Erwin saw Levi first. He entered the room with his gut wriggling around like a hive of damn earthworms, if worms lived in a damn hive. Levi found Erwin resting comfortably in bed, bandaged and bruised around the eyes but still handsome. The expression in those eyes was sharp as ever.
"Levi," Erwin breathed.
It was not a lie when Levi went into the man's arms. Even with his love for Petra now certain, it was not a lie to kiss Erwin quickly but firmly.
"Thank fuck you're alive," Levi muttered. Erwin's large hand stroked across the shaved back of his skull a moment, a pleasant sensation. Sometimes Levi wanted only to stay and melt into this man's embrace; most of the time, though, he wanted to scream and run.
I told Petra we couldn't. Not yet. This had to be handled delicately. Levi would not hurt or kill Erwin to make his own escape. He owed the man that much at least.
"What's this?" Erwin marveled at the tears Levi struggled to choke back. His enormous eyebrows lifted. "Levi. It's unlike you to cry."
"Yeah, so shut up about it," Levi snapped. Erwin chuckled, delighted as ever. That was Levi's customary way, after all, snapping and forcing back emotion. Levi needed to keep this act up; no one could know how Petra had turned his damn head all the way around.
"Thank you." Erwin kissed him again. "You saved my life, and Petra's. No one else could have done what you did."
Levi looked the man he still loved in the eyes and felt the knife's twist of self-hatred in his guts. He was going to keep Marie's secret for Petra's sake. It was a measure of betrayal that was unfathomable.
But for her, for saving her and loving her and living the rest of his life with her, it was an acceptable one.
"What's wrong?" Now Erwin seemed damn concerned. Shit.
"It shouldn't have gotten as far as it did," Levi growled. "I should've thought steps ahead of all them."
"Even I couldn't," Erwin said. He cupped Levi's chin in his hand. "Petra." His blue eyes widened with almost frenzied hope. "Is she still pregnant?"
"She never was." Levi cleared his throat as Erwin's face fell. "She made a mistake. Missed her period and got excited."
"I see. Well." Erwin gave a slim smile. "That at least means we can try again as soon as I'm ready."
I'll kill you if you touch her.
Levi had to bunch his fists, force himself not to put his hands around Erwin's neck and squeeze.
"What'd Pixis find out?" Levi asked. "Hange and Zackley wouldn't say shit on the drive down."
"Only Pixis knows everything. Besides you and Petra, he's the only one I fully trust."
That was fucking awful and hysterical.
"So what's the next move?"
"Pixis thinks we should wait until I'm recovered and then arrange a meeting with Tybur in Venice."
"No." Levi's answer was clipped and sure. That fucking idiot Pixis, he'd kill the asshole. "That's just what Tybur wants, isn't it? Tybur's the one who set up the hit on you!"
"How do you know that?" Erwin asked. Simple answer: because of Marie. And if Erwin got the idea that Levi knew the answer, it would all be over. For Levi, yes, but also for Petra.
I oughta kill myself. Spare Petra.
"It's the only thing that makes sense," Levi growled. Erwin chuckled, kissed him again gently.
"You're probably right; I think Tybur was behind the last attack. But that's not what truly worries me."
Levi frowned. "What, then?"
"I think there's something else going on here," Erwin said. "Someone else is in play."
"Huh?"
"Tybur attacked us last time, but I truly believe that this new, phantom antagonist is the one who attacked you and Petra in Rome."
"So we got two assholes on our tail?" Levi shrugged. "That's bad, but not new."
"No. Two separate enemies isn't new. Everyone's seen two snakes before." Erwin narrowed his eyes. "But a two-headed snake is rare. And can be dangerous."
"You think…" Levi had an idea. "You think this new guy and Tybur are tag teaming it? Taking turns closing in on you till you don't know which way to run?"
"Perhaps. Pixis thinks if I bring the fight to Tybur, it'll force this new associate of his into close proximity."
"How do we even know these two are working together?" Levi wondered if he could get Petra to press Marie about this, but decided that was too fucking dangerous. "Or even if they're not, what makes you think this new guy will follow us to Venice?"
"I think this new enemy has a flair for the dramatic, much like myself." Erwin got that distant look in his eyes, the one where he saw far away into whole other dimensions where Levi couldn't follow. "Venice in the early autumn is a superb stage for the grandiose. And if he and Tybur are working together, they know that me being on Tybur's 'turf' is a rare opportunity."
"So we're using you as damn bait?"
"Myself and Petra," Erwin said quietly. He sneered, almost contemptuous of himself. "She must come with me."
"You're not gonna stick her in a cabin and let her wait it out?" Levi's heart thundered and he wanted to scream. If he'd been able to take her away again, they could've made their escape. "What if she's pregnant by then? You won't let me feed her a damn latte at the wrong time of day in case it fouls up conception, and now you'd risk her life and maybe your kid's?"
"They came so close to killing us, Levi," Erwin barked. He winced at the pain in his wounds, and Levi rang for the nurse on impulse. Maybe they needed morphine or something. Erwin waved the woman away when she entered, and when they were alone he continued. "If I don't seem open, even vulnerable, I can't see how we'll draw them in. And the longer this continues, the more likely it is I'll die. Then Petra might die, too."
"I won't let it happen," Levi growled. Quickly, he added, "To either of you."
"Even you, my Levi, can't take on two criminal enterprises at once." Erwin smiled.
"You haven't seen me try yet."
Again, Erwin kissed him. Again, Levi withered inside knowing how he was going to hurt this man. This man who had saved him, gotten him off drugs, fed him well, given him beautiful places to live and clothes to wear, endless amounts of soap. This man who had shared his mind and his body with Levi, who had been the first to give him any sort of pleasure. Without Erwin Smith, God knows what the Russians would have done to Levi.
And this was how he'd repay the man?
I'll save you from Tybur and this other guy, Erwin. It'll be my way of getting even; you saved my life, and I'll save yours.
Even if it meant running away with Petra would be that much harder, Levi would do it. He still loved Erwin, even if his love for Petra now overshadowed everything.
A soft knock came at the door. Petra stepped inside, doe-eyed and fragile looking. Not the spirited, earthy girl he'd known up in the mountains. Levi couldn't stare at her, but he wanted to. He wanted only her to fill his vision.
"Pixis said you wanted to see me." She spoke small. She sniffled, her eyes filled with tears.
"Darling." Erwin gazed at her with hunger. Levi got off the bed and let Petra take her assigned place. She lay down beside her husband, as expected, and Levi had to stand and be cool while Erwin kissed her forehead, rubbed her back and arms. "My perfect jewel. My treasure," he whispered, claiming her mouth in a kiss.
