My car looks worse that I had imagined. I’m talking to the police, filing a report, even though I know it’s going to do fuck-all. Timothy’s friend, Jonah, downloaded a copy of camera recording of the guy doing it. I could tell it was just some kid that Randall had hired to do it.I have the cops the video.They could handle that side of things.
We were betting that Randall was watching. He’d want to see my reaction, my fear. I forced a yawn.
"You okay?"Timothy asks.He's standing next to me, his hand on my lower back.Grounding me.
"Just pissed," I said as the cops went away. We were waiting for the tow truck to come and bring the car to the body shop. There was no way in hell I was driving this thing until it was fixed.Jonah had made sure the vandal hadn’t put a bomb or anything like that in the car, but I didn’t want any part of the car while Randall had claimed a piece of it.
"We don't have to do this.We can find another way."
"No.This is the way.He wants me?He can come get me."
Timothy's jaw tightens, but he nods.He doesn't like using me as bait.Made that clear about a dozen times this morning.But he also knows I'm right.Randall won't show himself unless I'm here.Unless he thinks he has a chance.
Show time. I turn and treat the neighborhood to a voyeur’s delight. I press the entire length of my body to Timothy’s and kiss him like I never kissed Randall.I run my hands up and down his body. It goes on so long, I almost get carried away.
Timothy has to step back and sling an arm around me. “Inside,” he says.
I can’t stop myself from grinning.
"He'll come tonight," I say."You sure your guys can handle this?"
"They're Rangers.They can handle anything."
"Randall's team is good too."
"Not as good as us."
I want to believe him.Need to believe him.
"What if something goes wrong?"I ask.
"It won't."
"But if it does."
He cups my face."If something goes wrong, you run.You get out of here and you don't look back.You understand?"
"I'm not leaving you."
"Carla."
"I'm not."
It’s good to be back in my apartment after my week’s vacation next door.But it’s only good because Timothy is with me.
As the sun sets, Timothy gets a text from Vincent.
"He's here," Timothy says."White Tahoe.Parked two blocks over.Two men inside."
"Randall and Adam."
"Or one of the others."
My heart is pounding, but my hands are steady.Muscle memory.Training.I can do this.
Timothy moves to the window, staying out of sight."They're heading this way."
"Okay."
