Page 53 of The Triplets and the Blonde

I managed to get to Guy’’s place rather quickly. His shop was closed up but I knew he slept in the back. Banging on the door, I shouted until he unlocked it. He was wearing boxers and nothing else. His gut hung lower than his waistband and his greasy hair framed his face.

“Come on, Kira. Shop is closed.” Guy took a drag from his cigarette.

“I need some knives and some nanos.” I pushed past him into his shop.

“No.” Guy slammed his door and followed me inside.

“I wasn’t asking.” I walked into his storage room on the right. It was where he held the expensive stuff. His everyday items were in the front so people could peruse them.

“I heard the rumors. You are living with The Cartrights.” He took another drag from his cigarette and blew it in my direction. “Shit, look at you. You look Elite. I’m not helping you.”

I pulled the box with the knives down and set them on a nearby table.

Guy grabbed my arm and twisted me to him. I reached into my pocket and took out the pen. It was against his throat before he could blink. There was no time for his games. “Like I said, I wasn’t asking.”

“Fine. Take what you want Kira. Just pay me back. Okay?” Guy took a step back.

I turned back to the box and took out a few of the smaller knives. Violence wasn’t my thing. Being invisible was the best way to get around. The problem was sometimes, I didn’t have that luxury. Since there wasn’t much time to steal from Carlos, I had to be prepared.

After I strapped a few knives to my legs and one to my arm I filled a tin with some nano’s and took one of the pens that controlled them.

Guy didn’t say another word to me as I left. He knew he would get his money so I didn’t know why he was being such an ass. Oh well.

Once I left his shop I headed right for Garcia Corp. I had plan A and Plan B. Until I got there I wasn’t sure which one I was going to go with. Plan A required me sneaking in and convincing a servant to tell me where the bag was. Hopefully they would know where it was or at least where Carlos kept his precious cargo. Plan B was to find Carlos and hold a knife to his throat until he told me where it was. Neither plan was that great but that was all I had.

When I pulled up to the complex I realized neither of those plans would work. Every light was on in the building and outside. Anyone working there just saw me pull in. There would be no sneaking in. Looks like I was taking the full on walk in approach.

I unstrapped the knife from my arm and untied the knot in my dress. After ruffling my hair, I pulled up closer. A man in a blue uniform stepped up to the car.

Stumbling out of the car I leaned into him. He grabbed me and steadied me.

“Sir, I’m so sorry.” I fanned myself. “I may have drank too much.”

“It’s okay Ma’am. I got you.” He wrapped his arm around me and led me inside.

The inside was in full motion. People were walking around and working like it wasn’t late at night. A man was even washing the windows. It was late. Did they ever stop?

“Why is everyone still working?” I stumbled, trying to act as drunk as possible.

“Mr. Garcia doesn’t believe in breaks.” He brought me over to a chair and sat me down. “Would you like a glass of water?”

“Yes, please.” I nodded. “It seems harsh to have no breaks.”

“All Elite are like that.” He covered his mouth and mumbled. “Sorry I mean no disrespect, I enjoy all the work.”

“Oh no. It’s fine.” I fanned myself. “Is there a bathroom around here?”

Maybe my plan would still work if I could get one of the servants one on one. Not this guy. He was too businesslike. He probably enjoyed working for Carlos.

A clapping started at the top of the stairs across from me. Everyone stopped. The man I had met in the alley was skipping down the steps. He continued clapping as he reached the bottom of the stairs. There was something in the way he smiled that made my skin crawl.

I stood to get up. The man in the blue uniform placed his hand on my shoulder and pushed me back down. Fuck.

“Kira the finder.” Carlos walked toward me. “Welcome.”

“How?” It was all I could think of to say.

“Mr. Cartright,” he smiled.

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