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I wince as Rondelle grabs her arm, digging his fingers into her skin.
“Where is our regular chef?”
“I don’t know?” She cocks her head. “I was told they were gone and to come here and cook.” Shrugging a shoulder, she spins out of Rondelle’s hold.
“What is this?” Chard gestures in disgust.
“Pork katsu curry? It’s a Japanese-American fusion,” she explains.
Chard scoops a bite, lifts it to his nose inhaling.
“You eat it first,” he tells her.
She furrows her brow. “Sure, I’ll get a clean fork.”
“No, use mine.” Chard leans over, grabbing her wrist and dragging her into his lap.
She trips in the process, the bite of food landing on her chef jacket instead.
I wince at the contact. At how Chard will react.
“Sorry, I am so clumsy.” She plucks the fork from his hand, scoops a bite of food, and stuffs it into her mouth. “I think it’s good. Depending on your taste buds, you might want a touch more salt.”
Chard barks a laugh. “Feed me.”
Rondelle just watches in clear disgust. His nose scrunched up. “Sharing silverware with the help?”
Chard waves a hand.
It is clear Cinnamon is exasperated. “What about I go prepare you both dessert?”
Chard’s muddy eyes dance in amusement. “I can get behind that.” And you. He mouths, but Cinnamon doesn’t see him. “After we eat, meet us in the living room with it.” He yanks his fork from her hand, before forcefully shoving her off his lap.
Her hand grabs the table in time to not fall flat on her face.
And then she marches back to the kitchen.
She needs to act soon.
“This is fucking good,” Rondelle mutters, “Don’t kill her, I need more of this in the future.”
Chard licks his lips. “She seems like she can handle a little playing. Before the shipment is delivered, how about we have a bit of fun with her?”
They finish their meal quickly in silence. Utensils clanking against porcelain as they clean the plates.
And then they get up and leave the room.
I take the opening to bolt to the kitchen. I expect Cinnamon.
She’s gone.
My eyes flash out the window.
Her car is gone.
On the counter is a box with a crockpot plugged in next to it.
This must be what the “mechanic” gave her and how she’s completing the hits.
