The Colt & The Cobra - THE SPECTER SERIES [book six]

Chapter THIRTY FIVE

Mikki De'lucca

"What? Do I have something on my face?" You reach up to swipe at your cheeks as a bump in the road jostles you so hard your butt lifts from the seat..

Colt chuckles, glancing over at you again before he makes the uptown exit into the city and your nerves begin to really set in.. "Nah.. You just look-- real different.. Not like you.."

"That's the whole point of a disguise.." You offer a tense smile as you wipe your sweaty palms on your skirt.. "Don't you like it?.."

He shakes his head.. "Sure, but.. I liked how it was, you know.."

"You'll get used to it.." You hum as you lean down to search your bag for a chapstick..

"I dunno if I'll get the chance.." He grunts reluctantly, becoming quiet and withdrawn.. Lost in his thoughts and far away..

"What does that even mean-- Wait--" You frown, digging through the contents, realising that something is missing.. "Hey Colt, where's my gun?"

"It means there's things you still don't know about, Mikki.. I took it.. You won't be needin' it.. It'll only get you in trouble.." He reaches out to shut the radio off, suddenly becoming overly focused on the road he doesn't glance your way again..

You bite defensively.. "I know how to fire a pistol, Cowboy--"

"Yeah? N' who were you plannin' on firing it at?" He grumbles.. "Cus you only had one shot.."

"Nobody.. It wasn't for that--" You cut yourself off.. Sickness snaking around your stomach.. That gun had been your back up plan.. Your plan B.. Your worst case scenario..

He breathes an irate huff.. "Exactly.. I know what it was fuckin' for, Mikki.. So you don't need it no more.. Right?"

You lean back in your seat.. "Why are you being so cold? What did I do?"

He finally casts a look over at you.. "I'm not.. You didn't do anything.."

"Yes, you are.." You reach across to place a hand on his knee and he cringes..

Actually cringes.. Jerking away from you, he reacts as though your touch is like a burn to him..

You snap.. "What the fuck?!"

The truck begins to slow as he manoeuvres it into the busy CBD streets.. "Aw hell.. You're gonna figure it all out as soon as we get where we're going.. I just-- Shit.. It wasn't supposed to be like this.. I wanted to tell you.. I tried to tell you--"

"What are you talking about, Colt, you're not making any sense?.." You look around, not really recognising the area, but you know you are somewhere in the business district..

He grips the wheel so tightly his knuckles turn white.. "You know I never wanted to hurt you, Sugar.. But.. I knew I was gonna.. I couldn't stop it.. I couldn't stop myself--" He stops to scold himself.. "No-- shit.. That's a bullshit excuse.."

"Colt? You're scaring me.. What are you talking about? Where the fuck are we going?" You stare at him, barely able to comprehend his words..

"Someplace you'll be safe.." He answers cryptically..

"I thought I was safe with you.. Why are you saying all this now?" Maybe you are in denial, but his words might as well be in a foreign language.. You don't understand him..

"You were safe with me Mikki.. You are.. You always are.. But.. I'm not a bodyguard.. I'm a private contractor, engaged by an intelligence agency to get information from you.. Anything that would help build the case against Angelo.. I did everything to keep you uncompromised, Sugar.. To protect you.. But I fucked up.. I compromised myself.. I got too close.. And now--"