JINXED: (Karma Series, Book Two) (18 page)

Chapter 29

One Big Happy Family

My palms were sweating as I knocked on the suite door. After the canceled meeting with Luke, I’d figured we’d be meeting at an obscure location that had the benefit of no witnesses and no one to hear the screams. I couldn’t imagine why I was at another hotel suite, meeting with both Luke and Malokin.

I pushed my hair out of my face and shoved my shaking hands into my jeans pockets while I waited. The energy transferred to my feet and I had to consciously force myself not to pace.

What would they do to me? It would be easier on my nerves if I could go down fighting. It was the prospect of submitting to them, for Kitty’s sake, that pushed me over the edge. But I had the short stack, so I either went along or did something desperate. Desperation wasn’t a good place to operate from.

Luke opened the door and greeted me with the usual dose of underlying sadism in his eyes I’d become accustomed to. Without any words exchanged, he told me he’d like to nail me right where I stood. With him, sexual overtures never had anything to do with sex and everything to do with power.

He smiled, knowing I was rattled. He turned his back on me and walked into the suite, leaving me wondering just exactly what was to come. None of the possibilities seemed good, but I took a deep breath and followed him anyway.

I turned the corner and spotted Malokin. It was who I saw over his shoulder that made me freeze. Fate was sitting on the couch across from him.

What was he doing here? Was he the spy? Was that how Malokin knew everything? It felt like the floor was spinning, even though I was standing still. My first instinct was to lunge across the room and rip his heart out of his chest, but I couldn’t. As far as Malokin knew, coerced or not, I was cooperating. 

Malokin stood and greeted me; Fate just stood.

It was a struggle to make my legs move, but I managed. No, he couldn’t be the traitor, could he? I’d
slept
with him.

“Karma, I think you already know Fate?” Malokin turned to him, a smile on his face. My lips formed one as well, even as I was planning to kill him if it were true.

Malokin was obviously pleased at having Fate here. Luke was smiling, but his looked more forced than even mine was. I could understand that. Fate could upstage anyone, and Luke wasn’t happy being second in command. Third must have seemed dismal. 

“Please, have a seat, Karma.” Malokin waved me over to the couches to join the party. Luke followed behind me and was practically breathing down my neck as I went to sit on the loveseat. Before I could, Fate stood and wrapped an arm around my waist, to steer me toward the couch he’d been sitting on.

Luke, making a move to follow me, was cut off as Fate stepped between us. They stood so close it looked like the tips of their toes touched.

“Find another seat,” Fate said, packing each word with such potent violence it even gave me a chill, and I wasn’t the target.

Maybe I should’ve cared, but at that moment, I didn’t like either of them. If they wanted to fight it out over who would have the opportunity to be rejected, I didn’t see the point in getting involved. One less “no” to say.

“Who the hell do you think you are?” Luke asked. He was used to being—well, if not top dog—the favorite sidekick, who always got his way. I had a strong suspicion the only reason he even had the nerve to get in Fate’s space was because Malokin was nearby.

Something strange happened then. A tingle of energy shot across my skin. The pretense of who, or what, Fate was slipped just a hair, or more accurately, was lowered on purpose.

“Do you really want to find out?” he asked Luke, who was starting to cower and back up. In spite of myself, or my doubts about Fate at the moment, I couldn’t help but enjoy watching Luke being knocked down a peg or two.

“Luke, I need to see you in the other room.” Malokin said. It was clear he was simply trying to diffuse the situation, and it worked; Luke now had an excuse to run from the room.

The door shutting echoed through the living room of the suite. Left alone with Fate, my anger boiled over. “Really nice to see you here.” My voice was bitter, counteracting my words. “So, how long have you known Malokin?”
How long have you been a traitor?

“Not long at all. I couldn’t keep waiting for you to invite me, so I made some calls myself.”

With numbers he got off of my stolen phone. At least that made sense. My instincts, no matter how jumbled, had resisted the belief he’d been in cahoots with Malokin this whole time.

