The Devil To Pay (Hennessey.) (126 page)

Hennessey nodded towards the bedroom door, ‘Miss. Faraday, she has a soft heart, see how she cares for your dog. Even in her shock at seeing me again and the horror of seeing men being killed, she took the time to think about your dog’s well being.’

When Lando said nothing he went on, ‘of course she cares a great deal about people too, that’s her strength
and
her weakness. It’s why she’s here now.’

Lando was amazed at the arrogance or was it self delusion of this man. He snapped, ‘she’s here because of
you,
Hennessey, because you kidnapped her and subjected her to threats and intimidation. You terrorised her so much that she had no choice but to run all alone and scared out of her wits into unknown and dangerous terrain. She could have died out there and the only one responsible would have been
you.’

Lando approached until he was face to face with the other man, ‘you should have been here when she arrived half dead with exhaustion and dehydration, but then maybe you would have gotten a kick out of that. Tell me something, Hennessey, does kidnapping and terrorising women make you feel like a real tough guy, does it make you feel like a real
man
? Or does that take putting a gun against someone’s head and blowing their brains out?’

The two men squared off, Lando’s eyes full of anger and hatred and Hennessey’s, well his were hard to read. The mask of a man who made a living by lying and deceiving and killing, a man like that had to be able to hide his feelings. But as they stared at each other just for an instant Lando though he caught a glimpse of shame in the other man’s compelling blue eyes. He saw what women would see in him of course, he saw what the woman had seen; he was every woman’s dream, tall, dark, handsome, sophisticated, charming and dangerous, an irresistible combination. He knew from experience that women were drawn to the danger more than anything else. But somehow he thought this woman would have more sense, would be more discriminating than to fall for someone like him. Still, what did he know about her? Nothing. She had obviously been beguiled by the man.

Hennessey was watching Lando closely as if he knew exactly what he was thinking. He said, ‘I never meant her to get hurt like that, but I did what I had to do, what I thought best for her at the time. Best for everyone. I underestimated her and she used that to escape.’ He gave a self derogatory laugh, ‘she took me by surprise…again. And there’s only one person who’s been able to do that in a
long
time. I must be losing my touch.’

Lando knew he was referring to the time he had come upon him at the woman’s cabin.
He said, ‘so because you never meant her to get hurt you think that excuses you?’

‘I didn’t say that.’

After giving him one last contemptuous look, Lando turned from him but turned quickly back and said, ‘what did you mean by what you thought best for her?’

‘That’s something she should hear too.’ His tone was very serious now as he said, ‘I meant what I said, I never meant to hurt her.’

Lando, his tone dripping with sarcasm said, ‘well that’s all right then, as long as you didn’t mean it. I’m sure she’ll forgive you, just before you hand her over to Glissando to torture and kill.’

Hennessey sighed, ‘things aren’t always what they seem, Lando, you should know that better than anyone. You should know that there are sometimes mitigating circumstances.’

Lando turned all the way back to face him and said through gritted teeth, ‘don’t compare yourself with me, Hennessey. I never kidnapped a woman from her home in the middle of the night, took her on the road trip from hell bound and gagged and blindfolded, not knowing where she was going or what would await her when she got there. Knowing only that a guy she liked and trusted had stunned her, knocked her unconscious and abducted her.’

Lando saw anger flash in the other man’s eyes just for a moment then it was gone to be replaced by a deep regret and this time there was no disguising the shame.

He felt a certain satisfaction, not just at the shame but the anger he had been able to arouse in him, at least it had wiped that smug, self satisfied smirk from his face.

But not for long before it was back again as Hennessey said, ‘so she got to you too did she? I can’t say I’m surprised; she’s a good looking woman, even if she don’t think so. And you’ve been a long time without a woman haven’t you, Lando. It must have been hell for you this last few days, having her here and not able to touch her.’

Hennessey’s smile widened at the expression of disgust on Lando’s face who said, ‘act like you ya mean and take advantage of her.’

Hennessey’s smile vanished and he had the grace to look sheepish but said, ‘it took me a while to work it out but in the end I realised it was that air of innocence, that innate goodness that draws people to her, draws
men
to her. That untouched, virtuous air, it’s as sexy as all get out. Add to that the accent and the stockings,’ at Lando's look of surprise Hennessey beamed, ‘oh yeah, she actually wears stockings, all that innocence combined with suspenders, well it’s enough to make a man forget himself, don’t
you
think so, Mr. Lando?’

Lando’s face was dark and ferocious as he took a step towards Hennessey his fist clenched but just then Adela came back into the room saying, ‘Mr. Lando, I managed…’ She stopped dead when she saw the two men toe to toe, Lando looking angry enough to kill and Hennessey smug.

As though speaking to two wayward children she said, ‘don’t you think we have enough to worry about with Glissando’s men almost on the doorstep without you two fighting?’

It seemed for a moment as though neither man had heard her so intent were they on each other then Hennessey said, ‘fighting? I assure you, Miss. Faraday no one is fighting. Just having a chat about strategy.’ He looked at Lando meaningfully, ‘isn’t that right, Mr. Lando?’

Lando said nothing but kept his eyes firmly on Hennessey for a moment longer then said, ‘yeah, sure, strategy.’

Adela didn’t believe them for a moment but didn’t push it instea
d she turned to Lando, ‘I managed to get Dante to take some water.’

Lando turned to her and opened his mouth to speak but stopped at the sight of her changed into clean dark blue jeans, a cream coloured short sleeved shirt and blue sneakers on her feet. She lowered her eyes under his scrutiny and said, ‘he brought these for me,’ then her head came up and as if to reassure him rushed on, ‘they
are
my own clothes.’

Lando turned to Hennessey and saw that maddening smile playing about his lips. He walked by Adela into the bedroom leaving her alone with Hennessey.

