Thankfully, I had the foresight to put my toiletries bag in the front, but it was a tight squeeze getting it out. With it in hand, I walked to the counter that contained a sink and mirror just outside the rest of the bathroom.
I opened the case and reached into one eye, pinching the edges of the brown lens, letting hints of the bright blue hidden beneath peek through. First one, then the other before I deposited both into the case and closed it up. I blinked in rapid succession as I located the eye drops.
The cool drops burned before soothing my dry, tired eyes.
“That’s better.”
Six stepped up behind me, pushing and pinning me against the counter’s edge. We locked eyes in the mirror—his fake blue with my real.
“I missed your eyes.”
“You did?”
He nodded and leaned forward, running his lips along the length of my neck. “They’re so beautiful.”
I froze, gaze locked on him.
Beautiful?
I turned in his arms and looked up at him. “You know you don’t have to throw fake compliments my way to get into my pants.”
He shook his head, lips twitching up. “All too real.” He leaned down, his lips millimeters from mine. “I do know beauty.”
His lips pressed against mine and I kissed back, my hand running up his chest.
“Too bad even beautiful things eventually die.”
Insert splash of cold reality.
I pursed my lips and glared at him. “Thanks for the reminder.” I slapped his chest. “You are such a shit sometimes.”
He pulled back and smirked. “I’m hungry.”
I let out a chuckle. “That doesn’t surprise me.”
The beginning talks of food were interrupted by a knock at the door, making both of us freeze. Six glanced at me, then picked up his gun from the table and stuffed it in his waistband as he moved quietly toward the door. He looked through the peephole and remained silent.
“Hey, puta, open up. We know you’re there.”
Six sighed, probably in annoyance, and tilted his head to the side, releasing a few loud cracks. With a flip of the deadbolt, he pulled the door open.
From my vantage point there were about five guys, all dressed like the idiot from earlier. They were all shorter than Six, but then again, he was just over six foot.
“You the pendejo that pointed a gun at my cousin?”
Six’s fingers flexed, wrapping around the grip of his gun. “If he was the idiot trying to pick up my wife, then yes.”
“Who the hell do you think you are?” the guy asked, his voice almost a yell.
The situation did not look good, and I had a feeling it would be wise to pack my bag up again. Luckily, I hadn’t taken much out.
Six pulled the gun from his waistband and pointed it at the guy who was talking. “Look, I’m tired and really don’t want to run out of here and find another motel. That is the single reason I haven’t pulled the trigger. You and your homeboys need to go.”
The leader stepped up, his jaw jutted forward, eyes in slits. “You think you can take me and my boys, cabrón? You’re nothin’ but a yuppy with a gun.”
Oh, boy…
I stood up and walked to the doorway, my arms wrapping around his waist as I peered out.
“You’re nothing but a poser. This guy here is the real deal. Leave on your own now, or leave in a body bag.”
The confidence and the words were not normal for me in that type of situation. But I had confidence in Six. He wasn’t going to put up with them.
“Shit, puta, shut your fucking mouth.” He reached down and grabbed his crotch. “Or better yet, come over here and I’ll keep it occupied.”
Six groaned.
“I hate your shitty motels.”
The words were barely out when every cell in my body jumped, my ears going deaf for a second before a loud ringing set in.
The leader fell back from the force of the bullet moving through his skull. His friends didn’t even have time to get over their shock before four more shots deafened me, and all five of them were on the ground.
The correct response was to scream or hyperventilate or throw up. While I was suddenly on the nauseous side, Six killing them had me running for my suitcase instead of the hills. I prayed nobody else came out of their room in our escape, because they too would join the body count.
In trying to get them to go away, I riled them up instead. Everything was mushy and my ears were ringing as I stuffed my toiletries bag back in my suitcase.
“I hate this shit,” he said as he picked up his weapons bag and grabbed on to his suitcase. He looked to me. “Hurry up.”
I stared down at them, transfixed, watching as the blood seeped out of their lifeless bodies.
It was the longest I’d gotten to look at Six’s meticulous and deadly handiwork. It was the first time in weeks I was reminded how ruthless and savage he was.
“Come on.”
My hands shook as I blindly reached for my purse, his book bag, and suitcase. The ground seemed uneven beneath my feet as I dragged the suitcase behind me. At the threshold I glanced down at the bodies surrounding the entrance.
“Don’t step in the blood,” he said with a calm coolness. It was the same tone one would use when talking about wet paint.