My fingers remained open in front of Marina. “What else do you think your money should buy?”
Gently, like my hand was a bear-trap, she put the envelope in it. She didn't let go. “I need lessons. I need you guys to show me how to kill. Otherwise, I'll never get close enough to get my revenge.”
Waiting for her to release the money, I let myself smile. “Fine. We also have stipulations, for our own safety.”
Conceding the exchange, her small hands drifted to her hips. “Safety? What are you worried about?”
This second part had been Kite's plan, and I thought it rather ingenious.
“Listen,” he said. “We don't do things this way. It's always been a faceless transaction. You know you've got a little extra something up your sleeve keeping us in check.” The dark-haired woman said nothing. “Even if you aren't wired, we have no proof you aren't secretly some cop trying to catch us in the act, or planning to kill us for some crazy reason.”
That made her mouth pop open.
I said, “Until this is over, we need to keep you under surveillance. You'll be moving in with us.”
The noise she made was like a dying cat. “Excuse me? I can't just move out of my place and into yours!” She paused, then added, “I'm surprised you guys live together.”
Her implication had us exchanging a look. It wasn't the first time someone had insinuated that Kite and I had a romantic relationship. They were wrong, of course. “We live in the same complex,” I explained. “But my place is above his. It's two different apartments.”
She narrowed her eyes, mouth tightening.
I said, “Look at it from our point of view.” Tucking the envelope under my arm, I adjusted the front of my dress shirt. “You barged in here, threatening us. You want us to risk our peaceful, happy lives for you. This is the only way to guarantee we can trust you, Marina.”
Crossing her arms, the motion made her breasts plump up. I was reminded that, under an hour ago, she'd been a potential hookup. “And what if I say no?”
“Then you can go at this alone,” Kite said.
It was a bold lie; we couldn't let her walk away, not with everything she knew about us.
A hint of something sinister touched her scowl. “You're so worried you can't trust me. How would you react if I used the letter to get my way? If I said help me, under my stipulations, or I go to the cops?”
Tension flowed between us. I was debating my answer, but Kite spoke first.
He squinted down at Marina with a smirk so sharp it could cut bone. “I think you want this man dead more than you care about where you sleep at night. If you stay with us, we can prepare you to kill him much faster, much smoother. Isn't that better? Isn't it your real goal?” Reaching down, he lifted her hands, thumbs brushing over the blue veins on the backs.
I knew this side of Kite, too.
It was as dangerous as giving him a gun.
“Marina,” he hushed softly. “We don't know when we'll find this guy. Work with us, and this way, we can ensure that you're ready to execute him flawlessly.”
She'd stopped breathing. Kite was seducing her, and much too slowly, she realized it. Flushing, she yanked her arms away and scrubbed her left elbow. “I—fine. But I get my own room, and you respect my space. You'll have to pay the rent I'll owe for ending my lease early, too. I paid you all the money I had.”
“Done and done,” I said. “Personally, I think you'll like our homes.”
Kite motioned with his chin at the exit. “Question. Does your place have security cameras?”
She pulled the corner of her mouth between her teeth. “No. A few weeks back, someone had their scooter stolen. Guy was pissed, but the apartment manager couldn't do a thing. People want cameras, for safety, but...” Shrugging, she laughed emotionlessly. “The building looks like a motel, people come and go.”
He's making sure there'll be no record of us there, I realized. Smart move.
Nodding, Kite opened the doors. “We'll head there right now. Grab a few things you need, we can make another trip later for the rest.”
“This is happening sort of fast.” Marina's tone was low. It made me wonder if reality was settling in and leaving her in shock. If so, she wouldn't handle what we had in store for her very well.
Seeing her like that, the confident woman appeared suddenly frail. Call me insane for reaching out, trying to comfort a woman I had every intention of murdering, but—I couldn't help myself.
Her sweater was soft, I secretly wished it had been her bare shoulder. “Marina, I know you're overwhelmed. You've walked into a situation I'm not sure you were ready for.”
“No,” she said firmly. “I'm ready for all of this.” Looking me in the face, her intensity flourished. “I know exactly what I'm doing. Coming here wasn't an accident.”