We sat staring at each other from opposite sides of the same couch, weighing reactions and subtleties, neither of us willing to reveal anything in words.

His arm was slung along the back, his fingers raised slightly in my direction. “How long have you been working a double shift? My guess is since the Lock?”

“Pretty much.” I folded a leg underneath the other as I choose my next words. “In what capacity will you be helping out?”

“There’s one area in particular that I think needs to be fixed.” The way his stare was focused on me left no question as to what—or who—that area was.

The sound of glass breaking drew both of our attention to the closed bedroom door.

“You promised her to me!” Luke’s scream was so loud it was heard clearly through the door. Nothing about what he said surprised me, though. I’d expected something like that had been arranged. I was too exhausted to care anymore. If it wasn’t happening today, it wasn’t a problem I worried about.

Still, I’d rather Fate hadn’t heard it. The whole situation was degrading. The fact that I sat there, and didn’t charge into the room and tell them both to go screw themselves, added to my humiliation.

I didn’t want to turn my head back toward where Fate was, but his movements caught my eye. He walked over toward the closed door, where Malokin was with Luke, and went in without so much as a single rap.

He was back out in less than a minute and standing before me.

“Get up. We’re going.” His voice was deep and strained, and drew my eyes.

“I can’t.” I looked at the door, then back to him as I shook my head.

“Get. Up.”

Why didn’t he understand I couldn’t leave? He looked like he was about to explode in front of me, but I knew what could happen if I did. Luke’s threats were never far from my mind. First it would be Kitty, then someone else—maybe Luck. I inched back on the seat, shaking my head. “I can’t leave.”

I watched as Fate’s chest rose and fell several times before he spoke. “I told Malokin we’re leaving. He knows. We have to do a job for him.”

His voice was calmer now, but I still felt uneasy. “He knows?” I asked, looking at the door to the room Malokin was in.

“You just saw me go in there. It’s okay.” He stood there, hand outstretched to me. His voice was low and reassuring, so different than it had been a minute ago.

I placed my hand in his warm one, his fingers wrapping around it.

***

Fate was barely a foot behind me as we entered the parking lot. When I slowed my step, he urged me forward with a hand on my back. The moment of ease I’d felt upstairs in the suite was quickly disappearing.

If this were a problem, my phone would be ringing. Malokin was okay with whatever job we were going to do. Was Fate really going to go to this job with me? I hoped it was another “save.” I wasn’t going to kill anyone. Would he? My head was spinning with all the possibilities, when he grabbed my arm and diverted me toward his car and opened the door for me.

“I’m driving. Get in.” I didn’t have the energy or the will to fight with him or care enough. His car or mine, what difference did it make? 

I slumped into the passenger seat. I had bigger issues than who drove. How was I going to maneuver this to make sure he didn’t kill anyone? That was the line I wouldn’t cross. I couldn’t come back from that and I knew it. But how far was Fate willing to take this charade? He’d been after Malokin before he’d even known his name. What was this worth to him?

“Where are we going?” I asked, when he turned off the highway and down the road that led to his house.

“I want to pick up some more gear.” It seemed like a plausible enough explanation, and I relaxed back against my seat, hoping he wasn’t going to be armed to the teeth. That could cause a problem with my no killing plan.

“What’s the job?” I asked, as we pulled into his garage a minute later. No, I didn’t think Fate would actually take it that far. He was only involved in this for two reasons: because he couldn’t seem to stop himself from getting into my business, and because he was trying to dig around and find out what exactly Malokin was, and what he was after. The weapons were probably more for our protection than for killing.

Still, when he turned to me and said, “Come in. I’ve got some things for you, as well,” it felt eerily like a stranger offering me candy.

“Sure.” Something was wrong about this, and the longer I was with him, the more I felt it.

I needed to dump him. I’d get him in the house and then sneak out alone. It was the only way. My head was spinning with plans and plots by time I walked in after him and saw him move toward a storage area.

He was watching me. Yes, something was very wrong here, and he knew I was catching on. He watched me like he was expecting me to make a break for it at any minute. Not surprising, since I was.