Levi wanted to howl; he had the fast impulse to strangle Erwin. No one should touch Petra but Levi. No one else.
Get a grip. You need to play it smart.
"I'm sorry I'm not well enough to show you how much I've missed you." Erwin's voice was hot and simmering with need. Levi wanted to scream.
"Oh, it's all right. We need to get you better." Petra played the loving little wife to perfection. Damn fine actress.
"But I'll be well soon. Don't worry."
Levi stepped out so he didn't lose his shit. He needed to talk with Pixis; he needed to talk with Hange; he needed to drink some tea to quiet his nerves. He couldn't bear the thought of Erwin touching her like that, not ever again.
But if they needed to play this out until Venice, it was very, very likely Petra would need to 'do her duty' again.
Kill Erwin. The thought flashed neon in his thoughts, but Levi had to force it down. No. No, he was a monster, Levi was, he was a creep and a scoundrel, but he wasn't the guy who knifed a friend in the back. This was not the first awful thing Erwin had done that Levi had stepped back and allowed.
This was the first time where it was personal for him. That's all.
I can bear it, Petra had whispered as they finished packing in the cabin, Hange waiting to drive them away. I can sleep with him if I have to. As long as I know we're getting out.
Levi nodded to himself. They were getting out. It was toward the end of July now, and Erwin had said early autumn. Mid September, maybe? Less than two months.
Petra could survive that long. She'd survived worse on no hope; now, hope was real.
Levi forced himself to walk, forced himself along the hall toward his meeting with the rest of Erwin's top men. On his way, he passed Marie Dok. She nodded at him, looking bored.
I want to kill you, you cunt.
But Levi couldn't make a sound, not a move. If he fucking looked at her wrong, she'd know he knew. Then she'd wonder why he hadn't killed Petra; why Levi hadn't told Erwin or Pixis everything.
And the moment she pieced that together, she'd have him by the balls. Levi hadn't realized how surrounded by vipers he was until he was looking to escape the nest.
One week later, Erwin was well enough to be moved. They didn't return to Rome. Petra had thought they might head for the yacht, but instead she found herself, Erwin, Levi, and the rest of the entourage on a private jet. They were headed to America. To New York.
"I'd like to give you a treat," Erwin told her, his hand in hers. He'd insisted she wear a pinkish, peach-colored dress with a matching gauzy scarf. He liked to see her looking her most beautiful, even when they were merely traveling. A flight attendant poured them flutes of champagne, and Erwin clinked his with hers. He smiled on her, still with that wolfish hunger. "You mentioned once you'd always wanted to see New York."
"I do!" Petra had only seen it in movies before, but she'd loved to imagine the sheer energy of the crowds.
"I have some business to attend," Erwin said, sipping his champagne. "But Levi will ensure you have a good time. And Marie will keep you company."
Yes. The women hadn't spoken in a meaningful way all week. Petra got the feeling that would change now.
"Thank you," she said, drinking her champagne. Erwin smirked.
"Enjoy that while you can," he said in her ear. "The day after tomorrow, I should have the go ahead from the doctor to take you to bed again. I've been so desperate for you, I imagine I'll have you pregnant in ten minutes."
Petra smiled when she wished she could scream. God, what if he got her pregnant before Levi could get her away? What would she do then?
"Yes," was all she said.
Levi was seated across from them. He didn't move a muscle, but she could read the cold fury in his eyes.
If only he'd agree to kill Erwin and be done with it…
You have to remember that his life is…complicated. His relationship with Erwin is complicated.
But all she wanted when she woke every morning was to see Levi in bed next to her instead of Erwin.
Petra's dream of New York City noise wasn't as she'd imagined. When they landed at JFK, a private car and armed escort awaited them. They drove to Manhattan. Erwin, of course, owned property in TriBeca, a trendy neighborhood that Petra wished she could simply explore. Instead, they drove to a giant of a skyscraper, sixty or seventy stories tall.
"I own the top three penthouses," Erwin told her as they drove into the underground garage. "Three stories of our own private world. The first two are mostly for staff and security."
"It's like a fortress in the sky." Petra felt numb.
Erwin chuckled. "That's exactly what it is. You'll be safe there."
Safe for him and his pleasure, untouched by the rest of the world.
Petra made a fist. This would end soon. Levi would see to it.
She was a bit breathless when she saw the surroundings. This wasn't a world that would allow spills or messes; the whole layout was either pale hardwood floors or wall-to-wall white carpets. The furniture was all neutral colored, creams and beiges, but Petra scarcely noticed the objects. The view was what held her.
From seventy stories up, the entire city was spread out at her feet like a doll's playground. She noted the Empire State Building and the sleek, dart-like shape of the Chrysler. She saw the large, green rectangle of Central Park in the distance. The windows ran the entirety of the rounded penthouse, so she could see the river and the other boroughs as she walked about the place.
It was a world she'd always dreamed of, and now here she was…and she couldn't touch it. It was too far away, too far below. This was what being Erwin's wife meant: beauty and life, but at a distance.
Petra opened a door and stepped onto the terrace. The wind up here whipped through her hair, blowing her skirt about her knees.
"Hell're you doing?" Levi snapped, nabbing her by the elbow and drawing her back inside at once. He shut the glass door, pressed his back to it. She'd never seen him look so…green. "We don't take unnecessary risks."
"It's seven hundred feet in the air. I doubt there's a helicopter outside waiting to snipe us."
"You don't know that. Besides which, you could slip and fall."
"Afraid of heights, Mr. Ackerman?" She couldn't help teasing him a little. "You don't seem like the type."
"Tch. Maybe in another life. This me doesn't like heights," he grumbled. Levi jerked his head. "Time for your lunch. Boss wants you to eat regular and healthy."
They had to keep pretending things hadn't changed between them. All she wanted in the world was to put her arms around him, her lips upon his. But now, they had to be so careful. The slightest change in tone, a lingering glance, and they could both end up dead. Petra had never acted so well in her life, pretending she didn't want this man.
That she didn't love this man.
When they'd finished her meal, she inspected the master bedroom and bathroom. They were both splendid, obviously. Petra eyed a telephone on the bedside table, wishing she could call her family. She hadn't spoken to any of them since Mykonos.
I'm coming home, Papa. I promise. She blinked back tears as Levi put her suitcase on the bed and unzipped it.
"Gotta keep to a regular schedule. Come on. Gym time."
