It was only a week later when all of the DiVA members were mandatory requested to be present at Bill's. This could mean a number of things. In this case....as they all came to find out; they had been invited to a little get together in Phoenix Arizona. Bill had been very vague about the whole thing. But he was very clear that they all must be there or pay the consequences. He gave them all the date, time and location of this little "get together" and left them no room for argument. At this point Bill was over trying to turn the whole thing into some excuse to bond with one another and left the trip planning up to each of them to do on their own. They were adults, at least that was the idea, and they could handle their own arrangements.
Of course, afterwards in private, he appealed to Beatrix to join him on the trip to and from Phoenix. Bill wanted to drive....which was really just an excuse for him to drive fast and see some breathtaking deserts on the way. Driving also meant he could bring weapons along, which was generally a safe bet, as long as they didn't get pulled over. Likewise, it was some time he could spend with Beatrix away from the usual "daily grind." But, instead of making his usual demand to her, he actually posed the question.
He informed Beatrix that if she wanted to join him, he would be leaving at seven o' clock in the morning...sharp. And with Bill, he meant exactly seven.
The next morning there was a radiant sunrise and not a cloud in the sky. Out in the large abandoned area of desert next to Bill's place sat a parked dark chrome convertible Porsche Boxter. A couple pieces of small luggage sat in the still open trunk and the leather interior shone off of the now rising sun. This Boxter was another ridiculously expensive but beautiful and amazingly sleek car of Bill's. Bill himself stood a few feet away from the car, wearing a pair of dark aviator sunglasses, jeans, the usual cowboy boots and a dark grey button up shirt. A black blazer was draped over one hand, in his other he was brandishing a silver old school Colt and Ruger pistol....a true six shooter.
What the hell Bill was doing with a gun at seven in the morning in the middle of just about nowhere had to be chalked up the plain fact that he was Bill...such behavior was actually rather "normal."
What Bill was doing in his mind was....."Shootin' stuff" to kill the time...so to speak. "Shootin' Stuff" was a game he and Budd had used to play when they were younger. Since Bill had already been basically a grown man when Budd was old enough to play such live ammunition type games (which wasn't very old at all), Bill had developed this game to get Budd into shooting. The rules of the game were thus: you would first go out and set up six targets at different distances. They couldn't be any closer than roughly twenty feet. Of course, for this little morning game Bill hadn't put one closer than fifty feet. The targets could just be random stuff....and for old time's sake Bill had used random stuff. Random stuff could be: hubcaps, large cans, small cans if you were a real man, old car parts, your childhood enemies bicycle, thrown out TV sets, busted water heaters ...the preferred material being metal. Bill and Budd did not always have money....especially back in those days. Next, you had to pick a spot, and you had to stay in that spot and draw it in the dirt...you could rotate, but you could not step forward or sideways out of it. Then you would take your shots, you had six targets and six bullets. If you missed one there was a previously decided punishment that you must suffer....if you missed two it was worse....and so on. During the years, the decided punishments between the two brothers ranged from: money, getting the shit beat out of oneself, cars, pure bragging rights, drinks, guns and even one time the right to take out a woman they both were after. It seemed a little odd to most people...but to Bill and Budd that was how life worked. Bill, at first won continuously....Budd got beat up a lot and ended up having to pay his brother what little money he had. But, as the years went on Budd got gradually better and soon began winning a good amount himself. And thus, things evened out...and Budd had become one hell of a marksman. Of course, Bill still thought himself the better. And now, the silly game of "Shootin' Stuff" still remained a tried and true tradition to him.
Brandishing the pistol with extreme comfort and skill, Bill raised the weapon in a single hand and fired...the shot demolished a distant coffee can. Without much of a pause he swung the pistol around...and seemingly, not even aiming plugged a large hole in an old rusted engine that was a good forty five feet away or so. As Bill continued this he was peripherally aware that Beatrix had arrived....but the distraction didn't infringe on his concentration and he continued...swinging the weapon around in the other direction, taking aim at an vase that he'd had for years and always actually hated.
The tall blonde clad in a pair of faded blue jeans, a typical Japanese peasant blouse of soft blues and white, boots, and sunglasses to top it off. Locks of blonde hair were tied up into a high pony tail and loose strands whipped across her face by the passing breeze. She had walked in on Bill shooting things before, she did recall almost getting shot during a session but she learned from that and kept a far distance. After that incident she had spent a large portion of that month pondering if Bill was aiming at her. A contended smirk of amusement was on her face as blue eyes watched the vase shatter into pieces. The vase was familiar and when Beatrix was able to place it her eyes flickered. She did like that vase, apparently Bill did not.
The whole 'road trip' to Arizona was enthralling and very mysterious. It had been some time since Bill wanted them all together for a secret meeting in an equally secret location. Either way her temperature towards Bill was warm and she had no problem with car pooling. After their last incident with Sofie, Beatrix tried to set her mind to not cause such 'arguments' between herself and Bill. She sat at home thinking back to the 'nicer' and 'sweeter' times she spent with him and wanted more. It could even help their 'relationship.' So, car pooling with him seemed like a worthy opportunity. A glance was given to the watch on her wrist. She was here on time. Eyes returned to him as he shot down what looked to be a mango. Luckily she was far out of the way to avoid food splatters. Slender brows narrowed. "Are you ready?"
Bill spun around, gun still deftly at the ready. In his turn, the muzzle came around to point right at Beatrix, a smirk sparked on his formerly unreadable face, "Just......about.....", he lingered in that position a moment longer, and then spun completely around. His last shot blasting apart an unrecognizable glass object far too far away to really make out. The sound of shattering glass signified a direct hit.
Letting the smoking gun drop, Bill laughed....a self assured and self pleased laugh. The laugh of a man who liked to shoot things...truly for fun. "Fuck....." he mumbled to himself. But the moment was shortly lived, and he quickly changed direction turning back to Beatrix with a wave of his hand, "Ok....ok...let's get out of here Kiddo," he strolled over to the car and tossed the now empty six shooter in the open trunk. After Beatrix had dumped her small amount of luggage into the trunk he shut it.
As they got into the car, Bill filled Beatrix in. "I figure it should take us roughly a day and a half...." Some people were not "planners" when it came to trips....Bill most certainly was. "We can switch on and off on driving." The fact that Bill was willing to let Beatrix drive his Boxter was definitely saying something. "And no eating shitty junk food in this car." Bill refused to even let Elle in the car with him because she had this way of ignoring the finery of leather upholstery. Thankfully Beatrix was rather accustomed to driving with Bill and would doubtfully find any of this surprising. Bill started the car and throwing it into gear they began on their way. He gestured to the radio, "Choose something......no rap though....I hate that shit," he smirked at her and turned back to the road.
Driving with Bill was quite different than with Vernita, Elle and O-Ren to Las Vegas. It many ways, it was far more pleasant. Bill either drove in complete silence or engaged Beatrix in some in depth conversation...there was little area in-between.
The morning melted into a hot afternoon and the Boxter flew down the interstate...at a speed that was just barely slow enough to not attract unwanted attention.
The trip was rather enjoyable. All of their conversations stayed away from any hostile topics and stayed on just friendly conversational topics. During the course of the ride Beatrix took a quick nap as she and Bill had decided stopping at a hotel over night would be a waste of time. Not that sharing a room with him for a night wasn't tempting but business over pleasure as the case would have it. They had recently halted at a pit stop where they gassed up, Beatrix found herself a salad which she was quick to eat as she didn't want any shit from Bill about getting crumbs in the car, used the rest room, and took the next shift driving.
