Chapter 7

Kevin Carter swung the car uncouthly into the open garage and cut the engine. He stepped out of the car, slammed the door shut, closed the garage doors, and went into the penthouse. He moved past the lobby and entered the living room. Sitting on the settee, a cigarette smoldering in one hand, whisky glass in the other hand, was Gina. As he walked in, she glanced up, and their eyes met. Kevin stiffened. Her beautiful face had a bony, scraped look, and it was as white as snow. The look she shot him drove the blood from his face and made his mouth turned dry.

“What’s the problem?” he muttered.

Gina regarded him under thick lashes. He could feel the hatred seething from her.

“What got into you, Kevin?” she said her voice cold and hard.

He swallowed hard.

“I’m so sorry, Gina. I didn't mean to act the way I acted," he said, a pleading look in his eyes.

She did not say anything. She crushed out the cigarette, finished the drink, and stood up from the settee. She moved towards the bar, dropped the glass on the countertop, and turned towards the doorway leading to the stairs. Kevin, knowing what she intended to do, rush to her and stood in her front.

“I’m so sorry, Gina," he was babbling now. “Please forgive me; it was a mistake."

She stared hard at him and licked her lips. When she spoke, her voice was hard and clear.

“You behaved like a kid this night. Couldn't you have controlled your anger? What the hell do you want the people there to be thinking about us? My job is to protect you, and yet the way you behaved this night, it’s as if we are already screwing each other”

Kevin nodded empathically.

“You’re right; I messed up. I'm sorry I messed up. But Gina, I couldn't control it. Don't you see? I've never behaved like this with any woman before. I've never fought for any woman in my life. I don't know, Gina, something about that man talking to you drove me nuts. I just couldn't help it."

“What the hell are you trying to say?” she said.

“I’m in love with you, Gina, "he said huskily.” I'm so much in love with you."

She drew in a deep breath, and her face went livid.

“You’re crazy! Did you hear me? You are bloody crazy. Get the hell out of my way! "

Kevin flinched away from her. Her reaction had sent a jolt of cold fear and disappointment into his body.

“Please, Gina," he implored. “Don’t be angry with me. Please, I'm crazy about you. I swear I wouldn't lie to you about my feelings. I would have proposed to you this night if not because of what happened. ", Gina took a step away from him, her face twisted with a smoldering rage.

“You are a bloody fool! Razor, it's still out there, and you're thinking of proposing? Even a baby won't envy what you called a brain! "

Kevin's face harshened.

“How can you say this to me? Are you telling me because of that cutthroat killer, I shouldn't declare my feelings for you? "

“Can’t you face reality?” she screamed at him. “This is not only about Razor; this is about you. Do you think I could fall in love with a notorious womanizer like you? Think again, Kevin Carter! Think again! "

He stared at her, a shocked expression on his face.

“I thought you love me?” he said mumbled. “I thought you have feelings for me?”

“Love you? She said a bemused expression on her hard face. “Feelings for you? Who would love a gutless rat like you?"

Kevin's face twisted with anger. The fear of her suddenly left him. Suffocating rage and a vicious desire to talk back down took over him.

“So, all the kisses were for nothing?” he shouted at her. “Everything you did for me was nothing? Are you trying to say all the things you did were just an assignment to you? "

“Yeah!” she yelled back at him. “Hell yeah! And I enjoyed every damn moment of playing with your brain. You're a fool, Kevin. A bloody rich heel! "

They both stood and glared at each other.

“I love you, Gina," he said softly. “I might be a rich heel, but I'm damn sure of one thing; I love you. I never wanted this. I never wanted to be in love. But I'm in love with you, and I'm proud to tell you that”

Gina eyed him with cold eyes.

“You’re still a stupid heel all the same. Can't you get it into your thick head; nothing can ever be between you and me?

Kevin shrugged his shoulders.

“I’m not bothered, Gina. If you don't love me back, I guess I would never fall in love with any other woman. The love I have is for you. You only. You see, when you came into my life, you changed the notion I had about a woman. “He paused and went on.” For me, all women care about his money and good looks, but you changed that thought in him. You made me realize that many women can do much more even than men if given a chance. Tomayo gave you the chance to protect me, and you've been doing a pretty good job at it. I will always be grateful to you for what you did."

She moistened her lips with her tongue.

“Goodnight, Kevin. Hearing the rubbish you spew from your mouth makes me sick ", and she brushed past him, and as she was about to walk away, Kevin caught her wrist. She turned to him, her eyes hard and frightening cold.

“I will always love you, Ginny. Even if you were ugly."

“You’re still a fool all the same, "and jerked her hand free. Then she walked out of the room, leaving him standing transfixed in the middle of the room. He stood like that for a long moment, and then he walked slowly to the bar, fixed a drink, and walked back to the settee. He sat down and tossed the drink down his throat. It stiffened his nerves, but it did not calm his quivering nerves. The scorn he had felt in Gina's voice was like a whiplash.

As he sat, he found out that his body was shaking, and it was only when he tasted salt in his mouth that he realized he was crying. This made blood rush into his head, and his breath came in hard, sobbing gasps. He clenched and unclenched his fists, replaying the words she had said to him in his mind. He had thought with everything he had; he could always have any woman he wanted. What a fool he was! Even a beautiful, down-to-earth woman like Gina would never be stupid enough to fall in love with him. Not with the kind of reputation he had.

He sat there for a very long moment, his eyes bloodshot and lost as he stared up at the ceilings. After some time, he stirred himself, drew in a long, slow breath, and shuddered. He wiped the tears away from his face and glanced at his gold wristwatch. It was past midnight. With a heavy sigh, he got slowly to his feet, took off his suit jacket, and snapped the room light off.

His body heavy with weariness, he walked up the stairs that led to his bedroom. He got to the passage and moved towards his bedroom door.

“Kevin”

The soft whisper made him turn sharply.

Gina stood in the doorway of her room. She had on a shortie, see-through nightdress, her silky blonde hair tousled. She looked as if she had not been sleeping much.