After a healthy workout in Erwin's private gym, Petra showered. She shut her eyes under the spray, wishing and waiting for him, for Levi to open the door and join her. She loved showering with him; he became such an animal when they got clean.
She smiled.
Erwin didn't go near her much that day; he was preoccupied with business calls. He slid into bed with her that night, and Petra pretended to be asleep. She had to pretend to wake when he kissed her.
"Tomorrow," he growled. It was like receiving the date of her execution.
"Yes." She smiled weakly. "And tomorrow during the day, couldn't I explore the city a bit? With Levi, of course."
"No." He kissed her jawline, whispering as he went. "It's too risky. There's too much going on right now."
"Not even if we brought a few extra security?" She winced, knowing she was risking his anger. "I'm sorry, Erwin. It's just…I'm so excited to be here."
She spoke the way she knew he liked, breathless and youthful. She pouted at him, made those ridiculous doe eyes. He chuckled, enjoying her performance of naivete.
"Probably not," he warned. "But I'll speak with Levi and see what he thinks. It's him I trust to keep you safe, after all."
She nodded, trying not to cry with relief.
"What do you want to do, anyway?"
"I want to see the park, and maybe even try to go to something on Broadway." Her childish enthusiasm was unfeigned this time. "I've always wanted to see Phantom of the Opera."
His laughter was rumbling and insulting.
"Oh, you poor little thing." He kissed her, and Petra withered when his tongue slipped into her mouth. "I'll need to open your eyes to a little culture. Real opera is much better than populist twaddle."
At least he didn't try to fuck or fondle her after that. Petra lay in bed, trying to sleep, wishing she could tell him to fuck off.
The next morning, she barely tasted her breakfast. Petra listened as Erwin and Levi spoke, her nerves wound to the breaking point. Erwin didn't join them for breakfast, taking his coffee and grapefruit in the office; Levi sat with her and Hange, and scowled into his tea.
"I'm allowed to take you to a few places," he said. "With extra security, of course."
"Oh?" Petra felt giddy with relief, though this meant she and Levi couldn't kiss or touch at all. But at least she'd get to be with him.
"Yeah. You can see Central Park, and…" He heaved a weary sigh. "There's a matinee of Phantom of the Opera. I don't think anyone's gonna try to take us out in a Broadway theatre." He grumbled. "Though I sorta wish they'd try."
Petra squealed into her cupped hands. Hange looked delighted.
"Wish I could go with you guys." She sipped her coffee and sighed. "I'll be stuck in meetings with Erwin all day."
"In a perfect world, I'd be there with you." Levi sounded grouchy. He wasn't a bad actor himself. Though maybe he really couldn't bear to see a Broadway show. Well. Too bad. Petra stuck her nose in the air, which made Hange laugh and Levi scowl.
After breakfast, they were escorted to the underground garage by several of Erwin's plainclothes bodyguards. Levi and Petra sat in the back of a sleek black town car, and soon they were driving through the city. Petra gaped through the windows, wishing she was allowed to roll them down. Through the tinted glass, she saw a huge assortment of cars and yellow taxis; dense crowds of people shoved along the sidewalks, stopping at falafel carts and hot dog stands; steam rushed into the air from underground grates. Even in this cloistered, leather-seated world, Petra could still hear the blare of horns and the teeth-rattling boom of music.
"I always dreamed of coming here." She sighed.
"Lemme guess. Another movie?" Levi asked. She shrugged, bashful.
"Yeah. James and the Giant Peach." Petra felt her face heat up. "They were headed to New York, after all. I also wanted to travel in an enormous peach, but I got over that one pretty quickly."
Levi coughed, and fought against a smile. He couldn't look too delighted with her, after all.
"You're a weird kid," he said at last. His inflection was dull, but Petra swore she could hear the message beneath the words: I love you.
"You're a weird guy." I love you, too.
She swore the tips of his ears tinged pink. He'd heard the secret message as well.
They started in Central Park, at the bronze statue of Alice in Wonderland. Petra demanded that Levi take pictures of her with her arms spread out in front of it.
"You're a damn child," he snapped, but took the photos. Erwin's extra security detail lingered around them, blending into the background very nicely. Erwin only hired the best, it seemed.
Petra wanted to rent a rowboat near the pond, but Levi thought it was too risky. They passed through the zoo, though they couldn't spend too much time. Petra's stomach rumbled when she smelled all the cheap, greasy food options on demand at every cart they passed.
"You're not supposed to eat too much crap," Levi warned, but she knew it was for the security detail's benefit. He needed to be seen obeying Erwin's orders, or at least complaining about them. But Petra bought a large, soft pretzel with mustard, and then after she'd polished that off she demanded a hot dog with fries and a diet soda. They sat on a bench beneath a leafy tree, and Levi muttered annoyed statements as Petra downed her lunch. She couldn't remember eating better since Greece.
"I'm never going to be the kind of girl Erwin wants." She sucked ketchup from her fingers.
"What's that? Clean?" Levi sneered in disgust, and she rolled her eyes.
"No. Elite. Fancy. I think if I could spend every weekend getting a hot dog and going to the park, I'd be set for life."
"Simple girl. Simple tastes." Levi cleared his throat; they had to be careful, after all. Petra wished that she could touch him, press her cheek to his chest and listen to his strong, powerful heartbeat. "Well. We'd better head out. If we're gonna make this godawful show, we should be at the theater in forty minutes."
"You've never seen a Broadway show, have you?" She smiled in triumph when he glared.
"I know it's not my thing."
"How can you know if you've never tried it?"
"I'm not the kind of guy who likes it when people start singing and dancing for no reason."
Well. Petra couldn't argue with that.
They took their seats in the theatre, and Petra explained the basic plot to Levi in hushed excitement before the lights went down: a beautiful young singer in Paris is courted by a dashing nobleman, but the brilliant recluse who lives under the opera house plans to take her for himself.
"Sounds stupid," Levi said as the lights began to dim.
"Well. Too bad. We're going to watch it."
Petra was enraptured by the first act with all the incredible sets and costumes, not to mention the singing. When the lights came up at intermission, she was surprised to see Levi frowning and leaning forward a little in his seat.
"So he's not gonna get her, right? That phantom guy?" he asked Petra.
"Some women would prefer the phantom to Raoul." She giggled as he tried to get his evident interest under control.
"Tch. No idea why. Raoul's the one with all the money and all the power."
"But the phantom understands Christine's soul. That counts for a lot."
"He also murdered a couple of guys."
"Well. Nobody's perfect."
