Play Me - Revised

Chapter 12

We don't talk as he drives. Luckily, he allows the radio to consume the silence. I'm not sure why, but the energy is tense. We had trained this morning and went for our daily collection duty tasks. Nothing felt out of the ordinary, but ever since he entered the kitchen something has been off. He's usually in a much lighter mood.

Besides the new tasks, not much has changed. It's a similar routine every single day and to say I'm tired of it would be an understatement. There were no public appearances, no updates about the FBI or anything relevant to why Kai brought me here in the first place. The only time I see anyone else is when we're collecting money from business associates, but the conversation is brief and one-sided. Most of the time it's small business owners that don't even know how to speak English properly. If it's anyone of higher status, they keep the interaction professional and I've been instructed to act as Kai's girlfriend helping him with his business just so no one predicts the true arrangement between us.

I've been performing to the best of my ability. A part of me is starting to dissociate and feel like a robot with such meaningless interactions. It's bringing me back to the assassin Nick carved out of me and I'm not sure how I feel about that if I feel anything at all.

I stare out the window for most of the drive. There's still a layer of snow covering the ground and trees. The slight wind blows it around making it seem as if it's snowing currently, but it isn't. Though, it was snowing this morning. The drive is around thirty minutes before we pull into the parking lot of a carnival.

"Odd spot to have a meeting," I state. Alec glances towards me through his peripheral vision and shrugs. The sly look in his eyes doesn't go unnoticed. Kai knows the things I would want to discuss can't be talked about in public, so why would he bring me here? Alec parks his car and climbs out. I follow his lead. The snow crushes under my weight. Luckily, it isn't deep enough to make my feet sink in.

"Kai's running a little late, but he's on his way," Alec says looking at the watch on his wrist. "You can head inside. He'll find you." I watch as he reaches inside his pocket and brings out cash extending it towards me. I eye it curiously. "Entrance fee, plus food and games."

"I'm a little offended by this whole ordeal, but also extremely intrigued," I state taking the cash from him and putting it in my coat's pocket.

"Why is that?"

"I feel like a child who is being treated to a night out for good behaviour. It's not that rewarding for a full-grown woman who is supposed to be killing for you," I have to talk over the music echoing from the amusement park.

"It's just a break from all the training and stress," Alec replies. He keeps his eyes on mine, but I notice his nose scrunch ever so slightly. Liar.

"Why don't you keep me company while I wait for Kai?" I offer. Why are they leaving me alone? I'm not allowed out of the house alone so it's hard to believe that they're allowing me to be alone in a crowd of people. I don't know what they're planning, but whatever it is, I don't like it. Mostly because I'm being kept out of the loop.

"I have some things I need to take care of," he says.

"No break for the man who kills I see."

"I can do without," he replies.

"Believe it or not, I can too." I would much rather be in bed like I was planning to be. Since I'm not, I'm on high alert and while my nervous system is equipped for situations like these, doesn't mean I like them.

"Well, we're here now so just enjoy it. Unless you hate carnivals?"

"I wouldn't say I hate them, but I don't prefer them either."