Page 18 of Misted
I already ordered her favourite strawberry milkshake. She retrieves her phone, covered by a skull and glitters case, and snaps a picture of the table’s setting. Molly leans back in her chair and taps in her phone, probably sharing that on Instagram. She has thousands of followers on social media.
Once done, she leans over with both her elbows on the table and takes a long swig from her milkshake.
I lean over as well, gliding my cup aside. This might be a safe place – compared to Le Salon, where Hades has countless spies. However, since someone is trailing me, I can’t be too careful.
“Did you do what I asked?” I whisper.
“Done!” She murmurs back with a mischievous gleam. “It took me a lot of networking, but I’m ya gal when it comes to sneaking around.”
I release a long breath. “Are you sure Poison’s disciples won’t get the upper hand?”
“They can try.” She smirks, twirling the straw in her drink. “I’ll keep squashing them, though. Many of the second generation assassins owe me favours and it’s time I call for them.” She hits her chest with pride. “My people will stop Poison’s people from killing more than Ink’s people. Okay, that was so many people in one sentence, but you know the drill. Anyway, Ink will be out, Misty!”
I tap my fingers against my forearm that's resting on the table. “I’m sorry you had to call in your favours, Molls.”
She’s like Flame. Both of them do so much to acquire favours. While Flame only does it to manipulate the hell out of everyone, Molly is different. It’s her way of survival. She was never a strong fighter, and if she didn’t smarten up, she would’ve died a long time ago.
It eats at me that I’m making her sacrifice some of her lifelines, but I need Ink out under any circumstances. As for protection, I’ll provide that for her.
“It’s the least I can do! Besides, Ink owes me a tattoo. He left an unfinished skull on my butt. It’s so not cool.” She grins and snatches my cup to gulp the tea down in one go. “Why do you want him out so much, though? Did he leave you with an unfinished tattoo, too?”
“Ink and I have always been friends. Why is it weird that I want him out?”
Molly narrows her eyes to slits, obviously not believing me, but she shrugs and goes back to slurping her milkshake.
It's better this way. The less she knows, the safer for her.
“Don’t use up all of your favours,” I say in a stern tone. “Never put yourself in danger for me.”
“Mistyyy! I told you it would take me a lifetime to use up all my favours. Networking, remember? Besides…” she looks at me from underneath her lashes. “I wouldn’t be here if you didn’t save me at that time. I owe you my life.”
“Molly... I didn’t do it so you would owe me your life. Anyone would’ve done that.”
“But no one did. You’re the only one who stepped in.”
I hang my head. If only she knew I saw myself when I saved her. She was barely twelve at the time, all tiny and bony. A few guards ganged up on her, ripping her clothes while she screamed and thrashed. They hit her, punched her, and kicked her in the ribs. I was frozen. Terrified. However, the moment I saw her blood, I morphed into a crazed animal.
I screamed my lungs out as I shot them all. Every last freaking bastard. I remember that kill and I remember it very well. Saving Molly was like getting revenge for myself and gaining back a bit of my sanity.
“Okay, let’s go!” Molly is already standing and flinging the backpack over her shoulder.
“Go where?”
“I’m coming with you, Misty!”
“You… are?” I always asked her to come over to Le Salon and she refused every time. “I thought you were a free spirit who can’t be trapped in one place?”
“Yeah, well, that was before Hawk came back. Desperate times call for desperate measures.”
I purse my lips at the mere mention of his name. He should’ve stayed away like he always did, but God forbid if the man does anything he was supposed to.
“I can handle him,” I say what I don't feel.
“Is that why you’ve been avoiding him for more than fifteen years?” When I fold my arms but say nothing, Molly continues. “That’s what I thought. I don’t know what happened between you two, but I’m not gonna let that brute bully you.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Do I look like the type who can be bullied?”
“One can’t be so sure!” She jumps to my side and interlinks her arm with mine. “Besides, those Zeroes bitches must be giving ya a hard time. I got your back. I’m your man! Or woman or whatever.”