The Gadget: The Rondon Chronicles Book One by V. Timlin (speed reading book .TXT) 📕

marketing company in London. She was a killer with numbers, yes, and she could try inflicting a heart attack by checking Stalo’s accounting books if he had any! She could also swing her katana with relative competence and subdue drunken men with wrist locks, but that wasn’t much use either. With her skills, she could hardly beat a former warlord who had learned to cut throats while still a toddler. Only Nat’s well-timed appearance had saved her from Stalo the other morning, and even then, it had been a narrow escape.

Anouk buried her face in her hands. She rued being at Hanwell cemetery on that Tuesday afternoon where she witnessed Stalo’s escape into her world. If she hadn’t looked at the light of the Gadget and suffered temporary blindness, Nat could have pursued Stalo without delay. Then Owen wouldn’t have given the key to Stalo, and Nat may even have shot Stalo fatally. Maybe she should have just accepted his offer of safe refuge instead of partnership.

As an accountant, she could calculate the probability of her surviving the mission, but she had no desire to do so. If she did that, she might as well order her own gravestone and organise her own funeral this instant. No. She wouldn’t back out of their agreement. This was as much her fight now as it was Nat’s.

Chapter 9

The sun had moved past midday and shadows grew longer by the minute. Anouk paced back and forth, kicking a pebble. Where was Nat? She couldn’t shake off the feeling that he had left her in the camp to keep her out of danger and out of his way. Maybe Vari and Fitzwil weren’t aware of his intention, or they did and went along with it. Anouk paused and shook her head—no, they couldn’t possibly know. More than once, she had seen them casting anxious looks towards the entrance of the park. Had Nat lied to them? To his foster parents? Anouk pinched the bridge of her nose, reminding herself to not always expect the worst. There had to be another explanation. He wasn’t Owen.

She pushed her hands deep in her pockets and gave the stone a hard kick. It flew through the air in an arc, landing on a lawn and vanishing into the grass.

Vari walked towards her, carrying a basket full of firewood.

“Didn’t you say Nat would be back by midday?”

“Yes, that’s what he said.” Vari lowered the basket next to the campfire and checked the watch hanging around her neck. “It’s already half-past two.” She propped her hand on her hip and gazed down the path to the closest road.

“Is it normal for him to be late?”

“Well, it’s not completely out of character, but…”

Anouk’s heart sank. “But what?”

Vari turned to face Anouk, her white eyebrows furrowed. “He only went to have a quick word with Chief Constable Loka.”

“Do you think something might have happened to him?”

“I don’t know.” The furrow between Vari’s brows deepened. “I think we need to pay a visit to the headquarters of the Royal Anglean Constabulary.” She headed to the caravan, calling to Fitzwil, who was brushing the horse. “Fitz, darling, Anouk and I are going to the Constabulary HQ to see what’s holding up Nat. You stay here in case he comes back before we do, will you?”

Fitzwil grunted acknowledgement. Anouk followed her to the caravan, chewing her lower lip. She hadn’t missed the edge of concern in Vari’s tone. When she stepped over the threshold, Vari was already adjusting a gun belt around her waist. She checked the revolver before slipping it in the holster.

“Erh, do we have to fight our way into the constabulary?” Anouk eyed the gun on Vari’s waist whilst her nerves fluttered.

“No, but it’s good to be prepared. You never know what will happen.” Vari proceeded to stuff a dagger under her belt. “I’d recommend you do the same.”

“Alright.” Anouk swallowed and reached for her katana. She secured the weapon across her back and tested its glide from the scabbard, all the while hoping she wouldn’t have to use it. A thought entered into her mind and her heart rate doubled. The sword might not be the best weapon in a gun fight. No one else carried a sword as far as she had seen, and she had no firearms skills. She now regretted her refusal when Nat suggested she get a gun. She took a shaky breath then glanced at Vari who was adjusting another dagger, this time in her boot. “What do you mean by you never know what will happen?”

“You might cross paths with someone who has a bounty on his or her head, someone you have previously handed to the enforcers, or maybe their relatives looking for revenge. You need to be ready to defend yourself and even kill them.” Vari smiled. “All set?”

Anouk gaped in horror at Vari. “You’re joking, right?”

“No, but don’t worry, it doesn’t happen often. Let’s get going, shall we?” Vari headed towards the door.

Anouk stood still, staring at Vari’s back while she called to her husband. “Darling, we’re going now.”

How was she supposed to be any safer with these people compared to Nat’s company or her home? This place was like the Wild West; even housewives carried shotguns! In addition to Stalo and Madam Valeria, now she had to worry about family members of criminals getting back at Nat or his adopted parents for capturing their loved ones. She should call off the deal after all, and make Nat take her back to London. Somehow, it started to sound like a much safer option.

Vari turned in the doorframe. “Are you coming?”

Anouk willed her feet to move. After a few moments, the communication line between both her extremities started working again, and she walked over to join Vari.

The woman patted Anouk’s shoulder. “You’re perfectly safe with me. Carrying the weapons is more of a habit rather than because of any real danger.”

“Maybe I should just stay here with Fitzwil and wait for Nat.”

Vari