Kevin felt a rush of blood through his body at the sight of her. He stared at her, stunned, not knowing what to do or say. She beckoned to him and retreated into the room. With legs as heavy as lead, he walked to her bedroom door. He entered and stood by the door. The room was pitch black, safe for the moon's hard, white light, casting a pale band of light on the bed. That was when he saw her.

She was stretched out on the bed like a wild, white cat, her body naked, and her blonde her hair laid like split honey on the pillow, her dark nipples hard and erect, and her lips parted in a fixed smile of blatant sexual offering.

“Come to me," she said impatiently.

Just by staring at her, his eyes became wild with naked desire, and he felt shocked to go through his body, the shock you receive when you touch a live wire. From that moment on, he had no idea what he was doing.

He could only remember throwing off his clothes and moving towards her, his body trembling with desire. He came towards the bed and, reaching out, grabbed her body and lifted her off the bed. She wrapped her legs around him.

“I need you inside me…quickly, Kevin.” There was urgency in her voice that set his body on fire. She guided him into her, and her fingernails dug into his flesh. Then she gave a wild cry that echoed through the still, lonely house as he bit hard into the column of her white throat and began to thrust hard into her hot, dripping wetness.

They lay in each other's arms much later, Kevin stroking her hair while she placed her head on his chest.

“I don't understand,” he said. “What happened, Gina? What changed your mind?"

“Nothing,” she replied. “I just wanted to be sure about you that are all. I wanted to be certain about how you really feel about me."

Kevin looked puzzled.

“I don't understand. You mean you never meant all those trashy words you threw at me? "

She raised herself up and looked at his face. Then she touched his face lightly.

“I never meant any of those words. But I had to say it just to test your patience. I had to push you to the brink and see if you will take back every word you said. But Kevin, you passed my test. You nailed me! Do you know what you said that really got me?”

Kevin shook his head and gave a little laugh.

“You told me you would still have loved me even if I was ugly. That got me, Kevin. That really got me “the way she said those words to him made a surge of love and compassion flowed through him.

“So do you love me?” he asked huskily.

She dropped her hand on his hand, and her fingers tightened on it.

“We can't talk about love now. Be patient with me, Kevin. Please, I still have to get my head wrapped around all this. Just is patient."

Kevin was astonished.

“Why all these, Ginny? Since you know I love you, nothing should hold you back. I will marry you today if you so much desire it."

“I know, "she said huskily.” I know, but please give me time to think about this, alright? Don't let rush this. We still got a lot of things to think about. Razor, for instance. He's still out there. We've got to stay focus, and that's why I want you to give me a chance to have my way in this”

Kevin nodded as he swallowed his disappointment.

“Anything you say, Ginny," he said, looking at her. There was something in her eyes now that sent his heart pounding. “I want you, Ginny."

“Then quickly, Kevin! Now that we still got the chance." She said fiercely, holding his face in her hands. “You’re so handsome, Kevin Carter. The moment I saw you, I knew this would eventually happen. Kiss me! Oh, kiss me."

Kevin slipped his arms around her. Then he was kissing her, holding her tightly to him, feeling her trembling, and her mouth hungrily against his.

***

The next few days flew by without Kevin and Gina noticing it. Kevin had told her he would treat her like his future to be a bride, and to prove to her he meant it, he told her they would have to start going out as normal couples do. She had protested vehemently about it, warning him about the dangers and risk of such an idea. But, Kevin, been the way he is, with his charms and dazzling smile, had managed to break down her defenses, loosening her up a bit. After many days of argument, she grudgingly agreed.

The first thing Kevin did was to take her to almost all the clothing stores he knew of in Miami Beach. He took her to Jessie Boutique in Alton Road where he bought different colourful dresses for her, then to Macy's stores in Meridian Avenue, where he bought three expensive evening gowns for her. They also visited Zara, H&M, and the banana republic on Lincoln Road. After the shopping, he took her to Joe's Stone Crab, where they had fresh seafood.

The next day, they drove to a Chanel store in BAL Harbour, and he bought at her five Chanel stilettos, three necklaces, and two gold watches.

Gina had protested when the salesgirl had told Kevin the outrageous amount of the items, but he had ignored her. He paid for all the items without blinking an eye, laughing boyishly, like a teenage boy who had just been giving a new bicycle to play with.

They went to the Japanese restaurant, Kyu, in Wynwood, where they lunched on Florida snapper with beef short ribs served with lettuce, and for an aperitif, they had a Mojito Posh, which was a blend of rum, lime, and mint leaves.

They drove around the city in his Rolls, and everywhere they went, Gina made sure she carried her gun. She tried to teach him how to load and reload a gun, aim at moving objects until she found he was not interested in it.

They dined together and laughed together, but all the time, the thought of Razor was still vivid in their minds even though they did not bring up the issue. They seemed to believe that the little moment they had together should be spent judiciously without them having a fear of a psychotic killer who had seemed to go into hiding.

One night, after they came back from an elegant Italian restaurant in Ocean Drive and they had made explosive love, they lay stretched out on the bed, their minds busy with thoughts. Only the humming sound of the air conditioner filled the room.

Kevin, who had a lot of things in his mind to say turn to look at Gina, He saw she was already half asleep. He kissed her lightly on the lips and nibbled her ear with his lips. She shivered slightly and opened her eyes. Then he sat upon the bed.

“Ginny," he said, smoothing her hair with his fingertips. ", Won't you tell me you love me? Every time we are together, I can see it in your eyes. I know you love me, baby, but you're just scared. Why can't you just tell me? "

She smiled sleepily at him.

"It won't be long, Kevin. Just be patient, please."

Kevin's face twisted with anger.

“Can’t you see? Your silence is tormenting me; I can't think straight, Ginny. I'm losing my goddamned mind. I love you, Ginny. I'd married you right away if you want to. All you've got to do is to say the word”

Hearing the bite in his voice, she raised herself up on her elbow to look more closely at him. She saw the angry lines on his face and drew in a long slow breath.

“Kevin, " she said.” What do you want me to say? "

Kevin, whose heart was beating fast just by staring at her naked body, said in a weak voice.

