Vengeance in Blood (Book 2): Tribulations (26 page)

Shoving it in her mouth, she mumbled through the popcorn, “Well, she doesn’t have to be a slut to be an assassin.”

“Tiffany, did you hear me?” Besseta laughed.

Tiffany nodded. “Lawyer, set up account. Tell them where some of my assets are.” She jumped up. “Oh come on, he’s a scumbag, and you’re going to jump his bones!” she yelled at the TV.

Besseta laughed, enjoying watching Tiffany as much as the TV. “Hold on, Tiffany,” Kenneth said, pulling her back down until she was sitting on the couch.

On the massive screen, the woman reached under the pillow and pulled out a gun then shot the man in the face. “You mounted him like a slut, and you had a gun under the pillow the whole time!” Tiffany shouted at the TV. “You could’ve just capped him.” Tiffany waved her hand then grabbed some more popcorn.

Listening to Tiffany, Kenneth laughed, “Your vocabulary has definitely modernized.”

“Kenneth, she’s acting like a two-dollar whore, but she’s a total badass,” Tiffany protested, never taking her eyes off the screen.

“I rest my case,” Kenneth laughed. “I’ve corrupted your friend with television.”

“Shit, she needed it,” Besseta laughed.

Tiffany jumped up. “Kick his ass!” she yelled, jumping up and down on the couch, watching the movie. “That’s right; crush his balls, and make his momma cry!”

“I’m taking you two to the movies,” Kenneth laughed.

Besseta hugged him tight. “Tiffany would like that, but I’m not sure about the others in the audience. She likes talking back to the characters, explaining how they could do it better.”

“Then we will rent one for ourselves,” Kenneth said, kissing her head as Tiffany dropped back down to the couch, still holding the puppies in one arm. “When do you want to leave?” he asked.

“I got us a flight at the end of the week,” Besseta said.

Giving a sigh, he asked, “Why don’t we drive?”

“Uh, we get there and get back much faster,” Besseta pointed out.

He looked down at her. “Granted, but I can’t take my stuff.”

“Stuff?” Besseta asked, confused.

“Yeah, like guns, vest, knife, and ammo,” Kenneth said, counting off on his fingers. “Stuff. Important stuff.”

She sighed. “We are only flying in for a day. It would take us two days to get there, a day there, and two days back. This way, we drive down to the airport, fly over, sign some papers, get back on a plane, fly back that night.”

“Okay, if you say so, love,” Kenneth smiled.

“The babies don’t need to be left that long,” Besseta pointed out. “I think Tiffany would go through withdrawals if we were gone any longer.”

Kenneth raised his eyebrows. “Yes, I never considered that,” he admitted. “I’m sure she’ll still have some withdrawals even for a day.”

“Not even going to argue that,” Besseta laughed as Tiffany jumped up again.

“You’re acting like a slut again, bitch. Just shank his ass, and take the briefcase!” Tiffany screamed.

“Your friend seems to think the leading lady is acting promiscuous,” Kenneth said, laughing and kissing Besseta’s head.

“Promiscuous my ass. That whore is acting like a slutty tramp,” Besseta snapped. “What is the appeal in that? If she wasn’t kicking ass in between the times she humps every bad guy like a dog, this movie would suck. Why do you like it?”

“Boobies,” Kenneth told her, and Besseta sat up. “Before I was with you—I’m sorry—I liked the movies with boobies,” he explained upon hearing her thoughts.

“Then why watch it now?” Besseta asked, narrowing her eyes.

Smiling, Kenneth motioned his head to Tiffany. “I knew how your friend would interact with the TV.”

Tiffany let out a scream as Besseta laughed. “Yes, she certainly does.”

“Always.” Kenneth smiled at her.

“Always,” Besseta said, kissing him.

Chapter 18

It was very early as Kenneth helped them out of the boat and pulled his London Fog trench coat closed as cold wind blew off the lake. “There will be snow soon,” he said, feeling a little wimpy. The girls climbed out wearing dresses that were blowing in the cold wind and carrying their jackets in their arms. They only brought them because Kenneth told them it would look weird if they just walked around in the cold wearing their dresses.

