Phoenix Initiative Adversaries Read online

  ***ADVERSARIES***

  A DIRTY GREEN four-by-four army jeep with larger than life tires races up the coast. It dashes around crazy curves and winding hills along rocky cliffs. Rushing ocean waves roar into the sea breeze and pound the sharp stones that stick up like the jagged teeth of the mountainside.

  Teenage Lasalle sits in the passenger side. A black bandana is covering her eyes. Her wide pink tongue snakes over her dry bottom lip.

  “You gonna tell me where you’re takin me?”

  Gloria giggles at the wheel. She’s wearing a white bikini with a silver wrap curled around her supple body.

  “You’ll see kitten. Be patient.”

  The jeep comes around a sandy lot. Deep scarred tire marks lead to an open chain-link gateway. They pass a small empty guard station and zoom on towards the marina.

  The large wheels click over the sandy brickwork like a flapping playing card in the spokes of a child’s bike. Lasalle tilts her head back, trying to see under the makeshift blindfold. The warm sun bathes her face.

  “Hey, no peaking,” Gloria snaps.

  Lasalle growls and lifts her camoflauged tank-top, smothering beads of sweat dancing on her little tanned chin.

  “Oh Lasalle, that IS NOT a bikini.”

  “I know that,” Lasalle squirms in her seat, panting like a dog. “It’s hot. Where we going?”

  “I wish you would have worn something more appropriate kitten.”

  “I’ll get over it.”

  Gloria’s hand comes over Lasalle’s toned leg and shakes it.

  “What if you want to go swimming?”

  Lasalle grins and turns her head facing Gloria.

  “You’re in luck. This is what I swim in.”

  Gloria lets out a frustrated grunt and stops the jeep.

  “I guess you can take that off now kitten. We’re here. You threw a pebble in my pond, I’ll figure something out.”

  “You tied me up remember?”

  Gloria grins and stares down at Lasalle’s loose hands.

  “I saw you wipe your face kitten. I know you’ve been free since the last store.”

  Lasalle’s grin spreads wider and she pulls the bandanna away. She faces gloria, watching her hair moving slightly in the breeze like fine rolls of satin.

  “I can’t believe you thought I couldn’t get out of that.”

  Gloria leans in close to her.

  “I can’t believe you let me tie you up.”

  Lasalle’s nose wrinkles, her brow lowers, making her look like an angry savage. Gloria’s slender fingers grip Lasalle’s little chin and turns her head forward. Before them at the docks sits a beautiful white yacht, shining in the beaming sun.

  Teenage Tony stands aboard. His hands gripping the sparkling metal rail. He’s dressed for the heat. Happy toes peaking out of handmade sandals. His spa shorts rippling in the breeze, mimicking his california casual Hawaiian shirt. His gold 1993 Daytona Rolex glinting on his wrist.

  “We’re all gassed up and ready to go,” he yells, waving at them.

  “What is this?” Lasalle asks, walking up onto the beckoning yacht with Gloria, hand in hand.

  “It’s yours kitten.”

  “Mine?”

  Gloria stops in her tracks and turns to her.

  “Remember those dealers you barreled from the club the other night?”

  Lasalle lets out a hard breath.

  “Yeah.”

  Gloria yanks Lasalle’s hand pulling her onto deck.

  “Let’s call it a perk.”

  ****

  WAVES