You’re not enjoying your honeymoon?”

I walked from the deck to the door. Rose grabbed my arm. “I didn’t ask for any of this, Wes.”

“Neither did I,” he said. “It was the only idea I could come up with to keep us alive.”

“I saw you the other night,” she said. “Standing with your fists against the wall.”

“And you didn’t want to listen then,” I said. “To go away. To stay away.”

“You wanted me here, Wes. You lied for me. So what now?”

“I want to know everything about your family. And who is out to kill you. We might be able to actually survive everything.”

“Probably not,” Rose said.

I nodded.

You’re right.

I went for the front door, keys in hand.

Rose followed me.

There was a small market a couple miles away. They had all the bare essentials to survive. We wouldn’t be ordering out pizza or eating gourmet meals, but we wouldn’t starve. The man behind the counter was more interested in a baseball game on a small TV with a long antenna than he was asking Rose and I questions.

Which was good.

Then again, knowing Aton, he owned the store and the guy running it.

Nothing could be hidden.

I regretted telling Aton I was married to Rose, but it worked for now.

Back at the cabin, I made spaghetti with jar sauce, something that was as taboo to Aton as lying.

I gave Rose a plate and said, “Aton would cut my head off if he saw me serving jar sauce.”

“Good thing he’s not here then,” Rose said.

I sat on the couch a little bit away from her.

I wasn't hungry, but I forced myself to eat.

We sat in silence again.

“This is good,” Rose said.

“It’s boxed pasta and jar sauce.”

“I’m trying to give you a compliment.”

“Thanks.”

“That’s better.”

I looked at her. The cabin was starting to get dark as the sun went down. I had no idea how to handle the night with Rose.

I took her plate and went to the kitchen. There was no point in wasting any time, right? I turned and she stood in the doorway to the kitchen. Everything about her was stunning. Her hips filled out her jeans, her body shaped like an hourglass. Her hair was pulled back, everything just natural yet beautiful.

I shook my head.

“What?” she asked.

“Tell me about your old man.”

“Ever hear of Don the Dragman?”

“Yeah,” I said. “That’s your father?”

Rose nodded. “He got the nickname the Dragman because he used to get right into the circle with the fighters. And if one of the guys were knocked out, he’d grab them by the hair and drag them out. To keep everyone excited and ready for the next fight.”

“That was before my time in the circle,” I said. “Shane probably saw him.”

“Shane… your brother?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m sorry he’s gone.”

“I want to know who did it.”

“Can’t you ask Aton?” Rose asked.

“He doesn’t know. It was a bad fight. Something that should have never happened. There was this guy, he was called the assassin. He wore a black mask over his face. We’re not supposed to cover up our faces. But this guy was something intense. The entire night is a blur because I was drunk. I told Shane he was a fool for doing it. He had his own problems with booze, drugs, women. The life had got to him, bad. Then the fight…”

I gritted my teeth, feeling my chest pull.

I blinked fast and cleared my throat.

When I regained focus, Rose turned and stormed away. I touched the corner of my eye and then raced after her. She cut through the living room and went right outside. I thought she was going to goddamn lock me out.

I tore the door open and blocked her way down the stairs. “What are you doing?”

“I have to get out of here,” she said. “This was a mistake. Everything. You shouldn’t have lied for me. You don’t know me, Wes. I deserve it all. Whatever I get.”