I shrug."Have I ever?"
His fingers drag along the Bible's spine in a small but deliberate gesture—a cat playing with something to see if it moves."Adena wanted a copy," I say before he can ask."I didn't ask why."
His fingers stop, then resume tapping the armrest—thumb, index, middle, ring—the same pace a man uses while deciding whether to kill someone.
Outside, a motorcycle engine growls low and familiar.Adena.Marquez smiles."Then you won't mind if I do?"
My jaw flexes, and I force it still."Go ahead.I've got nothing to hide."
The door swings open, and Adena steps in with a garment bag over her arm and helmet tucked under the other.Her gaze sweeps the room—the guards, the Bible, the man on my couch—but she doesn't react outwardly.
"I was just asking Jagger why you wanted this," Marquez says, tapping the Bible.
Adena sets down her helmet and responds flawlessly."Research.I'm thinking of forging an early King James," she says lightly."Authentic ones sell for thirty, forty thousand."
Marquez’s eyes narrow just a hair.“Thisisn’ta King James.”
Adena’s eyebrow lifts.Just the slightest brush of cockiness in her tone.“Of course not.The best forgers never trust one version.”
Even I’m stunned at the quick response.Silence hangs in the room like held breath, a single beat hanging on a wire.
Finally, Marquez chuckles."You did well bringing her to me."
He stands, straightens his jacket, and walks toward the door.He pauses beside her, too close, his gaze sliding down and back up like she's a piece of merchandise.
“Hope you bought something red," he murmurs."I like red."
The door swings shut behind Marquez, but his two guards remain for a beat, their eyes lingering on Adena with a cold, predatory indifference.Finally, they follow their boss, their heavy boots thudding against the floorboards until the outer door clicks shut.
The silence that follows isn't peaceful; it's the ringing in your ears after an explosion.
“You’re full of surprises,” I say to her.
She shrugs.“Survival is a great motivator for creativity.”
She’s not wrong there.But she better have more than one brushstroke in her kit.
Because Marquez didn’t walk out satisfied—he walked out planning his next test.
Adena
My heart is still pounding, thoughts skidding over what almost happened.Leaving the Bible here was well intentioned, but careless.It could have cost us everything.
I don’t know where the answer came from.I only know it wasn’t mine.The words arrived fully formed, and the only explanation I have is the Lord’s answer to a hastily whispered prayer.
Marquez has unwittingly given me permission to keep the Bible.I can read it, study it, even share scripture with Jagger all in plain sight.Right under their noses.
This wasn’t luck.This was provision.
Smiling, I look at Jagger.“I came back because I need you to drive me in the Audi.”
His brow furrows.“Where?”
“I have an appointment at a salon.”I dangle my fingernails in front of him.“I’ll have wet nails for the next two hours.You want glamor, it takes effort.”
His expression shifts."I'm getting the full beauty queen treatment?"
I hide a grimace at his choice of words and slowly nod."What about you?"
