Page 105 of Hell and High Water

“Lena—”

We both start and stop abruptly.

“You first.” She slips onto the couch, beckoning me to join her. Her body is soft, warm. I could forget everything and just take her, right here, right now.

But I know better.

“The shooter. The woman who left you the note, told you about your dad’s place. Did she tell you her name?”

“Yes.” Hellena is looking right at me. Waiting.

“What else did she tell you?”

“I won’t give her the satisfaction of relaying her message. But I… I know who she is, Gav.”

“Lena, I’m so?—”

“No. Don’t be.” She looks down, chewing on her lip. “I didn't want to bring it up until we were alone, and I was kind of hoping that we could talk about it. If you want to.”

“I do. But I have to say it, Hellena. Going there, seeing her, was unbelievably dangerous. She’s…”

“A killer?”

“Not just that.”

“I know. She’s a little off her rocker.”

“More than just a little, I’m afraid.”

“But dangerous or not, I handled the situation. Besides, you suspected that she might have been around and that she might have been the one who shot me all this time, and you didn't say anything.”

She’s dead on.

I should have voiced my fears so much sooner.

“I fucked up. I just didn't think there was any way that it could be her. She was bleeding out, Hellena. A bomb went off right next to our room. We got separated. I couldn't feel a pulse. Your dad pulled me away.”

Tears well up in Hellena’s eyes as she turns toward me, poised, tense. She’s waiting for a sign from me.

A sign that it’s okay to touch me.

To comfort me.

I don’t deserve this woman.

“I lost everything. I ran away and came here. So, I just couldn’t believe that it was her. I didn’t want to.” And just like that, the dam breaks. I feel a tear slip down my cheek, and Hellena is there, kissing it off my face, pressing her forehead against mine.

Our lips meet, and for a time, there’s only us and our bodies held close.

After a time, we pull back, staring into one another’s eyes.

“You know, this means you’re still married.” Hellena’s eyes glitter as she says it. She’s fucking with me.

“Seeing as both of us have had obituaries posted in a paper or two, I think it’s null and void.”

“I don’t know. She still carries a flame for you, Gav… But I don’t think she wants to harm us. Not yet, anyway.”

“I don’t really give a damn. If she tries to come near you again, I’ll take that flame and set her on fire.”

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