22. Chapter Twenty-Two Lakey
Chapter Twenty-Two: Lakey
The midday sun beat down on us as Cam and I strode down the street, our footsteps in sync. My heart hammered with excitement, but I kept my face neutral, matching Cam's cool demeanor. The pie was clenched in my hand, my other casually holding Cam's. I loved how his dwarfed mine.
I'm sure to an outsider, we looked ridiculous. His massive frame towering over mine. I've even had comments that I was a child, and he was sick for being with me.
Usually I just smiled, leaning over and making out with him, calling him daddy to make them uncomfortable.
But a few assholes took it too far, digging in how small and 'prepubescent' I looked.
Those guys got a punch upside the head and knocked out cold.
Anyway, it usually didn't bother me much.
I could do most anything he could do, except the heavy lifting.
We were kinda like superheroes. Bouncing off each other's strengths, forming one amazingly talented being.
I guess we were closer to villains. Whatever, semantics.
"So, what else did you get from Skeeter's laptop?" I asked, skipping along the sidewalk.
Cam glanced down at me. "Our guy's knee-deep in Chimera's logistics.
He's can find Janine. Skeeter had them all arranged by file and job type.
I picked this one because he's close-by, but also because he has direct dealings with the kids.
Once I opened his file, there were pictures of him and dear old mom.
And before you ask, no there were no photos of the girl.
She seems to be pretty well off the radar.
No known date of birth records, nothing.
It's like she doesn't exist. Her name is Lillianna, by the way. "
I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face. "Lillianna... Thanks for telling me that babe."
Lillianna. Nine letters. I rolled them around in my mouth the way you roll a candy, tasting each one.
Lillianna with the pink curtains and the mom who hung them where she asked.
Lillianna who waved at nothing in the dark.
Lillianna who I'd been watching for seven years without knowing her name and now that I had it, it felt right.
Cam squeezed my hand. "Anything for you, baby girl."
My brain wouldn't slow. Wondering everything about her.
Where she was. Whether she was safe. Whether someone was feeding her something better than watery cereal and stale bread.
For some reason, I just couldn't let her go.
Couldn't push her from my head. It was like she was a part of me, a piece of pencil lead, slid under my skin, forever imprinted.
As we approached the operative's house, a quaint little thing with a white picket fence, adrenaline flooded my system. Cam's stride was confident, purposeful. I had to fight to keep from running beside him just to keep up.
We paused at the gate, and Cam turned to me. "Ready?"
I punched him in the arm. "Born ready, baby."
As we walked up the path, I conjured images of all the fun we were about to have. This asshole had no idea what was coming.
Poor bastard.
Cam knocked on the door, his posture relaxed but alert. I bounced on my toes, smacking my hands together until Cam reached down and grabbed one, pulling downward until I stood still. Guess it would look weird to see such a well-dressed suburban woman bouncing around like a speed demon.
As we waited, I caught Cam watching me. "Calm down, tiger," he said. "Save it for our friend."
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to still. Cam was right, as always. I needed to keep my cool, at least until we got inside. Then, well... all bets were off.
The door creaked open, and I plastered on my best smile. Time to play. Cam pulled me tightly to his side, my hand outstretched with the pie. Looking up at Cam, he'd slipped into his charm face. The one women couldn't resist, and made men feel at ease.
The operative appeared, confusion and suspicion clear on his face. I held up the pie, my grin so wide it probably looked unhinged. "Hi there, neighbor!" I chirped, channeling my best suburban housewife impression. "We just moved in down the street and wanted to say hello!"
Cam chimed in, his voice smooth. "Hope we're not interrupting anything."
The guy hesitated, looking between us. I could practically see the gears turning in his head, trying to figure out if we were a threat. Oh, honey, if only you knew.
Before he could respond, Cam pushed past him, that charming smile firmly in place. "Don't mind us, we'll just set this down in the kitchen."
I followed close behind, looking around the room.
So many potential toys, so little time. The living room was cozy, filled with mundane knick-knacks that could become so much more interesting with a little creativity.
Off to the side, a door was ajar, the room lit with the blue of computer screens.
I leaned forward to see three monitors running some kind of coding program.
Interesting. This guy was definitely not just a foot soldier.