Why had I come with him? When he’d ducked in the room with Malokin though, it seemed like it was okay. No one had tried to stop us, either. But still, it didn’t feel right. He was watching me too intently.

There was no way to outrun him. I needed to knock him out. My eyes scanned the room for possible weapons. The lamp? Too unwieldy. The bar area caught my eye. Cutty Sark. The bottle was perfect.

“Want a drink?” I asked, making my way to my weapon of choice, forcing myself not to rush.

“Sure, thanks,” he said from around the corner.

I gripped its neck and pulled it off the shelf, holding it upside down like a bat. I was getting the feel of it when a hand wrapped around my wrist and I felt his front flush against my back. “Were you going to pour me a drink or hit me over the head?”

He let go of my wrist and grabbed the bottle from my grasp, placing it back on the bar.

“Just noticing how heavy a full bottle feels.” I was still playing the part, even though I was pretty sure the final credits had already rolled.

“Sit.”

Chapter 30

What don’t you understand?

There was a single light on in the room as we sat across from each other on opposite couches. A paper-thin pretense hung between us, as we pretended that he was going along with Malokin and that I was here willingly.

The clock ticked by slowly, every minute counted if I was going to figure out a way out of this. I hadn’t gone through everything just to have Fate blow it wide open and get Kitty killed. I hadn’t taken more than one beating for nothing, or suffered Luke to let it fall apart at Fate’s whim. Still, some contrary part of me was relieved he knew, even if it changed nothing.

We stared at each other. I didn’t move, because I didn’t know how to get out of there. What was more nerve wracking was why he wasn’t stirring. What was he waiting for? I knew he had some plan in motion, and it wasn’t a huge leap to guess I wouldn’t like it.

Every second that went by wound me tighter, and I shot him several accusatory stares. They ranged in different degrees of rage that mostly conveyed,
you think you’re helping, but you’re fucking things up
.

He retaliated with his own variety. His were more along the lines of
you’re so stupid, what did you think would happen?
Occasionally, I caught a hint of
you were going to get yourself killed
in his look. That one didn’t last very long before it reverted back to
you’re so stupid
again.

Getting up, I went to his bar area, daring him with my eyes to stop me. He didn’t move; he just shrugged, as if taking me down wasn’t a concern. Tomorrow I might possibly find that insulting. Tonight I was just happy to get a drink without a fight.

The bar was devoid of Maker’s Mark, so I poured a Cutty Sark neat. I flaunted my glass with a flourish as I walked back to the couch.
Yeah, see that? I don't need ice anymore because I’m a badass. I don’t need ice and I don’t need you.

I threw back a healthy gulp, realizing how ridiculously I might be acting.

He rolled his eyes, confirming it.

The booze burned its way down to my stomach, and I felt the tension ease slightly.

“What time are we leaving to do the job?” I asked, putting him on the spot, since I knew without a doubt we weren’t going.

“We’ll be moving forward shortly,” he said. He had the nerve to smile at me. 

Those ominous words had me downing another gulp. Whatever it was we’d be doing, it wasn’t going to be for Malokin or Luke.

Those two might be able to hear everything said, but I was pretty sure a lot of smaller movements were lost through however they got their information. I placed the glass down on his wooden table between us, purposefully avoiding using a coaster from the stack right next to it. I fisted my hands and gave Fate the double finger. The double, for when one just wasn’t enough.

The jerk laughed.

Having depleted the double finger gesture, I was at a loss for an appropriate silent reply.

Then two things happened at once; Lars tapped on the glass back doors and my throwaway phone started vibrating.

We got to our feet at the same time. I didn’t want him to let Lars in. I didn’t have specifics, but I knew it would be bad news for me. He didn’t want me to answer my call.

My purse sat to the right, on the dining room table. Lars stood waiting to the left, at an approximately equal distance. Lars or the phone?

Fate made the decision for me when he took a step toward the door. Abandoning the phone, I lunged for him. He was too much larger than me for a clean takedown if I jumped on his back. I dived straight at his knees. My arms wrapped around his legs as we both thudded hard against the hardwood floor, but I didn’t let go. I wrapped my entire form around his legs, locking my ankles and wrists together.

