“Okay,” she says, biting her lip. “Together won’t be so scary.”
“Together,” I assure her. “Just the two of us.”
“Two for joy,” she says, scooting in until our bodies are pressed together.
“You’re happy it’s me?”
“So happy,” she whispers, laying soft kisses against my lips between words. “Thank you for choosing me, Maddox.”
I grip her hips, rocking her against me. “De nada, little mama.”
“It’s everything,” she says. “We’reeverything. You and me. A murder of two.”
epilogue
Lennox North
“I’m not getting on that plane,” I rage, fighting against the grip of the Skull on either side of me.
“What are you going to do, squeal like a little pig?” Reggie asks. “Like you did on Maddox?”
“You’re lucky all he took was your bitch,” Billy says. “He could have taken your life.”
“Let me go,” I fume, yanking to free my arms. “You know she’s not just my bitch. I’m marrying her today. She’s my wife.”
“So you say,” Reggie says, unmoved. My former crew shows no sign of loyalty, no indication that they ever knew me at all, as they hustle me through the airport. We reach the gate, the one where I’m supposed to be boarding a plane to Hawaii with my wife in a few hours. They hustle me up to the podium where a boarding agent is announcing a last call.
“I’m going to need to see your boarding passes,” she says, hanging up the intercom when she finishes.
“Yes, ma’am,” Billy says, handing one across. “Just one for this guy. We’re just escorting him to his seat. To make sure there’s not any trouble.”
He gives her his most winning smile, and she looks a little flustered.
“I’m sorry, I don’t understand,” she says. “You only have one boarding pass for all three of you?”
“We’re not flying,” Reggie says. “We’re just here to make sure he gets on board and finds his seat.”
“He’s a little… Different,” Billy says, leaning in to whisper conspiratorially to the woman, resting his hand on top of hers.
“I’m sorry, I’m afraid I can’t let you board without a pass,” she says. “But a flight attendant with make sure he makes it to his seat.”
“See that?” Billy asks, clapping me on the back. “A sexy stewardess is going to take care of you.”
“I don’t want a sexy stewardess,” I say between clenched teeth. “I want my fiancé.”
I chose this destination for a specific purpose. I planned the trip, down to the last detail, making sure it was all perfect, from the enormous maze to the secluded beach huts. I’ve saved for this trip for an entire year, savedherfor it.
And now it’s all gone. Ruined.
Rage swells inside me like a tsunami, an endless well that will never be filled.
I will have my revenge.
“Is there a problem?” the boarding agent asks. “Because we really need to close the doors. Should I call security for you?”
“That won’t be necessary,” Reggie says, clapping a hand on my back. He draws a small X on my back with his finger, like he’s drawing a target. “He’s just going to get on board now. Isn’t that right, Lennox?”
I know a warning when I see one. I don’t want to be arrested, and in the eyes of the world, I’m no better than them. We’re all gangsters. If I fight, there are two more Skulls in the car. I haven’t been able to contact any of the Crossbones, so I’m on my own. I know I’m lucky they didn’t already shoot me in the back like themalparidosthey are.