Page 13 of Unholy Cross

Chapter Six

Lorelei was utterlyexhausted.

The only time Cross stopped was to fill the gas tank and hit the restroom.Her butt was numb, her lower back ached, and she was nauseous.She hadn’t eaten because she was afraid of regurgitating the food all over the back of his shirt.

Lights blazed in the distance, and even from miles away she could see a single beam traveling up into the night sky.It took her a moment to realize she was looking at Las Vegas.She remembered from movies she’d seen years ago.The closer they approached, the brighter the lights.A city that never slept, almost turning night into day.Traveling down the Interstate, her head swiveled back and forth to take in the sights.The beam, she discovered, came from a pyramid.Casino names flashed by, bright and bold.

Cross took an exit ramp, heading toward the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip, and this area seemed less friendly.They passed the Stratosphere and he pulled into a neighborhood with stark-looking buildings.Scantily clad women hung out on the street corners.Stripped cars lay broken near the curbs.Cross drove up the cracked driveway of one house that had bars on the windows and barbed wire on top of a fence that outlined the property.He placed his feet down and shut off the engine, leaving a hollow void where the noise had once blasted, then tapped her leg.She carefully got off, holding onto his jacket since her legs were a little wobbly.At least it was getting better to dismount with each ride.

She took off her helmet to look around.

“This place is ugly,” he told her.The somber note in his voice told her more about this place than his words.“Don’t go anywhere without me.It’s dangerous.”

Lorelei nodded.

He got off the bike and shed his helmet as well, holding it out to her.She took it, roping the straps around her arm.He led her to the front door and banged on it.The flaking paint revealed what looked like rotten wood beneath it.The entire property was in need of ...well, maybe burning it down would be the best idea.It would certainly be counted as a mercy killing.

The door creaked open and an emaciated woman stood in the doorway, naked from the waist up and wearing only panties.Her long hair hung in limp, oily strands, the tips brushing against her nipples.She had a vacant stare, as if she’d already checked out mentally.

“Fucking hell, Cricket,” Cross muttered.“Where’re your fucking clothes?”

Cricket acted like she didn’t even hear him.Instead, she turned and disappeared into the dark house.Cross sighed.

“That’s my stepsister,” he explained.When he took hold of her hand, she didn’t pull away.“I wish I could say she’s not usually like that, but she’s been hooked for as long as I’ve known her.I’m actually shocked she’s still alive, although she now resembles a skeleton.”

Lorelei wished she could ask why they were at this house, but all she could do was hold onto his hand and let him lead her inside.It soon became apparent that Cricket wasn’t the only one in residence.About a dozen people lay in various stages of undress.The stench of urine mixed with filth, feces, and other bodily fluids made her eyes water and her stomach roll.She really hoped Cross wasn’t suggesting they stay here, because there was no way.

“Don’t look at them,” Cross said.“We’re only going to be here a moment.”

Relief at his words swept through her.He led her down a hallway, where they passed a body.Lorelei was pretty sure the man was dead.Cross stopped at a door and didn’t hesitate to open it.On the bed a girl lay spread-eagle, a man pumping away between her thighs.Cross ignored them as he headed toward the closet.He let go of her hand as he swept drug paraphilia, rotten food, empty liquor bottles, and God knew what else away with his booted foot.She was terrified she was going to get stabbed with a dirty needle, so she didn’t move.Cross lifted his foot and brought it down sharply on the bare wooden slat of the sub floor.It cracked and he reached down to grab a thick envelope.

“Come on,” he said, as he slid the envelope into the inner pocket of his leather jacket.

He took her hand once more as they retraced their steps, leading her out of the godawful place.Yet, just before they reached the door, a man blocked the exit and Cross stopped so abruptly, she bounced off his broad back.

“Why’d you come back, Aera?”

“Move out of my fucking way, Georgie,” Cross ordered, his tone so cold Lorelei was glad it wasn’t directed at her.

“I told you, if I ever saw your face again, I was going to fuck it up.”

“Really?”Cross scoffed.“There are dozens of needle marks on both of your arms.Your skin has sunken in so much a stiff wind would blow you down, soget out of my waybefore I oblige the Devil and send you to him.”

“Always thinking you’re better than me.”

“That’s because I am,” Cross smirked.“I don’t want to touch you because of the hepatitis I’m sure you have, but don’t think I’d hesitate to shoot your ass.”

He brought up a gun and pointed it in Georgie’s face.Lorelei hadn’t even seen him reaching for it.She stayed close to him, as he’d told her to do, clutching their helmets.The place terrified her, but he was a solid wall between her and the awful world around them.

Georgie spit at Cross, but it didn’t reach them.

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