Chapter 3 | Justine
Chapter 3
Justine
I’m shaking all over by the time I arrive back at the cafe. I head for the back entrance, so I don’t have to deal with customers.
It finally happened. After all those months of dreaming and scheming, I found Markas. And I actually did what I had planned, sort of. He looked even better than I remembered. And the way he smelled and felt beneath me...part of me wanted to forget about all he’d done and just hold him. But no, getting back what he took from me was more important.
Except that he doesn’t have my money and didn’t admit to stealing my identity. The last part makes me nervous. Of course, he could just be lying. Goodness knows he’s adept at that. But my gut tells me he wasn’t lying. And if he didn't take it, who did? Fuck. It doesn’t even matter. Even if he didn’t do it, he’s responsible for it being gone.
I head to the locker room, removing the extra pens and receipt rolls I still have in my pockets. Who knew you could knock a man out with a receipt roll? I wish I didn’t know. I got no joy from hearing the thud as it hit him. The only thing I am kind of happy about was cleanly lifting his identity graft.
My training as a tattoo artist, and a lot of time spent trolling the dark web, made it possible. There aren’t many people who can do that in the galaxy. I tap the small lip balm tin where I’m holding it for now. I should probably find a safer place to stow it, but it’s working for the moment. And It’s the only leverage I have over Markas.
I notice my apron sitting on the bench, neatly folded. Karita must have left it for me. I smile to myself. She’s the only bright spot in this Lemargo nightmare. I should say goodbye to her, because this is the last day I’ll be here. Every version of my revenge and return plan ends with me gone from this place, even if it means I’m dead.
I’ve stared into the abyss already and there’s not much that intimidates me anymore. Maybe it’s a trauma reaction. Nothing could be worse than being aboard The Adventure while it was disintegrating out in space. The smell of melting steel, the sound of exploding fuel tanks, the feel of the gravity filters failing. It was the most terrifying thing imaginable.
Surviving that gives me the courage to face the uncertainty of my next chapter. I’m nervous and scared, but I won’t back down. I check my biocomm device. I’ve got a little time to get my affairs in order before he arrives tomorrow.
* * *
“You’re sure I can’t talk you out of this?” Karita says for the thousandth time. We’re sitting on a bench in front of the cafe. I’m wearing the simple zip up bodysuit the rescue team gave me when I arrived here. My small travel satchel is at my feet. I’ve barely acquired anything in the past few months, so it was easy to pack.
“No. I can’t go back now,” I tell her. Even if Markas doesn’t show up, I’ve decided to press forward with my plan. Markas’ identity graft will be my ticket out of here, whether Markas is attached to it or not.
“Leaving here is risky, Justine. There are a lot of bad people out there.”
“I know, but it’s worth it to me. I’ve got to try.”
She grabs my hand and squeezes.
“Be careful out there.”
“I will. You be careful too. I’ll let you know when I’m home. Maybe you can visit.”
Karita shrugs, then her expression changes. I turn to follow her gaze and see a grim-faced Marcus walking towards us.
“Stars, you weren’t exaggerating, were you?” she mutters and squeezes my hand.
Even though she saw him briefly in line, watching him approach gives us both time to get a good look at him. Strong shoulders with extra high ridges, tousled scarlet hair, and rich honey gold eyes. He walks like he knows people are watching him, like he knows that he’s hot. It makes my pulse kick up despite trying to stay cool.
I hate how attractive he is, how easily I fell for him. I’ve got to keep these emotions in check if I’m going to make it home in one piece. I look back at Karita and give her a quick hug.
“I’ll miss you,” I say.
“Me too,” she responds, then heads back inside the cafe.
I sling my small satchel over my shoulder and look up at Markas. He’s got his arms crossed.
“Decided to come?” I ask.
“I’m here, aren’t I?”
I step towards him and take his arm. His warm, familiar scent surrounds me. Focus, Justine.
“There’s no point in pouting, Markas. If you cooperate, this can all be over soon.”
“You’ll give me my identity graft back?”
“Of course. I know how inconvenient it is to have it stolen.”
He grumbles, and I tow him down the sidewalk. It’s the busiest time of day on the Lemargo city streets, with workers who don’t take the train, heading home in their cars and bikes.
“So, what’s the plan? Black market identity grafts? Galactic Express ticket heists?” I ask.