“Just tell me you love me, Ginny; that's all I want to hear."

“And if I tell you, where would that put us? “She asked. “Would it make any difference?”

“Of course!” he replied evenly “I’ll rest assured anywhere I am that for the first time in my selfish life, I really loved a girl, and that girl loves me back. Don't you see, the sweetest thing about love is for both parties to know they love each other and would die for each other.”

She gave a little sigh, and her arms slid around his neck, pulling him to her.

“Oh, darling…Is it so important?"

As she held him, he felt blood rushed into his head. He gripped her fiercely and lovingly.

“Tell me, Ginny. I need to hear it. Say the word, and you will make me the happiest man on earth."

“Don’t you already know, silly boy?” she said, still holding him tightly. “Nothing like this has ever happened to me before. I've had my share of men, but I've never felt like this for a man, never."

He pulled back to look at her face. Seeing the way her warm, smiling eyes looked at him, nobody needed to tell him she was indeed in love with her. As he stared at her, he felt blood move through his body like a stranger move through an empty house. He crushed his mouth down on hers. They were like this for a long moment, and then he broke free, gasping a little.

“Oh, Ginny, "he said.” I love you so much. I'm crazy in love with you."

She nodded her head, fighting back the tears, too stunned to say anything. He holds her face in his hand, staring at her wildly.

“We’ve got to celebrate, "he babbled “We’ll go to one of the expensive hotels and stay there for a month. A whole damn month."

She looked at him, her eyes suddenly tense, and she put her slim hand on his, holding him tightly.

“Kevin!” she hissed out. “We are not doing such a thing."

“Why?” he asked, staring at her bewilderedly.

“Razor!” He's still out there. He still lurks in the darkness, waiting for the right moment to strike."

The fact that he had completely forgotten about Razor angered him.

“Please, I don't wanna talk about him, "he said, blood rising to his face.

“I’m telling you!” Her voice became shrill. She was glaring at him; the fear in her eyes chilled him. “Every time we go out, I always have the feeling that man is watching us. He's waiting for us to make a mistake. Just one! And that's it! "

Kevin grabbed hold of her shoulders and shook her.

“Forget Razor, forget him! He's gone for good. He's tired of killing. Don't you see, because of a nut case, we can't even enjoy our lives? Look at us, cooped up like chickens in a damned cage, all because of one psycho who has forgotten about us. We can't live our lives by hiding”

She pushed his hands away and pointed a finger at him.

“Don’t underestimate him. That's the first mistake that could nail us for good. Let's stay in the house and keep watch. I'm going to protect you as long as I've got breath in me. I love you, Kevin, and I won't let that killer touch just a hair on you."

He stared helplessly at her for a long moment of time. He had never known a woman quite like her. Just by looking at him with her big sea-green eyes that were as alive and as hot as burning coal, she could set him on fire.

“Ginny, you've been running the show for long," he said in a quiet and soft voice. “This time, I'm running it. Let me ask you this, don't you think if Razor had wanted to attack us, he wouldn't have done it? What's he waiting for? It's been almost three weeks now after we had fixed that bum he sent, and yet, here we are breathing, eating, making love, and going anywhere we wanted to. I tell you this; Razor is gone! He got tired of the killings. Think about it. He attacked Tomayo, and there was no heat, none at all for what he did. Don't you think he knows that he was lucky to get away with what he did "

She heaved heavily and brooded about what he had said.

"What exactly are you trying to say?" she asked in a quiet voice. By the softness of her voice, he knew he was winning her over.

"I'm telling you, Razor's gone," he said, his eyes glittering. “He found out that we are tougher than him, and he got scared. He can't do shit, not anymore!"

“But how can you be so sure?” she said, and he could see her face was white and tense.

“Because I know it to be true, Ginny," he said, taking her face in his hand. When his mouth touched hers, he felt resistance went out of her, like fire quenched with water. “We go to celebrate in Espace hotel tomorrow, baby. Oh, I love you, Ginny. Razor is out of our life for good.”

And stupidly, she believed him.

***

The Espace hotel in Miami Beach showcased modern structures and breathtaking designs, leaving guests, visitors, and tourists in awe and wonder. Its magnificent building and marble portals are surrounded by the blue sea waters, which gives the hotel a fashionable spa look. The water bodies and lights give it a relaxing feeling. The hotel is equipped with both outdoor and indoor heated swimming pools, fitted with an exquisite banquet hall, and has its own movie theatre.

The time was twenty minutes past ten When Kevin Carter swung his sleek, gleaming white Rolls Royce onto the vast parking space of the Espace hotel. By his side was Gina. She was wearing a red evening gown, a gold necklace around her neck, an elated expression on her face. He cut the engine, and they both stepped out of the car. He went to the back, took out their luggage's from the trunk, and hand in hand, they walked up the impressive flight of marble steps that led to the hotel lobby.

The doorman, a big, smiling face dressed in red and gold uniforms, lifted his peak cap. They both entered the lobby.

“Oh, darling…this is awesome," Gina said, looking around the vast lobby, which was filled with several elderly people, young men, and women, newly married couples who had come to the hotels for their honeymoon. They all sat on the lounge chairs, sipping cocktails, talking, and gossiping. There were also the playboys, gigolos, and lecherous looks on their faces, as they survey the beautiful, matured women who walked into the hotel.

Kevin and Gina moved towards a fat reception clerk dressed in a black suit and white shirt, a suave smile on his fat face. He requested for one of the most expensive suit penthouses the hotel had to offer. The clerk told him and registered them in. He then told them to wait for some minutes so that the suite could be put in another.

While they waited, they watched the scene around them, taking in the pleasant, rich view of the hotel decor. After a while, the fat clerk told them the suite was ready, and he flicked his fingers. Two bell boys appeared as if by magic. The clerk instructed the boys to take them to the suite. They both followed the bell boys, who led them to an elevator.

