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.The hitting I didn't mind.Hitting me meant he thought of me as an equal, that he could defend himself appropriately.But the fact that he actually pulled his punch--took it easy on me because I was a woman--that was infuriating.He didn't think we were fighting.He thought he was handling some hysterical little girl.That showed no respect for me at all.And I slept with this guy?"Not smart," I said.I dropped my gear."I'm sorry." He put his hands up and backpedaled."Did I hurt you?"Apparently, he wanted to make it even worse.A breeze blew through the corn, making a peaceful, rustling sound.The sense of tranquility was shattered when I clenched my fists so tight we both heard my knuckles pop."If you want to hit me back, that's fair."Jesus, he was just digging his own grave.Phin was lean, muscular, and had a few inches and maybe forty pounds on me.He could fight.I'd seen it.But I was a black belt, and I was beating up kids bigger than me while he was still in diapers.I moved in with two quick steps, feinted left, then hit him with a left-right combo to the body.Phin brought up his fists, taking the shots on his shoulders.I jerked forward, head butting him between his arms, connecting with his jaw.Phin kept his footing, but he was unsteady.I got a leg behind his and pushed, flipping him over my hip.He went down, hard, and I dropped a knee on his chest, fist poised to slam into his naked throat.A killing blow.Instead, I opened my hand and slapped him across the mouth."You're not worth a punch either," I said.He stared at me, stunned.I got up, grabbed my stuff, and stormed off."You're mad because I slapped you and didn't punch you?" he called after me."You're out of your goddamn mind!"I didn't dignify that with an answer.The more corn I got between us, the better off I was."Dammit, Jack! I didn't punch you because I love you!"I thought about yelling something back, but decided against it.I wanted the last words I ever said to Phineas Troutt to be the ones I'd already spoken.That's all he deserved.But even though he was out of my life, permanently, I had to begrudgingly thank him.Because of Phin, I was back to being angry.Alex was going to suffer for what she did.I would make sure of it.Chapter 42"OH MY GOD!" Samantha squeals."Those boots are to die for!"They're bright shiny red, just like Superman wears, except these have stiletto heels and red fringe around the top.Might as well write I'm a stripper across the tops."And they're only eighty bucks! I'm soooo buying these!""I think I'll get a pair too," Alex says, battling her reluctance and picking one up.She checks the insole.Fabrique by Enrique Perez.A nobody, with zero fashion sense."You'll look totally hot in those, Gracie."Was Sammy just being friendly? Or flirting? "Thanks.So will you.""I know I'm in shape, but I don't have definition like you do.You can see your leg muscles through your pants."Sammy runs a finger along Alex's thigh.This is definitely flirting."I work out a lot.""I knew you did.Pilates?"Alex pictures her martial arts kata, kicking and striking to break imaginary boards and bones."Something like that," she answers."I've tried them all.Jazz-Kwon-Do.Swimmerobics.Tramp-O-Chi--that's tai chi on a trampoline, not with tramps, which would be gross.The local gym has a Spankercize class, but I don't think I want my personal trainer whacking my ass.""Might be fun.""Depends on the spanker," Sam says, winking.The clerk comes by, and they request two pairs of Enrique's finest, in the same size.This naturally provokes a squeal of delight from Sam.How nice it must be to get excited over such trivial things.Half an hour ago, she practically died of plea sure because the mall sound system played a Muzak version of Nirvana."So where to next? We hit all boutiques in the mall.There's a Boston Store.I think they have a sale going on.""I'm starving," Alex says."How about food?""I know this groovy little Thai place.They've got this green curry to die for.I love spicy foods.They make me hot."Alex smiles her half smile."Then we have to try it.Can you drive?""Sure!"Sam takes Alex's arm, and they walk out of the mall, Sam yapping and giggling, Alex genuinely amused by this woman's spirit and enthusiasm.The enthusiasm is dampened somewhat when they get to Sam's car.A Prius."It gets sixty miles per gallon.It's so green.I'm all about the planet.People are destroying the earth.We all need to conserve, or there won't be enough left for everyone.""Or we could just kill a lot of people."Sam raises an eyebrow at Alex, then begins to laugh."God, you're so funny! I thought you were serious!"Alex lets out a few chuckles, hoping they don't sound as forced as they feel.When they're in the car, Alex touches Sam's arm."Samantha, I'm having a good time, and I don't want to be reading you wrong.But you do like girls, right?""You mean sexually?"Alex nods."Sure! I'm totally bi.I mean, guys are great, but most of them are really impatient, you know what I mean? Women know how to take their time.Don't you think?"Alex nods, but the truth is, she's feeling pretty impatient right now too.After dinner, she tells herself.They hold hands as Sam pulls out of the parking lot.Chapter 43AFTER THREE HOURS of sitting next to a cornfield, hiding every time a police car cruised by, I was almost grateful when the Crimebago pulled up.Almost.Harry parked alongside the street, and I entered cautiously, wincing at the noxious odor when I stepped inside.It smelled like Mighty Joe Young had run a marathon and then taken a bath in his own feces.McGlade was standing next to the sofa, arms folded, frowning.I noticed Slappy's cage was empty."Did you get rid of the macaque?" I asked, hopeful."No.He kept screaming and hitting himself in the face, so I let him out until he calmed down.Not my brightest idea.""Where is he?" I asked, casting ner vous rapid-fire glances around the RV."In the corner there.He learned a new trick."Slappy was propped against the wall, upside-down with his legs over his head.He was urinating, again, but this time he managed to catch most of it in his open mouth."That is one of the most disgusting things I've ever seen.""It gets worse," McGlade said."When he's all done, he tries to spit it on you."Slappy began to make a gargling sound.For the first time ever, my cat Mr.Friskers didn't seem so bad."Did you call Al's Exotic Pets?""Al said all sales are final.Can't really blame him.""Would he trade for anything else? Like maybe some feeder minnows? Or a chew toy?""No.But he offered to euthanize Slappy for fifty bucks." Slappy puffed out his cheeks and spit a stream of urine toward us.We jumped away."I'm thinking about it.""Don't you dare, Harry.You just need to take some time and train him.""I tried.I don't think he likes me.""What's not to like?" I did my best to say it without sounding sarcastic."He might be mad because of the stick.When he was in his cage, I kept showing him a picture of Alex, and then poking him with a stick.You know, so if he ever saw her, he'd attack.But he seems to be holding a grudge.See?"Harry took a step toward his monkey.Slappy opened his mouth, baring yellow fangs, snarling like a pit bull."Maybe you should stop poking him with the stick," I said."No shit."Keeping one eye on the primate, I walked to the sofa and sat down.I stood up again immediately, my butt damp."There's something wet on your couch."Harry nodded."Do yourself a favor and don't try to smell it.It's better to lie to yourself and pretend it's ginger ale.""Did you spill ginger ale?""No.That's piss, shit, or monkey spooge."I made a face."Might also be some combination of the three," Harry added."Or vomit.Could be vomit."I let out a slow breath and wondered how I'd get the ginger ale stain out [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]