The Unleashing
Page 46
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Do you think he was trying to find out what you guys are? Kera asked.
We dont know what he wanted. But if anybody can find out, its Paula.
Why?
She still has Russian mob connections in Chicago.
Yeah, Annalisa said. Shes only here because the Colombians killed her while she was on vacation in L.A.
Kera really didnt know why she continued to ask questions when the answers continued to freak her the fuck out.
So what are you guys up to? Leigh asked.
Taking Kera out for lunch and to pick up her stuff from her old place.
Ahhh. The final good-bye to her first life. Thats always telling.
Stop trying to read me, Kera told Annalisa. Its irritating.
You guys wanna come? We can get it done quicker with more hands.
Yeah. Sure. Annalisa dug into the front pocket of her white jeans. I have SUV keys.
Perfect.
Lets check to make sure that the back is cleaned out before we go. Annalisa walked toward an extremely large, black SUV. She remotely opened the back door and as it lifted, Kera frowned at the sight of a woman sitting back there. Reading a book.
Hey, Jace, Annalisa said. What are you doing?
In reply, the woman lifted the big book she was reading. Tolstoy.
Good Lord.
Oh. Okay. Well, this is Kera Watson. The new girl. Kera, this is Jacinda Berisha. We call her Jace. Shes on our strike team, so you two will be working together.
All right, Kera said, although she had no idea why none of these women were questioning why a woman was sitting in the back of an SUV when there was a house with many rooms she could be using instead.
Jace, were taking Kera to her old place to get her stuff. Okay?
Jace nodded and Annalisa closed the back door.
So, you guys ready?
Wait. Kera looked at the three women. Were not going to discuss that you have a woman sitting in the back of an SUV, not going anywhere . . . in this heat?
Whats there to discuss? Erin asked.
The fact that she was in there?
Jace is a loner, so youll find her in all sorts of weird places throughout the house.
Leigh nodded. Cabinets, closets, under the couch . . .
And none of you find that odd?
Erin shrugged. As compared to what?
She did have a point. But still . . .
If she likes to be alone, why doesnt she get her own place?
Because renting a place would require her totalk to people. Shes not big on talking. I think shes said, like, three sentences to me and shes been in for about two years.
O . . . kay.
Dont worry. Shes fine. Lets go.
Deciding not to belabor this weirdness, Kera headed to the front passenger door. I also need a new phone.
What happened to the last one?
The guy who killed me destroyed it.
The Crows laughed and Leigh said, Oh good. You do have a sense of humor.
Except that Kera hadnt been kidding.
Brodie! someone called out and Kera turned to see three women dressed in remarkably tight sweats jog over.
Hey, Brodie, one of them greeted the dog, crouching down to pet her. Want to come running with us? Would you like that, pretty girl?
Brodie responded by licking this new persons face.
Ill take that as a yes. The woman stood and took the leash out of Keras hand.
Uh . . . excuse me?
Dont worry. Well take good care of her.
I dont even know who you are.
Im your sister-Crow. Thats all you need to know.
Kera watched the three women jog off with her dog.
Okay? Erin prompted. You ready to go?
A stranger just ran off with my dog.
Shes not a stranger. Shes your friendly, neighborhood insurance agent.
Kera paused. Is that where I know her from?
Yeah. Shes on all those TV commercials for car and home insurance. She wears an eye patch and has that bird on her shoulder. And incredibly large breasts.
She represents the lady pirate logo the company uses, Annalisa explained, remotely opening the SUV doors so everyone could get in before handing the keys over to Erin. Because thats what you want when it comes to your insurance. Pirates.
Hot lady pirate, Erin tossed in. Because the lady pirate has to be hot if shes going to sell you insurance.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
It was nearly two by the time they arrived at Keras apartment. Theyd stopped at an electronics store to get Kera a new cell phone and then had lunch.
Kera had managed to get Vigs cell phone number and shed texted him her new one . . . in case he wanted to call her. Or whatever.
You know . . . no pressure.
So far, hed sent one text.
Where you at?
