Assassin Affairs (16 page)

Jessie
could see that both were standing together on the bench by the
railing. When Ashley glanced back nervously, Jessie gave her the nod
and they watched as Johnny went over the edge screaming.

“Oh
my God!” they exclaimed. “What happened?!”

Grandma
raced out onto the balcony, peered over the railing, and was promptly
airborne, too.

Renée
raised up her arm, aiming her pistol at Misty and Benny. “Get
out on the balcony, you two!”

The trio
forced them up onto the bench. The two of them held hands.

“Mr.
Cicero sends you an early wedding present. He thinks you two will
love sky-diving lessons.” She and Jessica gave them each a
shove.

“Finish
off grandpa, kid.”

Ashley was
the only remaining nudist. Once grandpa was dead, the three assassins
gathered around her. She eyed them anxiously, silently praying for
life.

“Get
dressed. Ashley. You're coming with us.”

Renée
then called Cicero with the good news, and he told them a five
hundred thousand dollar thank you would soon be on its way.

Their visit
had passed by more quickly than they had realized, and the sun was
beginning to peak over the horizon.

“Let's
take Ashley to the beach for a sunrise chat,” said Danny. “We
need to figure things out.”

His
associates agreed and soon the group relaxed on blankets, listening
to the surf as daylight broke.

“Ashley,
we have a problem. You witnessed us murder four people. Although we
saw you kill one, too, we can't simply let you walk away,” he
said.

“I
understand, but you do realize I can't afford to tell anyone, right?
I murdered Johnny for you, you have my driver's license. You could
easily find my email addresses and cell phone contacts and find and
murder my family just like last night. I know how you work. Trust me,
my lips are sealed, sir.”

“That's
the logical assumption, but logic doesn't always prevail in these
circumstances,” he said. “What do you suggest we do,
Ashley?”

“I
don't know, sir. Please don't kill me.”

“Are
you willing to do whatever we say?”

“I've
already shown that in front of an audience, haven't I?”

“One
time is different than forever, and this would have to include your
joining us in our future endeavors, without question. I know that is
asking a lot and that's why we brought you here to discuss it in a
relaxed environment. This must be a lifetime commitment for you.”

“I'm
a survivor, sir. I'll agree to whatever you ask. Besides, I guess I
can admit to you, I did get of thrill out it,” she hesitantly
confessed, “all of it.”

“We're
alone on the beach,” said Danny. “Show us each that
you're committed to this, and we'll decide this morning what to do
with you.”

A while
later he said, “We're persuaded. We'll take you back to
Jessie's mother's house with us. You will never speak with her
regarding any killings. We'll explain to her that you're someone
whose life we saved, and that in the morning we will be taking you to
Colorado for a new start. Do you understand?”

“Yes,
can we stop by my place to pick up some stuff first?” Ashley
asked.

“No,
we'll buy you a new toothbrush. I'll even throw in some mouthwash,
too,” Renée said with a snicker.

They
arrived at Joanna's estate in time for breakfast, giving her their
story.

“Oh
my God, you're Joanna Jennings!” marveled a surprised Ashley.
“You're my favorite celebrity. I loved you in 'The Sinclair
Affair'! It's a cult-classic.”

The next
morning, the foursome bade a temporary farewell to Jo and took Ashley
to Colorado with them.

Ashley was
impressed with Danny's modest mountain cabin. He took her for a walk,
showing her the woods and beautiful lake. After a filling dinner,
they sat around the fireplace and lit up another joint to pass
around. Ashley was sent to the kitchen for some munchies and returned
with chips and bananas. She peeled hers and toyed with it
suggestively as Danny spoke.

“Tell
us about yourself, Ashley,” he requested.

“What
do you want to know?”

“What
skills do you bring to our group?”

“I
have my Master's Degree in Criminology. I did my thesis on 'Made-men
and Hit-men'.”

Everyone's
eyes locked onto her.

My research
ended up focusing on two men, Sonny Sinclair, out of Chicago, and
Charles Cicero in New York. Hey, Renée has a Brooklyn accent
and I saw New York plates on your truck, maybe you guys know him.”

“Why
do I get the feeling you already know the answer to that?”
asked Danny with the hint of a scowl.

