Page 15 of Driftwood Daffodil 3

We heard a thwack, followed by Nova’s triumphant giggle. Then a sound that made me shoot up to my feet.

Did he just fucking hit her?

NOVALEE

While on my not so amicable drive with Marty, I learned a few things. Such as, not only did he have quick reflexes, but he was well prepared.

When I tried to kick him in the head, Marty dodged out of the way, then rolled up a window between the front and back seats, effectively cutting off my means of attack. Obviously this wasn’t Marty’s first kidnapping. I was pretty sure separation windows weren’t standard in Range Rovers.

I also learned that I could be defeated by a simple child lock. There was nothing more pathetic than planning a grand escapefrom a moving vehicle, complete with an epic tuck and roll onto the pavement, only to have said plan foiled because you couldn’t open the damn door.

Marty truly was an effective criminal. Although, one would argue that if he was going to keep up with that lifestyle, he might want to consider a name change. Marty didn’t exactly instill fear. It was kind of like having a vampire named Jerry or Bob.

I even made a few suggestions to him. None of which he liked. Apparently Marty was perfectly happy with his name. Personally, I thought Vlad or The Darkness had more of a punch, but whatever.

Needless to say, coming up with awesome villain names was about the only thing I accomplished on the way to Gio’s house. My favorite was Krull The Lizard King.

Marty pulled to a stop and my lip curled at the two staircases at the front of the Mancini mansion.

I was seriously starting to hate this house. It was too perfect. Where were all the overgrown hedges and messy flowerbeds? Seriously, who cut their grass that neatly? And don’t even get me started on the spotless porch.

“That was the longest fucking drive of my life.” Marty muttered to himself then twisted his neck to look back at me. “I hope you’re done being a pain in the ass.”

I shifted my eyes his way and smiled.

It was good to have hopes in life. They probably wouldn’t come true, but it was still a good thing to hold onto.

“That’s what I thought.” He rolled his eyes and got out of the car.

I watched him step over to the backdoor, and reach out to open it.

There were two options I had in this situation. One was easy, and one involved an umbrella laying on the floor and the side of Marty’s face. Other than who he chose to work for, I didn’t haveanything personally against the guy. I could even forgive the whole kidnapping thing.

But when he opened the door and muttered, “I hope Gio tans your ass.” I knew which option I was going for.

Marty leaned in the backseat, as I grabbed the umbrella and jabbed him in the chest with the pointy end. It was an effective hit. I even made him bleed a bit.

“Son of a bitch.” He looked down at the small red spot staining his shirt, then at the umbrella in my hands. “Did you just stab me with an umbrella?”

“Yes.” Although, technically I was trying to hit him not stab him, but it worked.

He looked at me.

I looked at him.

Then he lunged in after me, reaching for my weapon. “Give me that.”

I dodged his attempted grab, and smacked the umbrella off his side. After which I did it again, this time hitting him in the back. The last strike hit hard. I felt the echo of the slap.

That was when Marty apparently had enough. He crawled over me and grabbed my arms.

“No,” I cried while trying to scramble away. “It’s my umbrella.”

But it was no use. He easily tore it out of my grasp, and tossed it somewhere behind him.

Next thing I knew, I was being dragged out of the car and flung over his shoulder. Marty marched us into the house while I stared at the umbrella on the ground. Shattered and in pieces like my life.

For some reason that sight set me off. I couldn’t explain it, but seeing the cracked edges of the wooden handle and frayed blue canopy pissed me off. All that umbrella wanted to do wasshelter people from the rain. And Marty destroyed it. He took a useful tool and tossed it aside like garbage.

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