“One of the best,” MJ says with admiration in her voice.
Frowning, I turn my gaze to hers. “What do you know about him?”
She shrugs. “Just what everyone else knows. The Koslov’s are unbeatable. Carson holds all the records at St. Monarch’s. They have honor which is rare in our world.”
“What do you mean they have honor?”
“They don’t kill without good reason. I’ve heard if there’s a contract on an innocent, they’ll help the person and stop the kill order by taking out the one who requested it. Kind of like doing charity work.”
Charity work?
My frown deepens. “Still, they kill people for money.”
MJ’s eyes meet mine, and then she shakes her head. “Not people, Hailey. Monsters. My family has always protected people like the Koslov’s.”
“Instead, you got me,” I say while processing what I’ve just learned.
MJ smiles happily at me. “Yes, the woman Carson Koslov loves.” She takes the last bite of her kebab, then asks, “Is that the only reason you’re not with Carson? Because he’s an assassin?”
“Yes,” I let the word out on a hopeless breath.
“You know he’s practically the same as a soldier or government agent. Would you hold it against one of them if they killed a bad guy?”
My eyes snap back to MJ, her words shuddering through me.
My mind freezes for a moment, and then the doubt begins to creep in.
Is she right?
MJ continues as if she didn’t just turn my world upside down, “The soldiers and agents also get paid for it.” She lets out a chuckle. “They get a freaking bonus if they take out one of those guys on the most wanted list.” Her eyes widen with excitement. “Did you know Alexei killed Lleshi Prifti? He was on the most wanted list for a couple of years.”
Pins and needles spread out over my body. “No, I didn’t,” I mumble, shocked by everything she’s telling me.
Why didn’t Carson tell me that? Or Alexei?
My eyes drift shut when I remember they did. While we were at St. Monarch’s, Alexei told me they only kill bad people.
Oh, God.
Lifting my hands, I cover my mouth, another wave of shock rippling over me.
Oh. My. God.
“Hailey?” MJ places her hand on my shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
I treated Carson like a serial killer.
I would never have treated any soldier like that. I’ve always thought highly of them out there protecting our country.
Is that who Carson really is? Just his own version of a good person fighting against all the bad in the world. A vigilante?
“I want to go home,” I say as I climb to my feet, the emotions crashing over me, too much to handle out here in the open. I need to be alone.
I need time to think, to process everything.
“Okay.” MJ’s eyes are filled with concern. “Was it something I said?”
I shake my head as we begin to walk toward the apartment building. “I’m glad you told me all of that.” When we get to the main street, I ask, “So Alexei and Carson are more like paid vigilantes?”
MJ pulls a horrified face. “God, no. They’re high-level assassins.”
We’re quiet the rest of the way, and when MJ is done checking my apartment, she says, “Call if you need anything.”
“Thanks.” I force a smile to my lips. “Have a good night.” I watch as she walks to her own apartment that’s just up the hallway from mine, and then I shut the door and lock it.
Pulling my phone out, I bring up Carson’s number as I walk to my bed. Sitting down, I contemplate whether I should call or text him.
I have so many new questions.
I need to know if what MJ said is the truth.
Maybe he’s busy. Rather send a text.
Hailey: Can we talk? Is it okay if I call you?
It only takes a couple of seconds then I see that he’s read the message. My phone begins to ring, his name flashing on my screen.
“Hi.”
“Is everything okay?” Carson asks, worry lacing his words.
“Uhm… yeah. I just want to ask you something,” I explain.
“Look, mister,” I hear an excited girl's voice, “a plane!”
“Hailey, give me a second,” Carson says, then I hear him say, “Come here, Dimpo. Stand behind me.” He returns to the call. “Is it urgent? I have something to take care of.”
“No, it can wait. We can talk when you have time.”
We end the call, and I just sit on the bed, frowning.
Who’s Dimpo?
CARSON
Dimpo almost strangles me when she hugs me goodbye.
“Thank you, mister,” she whispers.
“You’re welcome.” I pull her arms away from my neck, and rising to my feet, I look at Lekgari. “Keep an eye on her.”
“I will. Tell your brother he still owes me a drink.”
I nod, the corner of my mouth lifting, then I say, “I want a video of her with her mother, then I’ll make the payment.”
Lekgari nods as he turns his attention to Dimpo. “Come. Let’s go home.”