Kera texted back that they were going to her apartment to get her stuff and she hadnt heard anything since.
We dont know what he wanted. But if anybody can find out, its Paula.
Why?
She still has Russian mob connections in Chicago.
Yeah, Annalisa said. Shes only here because the Colombians killed her while she was on vacation in L.A.
Kera really didnt know why she continued to ask questions when the answers continued to freak her the fuck out.
So what are you guys up to? Leigh asked.
Taking Kera out for lunch and to pick up her stuff from her old place.
Ahhh. The final good-bye to her first life. Thats always telling.
Stop trying to read me, Kera told Annalisa. Its irritating.
You guys wanna come? We can get it done quicker with more hands.
Yeah. Sure. Annalisa dug into the front pocket of her white jeans. I have SUV keys.
Perfect.
Lets check to make sure that the back is cleaned out before we go. Annalisa walked toward an extremely large, black SUV. She remotely opened the back door and as it lifted, Kera frowned at the sight of a woman sitting back there. Reading a book.
Hey, Jace, Annalisa said. What are you doing?
In reply, the woman lifted the big book she was reading. Tolstoy.
Good Lord.
Oh. Okay. Well, this is Kera Watson. The new girl. Kera, this is Jacinda Berisha. We call her Jace. Shes on our strike team, so you two will be working together.
All right, Kera said, although she had no idea why none of these women were questioning why a woman was sitting in the back of an SUV when there was a house with many rooms she could be using instead.
Jace, were taking Kera to her old place to get her stuff. Okay?
Jace nodded and Annalisa closed the back door.
So, you guys ready?
Wait. Kera looked at the three women. Were not going to discuss that you have a woman sitting in the back of an SUV, not going anywhere . . . in this heat?
Whats there to discuss? Erin asked.
The fact that she was in there?
Jace is a loner, so youll find her in all sorts of weird places throughout the house.
Leigh nodded. Cabinets, closets, under the couch . . .
And none of you find that odd?
Erin shrugged. As compared to what?
She did have a point. But still . . .
If she likes to be alone, why doesnt she get her own place?
Because renting a place would require her totalk to people. Shes not big on talking. I think shes said, like, three sentences to me and shes been in for about two years.
O . . . kay.
Dont worry. Shes fine. Lets go.
Deciding not to belabor this weirdness, Kera headed to the front passenger door. I also need a new phone.
What happened to the last one?
The guy who killed me destroyed it.
The Crows laughed and Leigh said, Oh good. You do have a sense of humor.
Except that Kera hadnt been kidding.
Brodie! someone called out and Kera turned to see three women dressed in remarkably tight sweats jog over.
Hey, Brodie, one of them greeted the dog, crouching down to pet her. Want to come running with us? Would you like that, pretty girl?
Brodie responded by licking this new persons face.
Ill take that as a yes. The woman stood and took the leash out of Keras hand.
Uh . . . excuse me?
Dont worry. Well take good care of her.
I dont even know who you are.
Im your sister-Crow. Thats all you need to know.
Kera watched the three women jog off with her dog.
Okay? Erin prompted. You ready to go?
A stranger just ran off with my dog.
Shes not a stranger. Shes your friendly, neighborhood insurance agent.
Kera paused. Is that where I know her from?
Yeah. Shes on all those TV commercials for car and home insurance. She wears an eye patch and has that bird on her shoulder. And incredibly large breasts.
She represents the lady pirate logo the company uses, Annalisa explained, remotely opening the SUV doors so everyone could get in before handing the keys over to Erin. Because thats what you want when it comes to your insurance. Pirates.
Hot lady pirate, Erin tossed in. Because the lady pirate has to be hot if shes going to sell you insurance.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
It was nearly two by the time they arrived at Keras apartment. Theyd stopped at an electronics store to get Kera a new cell phone and then had lunch.
Kera had managed to get Vigs cell phone number and shed texted him her new one . . . in case he wanted to call her. Or whatever.
You know . . . no pressure.
So far, hed sent one text.
Where you at?
Kera texted back that they were going to her apartment to get her stuff and she hadnt heard anything since.