The second act started. By the time the play reached its climax—the phantom threatening Raoul's life in the underground while Christine pleads for mercy—Petra had to force herself not to grip Levi's hand. Even though she knew how it ended, seeing it onstage made the tension unreal.
Finally, Christine kissed the phantom, showing him compassion for the first time, and the phantom released Raoul and let the lovers go. Bemoaning his lost love, the phantom vanished from the stage and the show ended. Petra leapt to her feet and applauded with enthusiasm along with the rest of the audience. Wiping tears away, she looked down to Levi as the lights rose. He'd never stood or applauded, and sat in his seat with his shoulders hunched and his arms crossed over his chest.
"Wow. You hated it that much?" Petra was dumbfounded.
"Was fine." He spoke the words through clenched teeth. To her shock, Petra realized what it was. She sat down next to him. Levi stared ahead, looking almost fierce.
"Are you…crying?" she whispered.
"No. Shut up," he snapped. He wasn't crying, but was wobbling on the verge of tears. Petra gave him a moment, then whispered that they needed to go; the theatre was almost empty and people were giving them funny looks. They went across the street to a coffee shop and sat down, being watched on all sides by Erwin's men. Petra ordered a soda for herself, and some tea for Levi.
"See? It was a good show, wasn't it?" Petra smiled. Levi, who was under control again, cleared his throat.
"It didn't suck." He sipped his tea when it arrived. "I thought it'd be more, like, cutesy songs and shit. But it wasn't."
"You don't know a lot about musicals, do you?" Petra giggled.
"What gave it away?" Levi drawled. He sat in silence for a minute. "It must suck, I guess."
"What must?"
"If you're, like, some kinda genius but also unfuckable. Raw deal."
"Christine didn't love the phantom because he was a murderer and he kidnapped her," Petra reminded him. "Not because of his face."
"Yeah." Levi scowled into his tea. "I guess when you're a kidnapper and murderer, you gotta realize there's no happy ending."
Petra paused, her mouth falling open.
"Oh, Levi," she whispered. Quickly, she cleared her throat and sipped her drink. She wished she could touch his hand or caress his face, or kiss him. But that would be death. "Maybe in a world without Raoul, Christine would've come to see how good the phantom could be. I'm sure she would."
"Yeah, but Raoul's there. He's the guy she should be with."
Petra wrinkled her nose. "Trust me. Raoul can be overrated."
Levi chuckled, hiding his relief. "Don't know what we're talking about anymore."
"Me neither. It's probably almost time to go home."
They both tensed at that word. Home. Erwin.
And tonight, he planned to resume his 'marriage' in every way that mattered.
"I can do this." She spoke it so softly, her lips scarcely moved.
Levi grunted and said nothing else.
When they arrived back at the apartment, Erwin met them in the foyer. He'd removed his coat and had his sleeves rolled; clearly, it had been a difficult day if he was 'disheveled.' For him, this was downright slovenly.
"Did you enjoy yourself?" He smiled indulgently at Petra. She forced herself to kiss him, felt Levi's agonized gaze.
"It was wonderful. Thank you so much."
"You'll make it up to me tonight," he whispered in her ear. Petra wanted to scream and sob. Before, having sex with him had been a chore. A sometimes pleasant chore, but work. This now? When she loved Levi? This would be torture.
"May I go lie down for a while? I'm a little tired." She sounded faint. Erwin kissed her.
"Rest up. You'll need all your strength." He winked at her.
She would. Petra walked to the bedroom, feeling Levi's gaze burning between her shoulder blades.
He couldn't fucking bear it.
It was after dinner, and Levi sat with Erwin in the main living room. Just down the hall, Petra waited for her husband in their bed. Levi could imagine her dressed in a silk negligee, her ginger hair strewn across the pillow. He imagined Erwin kissing her body, removing that negligee, fisting that hair as he fucked her hard.
"You seem upset," Erwin said.
"Huh?" Levi fumbled for his tea cup. "I'm fine. Tired, I guess."
"Of course." Erwin smiled gently, drank his whiskey. "You'll have an easier job these next couple of days. I plan on keeping Petra close. Thank you for letting her take in a bit of the city; she does deserve a treat for being so good."
Like she's a fucking child. Levi flinched.
"Levi? What's wrong?" Erwin set down his whiskey and leaned forward, frowning. "Did something happen with Petra?"
"Petra, Petra." Levi growled, letting the sudden spark of inspiration move him. He wasn't much of an actor, but his anger and the conflict in his soul was real. It carried him out of his seat, set him roaming back and forth across the carpet. "It's all I fucking hear anymore. It's all I get to think about, your wife."
"Because guarding her is your job." Erwin sounded neutral; he didn't know where this was headed.
Levi could not let him go in there and fuck Petra. Not tonight; let it be tomorrow, but not tonight.
Levi let the impulse drive him forward. He lifted Erwin's face and kissed him hard, kissed him fully. Erwin gave a surprised moan in his throat, and Levi clung to him. He forced Erwin's gaze to his.
"You got any idea how hard it is for me to watch you two together all the time?" he rasped. It was honesty, and Erwin bought it. Levi winced. "I knew when you got married you'd devote yourself to your wife. I accepted it; you always slept with other people, and I was fine with it."
"I know." Erwin spoke so gentle, so unlike how he spoke to anyone else. Levi was betraying this man, he hated this man, and the conflict made him want to scream.
"But it's been almost two months and you don't fucking touch me anymore." Inspiration, denied hunger for Petra, the embers of hunger for Erwin, they drove him onward. Levi straddled Erwin, reached down and rubbed the developing bulge in the other man's pants.
"Oh, Levi." Erwin's voice came hot and excited in Levi's ear.
"I don't mind if she gets you for a hundred nights in a row." Levi unbuckled Erwin, unzipped his pants. "Give me one night, though. Don't take that away from me."
"No. Never." Erwin's eyes rolled back as Levi freed the length of him. Levi ran his hand along that hot, hard shaft. He slid to his knees, and in a second he'd taken Erwin's cock into his mouth. Fuck, it really was glorious, and it had been so damn long.
Levi loved Erwin's moans of increasing pleasure as he sucked faster and faster. It took no time at all for Erwin to spend, and Levi drank him down. He looked up to see that flushed, vulnerable expression on Erwin Smith's face. Only Levi ever really got to see that.
Quick, he kissed Erwin.
"Come to my room." He kissed along Erwin's neck, sucked on his earlobe. "Let me ride you good. Give me tonight."
Erwin's eyes were hazy with lust.
"She's tired, anyway. And there's always time tomorrow."
Tomorrow. Yes, let the pain start tomorrow. Not tonight.
