Hila
She sank down on the floor of the tiny apartment room that she had rented. Just one room, with no furniture, nothing to show that it was inhabited. For she knew that her time was running out; the monk was searching for her and she was only managing to stay ahead because of her wits.
Ravenous, she attacked the sandwich and wolfed it down. She had had to get a head start this morning and had only grabbed a bite in the noon. Now, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, she stared out of the window dully.
The news she had gleaned from the chatter between the Monk’s close associates, was that he was planning to kill the Delano family, definitely Proserpina Delano, the Mafia Don’s beloved wife, and probably incapacitate the Don himself. A team of men was being assembled for this purpose and she knew that they had to be warned. True, knowing the way Lucien Delano operated, it would be almost impossible to get to him but with the Monk and his dreaded nephew, one never knew.
She sighed and flopped down on the mattress, preparing to take a nap. She was always vigilant and remained alert, even while asleep. But her last thoughts before drifting off to bed were of Piers.
*
Piers lay on his back, staring outside. The cloudless sky was clear but it was not the beauty of the night sky which had enticed him and made him come out onto the terrace outside his room.
He kept blaming himself for having given in to the attractions offered by Hila Zaid, the Assassin. But one part of him knew that she was the first woman he had wanted so badly. He had never made such frenzied love to anyone in his life before this. And his heart still ached for it was as though he had given her a part of himself when they had had such incredible sex.
He had been a fool to imagine that for her as well, it had been a once-in-a-lifetime experience, he thought bitterly as he bowed his head and swore. But the only thing that mattered now was to make sure that he never created a situation where his father might feel unsure of him, feel disappointed. No, that would never happen.
Should never happen. With that thought, he strode back into his room and fell onto his large soft bed, slipping into a deep, dreamless sleep.
*
Tara stood in the hallway, as her mother hugged her, tears in her eyes. A pretty woman with a shaved head and slightly tilted eyes stood in the doorway, smiling gently at her.
‘Brian has sent his assistant,’ smiled Mumma, swallowing painfully.
‘I need to say… bye to Pappa…’ said Tara in a small voice.
‘He is in his study, kid,’ said Claude, running a large hand over his face, looking troubled.
All her siblings were in the hallway, to say goodbye.
Lucien had forbidden them from accompanying Tara to the airport, citing security issues.
Now Tara walked slowly to her Pappa’s study, knocking softly before entering on hearing his growl.
Uncle Schwartz was on his feet and hugging her as she entered and she leaned into his chest, trying not to cry.
Then she rushed to her father, dropping to her knees beside him, and placing her head in his lap as she sobbed. He stroked her head and said in a gruff voice,
‘Hey there, pet, stop crying pumpkin…’
She sensed her mother and Ria had come for Ria helped her to her feet. Ria’s face was wet with tears.
‘She will be well looked after,’ said Mumma though her voice wobbled.
And then after a fierce hug from her father, she was off, waving to her siblings who watched her go, forlorn and silent.
*