She stared at him, with undisguised expectation. Wordlessly, Manuel met her gaze.
"Deal."
He agreed.
He denied his love for Susan yet he seemed willing to do anything for her. That left Martina in a daze and unsure whether to be sad or happy-Susan was the only reason Martina had him.
"Will you lie to me?" she asked him, with her eyes reddish.
"I won't," Manuel replied.
Martina bought him for he never went back on his word. She reached out and tried to hold him, but he raised his hand and dodged.
"You let her go first."
"What if you run away?" as she said, Martina fastened her eyes upon him.
A subtle change of expression crossed his face.
"She'll stay. The smuggler boat will arrive in half an hour. And when we get on board, I'll let someone pick her up." Martina put it plainly, "Manuel, you are not in a position to negotiate with me, provided you want her to live."
Manuel's eyes widened as he focused on the black pistol in her hand. With the slightest distraction, she could have shot Susan.
He swallowed hard and looked away from the frightened Susan to meet Martina's gaze. "Fine."
Martina's smile was barely able to hide her disappointment deep down, the feeling that she chose to ignore. As long as she had him around, she could care less how much he loved Susan.
She reached out again to hold Manuel and he didn't dodge this time. Holding his hand tight, she put down the black pistol and said, "let's go then."
Manuel glanced back at Susan who couldn't see or hear anything yet sensed that they left. A greater fear loomed over her.
Susan thought they were about to kill and bury her. And she wondered whether the man came to save her or to support Martina. She couldn't figure it out while being tortured by her fear. She didn't want to die in her beautiful years and at Martina's hands somehow. Tears poured down her cheeks. She wished for someone to get her out of there, desperately.
The iron door was shut. Martina and Manuel reached a hidden corner of the dock, waiting quietly for the boat to arrive.
About half an hour later, a battered ship in the distance with only one light on it was seen coming slowly this way, looking lonely and depressed.
Having been used to a life of glory and wealth, Martina wasn't reconciled to leaving just like this.
Manuel watched calmly the boat moving nearer and nearer until it was anchored.
An old plank was placed at their feet, and they had to step on it to board and get out of Northfield.
Martina took Manuel by the hand and got on board, while the two men with her didn't, for that was not a part of their mission which was only to keep her safe.
As the ship was ready to sail, Manuel broke away from Martina and ran to the edge of the boat.
"Manuel!" Martina seemed to have anticipated his backtrack and aimed her pistol at him, shouting, "If you get off, I'll kill you for real and we'll die together!"
He halted. The ship was drifting away from the shore.
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