Alien in the House by Gini Koch Read Free Book Online

best revenge reason in the world to disobey the Dingo’s cease and desist order.
    “Okay, so where’s Raul?”
    “You are so much smarter than you like to appear.” He sounded incredibly proud. The idea that the Dingo might actually be thinking of me as his niece, as someone to protect, crept up and waved quietly.
    “Thank you. Um . . . so, I appreciate you warning me. Should I dump the package into the river?”
    “You’re close to the Potomac? Again?”
    “Yes. Though like you and your cousin, I don’t want to go swimming in it again any time soon. How is he, by the way?”
    “Very well. He is also watching.”
    “To protect me or to finish the job? Or for a new job?”
    The Dingo sighed again. “Understand that there are . . . rules in our line of work. If there were no rules, then we would have anarchy, yes?”
    “Yes, right.”
    “When someone chooses to break the rules for personal reasons, those reasons must make sense.”
    “I hate to say it, but revenge makes sense.”
    “No, not for our line of work. The risks are high, but so are the rewards. Unprofessional behavior is for terrorists, for amateurs.” The way he said it, it was clear that the Dingo was only in favor of professional terrorists.
    “You’re worried that your business will dry up because if Raul offs me and potentially a lot of your customers, then word will get out that it wasn’t a paid hit but a revenge hit, and the Assassination Union will raise the rates or something.”
    “Something like that, yes. So, where are you?”
    “I ask again, why?”
    “I wish to find you and disarm the package.”
    Package, not bomb. “What’s in the package?”
    “Something very bad.”
    “I guessed. Tell me more.”
    “I don’t have to.” The voice wasn’t on the phone any more but behind me.
    Spun around to see the Dingo and his cousin, Surly Vic, standing there. They were both in dark suits and appeared unarmed, but I was positive they were both packing more heat than I could hope to count. Still had that Smooth Criminal Who Could Be From Anywhere look, but since I knew, I could spot the little bits of East Slavic in them both.
    Hung up my phone and shoved it back into my pocket. “Your GPS tracking is really good.” My phone started buzzing—someone was texting me. Decided that being rude right now would be the stupidest move of my life. Whoever it was could wait.
    The Dingo shrugged. “Yes.” He nodded to Surly Vic, who went and got the package.
    “Are you sure it’s safe for you to handle?” My phone rang. Ignored it.
    “We will exercise care and I appreciate your concern.” The Dingo smiled at me. “Please give my best to your sister, when it is appropriate. She was a lovely young lady, and I hope she’s doing well?”
    He meant Caroline Chase, my sorority roommate and bestie. The Dingo had been dating her, sort of, during Operation Assassination, though she’d had no idea he was an assassin. Our lives were just that kind of glamorous.
    “Um, will do, and yes, she’s doing great. I’m sure she’d tell me to say ‘hi’ for her. If, you know, she knew you were here and we were chatting.” Maybe. Anything was possible, after all. “So, what do I do now?”
    The Dingo shrugged. “Return home, have your party. We will deal with your problem.”
    Shook my head. “I don’t think it’s just Raul.” My phone continued to ring. I continued to ignore it and hope whoever was calling would take the hint.
    Both assassins looked at me. “How do you mean?” Surly Vic asked.
    “Someone had to help him get the package into the UPS truck. And I’m here because I was chasing someone I thought was dead. Raul may actually have a paying assignment.”
    They both shook their heads. “He does not,” the Dingo said vehemently.
    “Oh, so it’s the old ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend’ ploy, right?”
    The Dingo beamed at me, looking all proud. Even Surly Vic seemed impressed. Nice to know that I was considered