Just as Bill had recently realized that he enjoyed being around Beatrix more than anybody he knew, he now realized he enjoyed being in the car with her more than anybody he knew. Which was basically the same thing as being around her....but fuck it...it still meant something to him. They had taken trips together before....but that had been sometime ago...and things were a little different nowadays. The decision to drive through was a logical one. Staying somewhere, while, yes certainly tempting, was not lucrative to getting to their destination. Bill had stated he wanted to get there early if possible, so he could meet with the client in private before the big hoopla.
After a rest stop, which the majority for Bill was spent pumping gas and then deciding between a shitty brand of coffee and an even shittier brand of coffee, he then let Beatrix take the wheel. He realized he liked having Beatrix driving. She was a very good driver...she had mastered the technique of relatively good speed while remaining within the bounds of acceptable safety. Not only that she looked good driving his car, and she didn't leave crumbs on the seats. So far, she was scoring mega points. He liked lounging, watching the scenery fly by, when that got boring he'd watch Beatrix...who was far more pleasant to look at.
The tall blonde wasn't a speed demon but she went a good twenty miles over the designated speed limit. It felt odd driving a car with Bill in it. She was usually the passenger with him and the change of positions was exciting, to say the least. She switched the station to play select songs of the 70's, this was in an attempt to mildly irk Bill and the fact that she did enjoy the time periods music. "So," she began in a cool tone as the end of "I Got you Babe" passed through the speakers. "What's in Arizona that we all need to be there for?" Beatrix was always a curious person and having this trait she couldn't remain quiet on the mystery for long. She had the feeling Bill would give her a shitty 'wait and see' but it never hurt to ask.
Bill actually was enjoying the radio station choice....after all he was a man of the 70's, but Sonny and Cher was definitely not his taste. He was a classics man...not this flower child crap. Thankfully that yowling was interrupted with Beatrix's question
He looked at Beatrix over the top of his sunglasses, "A client," he replied truthfully. "A newly acquired client. Big money...top dog sort of bastard. His business could easily make up for.....recent losses." He didn't have to remind Beatrix about the recent loss of another 'big money' client. "He's rather picky though....and requested he meet the whole clan on friendly terms. Could be a set up, but this guy is more into extortion than the killing business. But, just in case....." he smiled, "...I brought some extra baggage." That was indeed the truth....he may have left some things out, but it was enough. "As far as the rest....you'll find out." He gave her a wide smile and leaned back into his seat.
That had to be the second or third time out of numerous questions she had asked that he answered without giving her a literal answer. The hints of a smile tugged on her pink shaded lips. They had meet clients such as this before. Sometimes the client just preferred to check out the goods before buying in. It was acceptable but a tad daunting. Beatrix found the food was delightful but the company was never to standards especially if something were to come up. The DiVAS had been invited to these types of client parties and things usually went sour one way or another. But, it added to the excitement factor.
She side glanced over to him. He referenced to Beatrix's little incident that happened almost a month ago and was more than pleased he didn't dawn it for long. A minor reference told her that he had more or less 'forgiven' her for it. "Then it's a good thing I stuck my SOG in the top flap of my suitcase." It was nice that Bill brought some 'ammunition' for them but Beatrix was taught long ago never to leave the house without something that can draw blood.
"Yes, it's definitely a good thing," Bill replied with a nod. He was pleased to know Beatrix was sticking true to her training. He had taught her early on to always, always be prepared....no matter what. And being prepared didn't mean you had to compromise style or charm. It was simply a matter of knowing how to hide it and how to carry yourself in the right way. "Just make sure you're armed well at the party itself," he added....perhaps with a little bit of untold warning.
The rest of the car trip went very well. The two assassins managed to stay in warm territory and further proved to one another their high level of compatibility....despite some major differences in age and so on.
Bill's favor of the radio station took an upturn when they began playing Steppenwolf's, "Born to be Wild" but then took a major downturn when the station began a two hour Joni Mitchell marathon. "No fucking way in hell," was Bill's response to that and he quickly changed the station.
They arrived in Phoenix at roughly the correct time Bill had planned for. It was mid-afternoon and hot as hell. Phoenix was one of the hottest places in the US....today it was a dainty 104. Bill was driving again, and Beatrix was armed with the directions that had been given to the correct residence. This situation did ensue some arguing between the two. "Are you even looking at the fucking piece of paper the right direction Kiddo?" Bill pushed his sunglasses up irritably, "Wait, just read it back again......"
Eventually they found what they were looking for and pulled up to a large iron gate. It was no surprise that their destination was located up in the hills. Nestled in the lush landscaping were a number of huge mansions, all of them with similar security gates. Elegant yet effective means of privacy to the "outside world."
Bill had a short conversation with a man in a dark suit who was obviously the gate guard and the man waved them through. They rolled down a large driveway that, with a wide turn, gave way to the sight of a huge mansion. Bill remained silent, but there was a definite look of, "this had better turn out" on his face as he pulled the car around a circular driveway that was presided over by a massive fountain of two figures......in a rather....intimate embrace. The mansion itself was somewhat eclectic in style, but a very strong Mediterranean meets South American look dominated. A valet took hold of Bill's car and another set of dark suited doormen unloaded the luggage from the trunk.
As Bill and Beatrix ascended the large stairway towards the front doors, they were greeted by a small man who introduced himself as Marcus and informed them that their luggage was being taken up to their rooms and that a number of their party had already arrived. He also informed Bill that the "master of the house" was ready to meet with him. The whole thing was a little surreal. With an arch of his eyebrows, Bill sent Beatrix to find out who else had arrived while he attended to the meeting. Right before he turned away he gave her a small gesture...his hand sweeping and just briefly patting his hip. This had become the universal language amongst the DiVA's for "arm thyself." Bill disappeared into the house and Beatrix was shown into the parlor to meet up with the rest of the DiVA's.
It was only a few hours later when the group of assassins....sans Bill, were informed that their "reception" was ready and they were cordially shown into the backyard.
To call it a "backyard" was something of an understatement. The dominating feature was a massive pool...larger than Olympic size, but oddly shaped. A large rock waterfall sat in the middle and there were a number of resting perches strewn throughout the pool. Connected to the house was a long porch, set with an equally long table of food. Circular tables sat scattered along the patio and around the grassy area surrouding the pool. Flamboyant sculptures and typical party accessories were everywhere. Somebody had already set up a volleyball net and there were inflatable chairs floating in the pool....not to mention the wet bar. The whole thing was decadent, fun and extreme. It all sat on a patch of grass that was at least three acres big. Tall trees surrounded the area covering up the electric fence behind them. Then there were the people...not a lot but a good amount and more appeared to be arriving. Most of them were men in dark suits...typical types. A number of women...most of them attractive, bounced around and were laughing amiably. Men in cabana hats scuttled between the tables with trays and drinks from the ridiculously big bar off to the side. This is what their "client to be" had arranged for them.
The decoration of the backyard party was put into a word of "interesting" to all of the Vipers. Everyone had arrived on time or close to when they were sent to the backyard for the festivities. The half Chinese, Jap felt as if she had been stuck in a shitty Fourth of July party and immediately took to the bar for isolation.
"You gonna throw on a bikini and take a dip?" Budd inclined to Beatrix as they were standing a few feet from the rather enticing pool. Beatrix had to admit the water looked awfully welcoming but there was no way in hell she'd go in. Besides, she didn't bring a bikini nor did she come to think that she even owned one.
"I'll pass," she replied flatly but with a good amount of warmth mixed in. Her mood was remaining mellow and she planned to keep the mood for as long as possible.
"That's too bad," Budd said with a shake of his head. He was wearing a pair of baggy black slacks and a white button up shirt with the bottom buttons undone. He licked his lips. "Your loss Bea." He gave her a friendly pat to the shoulder and walked off apparently towards the wet bar. Not a big surprise.