“I'm
a naughty girl, huh?”

“How
naughty are you?”

“Okay,
I confess, I did a lot of research on my thesis. Nearly everytime I
saw a photo of the man, I noticed the same petite redhead in the
background. I had to know more. Our meeting wasn't by accident; it
was by design.”

“Go
on,” chimed in a now curious Renée.

“It
was tough finding stuff on you guys, but I stumbled across things on
the Mexican gun-cartel and found Danny mentioned in a story, then
there was that Special Forces stuff. I became insatiable, and the
harder it became to find more information, the more I wanted it,”
Ashley explained.

“And
this brought you here how?” Danny asked.

“Well,
I'm so glad you asked. During my snooping, I crossed paths with
Misty. I figured she might prove a good source of information if
handled properly. I wanted to be closer to her without making her
suspicious. When she offered to line me up on a date with her
brother, I jumped at the chance.”

“So
this was all a part of some grand plan of yours for a Masters'
thesis?”

“At
first. I finished my paper, but didn't satisfy my curiosity. I
watched as Misty got involved with Benny. What a piece of white trash
she was. I couldn't believe Mr. Cicero proposed to her. When I
learned that she went into Witness Protection, I saw my chance.”

“What
chance? Chance for what?” Danny asked, becoming more interested
than ever in her story.

“I'm
fascinated by crime. I even did an internship with the FBI. It wasn't
for me, but I got some good training. When that gun-cartel bitch got
what she deserved, I became determined to meet the people I knew were
behind it.”

“You're
walking an extremely dangerous path here, Ashley.”

“What
happened to what bitch?” asked Jessie.

“I'm
an adrenaline junky, Danny. I couldn't believe my luck when I saw
Renée downtown a few days ago. That's why I persuaded Misty
to break the WITSEC rules and bring Benny home to meet the family. I
made sure Cicero found out about it, and I knew he had no other
people on this coast that he could use on such short-term notice. You
two are so elusive, I determined the best way for me to meet you was
to have you come to me.”

“You're
insane,” he said.

“By
the way, what are the sleeping arrangements here?”

“The
three of us sleep in Danny's room,” said Jessie. “You use
the couch.”

Ashley
provocatively peeled another banana. “Is that right, Danny?”

“We
don't want you feeling unwelcome, especially on your first night
here. There's room for four in that bed.”

“Jessie,
I've got to tell you, I loved your line with Benny about a gentleman
always reciprocates,” Ashley said. “I could barely
contain myself. The same applies with us girls. A lady must always
reciprocate, too. I'm looking forward to tonight, hon.”

“Ashley,”
Renée interjected, “You're here to serve our needs, not
us yours. Are we clear on that?”

“Yes,
ma'am.”

“We
could have easily killed you that night, Ashley,” Danny said.
“We could easily kill you right now.”

“I
know. That's what gave me my adrenaline high. I was shaking after you
killed the whole family and I was the only one left. The three of you
gathering around me like that was more than a little terrifying. When
I heard Renée telling me to get dressed it was such a rush!
Phew! As for right now, doubtful, but I am yours to do with as you
please.”

The group
spent the rest of the evening smoking and chatting, then headed for
bed. The following weeks consisted of training for both new members
of what Danny began affectionately calling his female assassin squad.
Before they knew it, it was mid-July, and Jessie was dispatched to
the airport to pick-up Joanna.

As soon as
she had settled in, Jo said “Danny, we need to talk. Can we go
for a walk? You can show me the lake and whatever.”

They headed
for the boat dock a quarter-mile away, holding hands along the
downhill slope.

“Danny,
I've really missed you. It's been a very long month for me waiting to
see you again. The time away from you has allowed me to realize I'm
falling in love with you, and I'm not just telling you this because
of what else I have to tell you. I haven't had my period. I think I
might be pregnant. It's too early to tell, but I've never missed it
before. Your birthday present appears to possibly be fatherhood. How
do you feel about that?”

“It's
exciting, I've always wanted to be a dad. My lifestyle just hasn't
allowed it. We moved up here with that in mind, but it just hasn't
happened for us.”

“That
first night, Renée wouldn't let me bring you a condom. What's
with that?”