Levi dragged Erwin across the apartment to his own room. It was as it had been for years between them. The clothes came off, and Erwin kissed every inch of his body, took Levi's smaller but definitely serviceable cock into his own mouth. When Levi was almost at his climax, he had Erwin stop. With the help of lube and a little patience, soon Erwin was deep inside of him. Levi straddled his boss, his lover, and moaned as he glided up and down Erwin's body. He hissed, bouncing faster, his erect cock sliding along the ridges of Erwin's abs.
"It's always so athletic with you." Erwin dug his fingernails into Levi's shoulders, ran them down the muscled line of his back. "You're a Greek fucking masterpiece, Levi. Marble made flesh."
Erwin had murmured it once, that their fucking was something out of Greek legend, Achilles and Patroclus. Levi pressed his hands to Erwin's pectorals, amazed as ever at their chiseled perfection. He would miss this; even as he gave himself to Erwin to spare Petra, he knew part of him would always miss these nights.
"Don't talk so fancy, you bastard." Levi hissed as he grabbed himself, started jerking himself off. A few more strokes and he'd spend. Erwin's lubed cock was already so deep in him, pressuring him to finish. "Fuck me."
Erwin finished the instant Levi did, both of them groaning their climaxes, their bodies surging with release. It was always so damn messy, the clean up after they'd finished, but when they were neat and Levi lay there in the moonlight, Erwin's body warming his, it felt like heaven.
Only now Levi had found the one thing in the world better than this. Petra.
You're safe tonight, baby. He shut his eyes. But I can't keep him from you forever.
"Did that soothe your nerves?" Erwin kissed Levi's forehead.
"Yeah. I feel better now."
He leaned his cheek against Erwin's chest, listened to the thunder of the man's laughter. Levi shut his eyes tight again. He imagined a world with just him and Petra, safe in some foreign city. A simple life, hot dogs in the park, tea in a coffee shop.
A world without Erwin Smith.
Even though Levi knew his mind and heart, even though he had done this to save his girl a little while longer, he still lay in Erwin's embrace and broke inside.
No matter how much he loved, he would hurt in equal measure by the end.
Levi dressed quietly in the morning as dawn just lit the sky. He'd always been a shitty sleeper, and these days he slept worse than usual. Erwin still drowsing, Levi put on his exercise gear, tied on his shoes, and went for a run outside.
Between four and six AM New York hit a kind of magic hour, the only time during the day when the city seemed almost restful. Levi jogged down the streets, not having to dodge too many people or watch out for too many cars as he raced along boulevards and cut across lanes. He let his lungs burn, his muscles tear, ran until he couldn't remember his own name any longer.
Erwin. Petra. He had chosen which one to betray, but that didn't make it easier.
He was so taken in by his own agony that it took longer than it should have to realize someone was following him.
Gradually, he noticed that the same black car appeared wherever and whenever he happened to turn. It wasn't always directly behind him, but no matter how fast or how far he ran the vehicle was always, always close by. There wasn't enough traffic around at this hour for the car to blend in.
Idiots. You should've waited.
He waited until the car was crawling behind him, then made a show of stopping and stretching. Levi reached down, took the gun from his ankle holster, and began to rise.
"I wouldn't recommend doing that," a man said.
Levi froze, caught between the car on his right and some schmuck accompanied by two guards to his left. The yellow lightning told him at once that firing at anyone would be a mistake. There were men in the car and more guards outside of it than just these two.
Besides, it was the fucker being flanked by the men in black who Levi ought to prioritize.
The guy looked late twenties, early thirties. He wasn't that tall, a young man with shaggy blond hair and a blond beard that he wore in a seeming attempt to look older. Blue, heavy lidded eyes looked on Levi with sleepy contempt. The asshole also wore a pair of rounded glasses. He dressed in a pale blue turtleneck, a pair of dress pants, and an overcoat, all of which was oblivious to the fact that it was almost August and humid to the point of misery even at five AM. But this guy seemed like a formal fucker.
"Who are you?" Levi growled. "Tybur sent you?"
"Oh no! Not at all." The bearded man grinned, that smile almost ape-like in its manic cheeriness. "My name's Zeke Jaeger, Mr. Ackerman. I'd like to invite you back to my apartment. Lucky you, it's only a few blocks north."
Levi heard the car door open behind him. Apparently they wanted him to get in. Levi sneered.
"One of us is about to die, Beardy. Better hope it's me. But it won't be."
"See, I think we should talk." Zeke held something out to Levi, a phone. There was a photograph displayed on it.
It was Levi and Petra in the Roman villa's garden, the night Marie and Nile first arrived. They weren't kissing in the picture, but the carnal looks between them couldn't be ignored or waved away. Levi's gut turned to stone.
"Where the fuck did you get that?" he croaked.
"I can explain everything if you'll come and have breakfast with me," Zeke Jaeger said. He never lost that creepy grin. "Because if you don't, or if anything happens to me, this picture and several others like it gets sent straight to Erwin Smith."
Levi was still gone at breakfast, and Petra was growing antsy. Erwin had never come to bed last night, and Petra was certain she knew why.
Levi had spared her at least another night of her husband, but the thought of the two of them together made her want to push over the breakfast dishes and go on a rampage. Tears threatened, and she worked to keep them away. She wanted Erwin out of their lives, a cancer they needed to destroy. She didn't want Erwin touching her or Levi; she wanted freedom. And the more she thought of waiting until September, the more frantic she grew.
Levi had bought her a reprieve, but not freedom.
"You seem on edge today." Marie sipped a cup of French press coffee and gazed at Petra across a wedge of melon. The older woman had come upstairs; she and Nile slept with Pixis, Zackley, and Hange on the second level. Only Levi, Petra, and Erwin had the privilege of sleeping at the top.
"I'm fine. I'm tired." Petra hardened her expression around Marie. The other woman studied the paper.
"Why don't we go shopping later? We could use a girls' day, don't you think?"
The conversation was breezy, but Petra knew that Marie wanted to understand what the hell was going on. Or rather, what had gone wrong on the day of the assassination. Thank God no one had lived who could tell Marie how badly Petra had fouled everything up.
"That would be nice." Petra forced a smile. "When Levi gets back, maybe."
Petra almost jumped when she heard Erwin stride into the breakfast room.
"Ladies," he said. He sat beside Petra, smelling fresh and clean from a shower. She imagined Levi's scent clinging to Erwin's skin, and wanted to scream. Erwin kissed her cheek, noting her flinch. "Behave yourself, my dear." His voice was silk with its implied threat. "Don't be jealous."
