Page 136 of The Rook
"Have I? Or are you just too paranoid?"
"And you're not paranoid enough."
"Relax. Besides, I have my own plans for the ledger. Sure, we told the old man that we were going to turn it over, but I don't want to."
"Are you mad?"
"No, I'm perfectly sane."
"You’re one hundred percent mad if you think I'm going back on that deal. I'm not. I want this over."
She reached for the book, and I shoved her back.
My instinct wanted me to reach for her, but I stopped myself.
She laughed and launched herself at me. Again, I stopped her as easily and gently as I could. But with enough force to make it look real.
And then came the choreography. I blocked her attack above, dropped the bag and the fake ledger and wrapped my hand around her neck. I pulled her close, her eyes wide but completely trusting as she whispered, "Come on, get it done. I'll see you on the other side."
I knew that she was in no danger, but still, just the idea of it made me sick. I almost couldn't do it.
I telegraphed my punch on purpose, making it look like I hit her in the gut. And then in a choreographed move to make it look like I was hitting her in the face, I threw a punch. She deliberately collapsed and went limp in my arms. Her lips twitched, and I had to shove down a laugh. Now was not the time. I managed to look around, and then I lifted her body up and tipped her over. And just like that, she was in the water. There was no splashing. No moving about. I knew Lock, who was our strongest diver, was underwater watching her body as it floated to the top, and then he wrapped a hand around her ankle and pulled her down. The key to selling it was for her not to thrash around, not to flail, but to stay completely still. And she did. I knew he was releasing air bubbles underneath the water to make it look like she was drowning. And I prayed to God this worked. Then that was it. I knew for a fact she had breathing apparatus on. It was simple. And then I followed the script. I scrubbed a hand over my face and pulled anchor, just like we planned. I knew for a fact that Montgomery would be paying me a visit shortly.
It was time for the real game to begin.
40
Nissa
My hands were slick with sweat as I geared up.
Saffron eyed me up and down. "Are you sure you want to do this?
"Yeah. I'm sure. My father was going to hand me off to that psychopath, so I'm one hundred percent sure."
Saff gave me a sharp nod then handed me the butt of a gun. "This one's pretty easy. It's lightweight, not too heavy."
I took it gratefully and shoved it in the holster.
Kaya adjusted my vest for me. "This is the underlayer. You want to make sure that's pulling up over the top."
"I've never heard of this before."
"New tech. Ultrathin. I love the tech of it all."
"Okay. You look so young. How long have you been part of Rogues?"
"Well, it's a long story, but technically, I've been a Rogue since I was born. My mother was a Rogue before she disappeared."
I frowned. "I'm sorry."
"Oh, don't be. She's fine. Much to everyone's shock."
I found that curious, but now was probably not the time for questions.
"But I've only been training for about six months,” Kaya said.
"Oh, so you're fresh like me."
