Ashley watched the scene with a gaping mouth. Once the action stopped, she immediately exited the van. She picked up the gun that had skidded near the front tires.
"Who are you?" Ashley shouted, aiming the gun at the stranger. "Show me your face!"
In the van's fog light, the man turned around with a flourish. He raised an arm and opened his man-bun. Shoulder-length hair bounced down the Frenchman’s face.
Guiscard!
It was Chevalier de Guiscard!
"It is me! Chevy, ma'am!" he said, ruffling his hair.
"Oh, my God!"
Ashley pulled the trigger.
Bang!
The target took the bullet and collapsed.
She had shot Nicolai, who had been trying to inch closer to a dropped gun.
"Good shot," Guiscard said.
Ashley walked towards him. "Give me a minute."
"Sure, ma'am."
She headed to where Pavlov lay, writhing in pain.
As Ashley approached him, he grimaced with disgust.
“Jebena drolja (Fucking slut)! Daj mi pistolj! (Give me the gun)!”
"You like hitting women, don't you?" Ashley fired at him. "You like roughing 'em up before sticking your dick into them?"
"Do you want this?" she spat, patting her crotch with the gun.
Pavlov looked at her, his face a confused mess.
"Well, first suck on this."
She pulled the trigger, and a bullet ripped into Pavlov's groin.
The Serb balled up, his eyes almost popping out in pain. He brayed raucously in agony.
"Ne! Jebati! Bogl!"
"Look at me!" Ashley hollered at him, her voice quivering but loud. "Look into my eyes!"
Pavlov looked up, and his eyes met Ashley's. A bullet went through his skull the next moment.
Guiscard stood motionless at a distance, watching the scene unfold.
Ashley dropped the gun and leaned on the car, breaking into a sobbing fit.
The ace guard picked up his trench coat and covered her with it.
He held her tight to his chest as she convulsed fitfully.
Ashley calmed down in a few minutes.
"We must go, ma'am," Guiscard whispered. "An associate of mine has already alerted the police. They will be arriving soon."
Ashley nodded, and he helped her into his Buick.
"What if the cops trace this back to me?" she asked, fastening her seat belt.
"They are likely to dismiss this incident as gang-related violence. These things happen in the city more often than you would think. But, I need to know this- are you all right? Are you hurt anywhere?"
"I have never been better, Chevy," she replied dismissively. "So! You got my message?"
"I did. It was smart of you. Tracking your phone was easy. I must ask, though- do you feel any different now? You just killed two men."
Ashley said nothing but peered at him with her cognac brown eyes.
Guiscard took a measure of her face. He considered himself a connoisseur of beauty.
With her facial symmetry, perfect nose, and well-placed cheekbones, Ashley was a masterpiece. In his informed opinion.
It was vital for the Frenchman in him to voice out that opinion right then. "You are beautiful."
Ashley blushed, taken by surprise.
"However, Miss Palmer," he added. "I can tell you have killed before. Am I wrong?"
Ashley looked away and instead took an interest in the winding highway ahead.
"There is no need to tell me, of course," Guiscard continued. "Everyone has secrets. I can attest to that."
"Why did you not draw your gun?" Ashley finally spoke, changing the topic. She opened a water bottle and took a long chug.
"I am the kind of guy who brings a fist to a gunfight."
She shook her head. 'This is not the time to woo me with your French charm,' she thought.
Their eyes met again, and this time Ashley wished he had made a move. She was fucking tired of people trying to kill her! On the other hand, the knight in shining armor was clearly doing it for her!
However, Guiscard had moved on from the awkward moment, professional as he was.
He reversed the Buick and headed back to the city.
"What did Zetelica want from you?" he posed.
"How did you know they were from the Zetelica?" was Ashley's counter-question.
The ace shrugged as if the answer was elementary.
"The tattoos on their arms. Snakes encircling an inverted Z."
"Ah, okay. Well, it was payback. My boyfriend, Jake. He won a bid over land they wanted."
"All things considered, the reasons do not seem to be very complicated. However, what I find intriguing, and wish to know is- how did YOU know they were from the Zetelica? They could be any random crooks, as far as your knowledge is concerned."
"I have.. uh.. sources."
"It is high time we had full disclosure, ma'am. You are going to regret hiding things from me. I cannot protect you if I have to deal with surprises like these all the time."
Ashley gave a furtive glance to the hunk who had just rescued her.
'Should I place my trust in another man? Another handsome man?'
Eventually, men disappoint.
"I will tell you everything. Just not right now."
"Fair enough. How about we extend my contract period indefinitely until you are completely safe. I intend to neutralize all your, uh, troubles before the contract expires."
Ashley chuckled. 'You do not know the least of my troubles, but I appreciate the sentiment,' she thought.
"Yeah. I was going to propose the same."
"Very well, ma'am. Starting today, I will stay by you at all times, with the exception of the washroom and the bedroom."
Ashley would not mind sharing her bedroom.
"I would not have it any other way. And please, call me Ashley. If you are going to be my best buddy for an indefinite period, better act like it."
Guiscard nodded.
He took a turn to enter the city ring-road.
They could hear police cars blaring across the highway behind them. The incident was undoubtedly going to make it to the papers the next day.
Ashley looked at the comforting sight of billboards and skyscrapers.
'I am back again in the jungle. What next?'