He leaned over and I thought he was going to start prying my hands apart. He didn’t. He tickled me under the arms and then above the knees.

I released him by no choice of my own, as my body convulsed with giggles for a few seconds, which only mad me madder. “That was an undignified way to fight,” I yelled as I got to my feet. “Do not engage in tickling again!”

Fate didn’t answer, he just headed toward the door again. I ran and jumped on his back this time. I got a satisfying “umph” as I landed on him, but it didn’t stop him. Legs free, he walked to the door with me clinging to his back and making unsuccessful attempts to put him in a chokehold.

He unlocked the door even as I tried to wrap my arms as tightly as I could around his neck. I wasn’t trying to kill him, just make him unconscious. He opened the door and stepped out of the way to let Lars enter, as if I wasn’t in the middle of attacking him. It dawned on me that he might be a bit stronger than I’d given him credit for.

With Lars in the room, I jumped off his back and switched tactics, which had absolutely nothing to do with the strange looks Lars was giving me.

I quickly realized my best option was to grab my phone and get the hell out of there. It was still vibrating where it sat, in my purse. I hesitated a split second and it cost me my opportunity.

Fate had an arm wrapped around my stomach and was swinging me back toward him. “Not gonna happen.”

“Let go of me.” I tried to rear back with my head but only connected to his chest. 

Ignoring me, he addressed Lars. “Is everyone in place?”

I swung a lose arm backward, trying to nail him with an elbow.

“Just like you asked,” Lars said, as his eyes kept shifting to me. “She looks mad.”

“We need a minute.” I could feel Fate’s voice vibrate through me.

“Sure,” he said. “I’ll wait out there.” He hooked a finger toward the beach, looking more than happy to leave us alone.

The room quiet again, I could hear the phone vibrating, over and over. Both of Fate’s arms were wrapped around mine when he spoke. “I’m going to let go of you. Don’t go for the phone.”

His arms dropped and I spun on him the second I could. My legs were shaking from the exertion I’d put into trying to stop him from letting Lars in. Or maybe it was from the panic I felt. And I was panicked. No composure left. All of my attempts to keep things afloat were about to come crashing down around me if I couldn’t get out of here.

I didn’t know what would happen to Kitty, and who might be next? Fate may be able to handle Malokin, but what about Murphy or Luck? He didn’t understand; I couldn’t be here.

“You don’t understand everything that’s going on. You need to let me go.” I felt like I was talking to a crazy man in a hostage situation who hadn’t yet seen the ramifications of his actions in a hostage situation.

“No.” And the crazy man looked like he was digging in to his position.

He stood there and I knew he was serious. The phone didn’t stop vibrating as my gaze darted back to my purse again and then to him. How many times had they called?

It didn’t matter what I said now, or if they heard me; if I didn’t get to Malokin, none of it would matter soon. He must have known Fate wasn’t really with them by now. They also must know what Fate was planning. It was time for damage control.

Closing the gap between us, I gripped the front of Fate’s shirt in my hands. “He’s got Kitty. If you don’t let me go, he’ll kill her and then someone else after that. I have to go.” I waited for the understanding to show in his face.

He stared at me where I clung to him, practically begging, then shook his head. Why was he looking at me like he was sad?

“Don’t you hear me? They’ve got Kitty.” My tone was frantic and I needed to stay calm.

“You’re not leaving.” His voice was soft.

“You don’t know what they’re doing to her. They’re torturing her.” What was wrong with him? He needed to understand what was at stake here, and then he’d change his mind.

“What about what they’ve done to you?” His palm came up and cupped my face, and there was that sadness again. “Can’t you see what’s happening?”

I stepped back away from him. “What? A couple of bruises that will heal,” I said defensively. “They’re going to
kill
her.”

“They’ve got you twisted up like a pretzel.” The anger was coming back into his voice and I was grateful for it. I could handle the anger. The sadness—verging on pity—I couldn’t.