He sighs.
“I’ve got a friend with connections at Galactic Express. She can get you a ticket to Xanx.”
“I need more than a ticket. I need to be able to get through security, buy food, the whole deal.”
“I have a credit chip for you, too.”
“Excellent! But I need to know how you’re going to manage security. Really, Markas, I expected more of a criminal mastermind like you.”
I lay on the sarcasm because I don’t really think he’s a criminal mastermind. It makes the fact that I fell for his act even more embarrassing. No one likes to think they would fall for a two-bit hustler. But I fell, and I fell hard.
As I think those words, Markas grabs me and slams me back to his chest. The rumble of a vehicle on the nearby street fills my ears. Fear. spikes through my blood. What is Markas doing ? Then a container truck careens over the lip of the sidewalk, crashing through the space I was just occupying, before bumping back onto the road.
I stand there frozen in Markas’ arms as the truck accelerates around another corner, with wheels squealing in protest. What the actual fuck was that? If Markas hadn’t grabbed me, the truck would have clipped me at the very least and flattened me at worst.
My heart is thudding in my chest, and my vision is going dark around the edges. I’m so shocked I don’t realize I’m still wrapped in Markas’ arms and that I’m clinging to him like he’s the ballast in a storm. But when he says, “Are you okay?” my brain wakes up and I pull away from him. He releases me instantly.
“What was that?” I say breathlessly.
“I don’t know.” He looks long and hard at the alley where the truck disappeared, like he’s trying to solve a puzzle. I have no idea what that puzzle could be.
“I guess we should, uh, keep going.” I’m trying my best to sound like I’m not freaking out inside. Like, I think Markas just saved my life. But it’s so random and weird I don’t know how to feel. “Uh, thanks for saving me, I guess.”
“Any time.” He gives me a little half smile and starts walking again.
I may be imagining it, but he looks kind of shaken as well. I guess it wouldn’t be in his best interest for me to get run over by a truck. If that happened, there’s no telling when he’d get his identity graft back.
The rest of the walk passes in silence. Well, as much silence as you can get on a street full of loaded transport vehicles. Within about 15 minutes, the Galactic Express travel hub comes into view. Its imposing glass facade is the entryway for a vast network of launch pads and receiving stations.
Since Lemargo is the last inhabited planet in the area, companies from across the galaxy use it as a long-term storage location for things they don’t readily need but can’t throw away. For this reason, most of the traffic is incoming freight shipments, only a small portion of the space is used for visitors.
The only tourists that arrive here come for one of the Lemargo to Xanx luxury getaways. “Take a break from the modern world on a cruise from the edge of the galaxy,” the advertisements say. I’d like to take a permanent break from Lemargo, but I can’t imagine having enough money and free time to book one of those. I’ve been working non-stop since I got my esthetician license.
When we get to the automatic doors, Markas stops. He hands me a cheap biocomm device that turns on when I touch it.
“Everything you need to know is here.” Markas looks stiff. What’s come over him? Is he sad to say goodbye? As if.
“You’ve got to tell me more than that.”
“I’ve done everything you’ve asked. Now give me back my graft?”
I can’t help the laugh that bursts out of me.
“Wait, do you think I’ll just take your word that I’ll be safe? Like I would actually trust you? You could have stuck me in the hold of a freight ship or a prison vessel for all I know”
“Well–”
“I wouldn’t trust you if you were the last lifeform in the galaxy.” He looks awkward and conflicted standing here in front of me. Is he embarrassed about what he’s done to me? Maybe a owe him a shot at redemption. Ha!
A terrible, yet seductive, idea occurs to me. Before I can consider the downside, I blurt it out. “I’m taking you with me. You’re going to be right here by my side, making sure everything goes smoothly.”
His eyes go wide, and his cheeks flush a darker pink.
“No way.” He looks surprised, more than angry.
“I mean, it’s up to you. I can leave here with your graft, and you could figure out things on your own.”
I can tell he’s considering it, but then he shakes his head.
“Just give it back to me.”
“Why should I? Because it’s the decent thing to do? I’m afraid decent left the building when you betrayed me and ruined my life!” My voice is getting loud, and I curse myself for letting my emotions get heated.
“I’ll have to talk to my friend. This isn’t what we discussed.”
“Please, go right ahead. I’m not going anywhere without you.”