The elevator whisked them to the top of the hotel and to the penthouse. As the elevator mounted, Kevin and Gina were grinning at each other, unspoken words of love in their eyes. Leaving the elevator, they all crossed a large vestibule, and the bell boys led them into a deluxe penthouse. The bell boys offered to help them unpack, but Kevin dismissed them but not before he had tipped them. The bellboy's eyes bulged out as they stared at the dollar bills, and they almost bowed nearly to the floor before going out.

Gina looked around the vast suite, her eyes gleaming with admiration. The suite contained two big bedrooms, two bathrooms, each with its own Jacuzzi, a vast kitchen with a double-faced, well-stocked refrigerator, an oven, and impeccable Italian utensils.

In the living room, there were sofas, a big OLED screen TV, and on the sideboards were two bottles of Moet & Chardonnay champagne in ice buckets, flowers, and a big basket filled with assorted fruit to welcome them. Gina went around the room while Kevin watched her, a pleasant smile on his handsome face. He lifted one of the champagne bottles from the ice bucket and wrestled with the cork.

"It's so amazing," Gina said, coming to his side. “My God, I've never seen anything like it in my entire life."

“It’s all for you, my love," he said, brushing his lips on her cheeks.

When they had sipped the champagne and looked around the room, and had unpacked, Gina went into the bathroom while Kevin went out onto the terrace. He sat on a reclining chair, a cigarette in his hand, his feet on the iron rail, peering at the distant harbor, the yachts, and the Miami skyline. The big stretch of sea glittered like diamonds as the hard white light of the big moon shone on it.

He sat there, enjoying the scenic view around him. As he looked at the sea, he was tempted to swim. He was trying to up his mind to go for a swim when he heard Gina call out to him. He got to his feet and entered the room. She was wearing a see-through cotton wrap. He could see the outlines of her long legs and the rising and falling of her breasts as they both stared at each other.

“I brought it along for you," she said, a hungry sexual look in her eyes. “Do you like it?”

Kevin moistened his lips with his tongue.

“I love it!” he said, his voice strangled.

“Then come and get it," she said.

Silently, he walked over to her and picked her up as if she was made of feathers. Then he carried her into the bedroom. He threw her on the bed, moving towards her, his hands outstretched; he savagely ripped the flimsy wrap from her. Then he moved on top of her, and as he was entering her, he felt her wrap her arms around him, holding him, as though she would never let him go, and she said, " You bad boy," and she began to writhe and twist under him as he thrust into her.

***

The time was twenty minutes past eleven. Razor parked his Porsche in the Espace hotel parking bay and stepped out. He was wearing a red sports shirt, a pair of white jean slacks, and brown suede loafers. On his face was Ray-Ban sunglasses and on his head was a straw hat. The overall effect of this was to make him look like golf pro or a successful movie star. He took out a black duffel bag then his beady eyes ran over the magnificent tower of the hotel.

He drew in a long slow breath and walked up the marble steps that led into the hotel. He ignored the doorman who lifted his cap to greet him. He entered the lobby and cringed when he saw the crowd in the lounging chairs. He looked at the clothes some of the people were wearing and grinned to himself. The clothes he had worn blended well. He did not look odd.

He moved towards the fat reception clerk. The clerk glanced up and flashed him a suave smile.

“Good evening sir, what can I do for you?”

“I came all the way from New York, "he lied easily." This first time here. I heard this is one of the best hotels in the city. Anyways, I need one of your best but affordable rooms. "

The fat clerk's smile slipped. Here's a poor rat, he thought to himself, why doesn't he just say you need a cheap room? He told Razor the affordable rooms they had, and when Razor had chosen the room he wanted, he paid, and the clerk booked him in. He gave Razor his room key and the room service number. Razor thanked him and told him he would appreciate it if there was a luggage porter to assist him with his bag. The clerk eyed him irritably, hunched his shoulders, and flicked his fingers. The two bell boys appeared.

Razor regarded the two boys curiously and chose one of them; a boy with a haughty face, shifty eyes that glittered like wet pebbles, and a thin mouth that indicate shrewdness.

The boy snatched up the duffel bag, and together, they both went into the elevator. When they got there, the elevator doors swished open. They went out and walked along the broad, thickly carpeted corridor to his room door. He unlocked the door, and the bell boy followed him in.

The bell boy dumped the duffel bag by the bed, pulled the white blinds up, threw open the window, punched the bed as if to prove it was still in good condition, and stood away, his right hand expectant, his eyes bright with hope.

Razor, who had stood, watching him all these while grinned evilly.

"How're the tips coming in today, boy?” he said.

The bellboy regarded him for a second, thinking whether he should talk or not. Then eyeing the man's outfits and seeing that he looked probably like a curious, harmless tourist, he smiled.

"It's been a hell of a night, sir! Jimmy and I had to share the few bucks some of the nice guests give to us. “He deliberately used the word nice so that if Razor was dumb after all, will tip him well.

Razor scoffed and hunched his shoulders.

“Alright, sonny, I'll tip you well. See me as a very good tipper. But I need information, that's all."

The bellboy arched an eyebrow.

“What kind of information?” he said.

“The kind that's gives you fifty buck, and mind you; this belongs to only you. You don't have to tell Jimmy about it."

A greedy glint jumped into the eyes of the boy, and he ran his lips over his thin lips.

"It's a deal!” he said thickly. “What do you wanna know?”

Razor looked around the room and saw a reclining chair. He moved to it, dropped into it, and crossed his legs.

“I need to know how many guests booked in this night.”

The bellboy thought about this for a moment.

“A lot, I would say," he said. There was something odd about this man sitting harmlessly in a chair, his face concealed by his hat and goggles, and he felt suddenly uneasy about being alone with him. "A lot came in, but I can't really say. Only the receptionist can tell you the exact figure."

Razor nodded.

“OK boy, how about you tell me which among these guests tipped you more than you expected?”

The bellboy stiffened.

“I…I can't really say, sir," he stuttered.

Razor regarded him for a moment. Slowly, he dipped his hand into his pockets and brought out a thick roll of bills. He peeled off a few notes, making sure the bellboy saw all he was doing, and he folded the notes he had peeled off and tossed them so that they landed at the bell boy's feet. The bell boy eyed the money greedily, his face wet with sweat.