Leading them over to the garage, Kenneth went over to the key rack and took a set of keys off then walked over to an older Cadillac. “We can’t take the Jag?” Tiffany asked, dropping her shoulders.

“It’s been around big cities too many times lately,” Kenneth said, opening the doors for them. “Several government agencies have license plate databanks set up monitoring traffic.”

“We aren’t going to a big city,” Tiffany told him as she jumped in the backseat. “Besseta said the Jag was the fastest and most comfortable.”

“Yes, it has the best of both worlds without getting into ridiculous prices,” Kenneth said, closing the door, then helped Besseta in the passenger door. “Seems the withdrawals have started.” He smiled and closed the door.

Kenneth walked around the car and climbed in, looking over his shoulder to see Tiffany pouting. Besseta turned around in her seat and handed a bottle to Tiffany. “Here, before we get on the plane.”

Snatching the bottle as Kenneth started the car, she announced, “That plane better haul ass.” Pulling out of the garage, Kenneth looked in the rearview mirror, shocked to see Tiffany lowering the empty bottle.

“Hope she’s a happy drunk,” he mumbled. When he reached the road, Kenneth stepped on the gas, hoping the sound of the roaring engine would satisfy Tiffany. It seemed to have the effect Kenneth wanted, and Tiffany settled back.

The sun was just peeking over the horizon as Kenneth led them into the small airport. They were soon on the small airplane, and Kenneth found out why Tiffany needed some liquid courage. “This plane is too small and vibrates too much,” Tiffany announced as they rolled down the runway.

***

When they landed in Chicago, Kenneth headed to the duty store and bought another bottle of Vodka that Tiffany promptly drained. Seeing the plane taking them to Boston was much bigger, she let Besseta lead her down the ramp. “Oh yeah, first class.” Tiffany smiled, dropping into the big seat.

“I have to say I agree with Tiffany on this,” Kenneth said as he sat down beside her. Keeping Tiffany in the middle, Besseta sat down.

“Yes, I don’t know how you fly coach if the seats are uncomfortable to me,” Besseta told him.

“Well, the doubling of price has something to do with that,” Kenneth said as the plane pulled away.

Tiffany reached over, grabbed his chin, and turned his face until he was looking at her. Letting his chin go, Tiffany put the tip of her index finger on the end of Kenneth’s nose. “You need to quit worrying about money, or I’ll kick your ass,” she slurred.

Besseta busted out laughing, and Kenneth couldn’t understand why. He had a drunken vampire threating to kick his ass. “I’m trying, Tiffany,” was all he could think to say.

Dropping her hand, Tiffany rolled her head to look at Besseta and slurred, “I say you jump his bones until he forgets about money. He forgets everything looking at you, and I’m sure doing the nasty, he would forget anything.”

Bouncing in her seat, Besseta just laughed. “You tell him, Tiffany.”

“You shouldn’t encourage her,” Kenneth warned.

Tiffany grabbed Besseta’s hand. “Girlfriend, let’s get in that Jag and kick somebody’s ass.” Besseta couldn’t answer because she was laughing too hard.

As the plane lifted off, Tiffany continued to tell everyone just what she thought of the world. It wasn’t long until Kenneth was laughing along with Besseta.
How long will she be like this?
Kenneth thought, wiping his eyes.

By the time we land, it will be wearing off. Alcohol doesn’t last long for us,
Besseta’s voice sounded in Kenneth’s mind.

As the plane landed, Tiffany gripped the armrest, and Kenneth saw Besseta was right.
I’ll buy more Vodka on the return flight,
Kenneth thought.

That would be very wise,
Besseta answered.

“You guys are talking without me again,” Tiffany said with her eyes closed.

Kenneth looked over at Besseta, who shrugged. “How did you know? You’ve had your eyes closed.”

“Your heart beats faster, and you breathe shallower when Besseta talks to you. I’m not telling you how I know with Besseta.”

