The Accidental Assassin (16 page)

“That’s because you think you should look like they do in the movies.” Owen leaned closer to me as he reached around to adjust my arms. “Strong arms. You don’t want the gun to come back and hit you in the face.”

“So is this how you stand when you shoot?” I tried to not focus on the way his body wrapped around mine.

“Of course not.” He stepped back and I turned to look at him. “I can’t look stupid while I’m out killing people.”

“Gee, thanks.” I reached behind me and tried to put the pistol into the holster. The sweater caught on the gun and I fumbled for a minute before getting it safely put away. Well, safe was a matter of opinion. The gun was loaded, with one in the chamber, and currently pointed down my ass crack.

“You don’t want to be comfortable with them.” Owen was watching me with guarded eyes. “If you’re too comfortable you’ll take them for granted and that’s when you hurt yourself.”

“Or someone else.”

“That too.” Turning away from me, he loaded another gun before placing it in a shoulder holster for himself. He also attached a knife to his ankle, and stuck another pistol in the small of his back. He pulled a large gun out from the bag and checked the chamber and I felt my eyes widen.

“I’d love to see where you put that thing.”

“I bet you would.” He looked around the room for a minute before walking over to the bed. Flipping the mattress over he used a smaller pocket knife to cut a large gash in the fabric.

“There goes our deposit.”

“Can’t just leave this stuff out for them to find.” Kneeling down on the floor next to the bed he began pulling things out of his bags. As I watched the growing pile of ammunition and money, my mouth fell open.

“I don’t think all of that is going to fit in there.”

“Only some of it.” He began arranging things inside the mattress; his entire arm disappearing at one point. “We’ll carry some of it in the bag.”

“What, are we going to put it in a trashcan at a park?”

“There are worse places.” He winked at me and I didn’t want to think about where he might have hid things before. “But no. We’re carrying this with us for now.”

“Don’t you worry about someone realizing you’re carrying a gun? I mean, it’s a big deal here. It’s not like back home.” The gun on my back felt white hot against my skin. Like a beacon for everyone to see.

“People see what they want to see.” He shrugged into his jacket before slinging the backpack over one shoulder. “And most people only see stuff that concerns them.”

“What about the people who want to see someone carrying a gun?” I tugged my sweater a little lower and followed him out the door. “There are those out there, always looking for trouble.”

“Then you deal with it.” He moved beside me and leaned his head down. “Loosen up a little, Ava. Sometimes you just have to roll with things.”

“Easy for you to say. This is how you live all the time.” I shrugged and tried to calm my racing heart. It wasn’t fair that his breath on my ear would send goosebumps over my body.

“True.” He stood up straight and put a little distance between us. “This is how I live.” His words were firm as if reminding himself. My heart ached for the loneliness that had crept into his voice. It was faint, and I wouldn’t have noticed it if I hadn’t spent the last couple of days with him, but it was definitely there.

“But you’re right. I need to just roll with things a little better.” I smiled up at him. “That’s what I’m supposed to be doing anyway, right? Stop planning everything out and doing only the safe things.”

“What I do is not for everyone.” He frowned and looked ahead. “It shouldn’t be for anyone.”

“Then why do you do it?” The question popped out of my mouth before I could think twice.

“Because I’m good at it.” His jaw tightened. “And sometimes it needs to be done.”

We pushed out the door and stepped onto the sidewalk. A cool breeze whipped my hair around my face and I pulled out a rubber band to secure it.

Owen led us to an entrance to the Tube, the underground subway that ran through the city. People commuting to work and running various errands rushed to and fro, while a baby cried in the background. An electronic advertisement on the wall flashed images of couples drinking in a pub, with a catchy tagline scrolling underneath. I was jealous of the normalcy all around me, but at least I had Owen by my side.

I stuck close to my new friend, unaware of exactly where we were going or how we would get there. I hadn’t ridden the Tube much since coming to London, preferring to walk and take in the city. The maps of different colored lines were like a foreign language that I was slowly learning to decode.

“This way.” Owen placed a hand on my shoulder and turned me down a bright hallway.

“You haven’t told me where we’re going?” We stopped at a platform with only a few people. I scratched at my back in an attempt to adjust the gun into a more comfortable position. It was rubbing a sore spot along my waist.

“Stop fidgeting.” He frowned at me.

“I can’t. The thing is rubbing me raw.” I shifted my shoulder. “I’m going to get a blister.”

Stepping behind me he ran his hands over my shoulders, squeezing gently as if massaging me. His hands slid lower in circles until he was kneading my lower back. My eyes threatened to close as he worked. If I’d been a cat I would have purred in pleasure, but I managed to control myself. His hands closed around my waist, while his thumbs pushed at the gun until it was sitting in a different spot.

“Better?” His breath teased the few loose strands of my hair.

I looked up into his eyes and nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Why did he affect me so much? This man, this self-confessed murderer, turned me to whimpering mush. Well, not whimpering. I wasn’t whimpering. Yet. But I was starting to feel a bit mush-like.

“Ava, you have to stop looking at me like that.” He pressed closer to me, his eyes dipping down to my mouth. The heat of his body washed over my back and I leaned into it, drawn like a moth to flame.

“Like what?” I licked my lips and my breathing hitched.

