Chapter 8

Chaos broke out, but from the way Leon ducked into the moving vehicle, I was sure the marksman had missed his target. Ander had me in his arms running in the opposite direction before I could think. As soon as we were clear, he set me down and we dashed to our getaway vehicle. Two more shots rang out sending my heart rate into overdrive, but I could not find out what was happening.

We skid down the street in our mad dash to get away leaving tire marks behind. Ander looked in our mirrors and then addressed me, “You know we have to ditch this vehicle right now. When they search for who attacked Leon, they will trace these tire marks back to this vehicle.”

“I know, Ander, I am not foolish. Just do what must be done.”

I sat on the edge of the stone, watching the scrapped Isotta tumble down the cliff under inertia in the bloody dusk. It fell headlong into the vast sea, and the splashes of water were as fleeting as a wisp of tobacco at my fingertips. I crushed the cigarette under my shoe not even having a taste for the damned thing.

The sunset reflected in my golden and green flecked eyes, reflecting breathtaking beauty, like a cluster of fireworks burning across the golden wheat field, glowing with vitality from the desperate silence. Tears trickled down my cheeks as pondered the crazy events of the day. Ander leaned over trying to place kisses on me. I think it was just rote for him now more than a true desire to comfort me. He was probably over my emotional outbursts of tears. More than anything he was probably confused on how I could slit someone’s throat as a teenager with a razor yet cry when in a tense and uneasy situation.

I moved my head over dodging his kisses. “Ander, please. I can’t. We can’t.”

“What? Kiss?”

“No, Ander we can’t do this at all anymore.” I motioned between us. “You just use sex for everything in our relationship. You want to placate me, you touch me. You want me to do something or go somewhere, you touch me. Sure it isn’t penetration from your manhood, but it is obvious I leave you with enough pleasure from releasing all over your fingers for you to finish by yourself. I feel cheap. Besides, my heart is elsewhere. I… I’m starting to love him.” Maybe it’s only when we’re about to lose something that we truly start to appreciate it. Just a moment ago, I was really scared that Leo might get shot and killed. I honestly wondered what the point of going on would be without him.

“Myra, don’t be foolish. If you want to end this because of yourself and you feel cheap, then fine. But, if you are doing this because of Leon then don’t. He won’t love you that way. He sees you as young and foolish. He likes strong and confident women. Women that marriage or alliance with them will bring him success of some kind. Also, you have betrayed him out of your fear. The only thing he hates more than fear is betrayal. You need to get rid of these delusions! You need to see him for what he is! Wake up, Myra!” He nearly bellowed as his voice rose with each syllable.

“Look, Ander. It’s my business. Stay out of it. You be where I want you to be and nowhere else. Right now that is OUT of my business!” I gritted my teeth trying to hold in my true emotions with him watching. I knew there was a big chance that everything he said was true, but I wasn’t ready to deal with that, especially

“Myra, I see I have offended you.” He held up his hands in surrender. “I just want you to be okay. Is it Electra complex? If not, what? Because I can see no other reason for you to like someone with so many faces and moods. Is there something I don’t know?”

“Yes, there is because even I don’t know it yet. And, no, it is not that complex. I don’t and never did hate or loathe my mother because she had Leon.” I stood up walking to our new car, a Maserati.

“Your mother would be proud of you,” his voice echoed behind me.

“My very existence destroyed the pride of my mother. I could never be a cause of her pleasure. I am the daughter of the man she hated.” With that, I proceeded to the vehicle. When I never heard him come behind me I glanced over my shoulder snatching whatever it was he tossed at me out of the air. It was an extremely exquisite flamenco-style curved dagger.

“Happy birthday.” I could hear the annoyance and frustration that the night had not turned out like he had wanted it to in his voice. We may not be lovers, but having him as my ally is truly wonderful. I need to be back home now.