"I'm not." Not of him; never of him. Erwin smiled, looking a little pleased. He thought Petra was angry at Levi for taking Erwin from her last night. What a fool. But better he be foolish than wise in this case. Petra sighed as she ate her oatmeal and berries.
"Erwin, Petra and I wanted to go shopping later," Marie said. She frowned, looking about the room. "Where the hell is Levi, anyway?"
"Even a man like Levi deserves a morning off now and again." Erwin opened the paper and read, looking pleased with life and himself. "He works much too hard."
Petra thought of Levi working Erwin hard, and she dropped her spoon. Cursing, she bent to pick it up. Erwin ordered someone to do it for her, get her another.
"Jumpy, my love?" He took her hand and kissed it. Petra knew she wasn't hiding the tears well.
"I…" She didn't know what to do.
"I'm sorry I left you alone last night." He kissed her palm. "I know our arrangement may take some getting used to. But you know there's nothing to fear." His gaze burned for her; he completely ignored Marie, who chewed her melon and looked smugly irritated. "No one can steal me away from you."
I wish someone would steal me from you.
"Yes," she said weakly.
"After breakfast, join me in the bedroom." His tone suggested everything he'd do to her. "I have some time before work."
Petra bit back a scream.
"Oh, wouldn't it be, um, impolite to just…leave Marie like that?" She laughed weakly, hoping Marie would play along. Instead, the woman stood and polished off her coffee.
"Not at all. Nile's expecting me downstairs." Marie's venomous smile told Petra that this was payback for her failure to get Erwin killed. "See you later for lunch, Petra."
Then it was Petra and her husband alone. Where the hell was Levi?
"Finish your breakfast," Erwin ordered. He curled his upper lip. "I'm starving."
She knew what he meant. Petra shoveled the food into her mouth, swallowed her tea, and then robotically walked to the bedroom with Erwin prowling behind her. Once inside, she heard him shut the door. Petra let a tear drip down her cheek.
"I, I don't know that I'm ready," she said, her breath faltering.
"Oh, but I am."
Erwin's hands were on her, his lips were on hers. Petra struggled, but gave in when he hissed an elegant threat. She felt numb as he stripped her naked, as he threw her onto the bed. Petra shivered, covered her breasts with her arms as he took off his clothes and joined her. She winced at he sight of that long, hard cock of his. Erwin forced her legs apart.
"Don't be such a tease," he growled, thrusting into her. Petra cried out; he hadn't done any foreplay, and she wasn't wet enough. Not nearly.
"No." She tried to shove him off, but he gripped her by the throat. When he choked her, there was real threat behind it.
"I need this, Petra. I need it now."
His hips jerked once, and her eyes watered with the abrasive force. It took a minute for her body to adjust to his girth, unprepared as she was. Petra lay back and let him pound in and out of her, growling with the pleasure as it came upon him.
She looked to the right, looked out onto the river and the edge of the city as he enjoyed her body. That's all she was for him, a single hole he could stick his dick into.
She had told Levi she could make it until September, but she wasn't sure about that any longer.
He worked her well enough to make her come, but it was a joyless orgasm. When Erwin spent himself in her, when he lay atop her and whispered tender, filthy things into her ear, Petra allowed herself to go away from it all. She'd be free, and soon.
Very soon.
Levi had expected something austere. A private office, a room with a table and chairs. But no, this monkey-grinned fuckhead had actually brought Levi to his fucking apartment. That suggested either incredible stupidity or a profound confidence; this Zeke character believed he didn't need to worry about Levi causing him trouble.
The place looked like some teenage nerd's idea of what a grown up apartment should be. The floor plan was open, with large pieces of abstract art hanging on the walls. In the living room, a bunch of pale blue and gray mid-century furniture clustered around a low, rectangular coffee table. A print of some trash pop art from last century hung directly over the couch. The kitchen had a large island in the center, a breakfast bar with stools set along it. The instant they entered the place, Zeke's two bodyguards posted themselves and Zeke ripped his coat off.
"Why'd you dress so fucking warm?" Levi asked.
"To conceal some of my weaponry." Zeke preened a bit, like he was showing off his shoulder holster. What a fucking nerd. "Now, what would you like? I've got this amazing little contraption that poaches eggs perfectly. I can also juice anything you want."
To Levi's slow-moving horror, the fucking bearded imbecile got out a penis-shaped bullet blender and offered up a basket of, like, apples and bananas and papayas and kale.
Levi got the feeling this dude didn't have a lot of friends or people to show off for. He even slid in his socked feet over to a retro vinyl record player and put on some kind of artsy jazz shit.
This man has probably never been laid in his life.
Zeke snapped his fingers a couple of times to the beat, then whistled as he started up the juicer. Levi got the feeling even the guy's bodyguards thought he was a dork.
"It's a little early for music, but my neighbors hate being woken up by my blender alone." He finished mulching something green and disgusting, poured himself a glass, and sipped with relish. "Most people don't get enough folic acid in their diet. Are you sure I can't make you a Green Fusion?"
"What the fuck am I doing here?" Levi barked. The two guards looked ready to spring. After all, even though Levi had given up his piece, he was still fucking dangerous.
"All right." Zeke looked annoyed, the fucker. He gestured for Levi to join him in the sitting area. Levi stood behind a chair, and Zeke appeared uncomfortable as he seated himself in something that looked like an inverted catcher's mitt. "I suppose I ought to start by way of introductions."
"You suppose fucking right."
"My name, as I said, is Zeke Jaeger. My father's a doctor, but he doesn't figure into this story." Zeke sneered. "He's a bastard. Now my mother, on the other hand, she is quite important. Her name's Dina Fritz." He said that like Levi should have a fucking clue.
"Is this some joke? Did Zackley put you up to this?" Levi growled.
"Now, the Fritzes go quite far back in German society," Zeke said, ignoring Levi. "Of course, after our family joined the, er, wrong side, if you like, during World War Two, the main branch decided to rename themselves. So the Fritzes," Zeke said, steepling his fingers, "became the Reisses."
Levi froze. Zeke's mouth tugged in a smile.
"Reiss?" Levi croaked. "Like…"
"Like the Reiss family that your boss Erwin destroyed in a fire, yes. Though I was a semi-distant American cousin, I was still family. Am still family." Zeke calmed down a lot; he got downright creepy looking when he wasn't trying to entertain. "I know that my little cousin Historia's trapped inside of Erwin's villa. More importantly, I know that all my family's holdings have slipped into Mr. Smith's rather oily grasp."