Kenneth huffed, “Now that’s not fair.” He sat pouting as the plane pulled up to the ramp. As they got off, Kenneth led them to the car rental counter, and they grabbed the keys and went looking for the car.

When they got to the little Ford Focus, Tiffany shook her head. “This isn’t a car; it’s a shoebox with wheels.”

Opening the doors for them, Kenneth hated to admit it, but he agreed with her. When Kenneth climbed in, he saw Besseta putting the address to the lawyer’s office in the navigation system.

Following the directions, Kenneth soon pulled in a parking garage some distance from the law office. “Why are you parking so far away?” Besseta asked.

Taking a ticket from the machine, he said, “So our steps can’t easily be traced if someone tries.”

“How?” Besseta asked, looking around, and Kenneth tapped the navigation system and OnStar button.

“Using those, someone could track where we went. That’s why we are going to walk a mile or so,” Kenneth told her, pulling into a spot.

When Kenneth opened his door, Besseta and Tiffany got out, and Besseta was waiting on him by the time he climbed out. “Are you sure?” she asked.

“Used it myself many times to track people,” Kenneth said, holding out his hand. “That’s why every vehicle we have, I disconnected them.”

Kenneth had never before seen the reception Besseta got when they walked into the law office. Two lawyers were waiting on them and led them to the back to a conference room.

On the table were several food trays and drinks. They shook Kenneth’s hand and guided him to a chair. They took his picture and scanned his thumb. When the two left, he looked at Besseta. “How do they know it’s you? You don’t have prints,” he asked.

“They’ve met me,” she told him. “Before both of them retire, I’ll come back and meet the next ones.”

Kenneth jerked back. “Don’t they ask questions?”

“No, I just tell them I’m the next in line. They have my dental records on file for verification if needed.”

The lawyers came in carrying folders and started spreading out papers in front of Kenneth. Kenneth looked at the estate value and jumped up. “Four point two billion?!” he shouted.

The lawyers looked at him in shock. “I assure you it’s correct, sir,” one said. “As well as the escrow and off-shore accounts,” he said, sliding more paper over.

Kenneth stepped closer, looking at the balance sheets. “I didn’t know numbers could go that high regarding money,” he confessed. One of the lawyers got up and guided Kenneth back to his chair.

After signing a stack of papers, one of the lawyers gave him a card with two numbers to memorize to contact them day or night. As Kenneth memorized the numbers, the lawyers moved over to Tiffany, and she started signing stacks of papers. Before the three left, they took the card with the phone numbers from Kenneth.

When the three walked out, Besseta smiled and looked at Kenneth. “Feel better?” she asked.

“I don’t know what I feel right now to be honest,” Kenneth said, putting his arm over her shoulders. “But I have you with me, so it doesn’t matter.”

Wrapping her arm around his waist, they walked back to the garage. “The plane doesn’t leave for five hours; let’s eat,” Kenneth suggested.

“Okay.” Besseta continued smiling as he opened the doors for them.

Kenneth drove them to the waterfront, and they ate; well, Kenneth ate as they sipped water. After eating, they headed outside and walked along the waterfront. “I still can’t get over how big Boston has gotten,” Besseta said, looking around.

“Yeah, it’s much bigger than it was the last time I was here,” Tiffany agreed.

Pulling Tiffany to his other side, Kenneth wove his arm through Tiffany’s. “When was that?” he asked.

“A few years after the war was over,” Tiffany told him.

“Which war?”

“The War of Independence.”

Kenneth smiled. “One day, I want you two so sit down and tell me about what you’ve seen.”

Tiffany sighed, “A lot of hardship.”

Besseta nodded. “Yes, a lot of hardship.”

They stopped in a park, watching a boy throw a Frisbee, and his dog would run and catch it. “I wonder if Jack and Jill could do that?” Tiffany asked.

Shrugging, Kenneth casually looked around and said, “If you have the patience.”

