Page 6 of Judas (The Lito Duet #2)

Turning away from him, I gaze out across the junk-littered property as it extends far behind the gas station and clashes with a thick tree line.

From the corner of my eye, I can see the details of his dark-washed jeans and the deep blue shirt he has hidden under his jacket.

Black boots that look as if they belong on the pegs of a Harley Davidson, then there’s the customary ‘player’ chain that hangs from his wallet tucked in his front pocket and attached to a belt loop.

He looks like a healthy version of Lucien—I hate him for it.

“You don’t fit.” He rumbles with the look of amusement on his face. Unraveling a hand to motion to our surroundings.

Thankfully he doesn’t sound like Lucien.

“Pity. I work hard to blend in with the garbage.”

He tilts his head back, laughs, and pushes away from the wall as he closes the distance. Reaching into his jacket pocket, he pulls out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter—quickly placing one between his lips and lighting up. Still refusing to look at him, even as he creeps close.

When he’s only a few feet away, he plucks the stick from his mouth and hands it over—a peace offering perhaps. Smoke flooding from his pierced nostrils like a raging bull.

“He said you’d have a smart mouth on you.”

“Did he now? Nice to know he keeps thinking about me.”

This must be my ride.

“Yeah, he also told me to spank you but getting a good look, you might just kick my ass. Name’s Ez.”

“You’re smarter than him, at least. What kind of dumb ass name is ‘Ez’? We talking like, Eazy-E? Or ‘easy’ because you’re the nicer one?”

“You could say that. And it’s short for my full name. Keeps me… ya know, under the radar.” He says with a wink.

Player, definitely.

“You couldn’t fly under the radar if you covered yourself in mud and crawled through jungle brush.”

Ez chuckles and wiggles the cigarette at me again. Turning, I snatch it from him, pinning it between my own lips and suck in the hardest drag I can muster. The smoke burns my lungs the deeper, and longer, I pull and hold it in. Nicotine festering in my alveoli.

Fuck, that’s some good shit.

With a slow exhale, I blow the smoke out away from him and hand the rollie back to him. Giving my new annoyance a grateful nod of the head. This is the point when things should feel awkward, but we haven’t quite made it to that point yet.

“As much as I’d like to stand here and contemplate life, I was sent for a reason.

I got a go-bag for you and a ride. It’s all gassed up and ready to go.

In the bag you’ll find another cellphone which is encrypted, clothes, and a credit card that should get you where you need to go.

I suggest moving your contacts over from the one you have and tossing it. You were very easy to track.”

He takes another few deep drags and drops the cig on the ground, stomping it out with the harsh toe of his boots.

“Unfortunately, seeing as how good of company you are, I won’t be able to ride along. So, we will be parting ways here.”

Ez, reaches into another pocket and pulls out a set of keys, jingling them, then throws them at me. Catching them in mid air, my body moves on its own until I am standing before him. Nearly having to set the back of my head on my shoulder blades to look at the dude.

Fucking hell, he’s a tall bastard.

For a moment, unapologetically, I take him in.

Well, what I can, because he’s massive compared to me.

He’s got to be a good six foot seven or more.

Two hundred pounds? Ez looks familiar, other than resembling Lucien, but I can’t really place him.

Something about that nose of his and the way his mouth is shaped.

“Thanks, tell Ra I said he can go fuck himself.”

“You’re welcome to tell him yourself. He’s on speed dial. I’m there too, you know, if you ever need me.” His mouth curls into another smirk and his eyes rake up and down my entire being.

Red flag number two.

Arching a brow, I roll my lips in between my teeth, awkwardly.

It’s been so long since I’ve had to deal with something like this, even the male guards weren’t as obvious in their flirting in Bluitt; because I am a ‘traitor’ according to them.

I was only a target, especially in a sexual nature.

Sucks for them, I suppose, they never got the chance.

I was the enemy, one or two tried but I was nowhere remotely interested.

I had a hand for my needs, or went completely without.

Stepping around the kid, I hold the keys up and press the lock button on the fob a few times to locate my new vehicle. My brows shoot up, nearly meeting my hairline when I spot my ride, as Ez put it.

“What the fuck is this? I’m supposed to stay under the radar, not end up on a high speed chase.” I snap, spinning around to face Ez.

“You have ground to cover. Thought you might like something nice. Ra and I looked into your case and your entire back story, seems like you might want something more enjoyable to drive than an old ass truck. What harm is a Lexus? Besides, it’s a sport.”

“How much did this cost? And what is it going to cost me?”

“The first part is none of your business, it’s a tax write off for my brother and I. As for the rest, when we call you, you come, no questions asked. That simple enough?” He answers as we make our way over to the car.

“Could say that. Thanks, I guess, for helping me. Even if it does sound like I’m making a deal with a devil.”

“Devils. There are two of us. Besides, I’m doing this for Fury. You made an impression and there will be a day where she needs your help, so don’t die between now and then.”

“I’ll try not to. Is Ra expecting my call as soon as I take off? Like an overbearing spouse?” I ask.

Unlocking the door and reaching for the handle, it opens with ease when I give it a little pull.

When it swings open, the scent of new leather wafts out and hits me in the face.

There’s still damn plastic on the seats and the clear protective film covering a large screen attached to the center console.

When did they put computer screens in cars? Wait, this bitch is brand new.

“No, get in the car and go west like he said. He has programmed the car to update the GPS as he finds new coordinates. It will also be encrypted so you’re not tracked by the cops if you ever get picked up on radar. So, drive carefully. Fast, but carefully.”

I look up at him, noting his warm amber colored eyes. If they could smile and shine, they would—like stupid little suns sitting deep in his sockets. He’s cute, I give him that, but definitely not my type. He also keeps saying ‘brother’ when he speaks about Ra. Red flag number three.

Dragging my gaze away from his, I drop into the driver seat and reach for the go-bag—ruffling through it.

There’s enough clothes to change into for several days, a black cellphone that looks like a small TV screen instead of the flip ones I am used to.

Then there’s a black wallet with some god awful looking ‘YSL’ emblem on it in silver.

Unzipping the thing, I note a few credit cards, a new identification card for me, and a short stack of Benjamin’s.

They have gaudy taste. It’s disgusting.

“Be a good girl out there, Nadia. Don’t fuck up this chance to get your daughter back.”

He shut the door with a soft thud, leaving me a bit stunned as to why he knows who the fuck I am and what I am after. I shouldn’t be surprised, he’s connected to Ra and that fucker knows too much as it is. Guess siblings don’t keep things from each other after all— not that I would know.

Looking over the dash, I figure out how to turn the space-machine on and put it into gear, then launch out of the parking lot and head west.