Page 39 of Rough Choice

“Come on, let’s get inside and warmed up…” Eliana had started to say, but as soon as she turned to the woman, the black figure was launching herself over the edge of the path and tackling Grier. Eliana shrieked in surprise and raised her gun.

“Don’t!” Kye said, knowing that in the dark with the two figures rolling around, she was just as likely to shoot Grier as the stranger. Kye and Eliana watched helplessly as the woman clawed and swung at Grier like a cornered cat. The fight was short though because in a quick thrust of his hips, Grier slammed the woman onto the ground and pinned her into the mud with one hand. His other hand held her wrist where she’d brandished a small knife no longer than her finger.

“Shoot her,” Kye instructed, but Grier held up a hand to stop them.

“Don’t shoot,” he said in a tone that sounded uncharacteristically worried. “This pathetic little assassin isn’t going to kill anyone.” He took hold of her bandana and ripped it away from her face. Though caked with mud, her face was still pretty, and with her hood removed, they could see the wet tendrils of bright red hair sopping in the rain.

“Who is she?” Eliana asked in confusion.

“Fiona,” she said through gritted teeth. Giving one last attempt to buck Grier off of her, she tried to twist her hips and counter his hold, but Grier was unyielding. Sighing in defeat, she glanced over at Kye and Eliana. “I’m Fiona Strong. Max’s daughter.”

* * *

“I thought you said Max didn’t have any kids,” Eliana whispered to Kye. They were all back inside now and had lit a fire in the fireplace. Though it sizzled with the rain that dripped through, it gave them enough warmth and light to continue their talk in the living room.

“Max said he didn’t have any sons. I guess that was his way of avoiding the truth that he had a daughter,” Kye shrugged.

“What if she’s lying?” Eliana asked.

“I doubt it. Telling us she’s the only child of our sworn enemy wouldn’t gain her any friendships here. Plus,” Kye added, “she’s got Max’s eyes. Same unmistakable metallic gray.” They both looked over at Fiona who was leaning against the back of the couch. Grier was trying to hand her an icepack for her lip, and she snatched it away from him angrily.

“They know each other, I’m sure of it,” Eliana said and sipped her mug of hot coffee she’d brewed.

“Let’s find out how they know each other,” Kye said and led her over to the duo. “Alright, Miss Strong…”

“Fiona.”

“Fiona,” Kye corrected, “we’ve got a few questions.”

“I’m sure you do,” she said almost sarcastically.

“First things first, you said Max sent you. Does that mean he’s still alive?” Kye questioned. Fiona’s eyes dropped, and she cleared her throat. “What was that?”

“Yes,” she said a little louder, “but not exactly alive. He’s on life support, last I knew anyway. The cancer beat him.”

“When was the last time you heard from him?” Eliana asked.

“Directly?” she asked and glanced up at her. Eliana nodded. “Months ago. He was in the hospital with injuries to his face… to his eye. That’s when he sent for me. I came to see him, and his last request was for me to track you down and kill you.”

“That sounds like Max,” Kye said flippantly. “So, you’re here to kill us?”

“Fuck no!” she said, almost laughing. “If I was going to kill you I would have done it already.”

“But you said that Max…”

“I haven’t listened to a damn order my father has given to me since I was nine years old, and I’m not about to start now. No, I’m here for other reasons.”

“Which would be?” Kye pressed.

“Personal,” she said with a defiant look. Kye had been right about those eyes. The cold and calculating way she looked at them reminded Eliana very much of Max.

“You said Max sent for you? Were you living abroad?” Eliana asked, trying to defuse the tension. Kye was annoyed he wasn’t getting answers, and Grier was standing half a step away from Fiona with hands balled into fists.

“Yeah, you could say that.”

“Ireland,” Grier added and broke his streak of silence. “Max sent her to Ireland. I was her security before she left the country.”

“You make it sound so impersonal. We know each other a lot better than that,” Fiona said in a suggestive manner. Eliana and Kye exchanged surprised looks.