Assassin Territory [Assassins Book 1] Read Free Page A

scoffed, “If my people found us, we both know who’d stand a better chance of survival.” The officer colored brightly.
    “So just what is it you did, son?” Howard asked.
    Christy had been wondering the same thing; their conversation was intriguing. Though the officer was fairly young, it was apparent he’d been chosen to stay with the prisoner because his own large stature almost matched the size of his charge. Even with Lando wearing handcuffs, she could sense he was dangerous as he flexed and un-flexed massive muscles. The only possible reason Howard would have agreed to take them on must be because he didn’t like the idea of leaving the young officer stranded at the secluded airstrip. It was just a small cabin, almost no amenities and an outhouse, with a somewhat bumpy field to take off on.
    Sam had mentioned this time of year the weather was unpredictable, volatile at times. She doubted Howard would want to chance flying back for them. From what Christy knew of Howard, as much as he liked to fly he prided himself with safety first.
    “I’m a hit man for the Mafia,” Lando replied, deadpan. He said this while his gaze locked on Christy.
    “Enough,” the officer bellowed.
    Christy felt the blood drain from her face. It was all too apparent the fearsome man wasn’t joking. Her eyes widened fearfully on the two men, who appeared on the verge of a verbal battle once more.
    “You jab at me again, you little prick, and I’ll send you out the window without a parachute,” Lando warned. The officer scowled darkly at him and Christy was amazed; it looked as though the officer stilled his hands from fear. Christy shuddered at the realization. What kind of brutality was this man capable of to frighten such a large, armed police officer?
    “Harmless, eh?” Howard commented casually to the officer. Christy was impressed as the small man, having witnessed the same scene, still remained undaunted.
    “We’ll be out of your hair soon enough,” the officer said. His gaze was drawn to his watch.
    “Not soon enough for me,” Christy muttered. She clamped her lips shut as Lando once again leveled an intense stare in her direction. Christy could feel the sensation of the hair on the back of her neck rising. The plane seemed to become more confined. She resisted the urge to bury her face in Sam’s chest.
    Instead, she lifted her chin and leveled a hard glare at the large arrogant man, hoping to stare him down.
    Lando narrowed his eyes, accepting the challenge, with obvious amusement. His almost black eyes bore into Christy’s until she was sorry for eliciting the confrontation. Lando’s gaze intensified until Christy’s defiant stare contorted with fearful concern. She hazarded a glance at the window, noting with trepidation she could fit through it a great deal easier than the officer.
    She lowered her gaze in defeat, sensing Lando’s satisfaction at her fear and his victory. She doubted she would make another comment like the last, if she ever spoke again throughout the rest of the flight. Christy was out of her league. This man looked brutal, and she was no match for him.
    Christy jumped as Sam reached over to take her hand. She almost snatched her hand away at the sudden contact; she then blushed with deep embarrassment at having her fear found out. It was apparent Sam had witnessed their battle of wills. She knew he admired her spirit, but she also sensed he guessed who would prove to be victorious. They were only half an hour into their flight. Christy couldn’t help but feel a sense of panic. She felt a deep certainty this would be the longest hour and a half of her life.
    “Why don’t you try going back to sleep?” Sam suggested in a gentle tone.
    Like that would ever happen.
    She would likely wake screaming in terror. She could never fall asleep this close to a confessed killer. She would rather be closer to the Kodiak. No, she decided, the very last thing she needed was a nap.
    * * * *
    Not much time