Total pages in book: 130
Estimated words: 126003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
“When you did that picture, did they put make-up on you?”
“What?”
“That photo. The famous one. Did they put make-up on you?”
“I don’t understand what you’re asking or why. Who cares? The point is, maybe you do know the right people to kill, but I could find them. If I tried. I want to know what you’re getting out of this or I’ll just…” She shrugs with her hands. “Leave.”
She’s not going to leave. We both know that. But I’m not going to point it out. “Are you looking for revenge?”
“Why?”
“Because I am.”
“Revenge for what?”
“Sorry, darlin’. That’s not part of the equation. You don’t get to know my whys.”
“Your… wise?”
I smile. She’s actually easy to be around. And even though she’s not pretty in the way I typically gravitate to, she is pretty in a very specific other kind of way. “My whys. W-h-y-s. Whys.”
“That’s not even a word.” She says this so seriously, her entire face filled with confusion. Like never, in the history of Irina, has she ever come across a made-up word.
“I’m aware of that as well. But what I’m saying—”
“I get what you’re saying, Eason. I just don’t like how you said it.”
“It’s too woo for you?”
She cracks a smile.
“Woo? Are you having trouble with that one too? It’s not a poo, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
Now she actually laughs. “I’m not a fuckin’ child, Eason.”
“No. I doubt you’ve ever been a child, Irina.”
She takes a deep breath and turns on her swivel stool. “Well, are we just gonna talk all morning? Let’s go.”
After motoring out of the marina and settling into our path back to South Beach, I turn to Irina. “Would you like to drive or cook? I’m hungry. Aren’t you hungry?”
She thinks about these questions. Such a deliberator. “I’ll drive.”
I beckon her with a finger and then get out of the way as she takes the helm. Then I go to the small galley behind the cockpit. She flips the seat up and stands at the helm instead of sitting, but she’s kinda small, so I bet she has trouble seeing if she’s sitting.
I have three bits of food on this boat, courtesy of Wade. A paper bag with four bagels, a tub of cream cheese, and two bottles of cranberry juice.
Five minutes later, I’m serving breakfast.
Despite Irina’s earlier refusal of food, she smiles when I hand her a bagel and set a bottle of juice in the cup holder nearest her. She doesn’t give me the wheel, but I take it anyway. “Scoot.” I fold the seat down behind us and nod my head to the space to my left.
Then I wait for the fight, but she disappoints me. Not really. I actually like that, for once, she just does as I tell her.
We eat in silence as I drive. She finishes first. “Are there more?”
“Hungry now, eh?”
She gets up and a few minutes later returns with two more bagels, handing me one. I take it and we continue to eat and enjoy the view as we cruise down the Stranahan River.
“How long have you lived in Miami?”
I look over at Irina to answer. “I’ve been on and off for about five years. But I only just bought the penthouse this past year.”
“How many Ring fights were you in?”
“Three. And one planned, but never realized.”
“Where were they?”
“On a ship. They’re all on a ship now.”
“The Bull of Light.”
“Yeah. Ya heard of it?”
“That’s where Cort’s last fight was.”
“Oh, right. I’d forgotten. Udulf used to own that boat.”
“Part of it. Who owns it now?”
“I’ve got no idea.”
“Don’t they… try to take you back?”
“Ya mean, put me back into slavery?”
“Yeah. How did you get away? And why didn’t they hunt you down and take you back?”
“Why don’t we concentrate on more important things.”
She huffs. “Let me guess. I haven’t earned that answer yet.”
“That’s not why. I just try to keep myself in the present whenever I can.”
There is a silence after this. Maybe a whole minute before she comes up with something else to say. “You want to talk about training.”
“It’s the future, isn’t it? And the future is far more important than the past, that’s for sure.”
She eyes me sideways. “Should I be worried that you’re not trying to talk me out of this?”
I side-eye her back. “Do ya want me to talk you out of it?”
She presses her lips together and shakes her head. “No.”
I turn back to the water in front of me. “Well, I’m not really the kind of man who cares about the destinies of others, but if ya need me to play that part, let me know.”
“That’s the most honest dishonest thing I’ve ever heard.”
I smile. “Darlin’, it’s just a movie. And we’re both nothin’ but bit players. Might as well accept that now. Because this fucked-up world only makes sense if you convince yourself it’s a reality show and we’re only here as entertainment. It’s just a game.”