Page 68 of Silk and Steel

“I said, this is bullshit. She’s going to get us caught.”

“No, she’s not. It’s going to be fine, Banner. Soon enough, you’ll be kicking back and relaxing in your new Colombian home.”

“If we make it to Colombia. Not only is her Navy SEAL boyfriend looking for her, so are the cops.”

Julian leans forward in his seat, his face turning red. A big vein throbs in his temple.

“He’s not her boyfriend,” he hisses through clenched teeth.

“Whatever. My point is, she’s a liability. With your money, you could have a dozen broads, a lot better looking than B cups back there.”

“Gee, thanks,” I mutter.

“Don’t insult her, Banner. It’s beneath you. Moreover, don’t insult me. The only reason you’re not still rotting in prison is that I got you out.”

“We helped each other get out. Don’t forget that.”

I’m starting to get worried. Julian terrifies me, but as long as I try not to make him mad, he probably won’t hurt me. At least not until we’re in Colombia.

But Banner clearly thinks I’m a problem. Is he armed? Probably. All he’d have to do is park the truck, turn around in his seat and shoot me. Of course, that’s not his style. He prefers poison. I don’t see Julian just sitting idly by while Banner tries to administer poison, though.

“I think you’re forgetting that you’d given up when I found you. You’d become institutionalized. Domesticated. I reminded you of who you really are. A genius.”

Banner’s eyes narrow, but he doesn’t offer a retort. Julian keeps piling it on thicker as he goes.

“Not just a genius, an artist. You can control when someone dies down to the last second. That’s huge, man. Someone of your intellect shouldn’t be institutionalized. You should be celebrated.”

Banner grunts, and returns his eyes to the road.

“Just make sure she doesn’t try anything. Now that I’m out of jail, I’m never going back.”

Like they were in San Quentin or some other hellhole instead of a fancy private prison. Still, I believe him. I believe he’ll do anything to stay out of a cell. That means he would readily kill me and probably Julian too if he thought it necessary to be free.

I try to sit still, even though I’m squirming on the inside. Cole is in danger. If he rushes into a trap trying to rescue me, I’ll never forgive myself.

There has to be a way out of this. I have to warn Cole, help him somehow. I can’t do that unless I escape.

We’re traveling down the interstate right now. I look out the window at the other motorists and wonder if I should try to get their attention somehow. Maybe they could help me?

But then, we pass by a big SUV filled with kids in the backseat. A dog, too. Banner and Julian would slaughter that whole family in a heartbeat if they thought they needed to. I can’t take the risk of yet someone else getting hurt because of my problems.

As if guessing my thoughts, Julian gives me a stern look.

“Don’t forget, I have other resources at my disposal besides the Surgeon. Your family will never be safe unless you continue to do exactly what I say.”

I cross my arms over my chest and turn sullenly away from him. Banner clears his throat in the front seat.

“Hey, have you heard from the Surgeon?”

“Not yet. You know how the Surgeon loves to play with his prey. He’s probably skinned the SEAL alive by now, and is wearing his face for a hat.”

Julian looks over at me to see if his barb stings. I try not to give him the satisfaction, stubbornly refusing to change my expression. I am terrified on the inside, though. Please please please don’t let Cole be dead.

“Are you sure that he’s going to win, though? I mean, isn’t this Cole Drake guy some kinda one man army? Have you seen what they put those SEAL guys through in training?”

Julian glares at him. “Since when did you turn into such a chickenshit? He’s only a human being, Glen. Not Superman.”

Banner shakes his head. “Nah, man, you don’t understand. Remember my old Celly Markus?”

---