Fallen

Chapter Eighteen

Murphy's eyes turned back to Chris.

"He's here," I whispered. "Dad, get back up in place. He's here. Murphy."

"Shit," Blair's panicked voice vibrated in my ear.

It felt like I was taken back in time, back to Georgetown when Murphy and his men showed up. They wanted us - Ben and I. I didn't know why Murphy wanted us but whatever the reason was, it wasn't good.

"It is good to see you, Chris," Murphy said, his face didn't reflect his words. Not while his lips were in a sneer and his eyes held mischief. He walked to the side of the car and climbed down the makeshift stairs made of old car parts and other junk. "The last time I saw you, you threw me into a personal cell you built in your casino in Vegas."

Chris' face didn't pale from the turn of events. He didn't look shocked but how he shifted his weight from one foot to another I could tell he was uneasy. "I must say, I am impressed you got out," he said, lifting his chin and eyebrows.

"No, you're not." Murphy stopped a yard away from Chris. Around the two men, the crowd stepped back, giving them plenty of clearance. Murphy's auburn hair specked with grey was brushed back. Flickering light from the fire barrels illuminated the old scars carved into Murphy's skin on his face. Amusement glinted in his eyes. He pulled out a pistol, the barrel pointing skyward and he smiled.

"I should kill you for what you did," he said. His head shook, a smug smile coated his features. I felt my heart stop as he looked away from Chris and back to me. The barrel of the pistol aimed at my chest. "Or should I kill you for what you did in Denver?"

Behind me Alec shifted, his hand touching my back. "Mel?" he breathed. He didn't know what Murphy was talking about, he probably didn't even know who Murphy was. This moment was not the time to tell him.

Dad's voice was calm in my ear. "There's no point in hiding yourself. Step forward and keep him talking. Alec, you get Chris out of there."

I took a step forward. "Why are you here?" I asked, stepping past some rebels to stand beside Chris. A kernel of shock glinted in his eyes while he took in my dark clothes, but the shock was replaced by a cool demeanor when he turned back to Murphy.

The gun followed my movement. "Did you come here to kill us?" I asked when Murphy remained quiet, "Because we wronged you?"

Murphy smiled a panther's smile. "If I remember right - you, in fact, killed four of my men back in Denver. I have a debt to collect."

The smile and the caressing soft way he spoke his words were to unnerve me, but I stood tall beside Chris. "Why come all the way here to collect it? You traveled for two deaths." My eyes narrowed, I tilted my head down to stare at him, my lips a straight line.

He only laughed at my words and threatening glare. His chilled laughter brought shivers down my spine. "The miles were worth it to collect my debt but I am here to begin my plan."

The statement was a set up, I knew. He played me into his hand because he wanted me to ask my next question. "What plan?"

His honey brown eyes looked dead as he said, "To take over the government, to make the United Regions fall to its knees. With the aid of my men, we will raise a new government. Starting the assassination of the two of you."

Cheers erupted around us. The pistol shifted between Chris and I. "Who should go first?" Murphy asked.

"Doesn't the old saying 'ladies go first'?" Chris said beside me. I was facing danger, possible death if this didn't go well and I didn't feel fear, but annoyance that Chris would throw me to the wolves so quickly. There was no way in hell he would let me Murphy kill me. Not when his wife was my mother. He wouldn't allow his wife's daughter to die and my death would complicate his ties with United Regions. Chris wasn't dumb, he knew if I was here then there were other soldiers here too.