The DiVA members were not left to mingle for long. It was only fifteen minutes or so after their arrival that Bill and their perhaps future client arrived at the party. Bill had changed into much nicer attire, most noticeably wearing those killer silver toed cowboy boots and a suit jacket. No tie though...Bill rarely wore ties. His hair was tied back and he was chatting rather animatedly with a man who one had to assume was their host and hopeful client.
The man was tall...extremely so, standing at least 6'8" but quite skinny. He appeared to be in his early forties and of either Italian or perhaps South American lineage...it was hard to tell. His sheer black hair was neatly cut and slicked back. He was sporting a cleanly cropped goatee, but no mustache. He was wearing a dark blue suit, that was no doubt extremely expensive and very well cut. A pair of Italian leather shoes shone impressively off the hot sun.
He and Bill seemed well enough acquainted, and they chatted as they made their way around the patio. The man seemed to be introducing Bill to various other men in suits. Typical stuff for the most part. After a few minutes of this, Bill began to round up the various members of his organization. He pretty much knew where each of them would be hanging out...it was no difficult task.
After he had rounded all of them up he brought them over to the tall suited man. "I would like to introduce you all to Vincent de Lorenzo...the owner and very generous benefactor of this little get together."
Vincent gave the group a genial little bow, "Very pleased to meet you," he smiled appearing quite pleasant...in that super rich sort of way. He spoke with a slight accent in a deep voice.
"Mr.. Lorenzo," This had to be important...Bill rarely called anybody "Mr..", "this is..." Bill stated the introductions as the members stood, "My brother...Sidewinder, Black Mamba, Copperhead, Cottonmouth and the California Mountain Snake."
Vincent gave a little chuckle, apparently familiar with code names, "Very good names....I like them." He glanced at Bill, "You...are the Snake Charmer, am I correct?"
Bill smirked, "That's the idea."
"Very good," Vincent seemed pleased with the group thus far as he skimmed each of them over with his dark hazel eyes. "Well...I am honored to have you here...please if you need anything do let me or any of my men know. Anything you want, I can give you," he smiled like a man who truly meant...anything.
Vernita had thus far been impressed with all of this....but she was still a little wary and offered Vincent a weak smile. Elle was behaving....but that was about it. She stood with her hands on her hips, lips pursed.
O-Ren gave a firm nod but other than that she kept quiet. It'd be hard to tell if O-Ren approved or disapproved of their new client. There was never a clear answer for her but if asked she'd tell the truth on her opinion. Though she was lingering towards uncertainty only due to her dislike of the party aspect.
The tall slender blonde kept attention completely on Vincent. Blue eyes staring up at him with the utmost interest and speculation. Even if she had a problem with the new client her opinion would go unnoticed as Bill had the final decision. Also, concerning her last slipup which would give her ultimately no leverage for giving an opinion. Either way she kept or at least looked interested. Her pretty blonde head canted up and to the side, locks falling loose against her shoulders and hands formally folded over her chest.
"You must understand," Vincent continued, perhaps reading their looks, "I must be very sure of my investment before I decide to hire on your organization for my......needs."
"Of course," Bill replied cordially before anybody else could answer.
"Ya won't find much better than us," Budd added with a lopsided grin. He had only one drink thus far and his attitude was typical. It was the norm for Budd to go against the don't speak unless spoken to conduct being he was Bill's brother. The rest remained silent.
The group of DiVA's chatted, well Bill chatted mostly, with Vincent for a few more minutes. The man seemed pleasant enough for an insanely rich crime lord type....but as they had all learned, often the hard way, pleasant sometimes didn't mean shit.
After a few minutes of this small talk banter, Vincent gave them all a polite nod, which looked a little funny with his tall lanky form, and he excused himself, "Please....enjoy yourselves....I must attend to some business. But, my residence and all that you see around you is at your disposal. I will be back shortly, Bill....you will join me when I return?" Bill nodded politely back and Vincent stalked away into the crowd that was taking up much of the patio. Allot more people had shown up at this point, and the noise level was quickly rising. Thankfully, the sun was beginning to set and soon the almost unbearable heat would be brought down a few degrees.
Vernita crossed her arms, dark eyes surveying her comrades, "I dunno Bill....this is all just so over the top...."
Bill looked a little irritated, "And what the hell's wrong with that?"
"Nothing," Vernita shook her head, "It's just.....eh...forget it....," she waved a dismissive hand. "I'm gunna go hit the food table, at least that's got to be safe." She strode off in the same direction Vincent had recently disappeared to.
Elle was, to nobody's surprise, remaining silent. She had taken the opportunity to smoke and was watching the crowd closely with her eye, "Shit...shoulda brought my swimsuit..." she mumbled to herself, her look lingering on the huge oddly shaped pool. The pool was getting crowded much like the rest of the large yard. It was filled up with the majority of "beautiful types", hard bodies and bikinis were dominant. Nobody looked over 23.
Bill could understand the other's wariness. The whole thing was almost like it was out of some bad 80's drug lord movie...that or an episode of Miami Vice....which wasn't much of an improvement. The DiVA's were all used to a very abnormal lifestyle, but this was even a little over the top for them. Out of the group Bill was the one who flaunted his wealth the most, and even he was very tame compared to this. He could only assume that Vincent was trying desperately to win their favor.....fuck, all Bill needed to win his favor was a fat suitcase full of money and a target to hit. This....extravagance showed a lack of restraint on Vincent's part. It was either desperation.........or something else..... Turning to the rest of the group, Bill frowned in thought. "Don't go too far.....look like your having the time of your life." He shot Elle a look, without her even speaking, "Fake it Elle, I don't give a shit what you think." His gaze flicked to Beatrix, "I'm going to take.....a little stroll." With that, Bill put his sunglasses back on and switched modes as he sauntered into the crowd, smiling and intending to be as charming as possible....which with Bill could be pretty damn charming. Elle snorted and without looking at the others took off towards the bar. Big surprise there.
Meanwhile, the crowd...the noise...and the possible distractions were continuing to grow.
Beatrix would have joined Bill in his stroll but she felt it would ruin a good thing. The car ride was enjoyable and even though they had a dispute when it came to directions everything went fine and furthering her interaction with him could turn into something sour. So, she shrugged it off and blue eyes peered about the area to find she was alone. Well, alone from those that she knew. Budd was off at the bar with Elle, Vernita was at the buffet, and O-Ren, who knew where she went off too. The tall blonde took her own stroll which didn't consist of much. Mostly eyeing the gathered and avoiding 'odd' looks in her own direction and taking a mental note of the atmosphere. Her stroll came to an abrupt stop as she spotted O-Ren scooping out a lavish platter of desserts.
She slowly stalked up behind the half breed woman and poked her head over her shoulder. "Didn't your mother ever teach you to eat your vegetables before you eat dessert?" She questioned in a cool level tone.
O-Ren didn't bother to turn her head but daintily snatched a plate. "Yes, but I never listened to that type of shit. Did you?"
"No." The blonde narrowed her slender brows as O-Ren pointed to a cheese cake with fudge icing drizzled on the top which the waiter dished out a slice of on to the plate.
"Good point." And she quickly snatched up her own plate and joined O-Ren in picking out the most fattening and delectable desserts on the platter.
