Shark hunting. Spartacus
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– Look, I don't know your name, even, – he muttered impatiently in his voice, – you'll be home soon, what more do you want?!
– Or maybe I don't want that!
The guy hit the brakes and turned his whole body toward her.
– Then we'll go back to the barn and I'll just disappear like I never was.
– How about you just drive me into town and disappear? – The girl parried, not taking her eyes off he.
– No, – he answered in a calm tone. – I'll take you home. Where do you live, tell me?
– I live in Chicago, – she answered in the same sarcastic tone.
– Damn! – he cursed, and with his lips pressed together, he took the wheel and started to turn the car around.
– Uh… guy, where are you going? – The ex-captive freaked out.
– Where to need! – He answered, and then snarled, – Why am I bothering with you? For what I need your problems ?! You want to play cat and mouse, that's your business.
– My name is Nadya, I really just came from America. My father wants to marry me off to his friend's son, and I don't want to, so I ran away, – she said quickly, – Please believe me!
The girl changed her tone, and he suddenly felt sorry for her. He stopped and rubbed his forehead with his hand, then looked at her and asked, – and what do you think you will do next, run from him through the woods?
– I want to go back to America.
– Do you have your documents?
– I have only my internal passport with me, but my international passport I left at home.
He smirked faintly and added, – Well, it's for the best, you won't waste money on tickets. They will catch you at the airport as soon as you get there. So you don't have a lot of options.
She leaned back in her seat and stared at him intently. She smacked her tongue, and in a husky voice she said, – There is one win-win option.
– You look at me so strange, Nadia …
– I em… do not have a lot of money now, but in the near future, I assure you, will repay you in excess, if you agree to help me. And tell me your name, please.
– Spartacus, – replied the lad.
– Spartacus?
– Spartacus, – he repeated.
– Not an ordinary name for a country guy… but you're a bit different, though.
He grinned again and turned away. Then he spoke softly, – my father give me that name, after the hero of the book, that one. He liked the Thracian very much.
– I should read it, – Nadia said aloud her thought.
He glanced at her again, and after a pause, asked, – So what shall we do? It's late, – he glanced at his wristwatch.
– Spartacus, marry me?!
– What?
– Not for real, – she added as she leveled herself slightly in her seat, – and on credit.
– Today is a day full of oddities. Nadezhda, this plan is a failure. I can't help you that way, I'm sorry, – he replied, and turned his head to the side again.
– Well, look, I'll go to America and we'll get a divorce. My father will forgive me and I can thank you. I'll pay you a lot of money. You can get away from here, start a new life, – she lured him, – or do you want me to take you with me to America?!
– Or I'll just go to jail for complicity in fraud, – he added, not responding to her suggestions, – I'm sorry, that's out of the question.
She snickered quietly. The resentment wiped all interest from her and she immediately turned away, asking in a half-voiced voice, – How long is the drive to Krasnodar from your Rogosovka?
– It'll take about two hours on this jalopy.
– Would you be so kind as to wake me up when we get there?
Then she covered her eyes and took a comfortable position and closed her eyes.
Spartacus shook his head slightly and started the engine.
Towards the entrance of the city, he called out to her. She immediately turned her head in his direction.
– You hadn't slept?
– I was.
– Doesn't look like it. Okay, where do we go from here? It's already midnight, I have to go back.
– Do you know Krasnodar well?
– Not bad, – he answered.
– Then to some normal hotel, I have money, – she said and turned her head out the window again.
– Stop. What hotel?! Give me the address of your home, and don't be silly, – he ordered.
– I'm afraid we can't get there in your jalopy!
– Where? Leave Chicago now, okay?!
– My father lives in Moscow, I came here by train, – she answered. – And I'll leave the same way. Tomorrow, – her voice was barely audible by the end.
Spartacus pulled over to the curb and stopped. He got out of the car, slammed the door, and began swearing loudly, while banging the wheel of the car with his foot.
– Damn that goddamn stepfather! Well, I'll give you one!
The girl got up and opened her eyes and stared at the furious guy.
After a few minutes he came back and stared at her in silence. She felt as if he was about to drive his fist into her. She cringed and slowly covered her head with hands.
– You're so fool! – he whispered.
– I don't want to marry that idiot! He disgusts me!
– What does this have to do with other people? Your father will be here tomorrow. He will find you and with you, me! And do you know who will be the last? – Spartacus almost roared at her, and he turned away, pressed his lips, punching on the steering wheel. The UAZ responded at once, beeping.
– I didn't call you. And neither did those people who invited me to stay with them. Assholes. Took all the information out of me and locked me up in the barn.