“The front entrance. I forgot my entry chip and was waiting for my brother to let me in. This bastard just grabbed me from behind. I thought he was going to...” she trailed off, but her meaning was obvious, and she was right.
“He probably was going to,” I replied. “He’s a sick fuck.”
“I need to get home. My brother will be worried.”
“You shouldn’t go alone.” I didn’t want to send her back out into the streets by herself. She was roughed up and opportunists would take advantage of a weak target. “I’ll walk you there.” Going to Two Gardens Court wasn’t very high on my to-do list on any average day, but she needed someone to step up.
I checked I had my disruptor blaster before I headed out.
“By the way, I’m Erelle,” she said as we left my building.
“Ryon. Pleased to meet you.”
“I won’t ask what you do. Every male I know has the same answer.This and that.Usually shady deals and drama. Orentrepreneur.They’re the ones who sell whizz at the substation.”
I chuckled at her innocently astute observations. She clearly had no idea what the shady deals were. That was fine. It was nice to meet someone who so clearly had no involvement in the grimy underworld.
“And you? What do you do?” I couldn’t help asking. She was intriguing, and my imagination was having trouble figuring out her place in this sector.
“I’m an artist. One day, I’m gonna get out of here and go to those fancy parties with the tiny food on plates that move around the room.”
That explained why she was so naive. Head in the clouds. Probably spent all day in her room drawing or painting.
“Good luck with that,” I told her, not wanting it to sound sarcastic. I wanted to believe she might make it. I hoped everyone with a dream made it out of this shithole.
We reached Two Gardens Court. It was bigger and more imposing than I’d remembered.
“Can you stay while I call my brother?” She pressed the intercom then turned so her back was facing it. I guessed she didn’t want anyone to be able to sneak up on her again. Understandable.
“Sure. I’ll be right here.”
“Who is it?” A half-familiar voice spoke on the intercom.
“Erelle.”
“Where the fuck you been?”
“Can you let me in? I got attacked.”
There was a pause, then a different voice came to the intercom. I immediately knew it. Suppressed a shudder.Fuck. Regin.
“Who attacked you, sis?”
Regin was her brother? Fuck. Shit. Shitfuck. I gritted my teeth and tried to stay cool as she turned to me.
“Do you know that guy’s name?”
I did. And I knew if I told Regin, it would sign the man’s death warrant. Only a fool would kidnap Regin’s family. I hesitated, hoping I could lie. But it was near-impossible to lie to Regin. He could read people like a book. That was how he’d gotten this far.
“Who’s with you? Is that the guy who attacked you?”
“No. This is Ryon. He saved me.”
“Ryon?”
The intercom went dead. I exchanged a glance with Erelle. Then I looked up. Near the top of the building, a man in black watched us with his blaster aimed squarely at me. I recognized an assassin when I saw one. Erelle hadn’t noticed, and was watching the door expectantly.
The door buzzed. I knew if I didn’t go inside, that assassin had orders to shoot me. I toyed with the idea that it might be preferable to seeing Regin again.