It had been about an hour of this so called "mingling", when things started to get a little.........weird. It started mildly, a few girls in the pool decided to take their tops off...much to the delight of the surrounding male spectators. The random men in the suits seemed to be slowly congealing into small groups...talking to one another. Vincent made a reappearance...but he had changed. Gone was the stoic suit...now he was wearing a pair of white slacks, a loud...extremely loud button up shirt...that seemed a little on the sheer side. He was sporting a pair of white wingtips and a cigar. He had gone from respectable...to almost sleazy looking. Of course, these changes didn't go unnoticed by the DiVA's...who were doing their damndest to look completely entertained by all of this specticle. Vernita had recently joined O-Ren and Beatrix at the dessert table...and was currently picking at a piece of cheesecake...a fake smile on her face.
Elle was nowhere to be seen....but that was no surprise. At least she wasn't topless in the pool...
Bill...being a master of the art of bullshitting....was mingling around, looking for all purposes completely charmed and preoccupied. Of course, that wasn't exactly the case. He was currently standing with a circle of young people, entertaining them with some story or another....most likely it was a made up tale...but he knew these idiots would believe anything.
Somehow, Vincent had snaked his way through the crowd unnoticed and appeared quite suddenly at Beatrix's side. He had two martinis in his dark toned hands. "May I join you?" he asked her in his deep, slightly accented voice.
Vernita cast Beatrix a look...lingering between "oh my" and "oh great" and with a saucy smile, turned and headed the other direction...leaving the tall blonde to her own conversation with their host. O-Ren followed suit and politely dismissed herself from the table. She made the excuse that she wanted to get something nutritious to counteract all of the fat she just ingested. It was a bunch of bullshit but it got her away from the table.
The tall blonde glared daggers into the backs of the two departing woman. Why the fuck did they have to leave her with the new client? She wasn't a respectable person to chat with. Either way she'd act polite and motioned to the now numerous vacant chairs at the rounded table. And, she kept in mind that this was for Bill. If it were for anyone else she would have walked away and said fuck it. She put on a fake smile that appeared real to the untrained eye and commented in a warm tone of voice, "You have my compliments on the party, Mr. De Lorenzo."
Sitting down next to Beatrix, Vincent waved a hand dismissively, "It is nothing.....a little get together...that is all." He smiled, "Oh, and do call me Vincent, " leaning back in his chair. His dark eyes rested comfortably on Beatrix. This was a man who was used to getting what he wanted. "I have noticed Bill has excellent taste in his employees.....all very....attractive women, yes? I must give my compliments to his excellent taste." He took a sip of his drink, eyes still on Beatrix. He leaned forward suddenly, "Let me be very honest with you.....Black Mamba....I am looking to hire on the Deadly Viper's for an extended period of time. I plan on paying.....very generously." His long arm swept the surroundings, "As you can see....I can afford your services...ten times over." Yeah, he was a cocky one....for sure.
"But," Vincent continued...still sitting a little close to Beatrix, "I am also......interested....in perhaps some other work that you and your...fellow employees could supply." He tilted his sleek haired head, glancing down at Beatrix's ring less fingers on her drink, "If I may ask....you are a single woman yes?"
Beatrix dropped her jaw and blue eyes widened. Great, just fucking great, she thought bitterly sarcastically to herself. She knew exactly where this was going and she didn't want it to go any further than this table. She had to set out a few guidelines for their new client but she had to be extremely careful not to fuck it up or the consequences could be dire. As shocked as she had first appeared the appearance left just was quickly. She pursed her lips and curled them into a half smile. Her eyes turned downcast and away from him, appearing almost embarrassed by his question.
"Technically, yes but I'd like to think I'm in the 'process' of seeing someone," she replied in an effortlessly cool tone of voice. She looked back up to him. He was sitting uncomfortably close and the tall blonde wanted to inch away but she pushed against the action.
Vincent smiled, a little frostily, "I see." There were a few moments of long silence, which didn't seem to phase the tall ethnic man at all. He was staring contently into the crowd. He pursed his lips, a finger lingering there thoughtfully.....perhaps he was just trying to appear sophisticated...who knew. "Then...you would have...let's say...issues with extra duties if I were to hire your organization?" He raised his dark brows, "I am sure whoever you are in the...process of seeing...wouldn't know the difference." He gestured to the pool of almost entirely topless women, "All of these women....are in the process of seeing someone themselves.....it does not stop them." Vincent appeared to be a man of extremely loose morals. To him, such things were easy to come by...and easy to give away. He turned to look back at Beatrix, "I will talk to your co-workers as well of course....but I wished to speak with you first....I find you....the most....alluring of them all." A smile, which he obviously thought was dashing...and it might have been, on a different personality. Vincent was perceptive enough to know when he was getting the cold shoulder, he stood, a hand falling on Beatrix's shoulder, "it was very.....pleasant speaking with you Black Mamba...I hope we may speak again soon." Another smile and he turned away; obviously a little put out, and headed towards the bar.
Bill, of course...hadn't missed a second of their short-lived conversation. It took him about 2.9 seconds to reach Beatrix's table after Vincent left. Leaning over the blonde assassin's shoulder, he hissed into her ear, "Spill it Kiddo." Bill might have appeared jealous...but that was really the furthest thing from his mind at the moment....he wanted dirt on Vincent...anything to gain the advantage of their possibly shady host.
Beatrix was idly tracing a single digit along the rim of her martini glass when Bill's hissing and at the moment unpleasant voice rang in her ear. Brows narrowed threateningly and she jerked her finger away from the glass. Her blonde head canted an inch in his direction. "Fuck Bill, sit down and I'll 'happily' spill it all for you," she replied, her tone of voice taking a sandpaper edge.
Once seated she turned her body to fully face him and scooted so close that their knees touched. She casually leaned forward, elbows resting on her thighs, and hands clasped in front of her. Blue eyes stayed on him lingering between warm and cold. She had to pick her words carefully. "I just found out that I'm alluring," she reinstated with a sly smile. The facade fell when she received Bill's icy look that told he was nowhere near amused. She flexed her fingers and cast her gaze down. "Vincent seemed most inquisitive to know if I was single. Course I lead on that I was potentially seeing someone. Apparently that did not falter him and he referenced to the aspect of cheating and that it was nothing. He said that the person whom I was seeing wouldn't 'mind'. Vincent clearly has plans of using our services for other things besides hitting off targets. Big surprise, aye?" A small smirk played on her lips as she returned her eye level to him.
Bill took all of this in with a frown...his eyes hard to read hidden under extremely dark sunglasses. But, the reaction was pretty obvious. "Goddamnit...." he grumbled. This was not a new problem by any means...Bill had been running into clients for years who wanted to use his Vipers for more than assassinations. It annoyed the hell out of him. He more than understood how men thought, but he found it irritating from his standpoint of trying to do "business" in a respectable manner.
He'd said it a number of times.....his Vipers were trained to kill....not fuck. That part.....well....Bill wasn't going to go there at the moment. If Vincent was looking for other services, Bill could certainly recommend a good pimp or two. But he was insulted that Vincent had gone behind his back with such a low offer to his employees. His gaze turned back to Beatrix's close face, "I knew something wasn't right," he said in a low tone, "See those men..." he just barely nodded his head to the side, indicating a group of dark suited men mingling close to each other, "They've been acting strange for a good thirty minutes...they're all armed....probably nine mils and ankle holsters. Our playboy Vincent has been making subtle gestures of communication to them the entire time....including while he was talking to you. For all we know, Vincent may feel his manhood has been insulted at any moment....and those guys......are going to be the welcoming party. And that's not it....those bimbo's in the pool aren't all silicone. I noticed one, stuffing a small pistol into one of those inflatable things in the pool. And those cabana boys....armed as well."
