Avenger by Su Halfwerk Page B

teeth, staring at that expanse of strength. There were minimal scars scattered across his body, but a circular one in his stomach drew her attention. She examined it, almost touched it. A bullet wound.
    Luke thrashed and kicked around, his body tense, sweat drenched his skin within seconds. Ignoring all his warnings to never touch or go through him, Pru slipped in bed by his side and held him. If going through Luke made her feel exuberant, she hoped the same was true for him.
    “Shh, you’re not alone,” she whispered in his ear and closed her eyes. She gathered all her calmness along with the warmth and bliss she experienced by touching him, and returned them tenfold, willing him to accept them, to take them all in.
    ****
    “That was…something,” Luke said and rolled off Hope’s sweaty, slippery body. She mumbled something in return and nestled close enough that the darker roots of her hair showed below the bleached strands.
    He raised an eyebrow, the snuggling business was new. Usually, Hope liked everything quick, the sex, the paying, and the leaving. She had the world record for getting her Johns to leave her shady apartment fast. Luke returned because no one knew about her. Hope was a safe relief.
    Awkwardly, he rested a hand on her shoulder. He wasn’t good at the emotional exchange after a roll in the hay. That was another reason why he kept coming back to her. So why did she change? He thought to himself. “I think you need to touch up on your non-blond roots.”
    She swatted him on the shoulder playfully. “My roots weren’t a problem half an hour ago.”
    Half an hour ago she wasn’t all touchy feely. “They’re never the problem.”
    She leaned back frowning. “What’s the problem then?”
    Luke avoided women’s mood swings, it was time to gather his things and beat it. He made as to rise, pushing her gently off him. She wouldn’t budge.
    “No. First explain what you meant, then you can leave.” Her teasing voice carried a strained undertone he didn’t like. Her eyes flicked to the alarm clock by her bed.
    “You act as though you’re expecting another John, yet you’re pushing me to stay. Why?” As Luke asked the question, he recognized the situation for what it was, a trap. He shoved Hope off him. “You bitch!”
    Too late though, he could discern those weighty steps plodding up the stairs anywhere in the world. Barney was the guy sent to brutally exterminate the vermin who’d crossed Sully, Luke was one such vermin. Without wasting another moment on Hope—after all, the highest bidder always won in her world—Luke pulled up his pants.
    “Wait,” she screamed after him. He guessed she didn’t care about him to be so desperate unless actual delivery was part of the deal.
    He flashed his teeth. “You suck, Hope, and not in a good way.”
    Heavy blows on the door shook it from its hinges. No threats, no shouting to open the door or else, just silent pounding. It was Barney alright.
    With his t-shirt balled in one hand, Luke pried the window open and stumbled out on the fire escape. He took two steps down but a shower of bullets from the street below convinced him to change tactic and climb up to the roof instead. The bullets bounced off the metal railing, he ducked to avoid their ricochet.
    The roof was a jungle of corroded satellite dishes and wooden planks that doubled as traps of rusty nails. He trotted carefully while zigzagging between the planks to the other end. There had to be another fire escape or a building close by. Some way out of this mess.
    Having donned his shirt in a rush, Luke leaned over the edge. No fire escape. He sighed and pulled on his hair. “Arrrgh!” The neighboring building was the same height but too far for a wild jump.
    At that instant, Barney heaved his massive bulk onto the roof. “Move and I’ll skin you alive.”
    Luke froze and raised both hands, facing the burly man breathing heavily before him. Barney was a man of few words, however, whatever