Queen of Hearts

Sequel to Lucky 13

Chap. 25

August 25th, 2010

"Doug come on, just drop it already!" Costa instructed with his arms folded tightly against his chest.

Doug rolled his eyes. "It was just a suggestion, I didn't think that it was going to cause this much shit with everyone…"

J.D. clicked his tongue to interrupt the two of them and I took another swig from my water bottle.

"Both your ideas are great. Doug, I just think that Costa is worried that Criss might not escape in time if we use double chains and two sets of locks."

Setting my water bottle back down on the asphalt I stood up off of the blue milk crate that I had been sitting on and inserted, "I agree with Costa. I think one pair is enough and no chains for God's sake."

Costa smiled at me and nodded. "Don't give the poor girl a heart attack, you ass."

Doug scribbled something off on his notebook and cleared his throat. "Fine, fine, it's up to Criss and whatever he wants. Where is he anyway?"

My eyes scanned over the barren and blocked off East side parking lot of the Luxor and I shrugged. "He was over by the barrels just a second ago…"

I really didn't want to be there. I didn't want to be a part of this illogical and ridiculous stunt. If it wasn't for the fact that Criss's life was on the line then I wouldn't be there, I wasn't supportive of this illusion at all.

Costa ran off towards the edge of the parking area and peaked across a row of palm trees trying to see if he was loitering that way while J.D. found it much easier to TEXT him.

"He'll get back to you in a second, he's addicted his 'Crack Berry'." I laughed.

J.D. grinned. "I know, I wish George never bought him that damned thing- oh here we go, got a reply-" He flipped out his phone and checked his new message. "He says he'll 'BRB forgot his suit."

"Suit?" I questioned curiously.

"Yeah… didn't Criss tell you?" J.D. narrowed his eyes in surprise. "We are filling all 3 of the barrels up with gasoline so he has to be in a protective suit and goggles."

My eyes shut slowly trying to take in all the information. "So your are not only putting a line of gas around them but he is also going to be drenched?!" I exclaimed.

Doug turned towards me and butted in, "Think of it as his wine barrel escape but without the water… oh don't give me that face, he'll be fine."

Criss returned fully clothed in a obnoxious yellow suit with black goggles plastered on top of his head.

"Sorry about that, I didn't think that the barrels were actually filled." Criss waved his hands at Doug as if to dismiss something only they knew about.

I sighed roughly and took a seat back on the blue milk crate as the crew chatted with him about their ideas and possible ways to amplify the prediction and stunt some more before they practiced. Criss seemed less than objective to Doug's idea about double cuffs and chains around each barrel. Somehow I knew he would like that idea more than myself and his brothers.

"Okay, so everything's all ready to go." Costa anxiously stuffed his hands inside his back pockets and J.D. took a step away from Criss who was making his way about half a foot ball field down the parking lot for the barrels.

"Did anyone pick a number?" Criss questioned.

"Yeah, Costa did." Doug shouted over to Criss as he poured a line of gasoline out from each barrel.

"Don't tell me! Did you write it down like I asked?" Criss asked loudly as he pulled his goggles down.

Costa nodded and pulled a small folded sheet piece of paper out of his wallet.

"The number is 2." He whispered over to all us as he held out the crinkled paper.

My eyes followed Criss as I watched him stand about 3 feet behind the barrels.

"Are you ready?" Doug hollered.

"Yeah, we're all good…" Criss signaled for him to come over his way and I cringed.

J.D. and Costa stood by my side and I saw Doug lift the lid of the barrel and chain Criss inside.

"Guy's, please tell me why he's in the 1st one?" I shot his brothers a confused glance.

J.D. raised an eyebrow. "It's practice, don't worry. Nothing is going to happen."

My foot tapped nervously as I continued to watch Doug handcuff Criss's to the top of the barrel's lid and casually walk away.

"Hey guy's step back behind lot number 400!" Doug yelled.

I looked down below my feet and noticed that the parking space read 260 in yellow paint.

J.D. and Costa jogged briskly with me tracing behind. Once we had reached lot 400 I saw Doug pull out a butane lighter and ignite the gasoline lines that connected the barrels.

My heart sunk. "What the hell, I thought that this was just practice and that nothing was going to happen?"

Costa glanced over at J.D. and he held out his hands. "I have no idea what is going on."

Doug ran towards us as the barrels exploded into tiny pieces. My mind went numb as the smoke cleared to reveal an empty lot besides the ashes of the wooden crates and metal handcuffs.