Being observant was just second nature to Bill, and he rarely subsided. "We're pretty much sitting in the middle of a pit of snakes here....pardon the pun...." Using Beatrix's close body for cover, Bill checked behind him and quickly removed the gun he'd been concealing in a holster at his side. He then loaded the clip he'd been stashing in his sock. Carrying a live gun around wasn't generally a good idea.....if slowed things down a bit to take the time to load up, but one never could be too sure. Jamming the clip into the gun, he brought it down inside his leg, making sure to keep his cover. "One move....from any of these people...that doesn't involve mingling, eating, swimming...and...doing whatever the fuck those girls are currently doing in the pool...and we move on this....I am not going to be ambushed by a bunch of fucking suit wearing assholes."
Beatrix kept a cool facade as Bill loaded up. She didn't come as prepared only concealing a 9 mm and her trusty SOG. But, the assortment of items in the party area made more then acceptable toys. "I'm with you on that," she stated with an offered smile.
Seconds later O-Ren approached the table. Even with the collected facade that the half breed always held was faltered by a barely noticeable flare of the nostrils. "I'd like to leave," she said bluntly, her words obviously directed at Bill even if her dark eyes were on the two assassins. Beatrix blinked and turned her pretty blonde head to O-Ren. "I'd like to leave too but I'm not whining about it."
O-Ren shot the blonde a glare. "I want to leave because I do not appreciate the onslaught of men asking me if I am available," she growled softly. Beatrix's pink lips curled into a bitter smirk. "You've got clients asking you for sex too?"
"What about sex?" Budd said, his words noticeably slurred from drinking. He appeared out of nowhere. He inherited that lovely trait from watching his brother.
"Don't worry Budd, no one would want it from you," O-Ren replied with an apologetic smile.
"Just be quiet, all of you," Bill hissed. He was in full killer mode...while normally this conversation would have held some amusement for him; right now he was concentrating on the problem at hand.
So, Vincent was making the rounds. No doubt he was now propositioning Vernita...or worse, Elle. Oh shit. "Elle's gunna blow it," Bill mumbled, realization dawning. The cyclopitic blonde lacked too much self control to play it smoothly. He shifted slightly in his seat, trying to get a better look around the crowd.
"We're not leaving until I find out what the fuck this is all really about," he stated, gun still hidden. Bill was pissed. He hated being lied to. It rarely happened...or he usually figured it out, but every once in awhile somebody did succeed in alluding him. Vincent had very clearly told him what he wanted....but that did not include laying an elaborate trap or hitting his employees up for sexual favors. This whole thing could still be a test....but if it was, he wasn't finding it very amusing. "Budd," he waved his brother down to his eyelevel, "Just-
But he stopped when suddenly the familiar voice of Elle rose up above the general party noise. "YOU FUCKING ASSHOLE! LIKE HELL! YOU KNOW WHAT? I'M JUST GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE THIS FUCKING SHRIMP COCKTAIL AND SHOVE IT UP YOUR ASS!!" A pause, "JUST BEND OVER YOU FUCKER!"
Bill exchanged a look with Budd, and then Beatrix. He knew it.
There was some scuffling, and general commotion as Elle no doubt threw a fit....and a violent one for sure. A couple men shouted...there was the sound of Vincent's voice....screaming and then yelling something in Italian. Then very distinctly, gunfire. A few shots. Elle yelled something unintelligible. A second voice, perhaps Vernita's shouted back. The noise of the party died to a hush as everyone either watched or jumped into action. Of course, all of the Vipers had sprung at the first gunshot.
Bill dropped to the ground under the table....ever the bizarre tactician...and lying on his stomach...his gun in front of him he began firing rapidly at the legs of those in the near distance. In his mind, every person at this party, excluding his employees of course, was now a target and he didn't give a shit and didn't distinguish between them....just as he had been telling Beatrix recently. Shooting the legs out from under people was always a good way to get them out of the game early. Kneecaps were especially painful. His concern was clearing space so he could fully see Elle and assess what had happened to her....then they'd get to the rest of these jokers.
Budd although younger than his brother was not quite as agile due to the fact he wasn't running at his best. A few shoots of whiskey could do that to a person. Either way he in time joined Bill under the table. He took out his own gun and almost merrily began shooting down people by aiming for their legs and other various lower extremities.
O-Ren and Beatrix went off in opposite directions. O-Ren took the left and Beatrix took the right. Lucky for them they had 'distinctive' lower body clothing so they didn't have to worry about getting a bullet wedged in their foot. The only tactile plan was to find Elle and Vernita. By the echoing of the gun shots and numerous yells from Vincent earlier didn't signify things had gone well.
Beatrix knew Elle would fuck it up. Actually Bea couldn't blame her blonde counterpart this time, not completely. She had wanted to yell the same thing at Vincent but she clearly had more control. Most of the patrons were preoccupied by trying to dodge the bullets whizzing along the ground while others ran off either to just run away or get backup. None the less Beatrix had a relatively easy time weaving through the crowds, her trusty SOG now in hand, and moved in the direction she last spotted Elle and Vernita.
It didn't take her long to approach the area diagonal to the bar. There were numerous gun shot holes in the side paneling of the 'mansion' and the buffet tables were mixed with food fragments and blood. Appetizing. But what she came upon next put the tall blonde completely off guard. Beatrix came upon a bloody sight.
Elle had been shot....not fatally...but enough to spawn a good amount of blood. She was clinging onto her wound, which was on her left forearm. In her other hand she was wielding a pistol and was randomly shooting people....execution style, screaming obscenities all the while. Elle was pretty damn cold when it came down to it. This only added to the bloodbath that had begun a mere minute or two earlier.
Vincent.....well, he hadn't fared as well. Elle had apparently gotten a good shot at him, and had blasted him in the gut from close range. He was lying on the tiled area that surrounded the pool, clasping at his stomach and groaning in the utmost pain. Getting shot in the gut was an awful way to die.....slow and agonizing....and if not treated very quickly, a sure death. Upon seeing their employer in such a situation, all of Vincent's cronies went crazy. Once again, Elle had not made the wisest decision. The gunfire became more frequent and the risk of getting hit was becoming more likely. A good number of the patrons, who had not been in on this whole charade were fleeing for their lives. Although, it appeared a good amount of people at the party were in on it. Bill had guessed right. Women in bikinis were wielding weapons of all sorts.....which just looked strange. Cabana boys had weapons out....and of course, the men with the suits....obviously associates of Vincent were going ballistic.
Vernita spotted Beatrix and Elle. She leapt over the banquet table, falling into a smooth rolling fall and pulling out her trusty knife from her ankle holster. She began slicing away at nearby targets with deadly accuracy.
Bill meanwhile had crawled out from under the table and was shooting his way through the crowd. A few brutal kung fu moves were thrown in-between as he made straight for Elle and the bloody scene she had created.
Elle continued to blast away, clinging to her gushing wound. She seemed a little dizzy and was spinning unsteadily.
For one reason or another Beatrix just stood there as if mesmerized by the situation. Vernita was a few feet away sticking a knife in whomever crossed her path and soon enough O-Ren joined her following a similar fashion with a long blade in hand. Elle was to Bea's right shooting down those that approached.
It would have been comical if Elle wasn't shot. As much as Beatrix hated Elle it all came down to the simple rule that they worked as a 'team'. As long as they worked for Bill they couldn't kill one another or let the other die without 'consent' and Beatrix wasn't given consent to let Elle bleed to death. Also considering the fact that Beatrix wasn't nearly as cold hearted as her blonde counterpart.
A man in a dress suit had snuck past the blade wielding assassins towards the front and was coming at Elle from the side. Elle was obviously zoning out from the loss of blood and Beatrix jumped into action. She ran to Elle's side and knelt down next to her. "Give me the gun," she demanded quickly.
