Falling

Eight (Resolve)

The setting sun throws its last beams through the window. A cool breeze slips through the half opened window and ruffles the white lace curtains, sending a chill into the room. She gently places the book, opened pages down, onto the little round table top and confronts the window. It responds to her intention and slides down with a clap. The warmed bed reclaims her body and her hands reach for the waiting book, careful not to tip over the tall glass guarding a rum and coke over ice.

Roman pressed his warm body against her back, his arms gently wrapped around her waist. His soft lips nuzzled the velvet scent illuminating her silken neck.

"What are you going to tell your father about us?"

She turned. Her ebony eyes burrowed deep into his. Her pink lips gathered his into a tenuous embrace. Her mind was committed to another intention—subdue.

Her arms folded around Roman's neck. She withdrew her lips from his.

"Nothing. There's nothing he needs to know about us." The words stumbled for a nano second before finding the courage to say the lie.

Fumbling fingers slap the book shut. "Can I betray Sam?" She whispers to the empty room.

"Lyla!"

Sharp words climb the stairs and knock on her door.

"Lyla...Come down here...Now!"

She grabs her robe and heads for the door. Boss Man!

One hand reaches for the railing that trails narrow stairs down to the lanky bar room.

Boss Man's lips are dancing a double twist, drawing deep wrinkles across his forehead. "We need to talk!"

She follows the stairs down and he gestures to an empty table stashed in a silent corner.

She hasn't seen him this worked up in a long time. Not since, maybe a handful of years ago when his captain had been murdered by the Perle gang.

"What's happening?"

She let the words sing out with velvet tones.

The bar man slides two rum and cokes across the center of the narrow wooden table.

"Sam!"

His lips seem to let go of his anger, his eyes pleading for help.

"Sam? What about Sam?"

Her finger tips touch his face and draw a warm invisible line down his cheek.

He lifts the short glass to his mouth and tosses the brown contents down. Her fingers drop to the table and find his hand when it resettles.

"Yesterday...On the street...He fuzzed my brain. How'd he do that?"

A puzzled expression announces the hesitant, spilling words sheltering a confusing experience.

"I don't know. It's just something he can do," she says, not wanting to let her thoughts reveal what Boss Man might be thinking.

"We need him!

Her eyes meet his piercing gaze. "I'm almost ready to spring the trap," she said. Yet...she might be caught in its clenching fingers as well.

Boss Man touches her hand with a gentle motion.

"I know. I'm depending on you."

His determined eyes flash into her's. She knows she has to go through with the plan.