Thicker Than Blood (Thicker Than Blood #1)(100)



“They’re making him fight again,” Leisel said. “Tomorrow night. They’re never going to let us leave here, Eve. They’re saying we owe them, for killing two of their people.”

I jumped up from the chair, anger thrumming through me. “No!” I shouted. “We’re not staying here, we’re not spending another day here!”

“We don’t have a choice.” Pushing himself away from the door, Alex shrugged. “Whatever plan you’d worked out, it’s shit now. I’d pretty sure no one leaves here unless they’re carried out in body bags. They want us to think we have choices, when in reality this place is no better than a prison camp.”

Smoke and mirrors, I thought, stewing silently. It had all been an illusion. There was music here, food, entertainment, not for the sake of giving people a sense of the past, but to keep them within the gates, under the control of Jeffers and Liv.

Without looking at either Leisel or me, Alex headed for the mattress and dropped down heavily on it. Rolling onto his side, he faced the wall and his body went utterly still. Leisel glanced between us, her bottom lip disappearing between her teeth, her indecision clear.

“Go to him,” I said, grabbing her hand and squeezing, my thoughts aflutter. “I need to go see someone.”

? ? ?

The night was still warm, the marketplace empty and silent as I made my way through it. Metal barrels were lit throughout, lighting my way to my destination. Though I was alone, I was armed, a gun tucked into the back of my pants and two blades secured at my hip. I wasn’t leaving anything to chance anymore. In fact, I’d never leave anything to chance ever again.

Turning a familiar corner, I found myself somewhat close to the entrance of the camp, but still far enough away that the guards on duty wouldn’t notice me. Leaning up against Dori’s building, I crossed my arms over my chest and waited, ready to wait all night if I had to.

Time passed slowly, or quickly, I couldn’t be sure without a watch. There was really no way to tell time in the dead of night, with everything still and silent, the sky unchanging. Eventually I heard a shuffle, a strong determined gait across the pavement, and a moment later E rounded the corner.

Surprised to see me, he widened his eyes and slowed his steps as a smile curved his lips. “You waiting for me, Wildcat?” he asked smugly.

Moving to come closer, I put my hand up. “Stay where you are,” I gritted out, my heart rate spiking.

Pausing, he raised his hands in a defensive gesture. “Don’t be like that,” he said with a chuckle. “We had fun, didn’t we?”

“Fuck you,” I snarled.

He laughed again, his tongue darting out to run slowly across his lower lip. “Right here?” he asked, then took a small step forward, his smile growing wider and infinitely more menacing. “Or right here?”

“Again, f*ck you,” I spat.

“You look a little beat up, you sure you can handle me right now?” He took another small step forward.

My hand went for my gun, whipping it out from behind me and aiming it at his chest. “Take another step, *,” I growled. “And it’ll be your last.”

He chuckled again, entirely unfazed by my bravado. “What’s a man got to do to catch a break with you, Wildcat?”

Keeping my gun trained on his chest, I didn’t respond. There was nothing left to say. He’d gotten what he wanted, and now it was time for him to pay up.

“Where’s my truck?” I finally asked. “Where’s everything you promised?”

His smile fell away, his dark eyes growing even darker. Sighing heavily, he shoved his hands deep into his pockets. “I’ve got it,” he said.

“Where?” I snapped.

“What’s the rush?” He cocked his head to one side. “You got places to be?”

“I’m leaving,” I said. “Tomorrow. First thing.”

Why I was trusting him with this information, I didn’t know. But what choice did I have? If the truck wasn’t ready, if he didn’t have what he’d promised me, we wouldn’t be able to leave. While my winnings had been plentiful, they wouldn’t last us for any real length of time.

His dark eyes narrowing, E took another cautious step in my direction. “You sure that’s wise? I know what went down tonight, what happened with your girl. According to Jeffers, your man is indebted to him. You try and leave before that debt is paid, it ain’t gonna end well for any of you.”

He was only three small steps away from me now, his chest only a hairbreadth of a distance from the barrel of my gun. I was nearly trembling at his proximity, and from the unreadable look on his face. This man was a wild card, his dark eyes unreadable, his cryptic words, his carefully calculated actions all pieces of a puzzle that didn’t seem to fit together.

“We’re leaving,” I said, hoping I sounded stronger than I felt. “And I want everything you promised me inside the truck and ready for us by morning.”

He grinned. “You giving out orders now?”

“I’m the one with the gun, E,” I sneered.

“That won’t always be the case, Wildcat. Fact is, it doesn’t have to be that way for you anymore.”

A moment passed where he only stared at me. Then another as his eyes searched mine, for what I didn’t know.

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