“Would you take a contract that big?”
I shrug. “It’s what I do.”
“You could kill Carmine?”
She’s looking at me with bright, hopeful eyes.
I meet her gaze. When I speak, my words are clear and precise.
“I can kill anyone.”
The smile that spreads across her face says she likes my answer.
I say, “Anything else you want to ask?”
“Yes. Are you ever going to fuck me?”
28.
We fucked.
It wasn’t love, but it wasn’t bad. Not even close to the best sex either of us has had, but probably the best sex either of us is likely to have today. Unless Gwen decides she’s in the mood tonight when Maddie shows up.
After our breathing gets back to normal, Gwen moves in close to cuddle me. I hadn’t thought about it till now, but I realize we’re still on top of the covers.
“I hope we can do it again in a few minutes,” she says, touching me down there, as if trying to determine how many minutes it might be.
“I’d like that,” I say, trying to avoid thinking I might be on a time table.
“You’re the best I ever had,” she says.
“Really?”
“Swear to God.”
“You, too,” I say. Then add, “Speaking of lies, there’s something I haven’t told you or Lucky. About Phyllis.”
She sits up. I’d love to describe for you how the sheet falls away slowly, revealing her perfect, artificially- enhanced breasts, but I already told you we’re on top of the covers.
Not that it makes her boobs any less attractive.
“What haven’t you told us?” she says, her voice suddenly serious.
“If I tell you a big secret, will you tell me one?”
“Like truth or dare?”
“Except without the dare.”
“Okay. Wait. Who gets to choose the subject?”
“Me.”
“That might be fun,” she says. Then adds, “Do I have to tell the truth?”
“That’s sort of the whole purpose.”
She frowns. “Well, I can try, right? So what’s your big secret about Phyllis?”
“I met her.”
She’s quite surprised. “When?”
“Yesterday.”
“Before Connor Payne killed her?”
“Yes. And I asked her about the device.”
“The one we’ve been looking for?”
I nod.
“How did you know about it?”
“Connor’s been seeking it awhile.”
“He spoke to you about it?”
“We’re getting off track. Let’s just say I was trying to negotiate a deal with Phyllis, to keep Connor from killing her.”
“She paid you off?”
“No. I was just seeking the device.”
“And she didn’t give it to you?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