“Who tipped you, good boy?” Razor said in a quiet voice.

The bell boy did the quick math in his head.

“Three people, sir, "he said evenly.

“Who are they?” Razor asked.

"An old woman, a man on a wheelchair, and a couple”

Razor smiled wolfishly. All you had to do is to back up your questions with good money. You do that; you get the right answer.

“Tell me about the couples," he said.

The bellboy who had been staring hard at the dollar bills glanced up.

“What do you say?” he asked in a shaky voice.

“The couples!” Razor said impatiently “tell me about them”

The bellboy nodded, and words began to tumble out of his mouth. As he talked, Razor, who had been listening intently, knew that the sketchy descriptions the boy had managed to file away in his head fit that of Kevin, but it was the woman with him that rang an alarm in his head. When the bellboy was done, he wiped the sweat that had beaded on his forehead with the back of his hand and looked expectantly.

“That’s all I can remember, sir,” he said.

“Tall, good looking, smelled of money, you say?” Razor said just to be very sure.

The bellboy nodded.

“And the woman you saw with him was very beautiful and they are both staying in the second most expensive suite here?”

The boy nodded again.

“Good,” Razor said his face hard as a rock. “Don't tell anybody about this. Now get the hell out of here, now! "

The bellboy nodded hastily. He bent to pick the dollar bill, but a sharp bark from Razor froze him. He glanced up. The snub nose of a gun was pointing directly at his head. His young face became white as the moon; he remained bent like that, transfixed, cold sweat running into his eyes.

“If you touch that money, I'll give you a hole in the head. The moment I set eyes on you. I knew you were a crook. That's why I picked you. Say I word about this to anyone, and I'll knock off your head and play soccer with it. Get lost, fool!"

The bellboy needed no further urging. He ran towards the door like a woman who had seen a giant snake on her bed. He fell down, picked himself up again, and stumbled out of the room, leaving the room door ajar.

Razor eyed the door and grinned wickedly. He got to his feet and shoved the gun into his waistband. He walked to the door, closed it, took off his glasses and hat, and dropped down on the bed with a sigh. He began to think fast and hard about the woman the bellboy had seen with Kevin.

Snitch had told him ugly, he recalled, and now, this boy had him the woman was beautiful. He grimaced and drew in a long, slow breath. Beautiful or not, the two of them must die this night. When he had killed them, he would get the hell out of Miami for good. There was no reason to stay back.

For the past two weeks now, he had been watching Kevin and the woman as they drove around the city in his Rolls. He had trailed after them in his car, and he had watched those entered different clothing stores, a different restaurant, and having a good time, and yet he did not show himself. He had bided his time, looking for the right time to strike.

He had waited in his Porsche, few blocks away from the penthouse, knowing that after some time, Kevin and the woman will get soft and careless. This night then, he had seen Kevin drove out of the penthouse; he had trailed after them and had followed them to the Espace hotel.

Knowing that this was the perfect opportunity he had been waiting for and knowing that if he was to kill them this night, he had to conceal his identity, he had quickly driven back to a clothing store that was still open in South Beach, bought some casual summer clothes and accessories, changed hastily inside his car, and drove back to the hotel. Thinking about all this now, he grinned wickedly, and he took out a pack of Marlboro cigarettes and lit one.

As he smokes, he brooded about the little difficulty facing him. How was he to get them unaware? The problem was not Kevin; it was the woman with him that scared. Thinking back at what she had done to Snitch's hand and how Snitch had failed woefully on the second attempt, he shivered slightly. That bastard had it coming! He thought, remembering the hot oil he had tossed on Snitch's unprotected face.

He took the mind off his thoughts, and he relaxed back on the bed and closed his eyes. Suddenly, he sat up, an idea running around his skull. He looked around the room. His eyes lit up when he saw the telephone. He got to his feet and crossed it too. He lifted the receiver, punched in the room service number, and waited. Then he heard a female voice.

“Room service, how may we help you?”

“Yeah, my name is Pedro Martinez," he said in a fake Spanish accent. “I’m here to meet a Kevin Carter on a business meeting. I've been trying his cell phone number, but it's not going through. Can you please help me find out if he's already here? "

“If you'll be patient, sir," the female voice said, “I’ll check it out and call you right back."

Razor ended the call, but he did not move away from the telephone. As he stood waiting, he could feel cold sweat rolling off him, and his heart was beating fast and hard against his ribs. A few seconds later, the telephone rang. He snatched up the receiver.

“He’s already here, sir. But right now, he’s in the hotel restaurant. You can reach him there."

“Thanks," Razor said a bite in his voice. So, the bastard he's already eating his last meal, he thought as he replaced the receiver. He moved away from the telephone, thinking hard and fast. For him, if he was to get them, the best place was the restaurant. That was where the real action had to start taking place. But how? He thought, biting his lower lip, how could he get into the restaurant without been noticed. He drew in a long slow breath, and it so happened, as he was thinking hard, his eyes fell on the duffel bag at the foot of the bed.

He dashed to it, picked it up, dropped it on the bed, opened it, and brought out his dirty cross bag. He opened it and spilled the contents onto the bed.

There was a syringe, a small cream plastic, cordless electric corkscrew with an injection needle (the jagged blade had been replaced with an injection needle), a ball pin hammer, pairs of gloves, karambit blade hooked to a long chain, knives with jagged blades and a lead piping.

He stared at all the items, heaving heavily, a dangerous idea forming in his mind. He regarded the syringe and the electric corkscrew and bared his teeth in a snarl. Quickly, he picked up the gloves and wore it then he packed the items back into the cross bag, wiped his sweaty face with a dirty handkerchief, fixed himself a glass of whisky, drank it neat in one gulp, drew in a long, slow breath and crossed to the telephone. He picked up the receiver and dialled room service.

“Room service, how may we help you?”

“Please, I want the special for the night. I've it sent up."

“Right away, sir," the voice said.

