Page 101 of The Wicked

I had never wanted this… I would probably never go through with it, but it wouldn’t kill to wonder, would it?

Minutes later, Elio pulled up at the mobile restaurant he had talked about. It was small, but a few travel cars were parked around.

“So, how do we pay for the food? You don’t look like you have a phone or an ATM card.”

He turned off the engine before turning to look at me like he was surprised that I’d asked that question. I just knew in my gut that he was about to respond with an indirect insult. The mock concern in his eyes was a dead giveaway.

“I remember we spent hours away from each other, and you seem like a person with a good memory, like the fact that this was not what I was wearing yesterday. Who knows? Maybe after I left you with your captors, I went to get clothes for you and myself… and I never told you I didn’t have any money on me if I recall correctly,” he said with a cautious stare, one that made me feel like I was intellectually inept.

“Well, at least you’re talking to me.”

Seconds passed before he shook his head, getting out of the car. I got out after him, following behind as he walked towards the restaurant entrance.

I spotted a pay phone by the side, making a mental note to ask if it was still in order.

When we entered, the smell of roast beef and late-night greasy food filled my nose, and my stomach grumbled. There were peoplein booths here and there, but overall, the building had a cozy, secluded, homey feel. I just knew the food was going to be great too.

“My God, I’m so hungry; it’s been years since I’ve gone this long without eat—”

“I’ll find a booth,” Elio cut in rudely before walking away from me.

I shook my head, ignored him, and ordered a variety of food, sending the plates to the booth where Elio was before rushing outside to use the pay phone, which I had confirmed was thankfully still in order.

I borrowed a few coins, assuring them the man dressed in black would cover it.

Entering the phone booth, I placed a call through to Dog’s private cell, and he picked up at the third ring.

“Who the fuck is this?”

“Zahra—”

“You’re not dead?” His voice came with a twinge of relief and mock shock, and then I heard footsteps from the other end. “Guys, she’s alive. We can’t use her bedroom for the orgy anymo—hey!”

There was a quick scuffle, followed by Dog’s protest, and then Devil’s voice reached my ear. “Z, are you okay?”

I smiled, leaning on the booth wall. “Yeah, D, I’m okay.”

“Where are you?”

I looked around. “Some restaurant out of town, but I’ll be back soon. I was a little hungry.”

I heard him sigh. “You had me worried—you had all of us worried.”

I chucked away my guilt. “Sorry, did you guys find anything about the painting and why I was fucking abducted by really hot French guys? Also why they were asking about some… gold?”

There was a mini silence before I heard Milk’s voice from a distance saying, “Put it on speaker.”

“Where are you calling from?” Upper asked, and I knew from the lagging in his voice and the distant keyboard tapping that he was trying to track the device.

“Some pay phone?” I said, confused.

“Hold on,” he said, and then there was complete silence, a little bit of static, and then, “Can you hear me?” His voice was clearer.

“Yeah? What’s going on?”

“I rerouted transmission to something more private. Safer that way.”

“Okay? So… I take it you guys know what’s going on?”