Chapter 10

The Italian Vista wasn't large, nor was it small. To Lisa, it was actually quite a nice size, appearing only to be perhaps 3000 square feet. The front entryway, which was in the shape of an arc, was made of multi-colored stones and was led up to by a cobbled walkway. The Vista itself was a dark-stained wood with a flat roof. Surrounding it were many trees and various shrubbery, ranging from roses to grapevines and the trees from to . The front door was tucked into the middle of the house, somewhat hidden by the trees, and the rest of the house, after it squared open from he door, went for about 6 feet before it turned back and went around and connected in the back.

Along the walkway, there were tall lanterns to light the pathway when it became dark. Truly, to Lisa, the Vista was a pure beauty.

Once out of the car, Lisa turned to Jack who stood beside her. Is this place yours?" she asked, her eyes amazed and her mouth smiling.

Jack, however, did not return the kind look. He instead frowned slightly and gave her a worried look. "Yes, it is, which is the problem."

Lisa furrowed her brow. "I don't understand."

Jack ran a hand through his shaggy hair. "Of course you wouldn't. You have never worked with these guys. These guys go straight for the kill, and believe me, they know where to find you."

Lisa's look didn't change. "So then why did we come here?"

Jack paused as he turned his body away from her and then turned back, his expression not changing either. "Well, they don't exactly know where this place is. But they have been here before."

Lisa's eyes widened. "Jackson! Are you kidding me?" she replied through clenched teeth as she strode over to him. "You brought us here, to a place where they've been and can find and will recognize and…" she roared out in frustration.

"Now Lisa…"

She stuck a finger in his face. "Don't you now Lisa me! There is no logical explanation as to why you would bring us – the people they want to kill – here!"

Jack placed out his hands defensively in front of him. "They don't know where it is, though, not exactly."

Lisa dropped her hands to her sides and sighed. "What do you mean now? Could you just please get to the point? I'm getting tired of your beating around the bush."

"Okay, listen," began Jackson. "I brought them here one time, which was when they were all drunk. We stayed the night and then left early in the morning, while it was still dark. Now, they shouldn't have seen where they went or possibly remember how to get back. And, since this was my one secret hiding place, I guess you could call it, they shouldn't have the address on file. However, there is the off chance that one person might remember how to get here. But, if that is the case, then we just have to be on guard at all times."

Lisa was silent. Then said, "Great. Here I was, thinking that it would be a relaxing situation, but no. I have to be glancing over my shoulder every second to make sure that no one is going to shoot me in the head!"

Jack just stared at her. He didn't know what to say, honestly. Everything that she said was true, but for some reason, he felt as though he wanted to make it all better for her. For some reason, he felt as though he needed to make her happy – to keep her safe, too. Lisa looked at him expectedly, waiting for him to once more retort. However, that retort never came.

Instead, to her surprise – and mildly to his as well – he said, "You're right. Maybe this was a bad idea. I mean, maybe we should've left the country." He paused. "I wish that you wouldn't have gotten involved, Lisa. But if it wasn't this, then you would be dead right now anyway – by my hands. When these guys get after someone, they don't stop. And even though it wasn't you they were after before, you got involved." He sighed. "I wish that this hadn't turned out this way, but this is the way it is, Lise. So we have to make the best of it for now, okay?"

Lisa was shocked. Did Jackson – the feared assassin – just say something nice to her? It wasn't possible! He was supposed to mean and rude, and she was supposed to hate him. But how could she hate him when she said things like that?

She sighed as she said, "Jackson, really, it can't be that bad, can it? I mean all we have to do is hide out here for a few days while we get a plan together, and then we can leave. Surely they'll stay at bay for a couple of days. Besides, even if they do find us, we can just shoot them, right?"

Jack gave a tired smile.

"Now," continued Lisa, "could you tell me exactly who they are?"

So Jackson told Lisa all about the Black B's and who they were. All the while, Lisa listened intently, only asking a few questions here and there. Really, Jackson was straight to the point about it all. At the end of his tale, Lisa said, "Damn. We're in deep trouble, huh?"

"Yea. The leader, Luis Armando, is relentless and malicious. If you ever end up face to face with him, just run and pray he doesn't shoot you."

"So any ideas about what to do next?"

Jackson rubbed his neck. "It's been such a long day, and you're such a hand full, that I haven't really hand time to think yet."

Lisa pushed him playfully in the arm. "Hey, I'm not that much trouble."

Jack only stared at her, eyebrows raised. She rolled her eyes. "Okay so maybe I am. But remember, you were the one stalking me."

"I know, I know. Listen, let's just try and get some sleep before we think too much." He paused as she nodded. "Come one, I'll show you to your room."

A/N: Sigh. I know. Another short chapter… but hey, it was sort of like an exchange – less reviews, less pages. Plus, I'm just lazy. So yea… I hope you enjoyed the chapter and prepare for some more JL interaction next time. Yea baby!