As Cam engaged the guy in small talk, keeping him distracted, I wandered around.
A letter opener on the side table, bills underneath it, caught my eye, its blade catching the light.
My fingers itched to grab it, to feel its weight in my hand, but I couldn't cheat on my karambits like that. These girls were thirsty.
I turned back to our host. "What a lovely home you have," I said, sidling up to Cam. "Don't you think so, darling?"
Cam's arm went around my waist, possessive and warm. "Absolutely stunning," he agreed, but he never took his focus off the operative. "I don't think you introduced yourself, love. This is Steven. Steven, my wife, Daisy."
I could feel the room getting tighter. "Steven" was on edge, his body language screaming discomfort. He mumbled a hello, shuffling his feet.
I was bored. This conversation was boring, and I resisted the urge to bounce on my toes. Instead, I twirled my hair and pretended to be engrossed in whatever the fuck this slimeball was saying.
The moment Cam's hand tightened on my waist, and it was showtime.
In one fluid motion, he released me and lunged at the guy.
I watched, mesmerized, as Cam's fist connected with the guy's jaw.
The crack echoed through the room. Boom!
In another life, he could have been a professional boxer.
I was half-shocked the guy's neck didn't break from the impact.
"Fuck, that never gets old," I said, my pulse kicking up as the operative crumpled to the floor.
Cam dragged the unconscious body to a nearby chair. I grabbed some zip ties from my purse, tossing them his way. "Here, babe. Make it tight."
As he secured our new plaything, I circled the room again more thoroughly, humming softly. My fingers trailed over various objects.
"You're getting that look, Lakes," Cam warned. "Remember, we need information first."
I pouted but nodded. "I know, I know. But after?"
He smirked. "Then he's all yours, doll."
"Good. You took Skeeter and that really hurt me, Cam."
Good ole Steve started to stir, groaning as consciousness returned. I skipped over, crouching down to peer into his face. "Wakey, wakey," I sing-songed, tapping his cheek. "Sorry, there's no eggs and bakey."
His eyes snapped open, panic setting in as he realized his predicament. I showed him all my teeth. "Now, now. No need to be scared... yet."
I stood, circling him slowly. My fingers trailed across his shoulders, feeling him tense beneath my touch. "You see," I explained, "we're going to have a little chat. And how much fun we have depends entirely on you."
Eh, fuck it, I wanna try something.
Skipping backwards, I grabbed the letter opener, and pressed the tip against his palm. Just enough pressure to dimple the skin, not quite breaking it. "Shall we begin?"
I dug the letter opener in just a hair deeper, drawing a thin line of blood. The operative winced, looking between me and Cam.
Cam leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Let's talk about Janine Almine," he said. "What's her role in Chimera?"
Steven's mouth opened and closed. I trailed the letter opener up his arm. "Cat got your tongue, Steve? Better start singing before I decide to carve you into a pretty little melody."
"Fuck... nothing! I don't know what you're talking about!" He stared at my face and then started blabbering. "I—I don't know much. She's high up, that's all I know!"
I tsked, shaking my head. "Now, now. We both know that's not true. Lying makes me very... upset."
Cam pushed off the wall, his steps heavy on the floor as he walked up behind me and placed a hand on my shoulder. "Let's try again. What's Chimera planning?"
Steven's face went white. Why were all these guys such bitches? Even I wouldn't be this afraid, but I could smell the terror coming off his skin. I leaned in close, whispering, "Better answer him, stinky pea. He's not as patient as I am." A lie, but he didn't need to know that.
"They're... they're planning something big," he blurted out. "Something about reclaiming what's theirs. That's all I know, I swear! What the fuck do you even need this information for? It's useless to a couple of fucking nuts."
I frowned, unsatisfied. My body tensed, eager to inflict more pain, to peel away his lies along with his skin. Cam's hand on my shoulder held me back.
"Reclaiming what, exactly?" Cam pressed.
The operative shook his head frantically. "I don't know the details. It's all cryptic. Something about lost assets, a project from years ago. Please, that's all I know!"
I looked at Cam. This wasn't nearly enough. My grip tightened on the letter opener, imagining all the ways I could make this man scream.
But first...
"What do you know about Lakey Aldrich and Cam Axley?"