Levi didn't take long to put it all together.
"You want your family's fortune back," he muttered.
"I'm the rightful heir, after all." Zeke crossed an ankle over his knee. "Well, little Historia is, technically, but she's only a child. And, I daresay, she seems very squirrelly. Watching your family roast alive will do that to a person."
"Seems?" Again, pieces came together. "She's the one who took the picture of Petra and me."
"I'm not going to confirm or deny anything to do with Historia," Zeke said smoothly. "This is about the two of us, Mr. Ackerman. We could make a formidable team."
"It was you in Rome, wasn't it?" Levi's heart beat harder, but not faster. He gripped the back of the chair. "You attacked me and Petra? So why the fuck don't you kill me now?"
"I admit, I did facilitate the attack." Zeke looked like he was about to bounce with joy at getting to reveal all his fucking plans.
"You work that out with Tybur?"
"I'm afraid the Tyburs will not be part of our ongoing discussion."
"Why? Cause you'd have to kill me after?"
"I have no intention of killing you." Zeke looked surprised. "I intend to keep you very much alive. You're no use dead."
"Fucking use? What use do you think you're gonna get out of me, you bearded shit?"
"You have a foul mouth." Zeke looked at Levi along the bridge of his nose. "It's very disconcerting."
"Answer me these questions before one of us dies." Levi counted off his fingers. "Why did you attack me in Rome? What do you want from me? Why do you think I'd ever help you?"
"One," Zeke said, "I attacked you because I figured taking out Erwin's lieutenant and his new child bride would leave him vulnerable and cause a seismic shift in his organization. It's easier to move in for the kill when there's chaos. But I gave up on the idea of killing you and Mrs. Smith that very same day."
"Why?" Levi growled.
"Well, to jump ahead to question number three, because of the obvious devotion between the two of you."
"What devotion?" But Levi was woozy with fear; the pieces were coming together and the puzzle sucked.
"The girl came back and shot someone dead for your sake. She could have run, could have tried to escape Erwin, but she botched it for you. When I found out, I knew it was something I could exploit. And you didn't disappoint, either of you. I've heard more than enough to confirm my suspicions, not including the photographs."
"Marie Dok." Levi scowled. "She told you. Because you're working with the Tyburs."
"I know that you'll help me because you know Erwin will kill her if he finds out you fucked her." Zeke spoke with great primness, and Levi's gut clenched. "You know that he'll make her beg for death before the end. And you know that this," Zeke said, waving his phone, "is all the proof he'll need to condemn her."
"Yes." Levi uttered it through clenched teeth.
"You know you'd die too, of course, but I don't think that concerns you as much. You worry only for her." Zeke snorted. "As my little brother's generation would put it, 'the straights are not okay.'"
Levi wasn't straight, but he wasn't gonna correct this cunt, either. Zeke Jaeger was right: he had Levi by the short hairs. To protect Petra, what wouldn't Levi do?
"So question number two?" he growled.
"Easy." Zeke shrugged. "I want you to kill Erwin Smith."
Levi had his hands around the asshole's throat, and it was by some miracle Zeke managed to convince his guard not to shoot Levi dead. Levi could have strangled him in half a second, broken his neck, but he did not move. He breathed hard through his nostrils, but did nothing.
"You know if you kill me the pictures go to Erwin," Zeke said. His pale, sleepy eyes bored into Levi's. "Then she's dead."
"I'll get her out of here."
"And run for the rest of your lives? Try to hide?" Zeke smiled. "I can sweeten the deal, my friend. Kill Erwin Smith, and I'll be in a position of enough power that I can hide you and your little tart from any of Erwin's past associates who might want to find you. You've developed many enemies over the years, after all. You and Mrs. Smith can live together in anonymous bliss." He winked. "Or should I say, Mrs. Ackerman?"
Levi froze. His mind worked. Zeke was offering him a way out, and Levi was in the perfect position to strike. Erwin trusted him; killing Erwin would be so easy. If he did it, he and Petra could be safe in a matter of hours.
All he had to do was kill Erwin.
The one thing he could never, ever do. Not even to save his own life.
Petra he could try to save; he could try to hide her before Erwin killed him. He couldn't kill her, and he couldn't kill Erwin. His own life meant shit next to theirs.
"It's no deal." His voice was hoarse. He stepped back. "Go ahead and send your picture. It's all shit, anyway."
"You won't do this to save yourself?" Zeke appeared puzzled.
"I'll never kill him. I owe him everything." Levi wanted only to sleep now; pretty soon, he'd sleep forever. Just let him save Petra first. "Go ahead and kill me. I'm already dead."
Zeke shook his head slowly. "I have no intention of killing you. I told you."
"So what? Gonna hold me for ransom?" He snarled. "Try for the girl?"
"Neither of you is in any danger from me."
"You expect me to buy that shit?" Levi snapped.
"You can buy it or not. It's the truth. Do you want to know why?"
Levi narrowed his eyes.
"Why?" he growled.
"Because I am convinced you'll change your mind before this is over." Zeke beamed. "I can be patient."
Levi shook his head; what the fuck was he supposed to do with all these crazy people?
"I'll never change my mind."
"Never's a long time. I give it a few months."
Levi stepped forward, fuck the guys with guns. "You try fucking with me or her, I'll stash her and then kill your stupid ass."
"I believe you." Zeke leaned back in his seat a bit, obviously uncomfortable. "Like I said. I won't attack you or her, and I won't send anything to Erwin. I'll let nature take care of itself. Because I can tell by the way you behave you'll never hide your love of her much longer. And when Erwin sees, you'll kill him to survive."
It had the tinge of prophecy, but Levi knew it was bullshit. He would do much, but never kill Erwin.
"So what? I just walk outta here?"
"Something like that."
"How do you know I won't tell them where and who you are?"
"You'd have to do a lot of explaining about this, wouldn't you?" Zeke wrinkled his nose in another ape-like grin. "You'd have to pray Erwin never put it all together. And he would; you know he would."
Levi knew it was true. First he had to protect Petra's treasonous secret, now he had one of his own. His heart beat faster; he had to find a way to move up the timeline of escape. At least now he had knowledge of who the other nutjob was who'd been gunning for Erwin.
Levi glared at Zeke Jaeger. I don't know how, but I'm going to kill you.
"You can try," Zeke said. Fuck, like he'd read Levi's mind completely. Levi flinched. "You won't do it, though. Not in this life."
Levi frowned. "Fuck does that mean?"
Zeke also frowned. "You know, I'm not sure. It just felt like something to say."
Whatever.