Doug coughed a bit and waved a puff of smoke out of his face. "What the hell? Where's Criss?" He panicked.

A few moments passed by and Costa grabbed at my hand the moment I went to run for the remaining barrels.

"It was number 2 wasn't it?" I heard an exasperated voice from behind us.

"Criss! Thank God!" I ran into his gasoline covered suit and clung onto him so hard that even I couldn't breathe.

Or, Maybe I just couldn't breathe because of the fumes radiating off of him.

Costa smirked, "I always have to make things difficult, don't I?"

"You're an asshole bro." Criss laughed as he kissed my cheek.

"Glad you're alright. I love you too."

~*~

"I am being serious though, maybe you should try doing something else, you know like a card trick or something?" I ranted as we made our back to our room.

From look on Criss's face I wasn't deterring him at all. "A card trick?"

"Yeah, you know… those are cool. Like, something awesome… make them levitate or what have you?" I tried to pull something creative out of my ass but failed epically.

He rolled his eyes. "I've exhausted my levitating of cards for awhile, sorry sweetie. I really think that is more fitting."

"You just think that is fitting because you want to slaughter that TMA moron and I don't blame you, so do I. But I don't want to have you blown up in the process." I retorted as we walked through the door.

"I don't want that to happen either and trust me it won't. Look, it didn't today. I'm fine. I just need to work on my prediction, the stunt itself is near prefect." Criss replied as he headed straight for the shower.

"So, let me get this straight, I thought that it worked like the only safe barrel that didn't blow up was the one that they predicted?"

"True, but today that was not the case, they all blew up. I wanted that. I wanted to make sure that I had enough time to get out and reappear incase on the day that of my real predication I might predict wrong. Although, today I could have easily stopped the barrels from exploded by giving Doug a signal. On the day of the show I will not have that opportunity to give someone a signal." Criss explained as he tore off his shirt.

"Babe, you smell rancid. I'm sorry." I waved a hand in front of face. "I usually like the way gasoline smells, but whew, that's powerful shit."

Criss chucked. "Yeah, at least the crew took care of suit or that would be stinking up the hotel for days."

"WEEKS!" I giggled. "Just promise me that you will be careful, alright?"

"I promise. I always am." He planted a gentle kiss on forehead.

While Criss showered I made my way back towards the bedroom and sat down on the computer. I hadn't checked my e-mail in ages. When I wiggled the mouse the screen lit up showing an account to Criss's MINDFREAK website. I exed out of that and discovered another small WORD document that was entitled HOLLY.1. Intrigued, I decided to read on.

Dear Holly,

I really hope that everything is going well with you. I am sorry to hear about all of your recent troubles with your management team and the production agency at Playboy. I know that you have been with them for ages and it would hurt me deeply if my staff betrayed me as badly as yours has. I hope that everything can be patched up between you and your team. If it cannot I do know of few connections that I would be more than happy to share.

I am so glad to hear to your term is going well and that you found a great a doctor to care after you! That is wonderful news! I wish the best for you and I honestly feel in my heart that you are going to be a great a mother. You are truly a wonderful soul and I wish that we could spend more time together than we do. The circumstances between us are unfortunate but I hope that someday that will change. Please, keep me posted as to how you are doing and how you are feeling. If there is anything you need let me know and I'll be more than happy to help.

Love,

Criss

"I think you're right."

My entire body jumped and I spun around in the computer chair so fast that I nearly caught Hammie's tail between my toes.

"What?" I gasped.

"I think you're right, maybe I could tone it down a bit… maybe." Criss emerged out of the bathroom.

"Yeah, yeah. That would be good." Placing a hand over my heart I stood up and blocked his view of the computer. "I would appreciate that."

Criss narrowed his eyes into mine. "I would appreciate it if you didn't snoop at my belongs."

"But- it was open and I was, I'm sorry… I didn't know. I shouldn't have read it." I stuttered.

He raised an eyebrow seeming confused. "Huh? What are you talking about?"

"The computer?" I signaled over to it.

Criss laughed. "Wow, that was totally not the direction I was going with that comment."

It took me a moment and I perked my lips. "Oh, right. The staring at your naked body part."

"Don't talk yourself out it now, com 'on what did you read?" Criss asked seriously.

"Nothing, just something silly that's all. I'm over it." I shook my head and backed further away from the desk. "I'd rather go back to my staring anyway."