When Elle wouldn't budge her fingers from the trigger, even with prying, Beatrix did the next best thing. "Drop the fucking gun." She slapped Elle's hand, nice and hard. And the unexpected hit caused her to drop the weapon. Beatrix scooped up the gun before it hit the ground, poised her weapon, and shot down the approaching threat that had been inches from blowing Elle's head off. Blue eyes darted to the other blonde and gave off a faint sparkle. "A thank you is not necessary."
Elle sneered at Beatrix, her face spattered in blood. She didn't say anything...either out of pain or of complete hatred. Either way, she appeared pretty out of it....and could only keep the glare up for so long. Her blonde head then dropped to her chest and she struggled to remain conscious. She seemed oblivious to the fact that Beatrix had just saved her life. She swooned, and slumped to the ground...clawing at the tiles. She was a proud woman....and didn't like being reduced to a bleeding victim. Of course, much of her present company could relate.
Vernita had witnessed Beatrix's act, and found it honorable to say the least. It was too bad it had been wasted on such a hateful bitch as Elle. Vernita rushed to Beatrxi's side, her knife at the ready. A steady rush of assailants were coming at them and it kept the two assassins too busy for the moment to say much to one another.
Bill had managed to cut his way through the crowd and had stumbled upon Vincent curled up in complete misery. And without so much as a blink of an eye, Bill shot his would be client right in the forehead....ending the man's misery, his horrible screaming, and giving Bill a little piece of mind that the betraying fucker had got what was coming to him. He spotted Elle, Beatrix and Vernita....with O-Ren nearby. Elle didn't look too hot, but Bill was far from worried. After all, he had complete confidence in his assassins.
The crowd was thinning....all of them wounded, dead or smart enough to get the hell out of there. At this point it was simply about survival.
"Looks like Budd could use a helping hand," O-Ren pointed out as she pushed a limp body off her blood coated blade. Budd was near the pool area avoiding slashes from cabana boys wielding deadly knifes. Budd seemed to have lost his weapon for defense and was putting himself in a pile of shit. Usually Budd could handle himself but he had been drinking. Hopefully this would teach him a lesson about drinking when technically on the job.
"Don't everyone get up at once," Beatrix scowled as none of her fellow assassins made a motion to go aid Budd. "Goddamnit, lazy fucking--"
"We aren't lazy," O-Ren cut in. "We just like watching you kick ass, Bea." Beatrix raised a brow at O-Ren as she rose to her feet and effortlessly moved past Vernita whom was taking out some moron with tactful knife play. Her steps crossed O-Ren but at the last moment she gripped her wrist harshly and dragged her along.
O-Ren didn't fight it but followed an evident glare in the tall blonde's direction. As they came upon Budd he was already cornered near the edge of the pool area. Beatrix let go of O-Ren and motioned for her to take the other side of the pool. The tall blonde warrior began to stalk over to the helpless Sidewinder and cocked back the hammer of the gun she had 'taken' from Elle. Without hesitance she took out two of the three cabana boys with a shot to the back. They fell into the pool with splash of crimson. The third ran off.
"Thanks," Budd breathed and wiped the back of his hand to his sweat stricken forehead.
"No problem," Beatrix replied with a faint smile.
What happened next was a bit of a surprise. Budd began to move away from the threatening edge of the pool when O-Ren yelled out a warning. Beatrix whipped her head around to view the third cabana boy coming at her with a poised blade. A loud bang rang out and the cabana boy faltered. Another shot was taken as the man stumbled but he wasn't taken down by O-Ren's shots but kept on pursuing. He held up a shaky arm with the gun in hand and took a shot at the tall blonde.
Beatrix immediately dodged it but the bullet chipped the edge of her shoulder and she fell back into the water with a loud splash. Moments later Beatrix broke to the surface with a gasp for air. Her blonde head was soaked as well as the rest of her body, slow moving blood painted the water red. A glance to her side showed the cabana boy floating belly down, dead in the water. She wiped a hand over her face and swam to the stairs were she climbed out. Budd and O-Ren were there waiting. "What was that you said about not wanting to go for a swim?" Budd inclined jokingly.
Beatrix flipped her wet mop of hair over her shoulder, water droplets spraying the two killers. "Shut up."
It had all happened so quickly, Vernita nearly lost track of what had gone in what order. One moment Budd was in deep shit...she'd have helped him but she was somewhat pre-occupied at the moment, then Beatrix had ended up in the pool. And some shit had happened in-between.....those cabana boys were dropping like flies. Obviously they were amateurs. Vernita had been able to dispense of her remaining targets and ran over to the edge of the pool just as Beatrix was pulling herself out. She chuckled at Budd's comment and Beatrix's retort.
"Nice hair Bea....that's sexy," she added to the teasing, giving the sopping blonde a helping hand.
Elle was lying on the tiles nearby, her head lolling about. Bill had rushed to her side almost immediately after her collapse. He had watched Beatrix take a minor shot and then take a dip in the pool....but Elle at the moment was the higher priority.
Bill scooped Elle up, an arm around her torso. She was far heavier than Beatrix and he found it difficult to lift her and....fuck...he was too old to kill himself trying at this point. He let her drop partially back onto the ground, her arm his main concern.
"Bill....." Elle mumbled, her eye unfocused, "I....." She trailed off for a moment. She had lost a good amount of blood and was quickly losing consciousness. It was obvious she wasn't completely all there. "Just be quiet Elle......," He hissed, trying to concentrate. He checked her shot arm....no wonder, the bullet had torn through an artery.
"Bill.......," she began again, obviously trying to tell him something important, ".....Bill....I love you...." Bill wasn't paying much attention, "Of course you do Elle....I love you too..." he said somewhat absent mindedly, his attention still on her wound and trying to slow down the bleeding.
"No....no...." Elle continued in a groggy voice, "I really love you.....I....."
"Shut up Elle, you're going to bleed to death if you keep talking," he replied in a snappy tone.
Vernita had trotted over to them at this point, "Bea took a dip....I think she's ok...."
"Well...Elle isn't," Bill said, "Leave this to me....the rest of you make sure we have a clear path out of here." Vernita nodded, turning to the others.
Beatrix, Budd, and O-Ren soon joined Vernita, Bill, and Elle. Elle didn't look good at all. She was as pale as a ghost and looked like shit which didn't do much for her stature of a hateful bitch. She was still hateful, still a bitch, but she looked fucking scary. O-Ren came to Bill's side to help with Elle but moved away at his cold dismissive hand.
The backyard party was now over. There was blood everywhere and dead bodies assorted the ground as if they were party favors. "I'll go see if they have a first aid kit in the house," Budd said his voice a tad off center. He was going to say more but he was cut off by the abrupt clapping of hands a few feet away.
Standing near the patio doors was a man that appeared identical to their former client, Vincent. All the DiVAS turned to stare flabbergasted at the clapping man with a sly grin on his Italian face. "Bravo! Very well done," he took a step down from the patio and took a non-threatening approach to the gathered killers. "I wasn't expecting you to take out half of my staff but wha-la, you have and beautifully, I might add. Not only have you avoided temptation, foresaw an ambush, and killed but you did this all so...marvelously."
All five Vipers, including Bill stood there with a clear 'what the fuck' expression plastered on their faces. The man chuckled. "I am sorry, allow me to explain. I am the 'real' Vincent De Lorenzo. See," he motioned to his dead 'twin' on the ground, blood seeping from Bill's bullet. "That is one of my many decoys. I am a very wealthy man and I can't risk my own life when picking new organizations to do my dirty work. So, I set up this party, put in my decoy, tempted you all, saw how you reacted, saw how you killed, and I am pleased with the results." He was now standing a few feet from the DiVAS, hands clasped behind his back as he stood in a regal posture. He glanced to the fallen blonde and pursed his lips.