She tried to hide the dismay and trepidation she was feeling being alone with him. She took several deep breaths before walking into the kitchen and began making coffee as though he wasn’t there.

Hennessey stepped aside for her saying, ‘I was just about to do that, but as you know I much prefer yours.’
She ignored him but not to be dismissed so easily, ‘I know you hate me right now and with good reason, but you’re better off with me here when those men come.’

She turned to him, ‘why
are
you here? Why are you helping us?’

He didn’t answer but just stared at her and it took all her willpower not to look away from those eyes, those eyes she had fallen for so hard and so easily. She tried even harder not to recall those most intimate moments with him. She said, ‘you’re just using Mr. Lando and when you’ve no further use for him you’ll dispose of him. Why don’t you just take me now and leave Mr. Lando alone?’

He smiled ruefully, ‘you and Lando seem so intent on protecting each other. Maybe you should start thinking about your own problems.’

She tried not to let him see that she was caught unawares by his statement, not the last part, his selfishness did not surprise her, but the part about Lando trying to protect her. Was that what they had been arguing about? Her? She said, ‘be self absorbed like you are do you mean? Be unmindful of the pain and distress of other’s like you are? Be self seeking and self indulgent as you are? Be so dead inside that we cease to care about anyone but ourselves? Is that what we should do, Mr. Hennessey?’

He took a step back amazed by her onslaught and her vehemence. He held up both hands, ‘whoa, whoa, steady on, ma’am, that’s not what I meant, well, not exactly. I meant that if you’re too wrapped up in your concern for someone else you can’t function properly, you wind up making mistakes that could get you hurt
and
those you’re trying to protect. And that’s not just the advice of a professional killer, Miss. Faraday but the experience and expertise of an ex -marine. Just ask your friend, Lando.’

Still seething she kept his gaze looking for the mockery; she found none, only sincerity. But then he had always looked sincere especially when he was at his most
ins
incere and most deadly. She turned from him and finished making the coffee. She handed him his, annoyed with herself that her hand trembled he noticed of course and frowned as he thanked her. He took a sip and closed his eyes, ‘hmmm, that’s real good. I’m glad you changed your mind.’

She didn’t want him to think she had made the coffee because he’d asked her to or because he had said it was nice. ‘I just wanted my last coffee on earth to be the way
I
like it.’ She said dryly.

He looked taken aback but smiled, ‘don’t worry, Lando and I will make sure it
isn’t
your last coffee, or ours either.’

She narrowed her eyes. He put his head on one side and said mischievously, ‘although I think you wanted your friend to have the chance to discover whether I was lying or not.’

She frowned as if not understanding. He grinned, ‘hey, there’s nothing wrong with trying to impress a man, you certainly impressed the hell outta of me. And if I’m not mistaken, Lando too.’

She tried to hide her embarrassment behind the impatient and irritated look she sent him. She glowered at him then looked away. Never would she admit that he was right, that the thought
had
occurred to her. Oh what was the matter with her, why was she thinking about impressing a man with her good coffee while God knows how many other men were on their way here to kill them? The only reason that made any sense was that her mind was trying desperately to divert her thoughts from what was happening, and what was about to happen by thinking about trivial things.

Although she couldn’t help but recall Hennessey’s words, about Lando being impressed with her. That couldn’t be true; Hennessey was just making fun of her again. Lando had shown her nothing but contempt and irritation since she’d arrived here.

Just then and to her relief Lando came back into the room. He said ‘he seems to be breathing a little better, but he’s still very sick.’

Adele closed her eyes for a moment then picked up the first aid kit she had left on the kitchen counter. She turned to Lando, ‘I’ll see to those cuts and bruises.’ She walked towards him but he sidestepped her saying, ‘there’s no need.’

‘But you should put something on that cut lip, and your hands.’ She shuddered when she recalled how he had come by those particular injuries.

Without looking at her he snapped, ‘I said there’s no need.’

Adela turned away before either man could see the look of hurt on her face. Hennessey looked at her then at Lando with interest.

Adela put down the first aid kit and went to sit on the chair by the table as Lando washed his hands and face under the faucet.

To break the tension Hennessy said, ‘the sooner those guys get here and we deal with them, the sooner you can get your dog to a vet.’

Lando ignored him too and went to stand by the window to keep watch. As for Adela she wanted yet dreaded Hennessey’s phone ringing, this waiting was intolerable and she wanted it to be over one way or the other. Yet the thought of what would happen when those men arrived filled her with a frantic dread. She wrapped her arms around her body trying to stem the shiver that passed through her.

Both men noticed and Hennessey said gently, ‘it’ll be all right, Miss. Faraday; you have a marine
and
a cop on your side.’

It was on the tip of her tongue to say don’t forget ruthless killer but thought better of it. Hennessey seemed to know what she was thinking because he gave that familiar
smile cum smirk, ‘but I feel I should apologise for my earlier remark about Mr. Lando and I taking care of you, again I didn’t mean to sound sexist. You’ve proved time and again that you’re no helpless female who faints at the first sign of trouble. On the contrary, you’ve proved how innovative and determined you are. That thing with the toothbrush was a coup de force to beat them all. In short, you’re pretty ballsy, Miss. Faraday.’ He turned to Lando, ‘don’t
you
think so, Mr. Lando?’

Lando half turned to him but said nothing. As for Adela she was embarrassed at the compliment but said sharply, ‘you say you don't mean to be sexist yet the term “ballsy” makes reference to a man, meaning that you have to be have a man’s reproductive equipment to be brave.’

Hennessey stared at her for a moment in surprise then burst out laughing. She wasn’t sure whether he was laughing at her words or the fact that she’s used the word “ballsy.” And if she had looked at Lando she would have seen even his lips curve up into a smile.