“Like you want me to kiss you, love.” One of his hands left my waist and drifted up to cup my chin, tilting my head a little more in his direction. Tilting his head down, his lips barely brushed against mine as he looked into my eyes. “I’m not the type of man you should want to kiss.”

“Why not?” I ached to kiss him, to feel his breath mingle with mine, but it was more than just a physical need. I also wanted to banish the lonely darkness that swirled in the back of his eyes. As much as he was protecting me, I felt this urge to take care of him.

The rumble of the subway car broke our connection and he let go of me like I was a hot piece of coal.

“Our ride.” He motioned for me to enter the car ahead of him.

I took a spot near the door and grasped one of the hand rails. I was feeling too antsy from the almost-kiss to sit down; too confused to sit calmly next to him while I waited for our stop. Wherever that was.

“Where are we going?”

“Notting Hill.” His voice rumbled close to my ear.

“Oh, good. That was on my list of places to visit.” I gripped the hand rail a little tighter. Of course I had wanted to see the Portobello market, not hunt down the man that had tried to kill me. Life certainly had changed my plans.

I HADN’T BEEN to Notting Hill in years. I hadn’t seen my brother in years. I hadn’t cared about it for years. We weren’t exactly worried about trading presents for holidays or birthdays. Of course, I hadn’t realized we’d gotten to the point where we were trying to kill each other. If I’d known, I would have sent a card at Christmas.

When we stepped out of the station, Ava seemed to reenergize. She had been quiet for most of the trip, the wheels turning behind her eyes as she mulled over something. But when she saw the crowds, the bright colors and laughing people, her face brightened. As we passed the pubs and little shops, I was thankful for the crowds. It would make it easier to go unnoticed. I hadn’t told Ava much about my plan because I didn’t want to worry her.

I knew that my brother would be waiting for me. He may not know when I would be coming or how I would arrive, but he wouldn’t doubt that I would make an appearance at some point. Today I was planning on doing research. I needed to know who he had guarding him, because he wouldn’t just be hanging around in the sitting room, biscuits and tea at the ready.

Ava stopped at a small stall and looked through a basket of jewelry. She picked up a small broach and asked the craftsman a couple of questions. The old man smiled, all too happy to talk trade with someone interested. I listened while they chatted, but kept a careful lookout for anyone that might recognize either of us. It would be common knowledge at this point that Ava was with me, so they’d be looking for a couple. Still, as a couple shopping, we’d be less likely to be noticed.

“What do you think, Owen?” Ava turned to me and held up the broach. The silver wire was worked into a bow. Smiling she lifted the pin to the base of her throat like a bowtie. “Isn’t that brilliant?”

“It’s nice.” I smiled the gentleman. “How long does it take to make something like that?”

“I’ve been doing it so long now, it’s only a matter of minutes.” The salesman winked at me. “Of course, that means you’re getting quality workmanship from a true craftsman. Been jewelry making since I was a lad.”

“And you can tell.” Ava reached for her pocket, but hesitated.

“Let me.” I should have made sure that she was carrying cash before we left the Inn. I wasn’t used to traveling with another person. Pulling my wallet out I handed the man a fifty note. “Keep the change.”

“Thank you.” The man smiled and chatted with Ava as he wrapped up her purchase. By the time we were on our way, I had the feeling that if the circumstances had been different, Ava could have spent hours talking shop.

“I’m sorry. I know we’re here for a reason, but I couldn’t help myself. What a creative idea! Bowties and fancy collar necklaces are really popular right now. If he shopped his piece, he could sell thousands.”

“No, it’s good to shop; blend in.” Some of her excitement dampened at my reminder of why we were here. Not wanting to derail her happiness, I prodded for more information about something she was obviously passionate about. “So you think he could sell the idea? Make a lot of money?”

“Definitely. There are buyers that look for just that thing. Searching little fairs and markets for gems.”

“And is that what you want to do? Search for hidden treasure?”

“You make it sound like pirates.” She laughed. “Maybe. It would take a while before I’d get to that point. You have to start at the bottom, show that you know what will sell. Plus I just love the actual work, you know? Making something come to life that had been in my head.”

“That takes a lot of imagination.” I steered her around a group of people congregating outside of a popular pub.

“I guess so. Sometimes I start something and have no idea how it’s going to end up. I’m just as surprised as anyone else.” She shrugged. “So, how about that breakfast you promised? I’m starving.”

“What would you like? A muffin? Some fruit? Or the full course?” I motioned down the street. “There is pretty much anything you can think of.”

“Hm. Let’s grab something substantial. That way if we don’t get to eat later, we won’t be running on fumes.”

“Smart.” I let myself drape my arm over her shoulders. We were supposed to look like a couple out enjoying the sights, after all. “But I promise to do my best to keep you fed.”

“Good. You don’t know this, but I’m mean when I’m hungry.” She smiled up at me as we wove through the crowds.

“Actually, it was made quite clear when you threatened to shoot me last night over Chinese take-away.”

She shrugged. “What can I say? I really like lo mein.”

I pointed at a door between two Inns. “It’s been a while, but the last time I ate there, it was pretty good.”

“Well, let’s give it a go.” She bounded up the short steps and into the little restaurant. The person behind the counter waved us to a table and Ava greedily pored over the menu. “It smells divine.”

I smiled as I sat down. We were here in Notting Hill to stalk my traitorous brother but she was still excited about the smell of bacon and eggs. Then again, the food did smell pretty good.