"There is a doctor on staff inside. Go inside and he will tend to all your wounds accordingly than please, get a good nights rest." A pause. "Go, quickly, that woman does not look well....Bill, a word if you may. I promise your Vipers are in good hands."
A few hours later, all of the DiVA's were staked up at a decent hotel. After what had happened at Vincent's nobody felt like driving/flying or going much of anywhere.
They had rented two large suites with an adjoining "living room." Elle was stretched out across one of the three large couches in the living area, her head propped up on a pillow. She had received top notch medical treatment from Vincent's staff. She still looked pale and shaky, but she appeared to be over the worst of it but had been relatively quiet since she had come back to reality. She was now watching TV half heartedly. Her arm was wrapped tightly in bandages...which appeared to be doing the job so far. Bill had said even less than Elle. He'd said all of two words since they had left Vincent's. He and the rich crime lord had had a short private conversation and that had been that. Now he was utterly silent. He had stoically sat in a chair by Elle's couch for sometime, but he had recently moved and was now sitting quietly in a chair in the corner of the room he and Budd were sharing.
Vernita was somewhat more animated, strolling around the rooms....retelling some of her bloodiest attacks from the day. Nobody else seemed very talkative, so she attempted to fill the silence. But after a few minutes of getting chilly responses from her fellow assassins, she fell quiet...resigning to watch TV with Elle.
Beatrix soon came out to join the silence that was only broken by the muffled sounds of the television. She had recently changed into a pair of dry clothes, black sweat pants and a baggy white t-shirt, and bare feet. Locks of 'dry' blonde hair was pulled half back into a pony tail. Bare feet padded on the carpet as she entered the living room.
Budd was in his side of the room splayed out on the bed lingering between sleep and awake. O-Ren soon dismissed herself to catch a few winks of sleep. Everyone appeared rather out of it. There was a legitimate reason to be and sleep was the best way to let the past slip away.
At least sleep had been the idea but the tall blonde warrior failed to do so. She rolled over in the bed she was sharing with Vernita, O-Ren took the cot, and glanced at the numbers on the clock; 3 AM. She let out a soft groan of annoyance and slipped out of the covers. She had been laying there for a good hour going in and out of a restless slumber there was no point in continuing it.
So, gingerly, moving like a mouse, through the bedroom and to the adjoined living room. Elle was out cold on the couch the faint flickering of the television bouncing shadows in the room. Her blue eyes roamed the area unsure how she planned to cure her insomnia when a familiar figure caught her eye. Standing near the back of the living room in a darkened corner was Bill. "You should be asleep," she whispered as she walked over to join his cold shadow.
"I have no reason to sleep," his distinctive voice replied softly from the shadow in the corner. He turned his head slightly as Beatrix's slender form walked up beside him. His hard gaze lingered on her for a moment. In the dim lighting, her features were really nothing more than a silhouette but it was a familiar one. After a few seconds he turned back towards the window he had been looking out of previously. A cool blue light was cast across his face as he watched the dark street below. They stood like that in silence for a few minutes. The only sounds; the hushed television and the occasional snore or rustling from those sleeping around them.
"The deceiver loathes to be deceived Kiddo," he spoke up finally in that same soft but hard tone of voice. "Today was not a victory, nor a new acquisition. We were fooled....lucky....but fooled nonetheless." His gaze turned to her direction once again, "Getting fucked over...it never gets any easier with time."
Beatrix frowned but it'd be hard to see in the vacant light source being the only reason she supplied one. For some reason she hadn't expected Bill to react in such a manner to the nights events. She'd thought he'd be proud that they passed a test and gained a worthy client. Obviously Bill wasn't thinking in that factor. Slowly and nonchalantly she found his hand in the shadows and clasped to it. An affectionate and supportive hold. She didn't speak at first but when she did her voice came just above a whisper, "I don't and I never will understand exactly why the deceiver loathes to be deceived when he was not necessarily deceived in the first place, but shown he is more than capable of anything that crosses his path. But, as you see differently I won't further sway your feelings."
Bill's reaction might have seemed misplaced to everyone else. But, to him....not being ecstatic about what had happened made perfect sense. Sure, they had gained a client...they had impressed him with their abilities. The client was disgustingly rich, which meant disgustingly high paying assignments. But, none of that seemed to matter to Bill since he had to take a massive hit to his ego and credibility as a man who could sniff out a fake like nobody else. Sure, his reaction was self centered and perhaps even something of an..."overreaction".....but this wasn't an entirely new thing for Bill.
He chuckled at Beatrix's wordy explanation, "Always the wise one Kiddo...." he said with affection, clasping onto her hand. "The deceiver loathes to be deceived because without deception.....what is he?" He paused, a truly rare moment of self doubt from Bill...but it quickly passed. "Then again....we are all deceivers so nobody wins in the end." He gave her a haughty smirk, which was hard to read in the dark, "I'm glad you've decided to stop trying to argue with me though....it's pointless really." Actually, that was a lie...he loved arguing with her...just for the simple fact that.......he loved arguing with her. Of course, she knew that.
Still holding her slim hand, he changed the subject, "Elle...today in a moment of blood loss insanity told me that she loved me." He chuckled with amusement as if chalking such feelings up to flimsy whims. Normally, Bill would probably never of told anybody that...but recently he found himself speaking rather frankly with Beatrix and it was hard to stop now.
Beatrix was becoming worn from all the surprises of the day and just when she thought the pool was enough Bill had to go and tell her that. Of course, she was glad that he was being more open with her. Honesty was a main factor in any relationship, as was truth. Beatrix wasn't one for truth but once in awhile she could get away with honesty. But, she could have lived without knowing that key information.
Blue eyes came downcast and she pursed her lips into a thin line. She knew Bill had told her that out of amusement and perhaps boosting his faltering ego but she found it far from amusing.
Of course Bill had said that to boost his wounded ego. He felt he had been tricked....even it had turned out well, so he had mended that with the knowledge that he had been awarded with female affection....even if it was unreturned, it was enough. Any man would feel better about himself knowing such things, even if he didn't feel the same...that wasn't the point. He was extremely amused as well. Bill's line of what was "cruel" perhaps did not include finding amusement in another's unreturned affection. It wasn't his fault Elle felt that way, if that was truly the case......she had control over her own feelings....she had to pay for them. Bill firmly believed that, no matter who you were, you had control over yourself and thus you were required to answer for your own feelings. Even if those feelings had been manipulated by another. One had to keep in mind that Bill had true sociopathic tendencies.
"I don't think that was insanity." She paused wanting to say more but decided against it. She knew sometimes when a person knows they may die they may have to tell a secret that has been hidden deep down but was never supposed to be share. She pulled her gaze up to him as her eyes had since adjusted to the light source in the room. "At least," she let out a soft laugh to mask her discomfort. "You've got one blonde that will willingly and truthfully admit her love for you."
He chuckled, a little coldly at Beatrix's comment, "Hrm, yes....I suppose that's true." His hand slid out from Beatrix's smaller one and he crossed his arms, leaning on the window frame. There was a lot of fodder there to strike a low blow to Beatrix. But he wasn't sure he wanted to go there. Perhaps he was just too worn out or perhaps it was because he simply chose not to purposefully hurt her. Another somewhat recent development. Instead he decided to steer away from insults and strive more for sadistic humor. "So....." he gave her a long look, still keeping his voice low, ".....are you saying you would perhaps......unwillingly admit that you love me?" His lip turned up in amusement. "It could be arranged...." Bill, for a man who was a murdering bastard, seemed to have a strange fascination with love. This could be chalked up to the fact that it was one of the strong human feelings he had either never been allowed to know or had never allowed himself to really know.
