Page 52 of Make Me A Sinner
“We,” he repeats, making the word sound like a final verdict. It’s clear, there’s no getting out of this.
“Just don’t mistake this for a date.” I quip, tossing him the kitchen towel in surrender. “I’ll be ready, wearing my Catwoman suit.”
“I warned you about turning me on,” he teases, but somehow I take his joke for granted. I don’t press it, just head to my room and throw on my normal clothes for the day.
I join him at the office, where a few of his men show up to go over the final details of the plan. It’s pretty smart, actually. His men will create a diversion to clear the club. Chen will be hustled out by his bodyguards through a service hallway. That’s where a part of Set’s crew will be waiting, led by Whiro. Set will be in the back, too, just in case the guards take a detour. Chen doesn’t stand a chance against them. And somehow that thrills me. I might rot in hell for this, but the man put a price on my head.
Set spends the rest of the day organizing things, and after a very late dinner, I leave with him to a parking lot near the Black Medusa. We barely get to stop the car when the back door flies open, and someone slides onto the backseat.
I almost scream from the fright and Set certainly doesn’t seem pleased either, especially since our new passenger—Whiro—lights himself a cigarette like he didn’t just scare the shit out of us. We’re on a mission. We’re tense enough as it is. He can’t be pulling this kind of stunt on us.
“If I thought you’d actually die, I’d put a bullet in your head right now,” Set growls at the unexpected visitor.
I don’t exactly get their joke, but clearly these two do.
“I told you we’d meet at midnight,” Whiro says in an all too relaxed tone.
“I was expecting a call, not a heart attack,” Set grunts.
“Youcan’tget a heart attack so chill the fuck out.” Whiro takes a drag from his cigarette, and I expect Set to fight back, but then I remember Whiro’s fucking insane—so what’s the point? “So are you ladies ready to do this or what?” Whiro rubs his hands together in anticipation. “Let’s blow this bitch up.”
I instantly hear an exasperated sigh from Set. And I get it. Whiro’s the kind of man who drives you crazy—literally. That’s probably because he is crazy—literally. And as if to prove it, he gets out of the car and makes this ridiculous little dance under the street light, jumping from foot to foot, spinning in a pirouette, and clapping his hands like a lunatic. The guy’s so far gone he actually gets off on killing people. Then, to make the show complete, he pulls out his gun and waves it around like he’s conducting a damn symphony.
“Get the fuck back in the car. We don’t fucking need attention right now. What’s wrong with you?” Set finally snaps.
“Party pooper. No one's gonna see me here. The perimeter’s secured. I was just having some innocent fun. It’s not like I’ve started killing anyone. Just getting warmed up, I get excited when I start thinking about blood, and bullets... and the fine purring of the flesh when it splits open.”
“Oh, now I see how you two are related,” I mutter, shooting them both a look.
“You’ve grown quite the mouth in the last few days. Don’t make me think of ways to put it to good use,” Set growls, pretty much exasperated.
I turn my back on him, looking at Whiro through the window. “So he got the funny genes, huh?” I say, already knowing it’s gonna cost me.
But for now, it only gets me a warning, “Serena,” Set grunts as I see Whiro making another twirl, then coming up to Set's window.
“Come on, what are we waiting for?”
“We’re waiting for me to call my men. If I get a chance, because apparently I need to watch over my brother so he won’t screw everything up.”
“Well, someone’s got a stick up his ass,” Whiro, rolls his eyes. “Fine, I’ll stay put. Make the call and let’s get this over with.”
I glance at them and can’t help but feel amused by how different, and yet so alike, the two of them are. Like a grumpy old couple who bicker twenty-four seven, but somehow still end up happily ever after.
twenty-six
-Set-
I cast an exhausted look at Whiro and remind myself that Father wouldn’t be pleased if I killed him. Still, he’s dangerously close to making it happen.
Keeping an eye on my brother, I call my men to make sure everything’s good to go. I’m already out of patience being in the same car as Whiro. And he’s only been here two minutes.
At least something seems to be working in my favor, and it looks like things will go even easier than planned. One of his strippers was tasked with going to Chen’s office after her shift ended. Which means he’ll stick around for a while. And even better, I have a solid shot at catching him alone. Everyone usually leaves at closing, so there’s no need for the smoke bombs, which means no cops and no fire trucks. Just more time for me to deal with Chen. Unfortunately, it also means Whiro’s stuck my ass for a few more hours.
I so miss Hell. So peaceful and quiet there.
And of course, my brother gets back in the car. It’s not like we can leave right now and return later. I know there’ll be at least afew more hours before the party dies, but I can’t risk not being ready when it does.
Besides, I need to wait until Chen entertains his guest, and we’ve got to stay under the radar while we do it. That means avoiding everyone else who is important in this town.