He replaced the receiver. He moved towards the reclining chair, picked it up, and placed it near the entrance of the door. He looked around the room and saw some fashion magazines lying on a sideboard. He moved towards it, picked one up, dashed back to the chair, lowered into it, and began to flip through the page absentmindedly. A few minutes later, he heard a gentle knock on the door.

“Come in, “Razor said. Through the corner of his eyes, he watched as the door opened and a waiter entered the room, wheeling in a trolley. On it was big Champagne in a silver ice bucket and a serving plate with a cloche. As the waiter turned to go, Razor, who had quietly stood up from the chair, slinked behind the waiter unaware, swung a powerful fist, and hit the waiter violently on the side of the neck.

He heard a faint dry sound like the snapping of a stick. The force of the blow flung the waiter backward. His eyes rolled back until only the whites showed as he thudded to the floor. His neck seemed to be at an unusual angle as he lay sprawled out on the rug, trickle of bright-red blood coming from his half-open mouth.

Razor regarded the unconscious man for a long moment. Knowing that he was running out of time, he bent over the waiter and undressed him. Swiftly, he struggled into the waiter's shirt, waist jacket, and suits, slid into the trousers, and wore the shoes. His movement was swift and snappy.

He moved towards the duffel bag, reached into it, rifled through the cross bag, and brought out the syringe and the corkscrew with the needle. He took out the champagne from the sliver bucket and moved towards a table. He placed the bottle on the table, then inserted the corkscrew needle into the syringe and forced out the contents so that the needle of the corkscrew now contains the contents of the syringe.

Then, he deftly placed the Corkscrew needle on the cork of the champagne and pressed a button. The corkscrew began to hum as it neatly pierced the cork and the content of the needle flowed into the champagne.

Razor emptied the needle content. Satisfied, he removed the corkscrew, grabbed up the bottle, and shook it vigorously. Then he looked at the cork of the champagne. There was no trace that the cork had been pierced. It looked just like a normal champagne bottle.

Razor packed up, throwing the corkscrew and the needle into the duffel bag. He picked up the small plastic cream, went to the big mirror in the room, and rubbed the content on his face. The cream concealed all the scars, injury marks, and lines on his face, giving him a temporary perfect smooth face.

He dropped the cream into his pockets, grabbed the champagne bottle, and went to the mirror. Looking at himself in the mirror, he looked exactly just like one of the waiters of the Espace hotel. He grinned wickedly as he walked out of the room. In his hand was the laced champagne bottle.

***

After they had made wild, passionate love, Kevin had felt satiated but terribly hungry. Gina had suggested they should go to the hotel restaurant. Now sited behind a table, on the terrace that overlooked a lighted pool and the flowers that made the Espace hotel restaurant exclusive and expensive, Kevin regarded Gina as she looked at the menu a waiter had given her. She was now wearing a simple aquamarine dress. Diamonds glittered at her ears as she tossed her blonde hair back from her shoulders.

“See what you like, Ginny?” he said.

She glanced up and flashed him a warm smile.

"It looks so fogged up. I don't know which to choose."

“Let me see,” he said. She gave him the menu, and he glanced through it. He raised his head, winked at her, and signalled to a waiter. The waiter crossed to them.

“We’ll like caviar crushed in ice, shrimps, and breast of a duck in wine sauce. Please make it snappy."

The waiter nodded and scurried away. A few minutes later, the tiny, pink, delicious shrimps now arrived with slices of toast. The waiter set the food on the table efficiently, bowed, and retreated.

“This looks nice," she said, eyeing the food.

“Have a taste it, Ginny, and tell me how it feels."

He helped Gina to butter the toast before passing it to her. She shovelled the food into her mouth, inclined her head, and continued to eat.

“So, do you like it?” Kevin asked, spearing a shrimp into his mouth.

“It’s alright, "she answered.” But I'm cooking something much better than this for you tomorrow."

Kevin grinned ruefully.

“Hmmm, I can't wait," he said. “I’ve been thinking, Ginny, what if Tomayo called? What are we going to tell him? "

Gina paused, and then she shrugged her shoulders.

“We’ll fix it when the time comes. You don't have to worry about that."

He arched an eyebrow.

“Any regrets, Ginny?” he said." we can get the hell out of this place if you're not comfortable with it."

She shook her head.

“No, Kevin. It's perfect. There's no need to leave. I love you, and I want to enjoy every moment I'm going to spend with you."

He stared at her, and he suddenly realized how beautiful she was and how much he really loved her. He decided then and there he would marry her as soon as they leave the hotel. They would have their wedding in Paris. It pleased him to imagine her with him, to watch her delight when he bought her things, to see her astonishment when she saw France for the first time.

“Let’s have a toast, "he said, smiling at her.” With a drink, of course. “He looked around the room and signalled to a waiter. The waiter was tall and powerfully built, and the uniform fitted him well. He beamed at Kevin when he reached the table.

“Bring your best Champagne," he said to the waiter. “And glasses for two."

The waiter smiled as he gave a curt nod and moved away. A few seconds later, he returned carrying a bottle of big champagne in a silver ice bucket and set it on the table. He asks if he should open it.

Kevin gave him the go-ahead. He opened the bottle with a flick of his fingers. He poured the foaming wine into two glasses and then offered one to Kevin, one to Gina, bowed and went away.

“Here’s to us, to a long and lasting relationship," Kevin said. He raised his glass, and they both drank. They drank more of the champagne, not knowing the drink was laced, and the waiter who had served them was Razor.

After a while, when they had eaten their fill and drank enough of the wine, Kevin pushed away his plates and told Gina that they should go back to their room. She agreed, and together, they both got up and walked out of the restaurant. When they got to their room, Gina walked to the big, double bed and sat on it.

Kevin took off his clothes and turned to her. He stiffened when he saw her sitting rigidly on the bed, her head in her hand.

"Ginny, what's it? “

She raised her head and looked at him. Her face was white, and her eyes were wide and dark. He felt a cold chill run up his spine.

“I feel funny, Kevin," she said in a shaky voice.

His heart hammering wildly, he crossed the room to her and squatted in her front. He took hold of her hand. It was clammy with sweat.