Even if Bill had made an attempt to not hurt Beatrix with following comments to her words about love he managed it and flawlessly. But, on the surface the tall blonde knew that he said that in 'good' humor and hadn't meant for her to take it with offense--or had he? The choices balanced one another. To make Beatrix do anything remotely against her will took a hell of a lot of persuasion or force. Force would be a deadly approach taking that force involved physical contact. Bill was good with persuasion but he wasn't always able to pull it off with Beatrix. She was smarter, well; she wasn't as prone as others to fall into that shit he laid out. Anything in the area of physical would be taking a plunge. They were both worthy opponents and neither of them enjoyed not getting what they wanted. But, she was getting a head of herself, jumping to conclusions. She glowered at him through the darkness. Blue eyes now stared at him held a cold temperature. "If you were expecting me to find that humorous you'll be disappointed." Her chin tilted down to her chest and head canted slightly. "But, let me astound with you the knowledge that you will forever be oblivious to the actions that I take. Thus being my reply," a heart beat. "Thank you, Bill. Thank you for showing me what this relationship 'really' means to you."
Bill watched her under heavy lids, his head titled to rest on the window frame. His expression remained unchanged, but the temperature around him seemed to drop a few degrees cooler. She was upset. She was hiding it well.....but she was fucking pissed off at him. Had that been his intention all along? Perhaps. He enjoyed pushing her to emotional limits. Was it amusing? Always. Was it sadistic? Sure. Was it a test? Most likely. But he had seemed to be doing it more recently. Was it because he was figuring out more effective ways to do it, or was it because he found it easier than letting new and perhaps more risky things take it's place? He would never physically force her into anything....she should know that. He was guilty of .physical intimidation, but it was only when she had either asked for it.....or truly deserved it in his eyes. He mentally forced people into things all of the time, but Beatrix was far too smart for that. And not just for a blonde....but for a human being. Oh sure, he still tried...but it nearly always backfired in his face.
Bill let the near silence dominate for sometime after Beatrix's words. He didn't move but continued to watch her dark shadowed face. Finally he spoke almost inaudibly, but with a good dose of anger, "What does this relationship really mean then? Huh Kiddo? Do tell me...." Whatever fucked up idea Beatrix had in mind that he had for "their relationship" had to be incorrect...for the simple fact that he really didn't have any clear idea what their relationship was about. She had misconstrued his comment. Not the first time....no doubt not the last.
He wanted to end it with that comment, but an overwhelming rush of anger took over, "Oblivious to your actions?" he continued on, head rising off of the window frame, "You think I'm oblivious to your actions? Well...sorry to break the fucking news to you....but I am far from oblivious. If you want me to start being oblivious to you, I will certainly make an attempt." He stood up straight, facing her now. Nobody could piss him off quite like Beatrix....nobody, not even Budd..... "Perhaps....I might be better off..." He titled his head to the side, "Let's see....I've already been told to...stop trying....and now I'm apparently oblivious.....is that what you want? Oh wait...that's right...." he leaned forward, smirk evident even in the dim lighting, "....you won't tell me....you never tell me. So, now I'm left to attempt to guess. Well...let's see then," his voice was dripping with sarcasm and vile intentions, "....I think....you don't know what the fuck you want Kiddo."
A small part of him wanted to tell her...or at least show her what their relationship really meant to him....but that was far too difficult. It was far easer to put the damage on. "You...." he floated a finger in her face, "...think you know what this relationship means to me?" A bitter smile, "Then, you tell me....I'm sure at the very least you could tell me what I want, since you apparently can't tell me what you want....Then again, I'm not sure I can believe anything you say about me but, I'm at least willing to let you give it the old college try..." The dim lighting did nothing to hide the anger and spite on Bill's face.
Beatrix stood stock still with her lips inches apart. Why'd he have to be so fucking cruel about it? Why couldn't they ever have a normal conversation about differences on ideas and opinions? It always ended with bitter exchange of words that always burned.
If this had been a meager attempt to try and force her into speaking her mind it wasn't going to work. She'd never tell Bill her true feelings or the thoughts that ran in her complex mind. Of course there would be times she'd give references to the truth but not the full out. It wasn't in her character nor did she much admit the truth to herself. And when she couldn't admit the truth to herself, especially on the subject of Bill, it was hard to tell someone else the truth. But, tonight she'd attempt thoughts on the sensitive subject of telling the truth. What did their relationship mean to Bill? A few moments ago she thought it was about sex but that was a fleeting misjudgment. Yes, they had the whole friend relationship down quite tight and the boss/employee relationship was approved, but anything further than that was nonexistent. Or, something was there but she couldn't find words for it.
The blonde remained irate and the stoic facade on her face was easily masked by the faint lighting. Any other woman in this situation would have slapped Bill and walked off in a crying hussy but that wasn't Beatrix. She had a desire to turn away and go back to sleep but she couldn't or more that she wouldn't. Her lips tightened together and she felt a lump form in her throat. Her lips parted as if to speak but nothing came out. She tried again keeping her voice steady, "I don't know..." She blinked hard. "I don't know what you want...and I sure as hell don't know what I want. What I do know is that I want you but that doesn't seem to justify anything." She paused. "So, you're right. I don't know what the fuck I want and I wonder if the simple fact of 'wanting' is enough to pull this relationship any further."
Bill's face took on an expression that would be easily readable to somebody who knew him as well as Beatrix....even in the dim lighting.
His face simply read that he was done with this. He'd spoken his mind and now he was preparing to shut down and close off. There would be a few precious minutes before he would completely close himself off emotionally. This indicated that this situation had in one way or another crossed a line for him. Either it had gotten too petty, too ridiculous, too farfetched...or as in this case....too close to wounding him. But before then...he had a few things to say. "I couldn't have said it better myself Kiddo," his said softly....some of the anger drained away, only to be replaced by cold resolve.
He moved away a bit, "Neither of us seem to know what we want. Wanting one another is simply not enough as you so aptly put it." He paused in thought, coming to a decision, "We need to stop things now......for the time being...or we are going to kill one another trying to make something work that obviously isn't working at the moment."
A caring hand came up and combed through Beatrxi's hair, "You find me cruel...and I don't want to be cruel to you. But...right now...cruel is what I am...and until I can find it in me to not be....its best...we take a step back. Nothing but anger is going to pull this relationship any further right now....and I don't think that is what you want....is it?"
She nodded her head firmly. Her features warmed and the glistening in her blue eyes was now frozen over. "It isn't," she whispered. At least that she could truthfully admit to him. Finally they were able to see things on equal terms and it felt good. Well, not entirely good being what they were about to do. They were going to put an extension on their challenge.
It seemed like a worthy idea. Beatrix could take time to think things out without having bitter resolves towards him as their recent time apart had been. This was a conscious decision between the both of them that would end up being for better or worse. Unsure what else to say she put her hand up to his, the one still lingering in her hair and rubbed her long fingers affectionately against it. "I'll see you in the morning." She took a step back, giving off signs of short lived resistance, and she turned for the bedroom.
Bill was extremely glad for the dim lighting....just in case she were to catch the brief flicker of regret and pain on his face as he watched her walk away. That was hard....it wasn't hard to say...but it was hard to face now that he fully realized what it meant. He had to remind himself that it was only a brief thing...a step back. She wasn't going away.....she was still his employee.....even perhaps, still his friend, if that's what they had been before. With a defiant tilt of his chin, he buttoned his coat and turned towards his own room.
And that was that.