Without speaking, Jabali flicks his wrist at Ginny, dismissing her as if she’s nothing more than a gnat. The two male gnats get a similar wrist flick.
It’s just the three of us now.
Jabali prowls in a circle around Reed and me, twisting the pointy tip of a long blade against the pad of his index finger. A rifle dangles from his hip, held by a strap. A handgun taunts us from under his belt.
No words have been spoken. And yet the intimidation games are underway.
As much as I detest this uneasy silence, I don’t have anything to say to this vile man. Nothing nice, anyhow. He’ll start when he’s done with the theatrics.
When he disappears from my line of sight to curve behind us, my gaze flits to the walls, gleaming with a horrendous array of tacky neon bar lights.
Rather than beer brands or logos, these are silhouettes of people in compromising positions. Some of the female-presenting figures have particularly erect nipples. Interesting choice of the designer.
Kudos for the varying body types. Nice to see the plus-size representation.
Jabali eventually completes his circular walk of dramatic tension. As he comes around me, he brushes against my side and leers at me. His nauseatingly warm breath assaults the side of my neck.
“Thanks for visiting. You look delicious, as always. I’ve been meaning to have you over for ages. I hope you’ll accept my apologies. Things have been...?hectic.”
I fight off a cringe and remain impassive. Eyes straight ahead and chin lifted. Reed and I are a united front, strength passing through our joined hands. Nothing Cartman says or does will tear us down.
Glancing to the right, I lock eyes with the most precious man in the world.
While the smallest man who ever lived toys with us for reasons he hasn’t revealed.
Halting in front of us, his posture jolts, and his expression turns suspiciously bright. “Oh. Where are my manners? We haven’t formally met. You must be Reed.”He dips his chin chivalrously at my love. “My name is Jabali. Friends call me Carnage. I’m honored to have you in my home.”
Carbonate transfers the knife to his left hand, then extends his right to Reed for an introductory shake. That’s gonna be a challenge, considering the wrist restraints.
When Reed doesn’t return the pointless gesture, Jabali stomps his foot like a toddler and stiffens his arm.
It’s possible this man has well and truly lost his marbles. The wordscriminally insanecome to mind. Then again, his eyes seem wilder than I recall. Maybe he’s on something.
With one brow arched, Reed lazily raises his bound hands to his chest and wiggles his fingers to direct attention to the reason he can’t shake his hand.
Not that Reed would want to.
Clearly putting on a show, Jabali palms his forehead and chuckles. “How silly of me. Here. Allow me.” He awkwardly holds both of Reed’s hands and shakes them as one unit.
Done with these games, Reed jerks out of his grip. “Cut the shit. Where’s Kenzie and the others? Let’s get this over with.”
“If you insist.” Jabali veers his gaze toward the door, snapping his fingers over his head. “Repo! Bring the bitch in.”
I peek behind me, noticing one of the large men popping in the room briefly to wave his acknowledgment. Then he’s gone again.
Cartwheel directs us to a couch, his tone once more facetiously charming. “Please sit. We have much to discuss.”
He instructs Reed to take the middle spot, then has me sit on the right.
“I’d offer you refreshments, but it seems most of my staff are permanently indisposed.” He feigns a pout. “Tragically.”
I pout right back at him. “Oh, dear. That’ssosad.” I brighten instantly. “Anyway.”
Despite taking a vow of silence, I couldn’t let that golden opportunity pass. Loki was a fantastic show, and the meme gives me life. I never thought I’d have a chance to use the line in real life.
It was everything I hoped it would be.
Kenzie’s shuffled in next. Like us, her hands are bound in front of her. She keeps her head down until the heavily tattooed repo man shoves her forward. The force sends her to her knees.