“Ginny, please, what's wrong? You're frightening me? "

She stared hard at him.

“Something is wrong,” she mumbled, “I think it's the wine…wine.” She had not even completed her words when he felt muscles in her hand stiffen, and he watched her eyes rolled back, and she sagged against him. Kevin held her tightly to his chest in sudden panic, and just then, he felt something grabbed at his stomach. He got to his feet and gently dropped Gina on the bed.

As he moved away from the bed to get water from the bathroom, he felt cold sweat broke out on his body, and he found out he couldn't move. His body felt suddenly empty and limp, and he slides down and spread out on the white rug. His last thought before riding down the dark chute of darkness was Gina.

***

Kevin began to crawl up the dark passage towards the light at the end of the tunnel. He was so frightened, and yet he knew he had to reach the light. Then quite suddenly, he was at the end of the tunnel, and the hard light blinded him. Then heard a woman weeping. The sound gripped him with cold fear.

He opened his eyes and groaned as he looked around the room; his head felt so heavy that he felt it was going to fall off his neck. He grabbed hold of it, shut his eyes, then getting a grip on himself, and he opened it.

Slowly the room swam into focus.

He heard the weeping sound and jerked his head to where it was coming from. He saw Gina, her face stained with tears, her hands, and feet bound with tight ropes. When she saw him looking at her, she beamed at him, her face red with tears.

“Thank God! I thought you were dead," she said in a shaky voice. “Don’t be scared, love. He's right in front of you."

Bewilderedly, he jerked his head around. That was when he saw the man. He was sitting on a reclining chair, facing him, dressed in a waiter's uniform, a cigarette burning furiously between his thick lips, his callused hands folded on his big thighs. As he stared at him, Kevin's blood seemed to freeze in his veins; his heart stopped then raced violently. He knew the man was Razor. Nobody could tell him otherwise. But it was the man's face that scared him the most. It was cold, hard, and brutish. Here's one dangerous ape, he thought.

"Hello, Kevin,” Razor said in a cold voice. “I bet you didn't think you'd see me again, did you? You and I got things to talk about.”

Kevin sat up on the floor, his mouth a little open, his eyes fluttering, his eyes staring hard at Razor.

“Do you like really think I will forget about you?” Razor went on, screwing his eyes as the cigarette smoke drifted before his ugly face.

Then he gave them an account of how he had been monitoring them, how he had tailed them to the hotel, how he had killed a waiter, how he had used a temporary facial mask so that Kevin won't recognize him and how he had drugged the champagne. By the time he was done, the atmosphere in the room was tense and electrifying.

Kevin didn't say anything. Even if he had wanted to speak, his mouth was too dry for him to make a sound. Once in a while, he shot a quick glance at Gina. She had stopped crying now, but there was a hard, deadpan expression on her face as she stared at Razor.

“You keep looking at your bitch!” Razor hissed out. “That dead bastard, Snitch told me she was ugly. How come she's beautiful? Well, I guess we can't really know it all, right?"

Kevin turned to him.

“What do you want?” he managed to say.

Razor grinned wickedly as he crushed out his cigarette on the arm of the chair, burning a hole in the cover.

“I want your life, Kevin," he said. “You took Angelina from me. You made me kill her. I will kill you too."

“I don't know any Angelina, "Kevin snapped.” I keep telling you that. You've got the wrong person, man. You've been blaming the wrong person all this while. You killed her, and you're blaming me for her death. That's what this is all about”

Razor pointed a thick finger at him.

“You’re so full of lies and shit. For Christ's sake, how can you claim not to Angelina? Tall, dark hair, blue eyes, very beautiful. Cold and insolent," he paused when he saw Kevin stiffened, and then he went on. “You set her up in a goddamned apartment, drove her around in your car, and bought things for her, things that cost lots of money. She loves to talk about marriages and shit; how the hell can you say you don't know her?" He screamed.

Kevin felt a devastating punch him in his belly as a realization hits him.

“My God! It can't be! “He said hoarsely.” It can't be."

“The nickel's dropped, right?” Razor said, watching him. “Yes, you knew her. You just didn't think she could ever be the one."

“Kevin," Gina said. “What’s, is it? What's he talking about? "

Kevin turned to her, his face wet with sweat.

“Jessica! It was her along. Jessica Hill. Everything was about her. Everything”

Gina lay there, staring at him, shocked into silence.

Razor watched them. It pleased him to see the naked fear on their faces.

“You see what I've been saying along," he said. "You've been dipping your wick where you shouldn't."

“I didn't know she belonged to any man.” Kevin said. “We met in a club. She told me her name was Jessica Hill. I wasn't interested in her past, and neither was she interested in mine. We clicked that night and the next thing we saw a lot of each other”

Razor crossed one leg over the other.

“That’s where you made a mistake. You should have probed about her past. If you had done that, you might not be in this mess. You see, her real name was Angelina Turner. I met her in Mexico at that time when I had just completed an assignment. We got married, and I brought her to the states. She lived together for three years in New York City. We really loved each other then. I was a very handsome man and was quite rich. I worked for the underworld men. Angelina knew about my job but as long as I gave her everything she ever desired, she was less bothered. I travelled around the world, killing men and women who cross the paths of the underworld men. Angelina was crazy about this idea of us settling down. She was getting old, and she wanted kids. Because of the nature of my work, I didn't want any kids. At least not while I was still doing my dirty job. We dragged the issue. She was so crazy about marriage she even threatened to leave me. It so happened during that time; I was sent on a mission to kill a rich oilman in Saudi Arabia. I underestimated the men working for this oilman. I got stupid and careless, and it costs me my face “he paused as he touched his face.” Those men massacred my face. They did this to me. They left me for dead after they had beating me to a bloody pulp, but I survived, and I managed to find my way back to New York."

Kevin and Gina sat motionless, listening to Razor's dangerous voice.

