We walked out of the unfamiliar building and no one stopped us. I let out a sigh of relief when I got into his SUV. He shook his head and said. “Ye of little faith.” That pretty much summed me up. If I couldn’t see, touch or taste it I had a hard time accepting it existed.

   I asked a silly question that I already knew the answer to, but I had to ask it anyway. “So it’s over?”

   “It’s over. You are free.”

   Free to do what I thought. There isn’t much market for paid killers. Sure I could go places I didn’t want to go and do things I didn’t want to do but I had already spent a lifetime doing that. I had nothing to show for the years except some money in the bank and job skills that would land me in prison. If I avoided the shoe store it was enough money to last me for years. I couldn’t go home I would never again feel safe there.

   “How about you come home with me for a while? We have a lot of catching up to do.” He smiled. I knew what that smile meant and I couldn’t wait to get back to his place. God, how I had missed that smile.

   “Sure.” I smiled back.

   He nodded. “Good.”

   I had a million questions to ask him but right now I just wanted to enjoy the moment. There are so few people in life you can be quiet with. Petr was the one I could.be quiet with.

   “Are you sure you want me to know where you live?”

   “I know you would die before you betray me.”

   “I’m trying to get used to the not dying part.”

   His laugh was deep and masculine. He tossed me a bottle of pills. “Take one.”

   “What happened to the trusting me stuff?”

   He looked over at me and I shook a pill out. Looked like Valium. I had a fear of flying which was normally kept in check but this was going to be bad. I took some bottled water and washed the pill down.

   “Helicopter.” I said.

   “Helicopter.”

   Two men were standing guard next to the helicopter when we pulled into the small airport. That was reassuring. Petr nodded and the men stepped aside. My wobbles were getting worse so he walked me around and helped me into the helicopter. God, how I hate to fly.

   I swallowed hard as we took off. A few minutes in my head stared to spin and things dimmed. I struck out at him with my fist but he moved away easily and smiled. “Why?” That was a stupid question. Why should I be surprised that both of the men I have loved in my life have betrayed me.

   “No worries. I trust you, but it’s better you don’t know for now.”

Trust is highly overrated.