Friends. These women could be her friends for this part of her life. They could never know the truth of the other half of her life. No matter.
Most people’s idea of relaxation involved not talking about work. Shay could have a normal little crew to chat about normal little things like Tamara Mellon shoes or where to find the best pizza, and not cartels or cursed gold.
Of course, if they ever did need to know the best kind of sniper rifle to use in a windy environment or the best angle to hold a head in the toilet with minimal splashing, Shay had it covered.
Shay burst out laughing, the sound swallowed in the wall of music.
The other women grabbed the hand closest to them, making sure to include Shay, forming their own circle, still moving in time with the music.
I could almost forget there is another life… Almost. Fuck… I love it all. So, shoot me.
Chapter Sixteen
The next morning Shay stepped out of her car inside Warehouse Two, leaning over to get a better look in her side mirror. Dancing and cutting loose had put her in the mood for a change. She had stopped by an all-night CVS and picked up a box of L’Oreal 4G Dark Golden Brown. The second she hit the door of her condo, she was heading up the stairs to take a long hot shower, washing sweat from the dance floor and brown hair dye down the drain.
“Bye bye, Blondie.” The light from the windows above was playing nicely on the new color on her head. “I think I might like being different people all at once.”
Shay took in a deep, contented breath and suddenly stood up straight, her hair forgotten. A familiar but unexpected smell struck her nose. The heavy scent of bacon. A delicious coffee aroma hung in the air as well. That wasn’t all that unusual, but it didn’t smell like the coffee she purchased for Warehouse Two.
Shay took a few steps away from her Spider before she realized different coffee and bacon aromas weren’t the only differences. A small electric stove rested near the office, which was separated with the help of a few low cubicle walls. Several of the crates were also moved away from the office area into the corner.
A maze of the interconnecting walls were erected on either side. It looked like the office had sprung to life and was spreading out tentacles like an invasive species.
“Someone’s been busy.”
Paintings hung on the walls in the cubicle area, mostly graphic art from local artists. A drawing of a Betty Boop character with an arrow through her heart and safety pins in her lip got a smile out of Shay. Art with a sense of humor. Another was a pen and ink with a large arm rising out of the ground, resting on the roof of a rundown wooden church. Next to it was a fiery painting with men wielding swords. Shay recognized it as Oriceran’s version of their own history.
Peyton emerged from the office, a cup of coffee in hand and piece of bacon hanging out of his mouth. He was wearing lime green pants and a white soft collar shirt with matching green piping along the edges with white sneakers. “Hey, Shay,” he mumbled around the bacon. “Nice morning, isn’t it?”
“You’ve been… busy this last couple of days. None of this was here yesterday.”
He chewed the last of the bacon, working it into his mouth, and swallowed. “It was here, still stuffed in boxes. Figure if I’m going to have to live here for a while, I might as well make it more comfortable. Gave it a little West Coast flavor.”
Shay surveyed the rest of the room, looking for more changes, but most of it was confined to the area near the office. “And you had all this stuff delivered nearby?”
“Well, some. I went to get some of it.” He tapped his foot, giving away his nerves at spilling the story. “Probably should invest in my own car. I rented a van to haul the cubicle walls.”
“And did you stop by a dealer to buy some marijuana and Oriceran dust before that?”
“Very funny. I don’t do drugs, Earth plants or Oriceran.” A defiant look passed over his face.
Shay stared at him, silently glad he was showing some backbone. “Well, if you’re not high, then are you fucking insane?”
Peyton snorted. “I’m not your hamster, Shay. I go out.”
“This is more than going out. You’re supposed to be keeping a low profile. Going on a shopping spree dressed like a traffic signal isn’t keeping a low profile.”
“Oh, yeah, because so many hitmen hang out at office supply stores and local art studios.” Peyton rolled his eyes and took a sip of his coffee.
Shay narrowed her eyes, studying him. “You never know.”
“You took me out for pizza just the other day. So, what, I can go out if it’s for pizza, but not for cubicle walls?”
“I was with you. If you’re with me, I guarantee that I’m taking precautions even if I’m not telling you. I made sure not to drive directly to or from the pizza place to throw off anyone. Did you take similar tactics?”
Peyton blinked. “Is that why you did that? I kind of just thought you were lost, but I didn’t want to piss you off by asking.” He held up a hand. “I’m not a total dumbass. It’s not like I called a Lyft over here to the warehouse. I hiked at least a mile away from this place in a zigzag pattern, and went old school, flagging down a cab to take me to a rental place. Paid with your new alias’ credit card.”
“That card has to be warm to the touch.”
Peyton rolled his eyes and wandered back to his desk and