I started pacing the room while he kept himself strategically placed in between the phone and me. He was right. I was a wreck; I knew it. He wasn’t getting it though, and I didn’t care anymore about my secrets. He had to understand. I had to leave.

I stopped pacing and tried again to make him understand. “This is my fault. She’s there because they want me. Because I was a shitty fucking human being, who cared more about her career than people. They thought they saw potential in me.” Both of my hands were in my hair, and I felt like I was going to go completely crazy at any moment. “I deserve this, not her.”

He didn’t say anything. “Don’t you hear me?” I shoved at his chest with both my hands, but he didn’t budge. “Don’t you get it? They only have her because of me. Let me go and we can still save her. You’ve never wanted me here anyway.”

“I don’t care what you think you deserve. I’m not letting you do it.” He said it so calmly it only agitated me more. He wasn’t listening to me.

He was unmovable and I shoved at him again as hard as I could. He wouldn’t budge, and I had this irrational feeling that if I could force him from his spot, I could jar him out of his current thinking.

“Why not?”

His hands were on my shoulders then, pushing me up against the wall. “Because I can’t!”

He quickly let go and walked away from me. I pushed off the wall, following him. “Yes, you can. You do everything else you want. Why can’t you? That’s bullshit!”

He spun on me and stopped my pursuit. “You’re right. I can. I don’t want to.”

“Why?”

“Because I’ve seen your death and…” his words dropped off, and he ran his hands through his hair.

All the steam left me. It was the last thing I’d expected him to say. Some crazy part of me had almost wished he had said Harold was forcing him to do this. Or even crazier, that he cared for me.

“How do you know?”

He was leaning away from me, his palms resting on the back of the couch, his head hanging down.

“Because I saw it,” he said, on a long exhale.

“You can’t see our fates.” He was trying to trick me and convince me to stay.

“But, I did.” He pushed off the couch and walked over to the bar, pouring his own drink.

“Maybe it was just a normal dream.”

He shook his head. “I’ve seen it more than once and not while I was sleeping.” He threw back the contents of his glass and then poured another.

“You can’t see my fate. You said it yourself.” I didn’t want to believe him, but I was starting to anyway.

“I know. But somehow I can, at least this part.” He wasn’t trying to convince me, and that lent his words more weight than anything.

“Maybe it was me retiring that you saw.” I knew that wasn’t what he meant though, and he shook his head again, confirming it.

When he looked at me, I saw in his face that he had more details. His expression warned me not to ask.

Did I want to know? When I’d been mortal, I’d debated this very question with Charlie, over a bottle of wine, one night. He’d said he would never want the details of his death. I’d said I would. Theoretical musings were a whole hell of a lot different than the reality of such knowledge. I’d thought I’d known how I would feel, given the option, but I didn’t. And yet, my answer was still the same as it had been that evening.

No matter what Fate told me, it wouldn’t change anything. I’d still leave there tonight, by any means I could, to save Kitty. I guess I just wanted to know if I’d never come back.

“Tell me.” I walked over to his couch and sat, but then immediately got back up to pace.

“I don’t have the exact details. I don’t even know when.” Fate stood in the center of the room, just watching me.

“But you saw me die.” I stopped pacing to glower at him. “If you’re going to tell me that part, then you can’t start cherry picking which details to divulge.”

“You were lying on the ground, in a puddle of blood.” He stiffened as he spoke, anger pouring off him as the words came out.

“Are you sure it was my blood? And I could’ve just been knocked out or hurt badly.” It was just an image. He could be wrong.

“You were dead.” His words sounded as final as their meaning. There was no doubt in his mind about what he’d seen. “Your neck was sliced open.”

I swallowed hard and lifted a hand to my throat. I didn’t even realize I’d done it until Fate’s hand was there, pulling mine away.

“I’m not going to let it happen.”

“Why? You don’t even like me, most of the time.”

“
Liking
you has nothing to do with it.” His hand dropped from mine and he walked a little distance away.

“This doesn’t change anything.”

I watched as his frame straightened and tensed. “No?”