Page 29 of The Seller

I suppose he doesn’t owe me anything. The sex we shared was unique to me, but I know he’s been with many women before me. It probably meant nothing to him. He’s probably glad to be rid of me.

Truth is, I don’t know what he’s thinking. He’s retreated behind that professional visage he has, leaving me in the dark.

It’s not like it would make any difference if he did care. He’s just part of my plan. He’s a tool. I can’t risk thinking of him in any other way. I didn’t get myself caught and sent to him just to turn around and try to stay. That can’t happen for so many reasons. So I stay in silence, and we drive through the Greek countryside toward the bay where one story will end, and another will begin.

Two hours is a long time to spend in silence with someone else. I’m relieved when Stavros finally breaks the silence.

“This is really what you want? You want me to sell you?”

“Yes.”

“That’s bullshit, Siri, and you know it.”

“It’s not bullshit at all. It was the whole point of letting you get your hands on me.”

“I see,” he says, his jaw clenching. “Youlet meget my hands on you.”

“Yep.” I cross my arms over my chest and stare out the window as the cursed countryside flashes by.

The mood is tense, but I don’t care. I am eager to go. The final pieces of this plan are starting to fall into place, but as fast as they do that, the rest of it unravels. I wasn’t meant to be taken back to Athens. The place is full of spies and of course my father’s men knew where I was within minutes of my arrival. Stavros’ place is under constant surveillance. Nothing goes in or out without people knowing. He has to know that, but he obviously thought it was worth the risk. He was wrong.

“Do you really think you get to be shitty with me?”

“Excuse me?”

“You sell women, Stavros. You don’t get to act offended when they’re not entirely forthcoming.”

He gives me a harsh look, then puts his eyes back on the road. “You’re right.”

“Damn straight I am.”

We arrive at a small coastal village. This is the drop off point. There is a big ship off-shore, waiting to take me to my new life. At least, I assume that’s my method of transportation. There could be a helicopter nearby, or a plane maybe. Hard to tell. Whatever it is, it’s going to take me far way from this country and the men who run it.

“See that boat down there on the jetty?” He gestures as we sweep past the small marina. “The one with the Japanese flag on the hull?”

“Yeah.”

“When I tell you, or if something goes wrong, you drive down there. You’ll meet a contact, assuming this transaction is legitimate. I’m going to go into the chapel on the hill and verify it.”

So this is how he does it. Old school. Stavros has a reputation for being nearly untraceable - except when he flies directly into Athens. When he sends a girl out, she’s gone. And now I know why. Everything is handled in person. No digital trail. No electronic communications.

“You’re not going to hand deliver me?”

“You seem like you’ll deliver yourself just fine,” he growls. He’s really not happy. Oh well. It’s a pity, but I don’t have time to plumb the depths of his feelings. I need to get out of Greece.

He drives up near the chapel, parks a few hundred yards away and tells me to stay in the car while he finalizes matters. I agree. I’m close now. So fucking close to finally being free.

Isit there and I wait, and as I wait, I see two more vehicles pull up. Big SUVs, containing big, violent men. They are not part of my plan, and I don’t think they’re part of his.

“Oh no,” I groan.

As soon as they get out I know exactly who they are, and I know exactly why they’re here. Stavros is capital F fucked, and if I’m not careful, so am I.

I look over at the driver’s seat. I could leave. All I have to do is get behind the wheel and go and make contact with whoever is down on the docks. But Stavros is inside the chapel and I know he’s alone, and even if he’s armed, what’s one gun against dozens?

“Fucking fuck fuck,” I curse to myself.

I am literally on the verge of the freedom I’ve had to fight my entire life to get. And here I am, hesitating, because one asshole criminal is about to get killed or worse.

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