Watching the dog jump up and catch the Frisbee, Besseta shook her head. “Bonnie and Clyde aren’t learning that; they may get hurt.”

“Oh, I didn’t think of that,” Tiffany said as Kenneth guided them away. “I want to watch,” Tiffany protested.

“Let’s walk some,” Kenneth said, leading them to the sidewalk. Besseta looked up at him, and Kenneth’s eyes were looking everywhere, but his head wasn’t moving. She couldn’t hear his thoughts because they roared in her mind as Kenneth’s mind darted around. Suddenly, Kenneth stopped in front of a store window.

“You’re looking at cameras?” Tiffany asked.

“Yeah,” Kenneth said in a distracted voice and Besseta looked back up and saw what Kenneth was doing. He was using the window like a mirror. “Shit,” he mumbled.

“Damn it, Kenneth, calm your mind. I can’t hear shit,” Besseta huffed. “You’re thinking a hundred thoughts at the same time.”

Almost knocking Tiffany over and yanking Besseta’s arm off, Kenneth headed for the door of the store. Walking inside, Besseta found it was a small, family-owned drugstore. Kenneth let them go, grabbed a blue basket, and took off down the aisles.

They followed as Kenneth seemingly grabbed items at random and threw them in the basket. “Kenneth, I’m getting pissed,” Besseta said, following him thinking she had been patient enough.

“Saw a man out there following us from the restaurant,” he said in a low voice, heading down another aisle and grabbing a backpack. “I’ve just had a feeling since we got to the restaurant I was being watched.”

Besseta grabbed his arm and stopped him. “Baby, I can’t hear anything except normal thoughts around us. You, I hear roaring. I don’t know how anyone can remain sane thinking that much at once.”

“Every time we changed direction, he phoned someone,” Kenneth said, turning around and grabbing more stuff. He led them to the window with the cameras and pointed at one. “Don’t look right up; bring your head up enough that you can see outside, but look like you’re looking at the cameras,” Kenneth told her, and Tiffany stepped up and did the same.

“On the bench second to the right,” Kenneth said.

“The one with black hair?” Besseta asked. “I don’t hear anything but the old woman beside him.”

“Yeah, the fucker that looks like a Hollywood model,” Kenneth said, picking up a camera.

Leading them away, Tiffany stopped and put her hands on her knees. “Oh shit.”

“Act normal, Tiffany,” Kenneth said, grabbing her arm and pulling her to the front of the store. “When we get outside, smile and act normal like we don’t know shit.”

“What the fuck is an incubus doing here?” Besseta whispered.

“Following us,” Kenneth replied.

Besseta looked up. “The odds of him just being here are astronomical.”

“They somehow tracked us,” Kenneth said in a low voice, walking to the register. He put the stuff down as an old man walked up behind the counter. Kenneth pulled out his wallet. “Sir, we are in a hurry. Is the stuff I have here worth more than five hundred dollars?” Kenneth asked.

The old man laughed. “My goodness, no, son.”

Kenneth pulled out five one-hundred-dollar bills. “Here, sir, keep the change,” Kenneth said and dumped the contents of his basket into his backpack. He closed it and put one arm through a strap then tossed it on his back, pulling the girls outside.

“Are we going to the car?” Tiffany asked, smiling.

“No, they are probably set up there by now,” Kenneth said, walking along the sidewalk. He stopped at a bench, pulling off the pack, and pulled out a bottle of water. “Drink,” he said, pulling out the camera.

Stepping back, the girls smiled at him as he took pictures. Laughing, Kenneth stepped back over. “There’s more following further back,” he said, throwing the camera in the pack.

“They know I can read thoughts,” Besseta mumbled with a smile.

“Seems that way,” Kenneth smiled.

Tiffany put her arm around Kenneth’s. “You think it was the lawyers?”

“Hell no,” Kenneth said. “They don’t want to lose that much money. I didn’t feel like I was being watched until we were inside the restaurant.”

Throwing her head back, Tiffany laughed and looked up at Kenneth. “Then how the hell did they find us?”