“When Angelina saw me, "he went on.” She got so frightened because of my face. She never believed I was the one even though I had the feeling she knew, but she was just putting up an act. Mind you, when my face was still okay, I always have the feeling she was a whore. A tramp. But she was so good at covering up her escapades with men. Since I was never around, I never confronted her though I always knew she was cheating. So, when she saw my face that gave her the motive to dump my ass. Worst still, things were getting bad for us in the house. There was no money again. The underworld men wouldn't send me on any job because I failed. To them, I was a write-off. I became a washed-up professional killer. One day, Angelina ran away from me. She packed her bags and left me for good. But she made a mistake. She had messed with a professional killer who was good at tracking people. I tracked her down here, to Miami City. I found out she had changed her name to Jessica Hill, and she had been seeing another man. That man is you!” he paused, pointing to Kevin, whose eyes were glittering now.” You guys got together; you set her up in a lovely apartment, bought her things, took her around in your big car, and screwed her. I followed both of you everywhere. And each time I see you together, the feeling of killing you both gnawed at me. I loved Angelina so much. Even though she was greedy and a cheat. Even when she left me, I still loved her, but when I saw her with you, you been the exact epitome of everything I was before I became washed up; I got crazy in the head. That’s why I killed her. I blew her face apart with a damn Luger, and I loved the way she died. Regardless of what you think of me, I loved Angelina, and I will always love her. But I had to kill her. And If I could kill her, then I must also kill the person that made me kill her. Nobody screws around with what belongs to me and goes scot-free. She was nothing when she came to Miami City, but you made her important. You made her a queen with your stupid money. For that, I'm gonna fix you."

“Why didn't you kill him all this way?” Gina said a bite in her voice. “Why kill all those innocent women?”

Razor shrugged indifferently.

“I killed them to make him suffer. Their blood will forever be on his head. They all died because of him. History will never forget that”

“You’re sick, “She fired at him.” You're really crazy in the head. If you're not, you won't accuse Kevin of taking a greedy slut from you. And you will never have to kill those women. Angelina left you because you're a loser! A washed-up failure. This made you angry. It made you crazy. So, you were looking for someone to vent your anger and pain on. Kevin was your scapegoat."

Razor rubbed his scarred, rough face and his glittering eyes stared at Gina.

“Just shut your mouth, or I'll shut it up, "he snarled and turned to Kevin.” Tell her to shut up, or I'll fix her."

“You leave her out this!” Kevin bawled. “This is my entire fault. I should have known Jessica was a gonna be a bad jinx. If I had known, this wouldn't be happening. So do whatever you wanna do to me but leave Gina out of this”

“I’m killing her, “Razor said mildly.” She's dead already “then he took out a Luger gun from his hip pocket. Screwed to it was a silencer. He pointed the gun at Kevin.

“I kill you first; then I'll kill her next. But not before I have my way with her. I'm gonna screw her to hell. That's payback for balling my wife."

Kevin's body went hot then cold, his heart fluttering wildly like the wings of an injured bird.

“Don’t touch her, you psycho, "Kevin gritted out.

Unknown to Razor, Gina had managed to slip out a small dagger concealed by a thigh holster while he had been talking. Now, as Razor pointed the gun at Kevin, using the skills the Army had taught her, she began to cut the rope stealthy and silently.

“And what if I do “Razor sneered.” You can't help her. You're as useless as a broken leg."

Just then, they all heard a knock on the room door. They all stiffened.

Razor looked towards the door, his ugly face hard as granite.

“Housekeeping, "the voice said from outside the room.

“If we don't answer," Kevin said hoarsely. “They would suspect something is wrong."

Razor looked at him, his mouth curling into a snarl.

“Shut your trap or I will blow you apart, "he seethed out.

Again, there was a knock on the door, persistently and impatiently. Razor moved silently to the door. His back was now to them. Gina, who had been sweating it out with the rope, finally cut it off her hand. She rose to her feet. For a brief moment, she balanced the sharp, deadly knife in her hand, and then threw it with an unerring aim and with extraordinary force Razor's massive back. The knife hit him between his shoulder blades. The shock was so excruciating, he yelled and spun around in shock.

He saw Gina staring at him, a wicked glint in her eyes. At that moment, he knew what she had done. A shudder runs through him as he took a staggering step them.

“You fixed me, bitch ", he muttered. Then with the last ounce of power in him, he lifted the gun, the snub nose pointing to Kevin. The gun boomed twice, and it slid out of his hands as he came crashing to the ground. Gina jumped forward, grabbed the gun, and fired at Razor's body. His body jerked wildly as the slugs thudded into it.

“You’re dead, fucker!” Gina said, gripping the gun tightly, sweat running down her face as she stared at Razor, who was sprawled out on the floor.

“Ginny?” Kevin said in a weak voice.

The way he heard called her frightened Gina, and she turned to him sharply. When she saw his face, white and paled, she ran to him, caught him as he was about slide to the ground.

“What is it? What’s wrong? “Gina said in a trembling voice, looking at his face, her hands moving over his body frantically. Then she felt something warm and wet behind his back. She turned him over. Blood was seeping out from a bullet hole behind the back. The sight of the blood made her gasped out.

“Oh My God,” she cried. “You've been shot.”

“It’s alright, Ginny, "Kevin holding tightly to her as she pillowed his head against her breasts.” Don't get frightened, love."

“No, it's not alright,” Gina sobbed. “No…no…it can’t be…I've got to get help.”

“No, Ginny,” he mumbled. “Just tell me you love me, Ginny."

“I love you, Kevin," she sobbed, tears running into her mouth. “I love you so much, and that's why I've got to get help.” She gently laid him on the floor, sprang to her feet, and darted to the telephone.

Quickly, she dialled room service, explaining the situation to the voice at the other end. She heard a dry rasping sound behind her, and she turned to see Kevin. He was lying face down on the floor, his lifeblood spreading rapidly across the white rug.

The telephone receiver slipped from her hand as she darted to him. With an unsteady hand, she turned him over. His face was old and white. But his eyes were still blinking. He was still alive. She was sure of that. She laid him gently on the floor, got to her feet, towards the telephone at the corner of the room, picked up the receiver, and with trembling hands; she dialled detective Tomayo’s number.