“She
told me before we got to your place I wasn't allowed to use one. I've
learned to choose my battles with her, so went along. She thought it
would be funny if we left you knocked-up after our night with you. I
assumed you'd be on the pill by then anyway. None of us ever thought
all our relationships would turn out the way they did, including
Jessica. We've all grown close because of that night.”

“How
do you think Renée will react when she finds out? Will she
laugh or will she kill me, Danny?”

“Neither.
She did swear she would never hurt you in front of witnesses, and
she's a woman of her word as you are. Our private times together, the
ones with just you and me, have been more special to me than you
know. I do feel myself falling in love with you, Joanna,” Danny
admitted as he pulled her close. They shared a spontaneous kiss of
passion.

“Oh
God, Danny, I love you so much. Let's run naked through the woods
like you did with your friends. I've secretly always wanted to do
that, too. Then we can make love in the middle of the forest while
Bambi and friends watch.” And that is exactly what they did.

The
pregnancy news quickly spread to the rest of the group. Renée
was trying to cope with it, Jessie was both excited and apprehensive.
Danny took his turn collecting on the sex fantasy when Jessie joined
them in the bedroom that night.

“Danny,
are you going to marry my mom? Would that make you my step-dad? Would
that be considered incest? Will we have to stop giving you your
mother-daughter fantasy?”

Her mom
answered, “We don't even know for sure if I'm pregnant yet.
Step-dads with daughters is not incest, just not normal. We're
clearly not normal people. As long as you wish to continue sharing
Danny with me in that way, it's fine. In fact, if I am pregnant, it
will come in handy when I get big and fat and emotional and nauseous
all the time.”

“What
about Renée?” Jessie asked.

“Let's
worry about those things later, once we're sure one way or the other,
sweetie. Now let's give our strong, handsome man some more special
attention, okay?”

They both loved
pleasing Danny, and a mother-daughter rivalry had been forming
between them to see who could do so better.

As the threesome
lay together naked, Renée burst into the room. “I want
to get a photo of you three sharing your carnal pleasures. Smile and
try to look slutty for me, ladies.” She snapped a few shots.

“Renée,
this is our private-time. Get out!” snapped Danny.

“Sorry, I'm
leaving now, bye,” and she was gone.

“That woman
and her damn camera are getting annoying,” said Jessie.

“Yeah, but
she does have a knack for getting some arousing photos,” said
Danny. “She wants me to get some of you two doing each other. I
told her to go to hell, there was no way I'd do that for her.”

“Eww, that's
disgusting,” said Joanna. Jessie readily agreed.

“True,”
Danny conceded. “Still, it would be super-hot, though.”

He then dropped the
subject, but his words 'super-hot' hung in the air. The two woman
exchanged an uneasy glance, each envisioning the scenario in her mind
for the very first time, each wondering how far the other would
eventually be wanting her to go in order to please their man.

By fall
there was no doubt Joanna was pregnant and the mother-daughter
conversation resumed back in Los Angeles.

“Mom,
I heard Renée deny you the condoms that night. They both
essentially forced you to have unprotected sex with them. Isn't that
the same as rape, maybe passive-aggressive rape? Why are you still so
accommodating to both of them?”

“I
spoke with our psychiatrist about it. He says it's Stockholm
Syndrome. That's when a person in my situation develops positive,
accommodating sentiment toward those involved. I've given it a lot of
thought, Jessie. There's an adage that says 'nothing bad ever happens
from which something good doesn't come'. Your abduction was clearly
something bad. It led us to this situation. I've never felt so alive
in my life, I'm closer to you and to your Aunt Jennifer than I was
before it all happened, and I found a man I can love, so some good
came from it. Danny and Renée have both their good sides and
their wicked sides; we all do. Did you know she used to teach Sunday
school? If we were to omit people from our lives because of faults,
we'd have no one left, honey. Clearly theirs are serious, I can see
that. The only constant in life is change, they may return to being
the good people they once were. Who am I to judge them or to question
destiny? What I do know is I'm happy when I'm with them, I'm happy
when we're both with either or both of them. If Renée wants to
be a part of our future, I've decided it's okay. How do you feel
about them, Jessica Lynn?”