All four men started as a key turned in the apartment lock. Levi crouched, ready to spring into action…as a gawky teenage boy entered the apartment and froze.
"Uh. Zeke? These your friends?" The kid was tall and lanky, with upturned green eyes and longish, brown-red hair. He was dressed like he'd had a good night out, skinny jeans or whatever shit the kids wore these days.
"Eren? I thought you were staying with Armin and Mikasa at that hostel?" Zeke looked horrified.
"Uh, it's called an AirBnB, and I forgot some stuff here. Is that okay?"
The boy, Eren, looked from Zeke to Levi. Levi didn't know what the fuck to do.
"Hey, you know this place is your personal pied a terre whenever you want." Zeke grooved over like a dork and ruffled Eren's hair. The boy looked fond if a little exasperated; Levi thought the kid must have the patience of a saint. "I was having a, er, breakfast meeting. My associate was just going."
"Oi." Levi nodded by way of greeting. Eren frowned.
"You guys have meetings in your workout clothes?"
"Not enough hours in the day. Breakfast, meeting, workout, it jumbles together." Zeke smiled as the boy went through to another room. Then Zeke raced over to Levi. "Don't start anything in front of him." The guy's eyes were cold.
"Relax. I don't involve kids if I can help it." Levi frowned. "I don't get it. He's your son?" The age gap didn't seem big enough.
"My little brother. Half brother, I should say. Dad remarried a cocktail waitress." Zeke put as much scorn into those two words as was humanly possible.
Whatever. Levi didn't want to hurt the kid or stay here a second longer. He sneered at Zeke.
"If you show those photos to Erwin, I will kill you before I leave this world. If you know my reputation, you know I can do it.
"I've seen you in action a few times now, Mr. Ackerman. I'm not that foolish." Zeke glowered, then smiled icily. A true villain, this one.
"Zeke?" Eren called. "Can Armin and Mikasa come over and use your Xbox later?"
"You bet!" Zeke called back, still glaring.
It was a little less intimidating now.
"Let's both pretend this never happened." Levi turned and started for the door. The guys with guns let him pass.
"I'll be waiting," Zeke said.
Levi would bet anything the prick was smiling.
Petra scarcely heard what Marie said as they drove through the city, as they wandered through Saks and Barneys. Petra bought clothes and jewelry and perfume because it was expected of her; she didn't even balk at a Chanel price tag of three thousand dollars. She bought three pairs of the same Jimmy Choos in different colors just because it was something to do.
"Should we be looking for baby things?" Marie asked in faux-sweetness as they shopped, Levi and a security detail trailing behind them.
"I'm not pregnant yet." Petra's voice was hollow even to her own ears.
She couldn't bear the thought of that man touching her. Touching Levi. She wanted to own her body, to give it to the man she wanted. She wanted the right to kiss the man she loved in full view of everyone, the right everyone else in this store had.
Petra was running out of energy and hope. She scarcely heard Marie when the other woman suggested they lunch at Nello's. It was a ludicrously expensive Italian restaurant, but what did Petra care? Money didn't mean anything anymore. Same as sex.
Only love meant something now, and she couldn't have it or express it.
"I do love Nello's when I'm in New York. Perfect for a little cheat day." Marie topped off Petra's wine glass. Petra drank obediently, though she forced herself not to get drunk. She needed her wits right now.
Levi was seated at the table with them, staring at the women through half-lidded eyes. He looked as depressed as Petra felt. God, she wished she could hold him.
This whole situation was a nightmare. If Levi knew what Petra wanted to talk to Marie about, he might try to stop it. He would not let Erwin die; as much as he loved her, he had his honor. He would not kill the man who'd given him everything.
Petra felt no such compunction.
There was only one place in this restaurant Levi would let the women go alone.
"I need to splash some water on my face." Petra pushed back her chair. "Marie? Care to join?"
"Why not? I always like to adjust my makeup. After shopping in all this heat, I must look a sight."
They chatted breezily as Levi walked them to the bathroom.
"Don't take too long," he muttered. Petra knew why he was glaring at her.
He was afraid of what she and Marie might be plotting.
I'll make it up to you, Levi.
"Such a guard dog." Marie sailed in and Petra followed. Petra turned on the faucet and ran water over her hands, letting it collect and then splash in the sink.
"How did everything get so fucked?" Marie's lips barely moved as she spoke.
"We waited too long. I was getting nervous; I couldn't pretend to throw up forever. We ended up back in the car, but I thought they'd catch up to us."
"No one is happy with this." Marie opened a compact and dabbed at her nose with powder. "Gee's beginning to think you sabotaged it on purpose."
Gee was their nickname for Giulia.
"I want that fucker dead," Petra growled. She must have sounded convincing, because Marie relaxed a bit. She snapped her compact closed. "He's told you about Venice?"
"Please. That will be the most dangerous time to strike."
"It can be done," Petra whispered.
"How?" Marie blotted her lipstick with a tissue. "Do you have any idea how hard it'll be to get in close?"
"It's easy for me." Petra stared at her reflection. She saw a young woman, no longer a girl. This young woman was toned and sleek, dressed in the finest clothes, plastered with make up. Petra did not recognize this woman, but that could be a good thing. The old Petra could never have planned to murder her husband with her own hands.
Marie understood. For the first time, Petra saw the woman look astonished.
"If it goes wrong…"
"It won't. I won't let it."
"How?"
"You negotiate it with Gee. I want it to look like an accident. Or poison." Petra spoke so low she could scarcely even hear herself. "I'll do what you suggest, but don't you fuck around with me."
Petra turned off the faucet. They didn't dare speak now. Marie only nodded once, then smiled in what might have been admiration.
"You look lovely." Marie winked. "Very grown up."
They exited the restroom with Marie chattering about a summer concert series in Barcelona while Petra followed in quiet obedience.
"Everything okay?" Levi muttered.
Levi loved Erwin; Petra hoped he loved her more. She believed it. He would forgive her for all of this.
It wasn't just about escape now. Not even life with Levi in hiding could be enough, not without her revenge first.
Until Petra knew that Erwin Smith would never come after her in this life again, she wouldn't rest easy.
"Everything's fine."
"She say anything?" Levi frowned.
"She's pissed, but believes I didn't mean for it to fail. She hasn't suggested anything else."
That bit was true, and Levi believed her. He held out her chair and allowed Petra to sit. She looked at him as he took his own seat, a small, angry rain cloud in the middle of paradise.
He was her rain cloud. And pretty soon, they'd be free of Erwin and this whole hideous circus. The storm would be over.
The sun was on its way.