Edie

Edie

SasatheShy

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Chapter Eighteen: Plan is Set

--

Two days had passed, and Edie’s kitchen was working well with Malvin. Jealousy probably ran through the other cooks, but even so, they knew he was fantastic at what he did. Edie was thankful for his assistance. She managed to get a lot more work done with him around, and she knew that the others were, too.

That morning, Edie entered the kitchen to find Malvin already there. He was looking about while scratching the top of his head. He looked a bit lost.

“Malvin,” Edie said as she walked up to him. “You’re here early.”

“Yeah,” he answered. He stopped pacing about, and turned to her. “Ready to start work. I already have the stew heating up.”

“Oh,” Edie gaped. Usually, she did that part. “Well, thank you.” Smiling, she went to wash her hands. As she dried them off, she realized he was staring at her. Suddenly, she felt a bit nervous. “Something wrong?”

“No,” he said. “Just -- waiting…”

“You can start baking some of the pies sitting in the ice box,” Edie suggested. She sighed when he nodded and went to do just that. She was not expecting him to be as mellow and weird as he first seemed. But he was a good cook, so she’d try to let her worries go.

--

That day had gone by rather fast. Cain had again returned to the inn to visit with Edie, but he was dragged into Tonisha’s office, instead. He didn’t mind. He knew she was concerned with his and Edie’s situation.

Helping himself to the stool, Cain crossed his right leg over his left. He watched Tonisha take her seat behind her desk. She stared up at him with a serious expression written over her face.

“Make this quick,” Cain insisted. “I want to catch Edie before she goes to bed.”

Tonisha sighed. She shook her head a bit as she frowned at the captain. “Cain, I’m -- well, I’m not sure how to put this. You’re -- different.”

“Different as in good?” Cain asked. “Or do you think it’s bad?”

“I don’t know,” she said. She leaned forward, resting her arms on her desk. “That’s what -- concerns me. Let’s face it, Cain. You’re -- strict.”

“True,” Cain agreed.

“And you are engaged,” Tonisha continued. “If you are only here to mess with Edie, then --”

“For your information,” Cain interrupted as he stood to his feet. “I am not messing with Edie. I happen to find her very attractive, and I -- well…” Pausing, he placed his arms behind his back. “I want to become better acquainted with her.”

Sighing, Tonisha folded her hands. She eyed Cain suspiciously. “Even so, I do not want to see Edie get hurt.”

“You think I’d hurt her?”

“Yes!” Tonisha groaned. She stood to her feet. “I am responsible for that girl. She -- was placed into my arms, and if she --” Sighing, Tonisha crossed her arms, causing her bosom to push out. “What about Verity, then? If you want to become close to Edie, then -- you can’t have two different women.”

“I know,” Cain said. “Verity won’t be with me much longer, I can guarantee you that.”

“Well,” Tonisha sighed. “I just hope you know what you’re doing.”

“Believe me,” Cain smirked. “I do.”

--

The captain’s bedroom quarters was just not as cozy when empty. Verity glared as she looked around. Closing the door, she helped herself inside. She checked Cain’s bed, but seeing no trace of him made her growl lowly. She slowly walked over to the grand bed before plopping down on the edge of it. She threw herself back, landing against the soft sheets as her arms rested over her head. She sighed as she stared up at the white ceiling.

“This is ridiculous,” she grumbled. “Here I am, alone in bed without my man to cuddle with me. He’s probably out fucking that bitch. Doesn’t he care about me at all?”

At that moment, Verity heard the door squeaking open. She quickly sat up as she watched Cain enter. Raising a brow, she put on her best smile as she rose to her feet. She lowered the straps of her blue dress before making her way over to him. She floated with each step, hoping to appear seductive.

“It’s been a while,” she taunted sarcastically. He looked startled to see her standing there.

“What are you doing in here?” he asked. “You’re not supposed to come in here without my consent.”

“Oh, but I was lonely,” Verity pouted. She got behind him, wrapping her arms snuggly around his waist, and not prepared to let go. “Where were you?”

“Out,” he said plainly. He groaned as she pushed against him. “Verity, please. I’m exhausted.”

“You say that every night,” Verity moaned. “Come on. Just a quickie?”

“No. Not tonight.”

Verity was ready to growl. She even considered digging her long, sharp nails into Cain’s stomach. However, she decided that for now, she might as well play along with him. After all, her plan was in the making, and soon she would show Cain that he was not the master villain. She will show this Edie that Cain belongs to one woman and one woman, only.

Her.

“Very well,” she cooed. She released him as she walked in front of him. “Would you like a warm glass of water? Milk, perhaps?”

The vixen was acting mighty suspicious. Cain was alarmed by her sudden generosity. He shook his head. “No, thank you. I am just ready to get some sleep.”

Smirking, Verity backed up against the door. She placed her hand on the handle as she pushed it open. “Well then, I suppose this is goodnight.”

“Yes,” Cain whispered. He watched as she left. He shook his head, not wanting to bother thinking about what was going through her mind.

--

The cook had done his job well. He had easily targeted Edie’s work schedule, and he had conducted the perfect way for Verity and Hyatt to get what they needed for their decisive plot against Captain Cain. He soon stood before them, bowing while grinning greatly. Verity had Hyatt by her side. She was trying hard not to snatch away his disgusting weed as smoke drifted into her face. She kept her eyes focused on Malvin as he stood before them.

“Well?” Verity asked. “Tell me what you found out.”

“Every night, Edie takes out the garbage,” he said. “No one does this, but her. She goes into the back alley all by herself. She’s always all by herself. It’d be the perfect time for you to greet her.”

“Sounds quite simple,” Verity laughed. “This will be easier than when I tricked Cain into becoming my fiancée.”

“You can’t miss her,” smiled Malvin.

“Perfect,” grinned Verity. She straightened up as she swiped at some smoke. “Your part is done, Malvin. Thank you. Hyatt, you’ve settled everything for my meeting with Gil and Bo?”

“They can’t wait to see ya,” Hyatt coughed.

“Again, perfect,” Verity said. She eyed Malvin. “Why don’t you -- give Malvin his reward? I am off --”

“Gladly,” Hyatt chuckled.

Hyatt turned his back on Malvin as Verity took her leave. Malvin watched her go before putting his attention on Hyatt’s backside. He nervously rubbed his hands together, anxious to get his well-earned money. “Well…?”

“Well what?” Hyatt challenged.

Gaping, Malvin took a single step forward. “What about my -- my reward?”

“Oh!” Hyatt gasped. “Right. Your reward.”

Something was off, but Malvin did not notice this. He was too keen on being greedy. He waited patiently, not realizing that Hyatt was pulling out something very much different from a satchel filled with coins.

It had happened so fast. Malvin’s eyes opened wide as he choked on his own blood. He tried to talk as Hyatt’s sword dug deep into his chest, twisting this way and that before coming out the other side. His own hands grasped the blade in an attempt to force it out of him, but to no prevail.

“Sorry,” he heard Hyatt say. “Verity’s orders. See, she figured after you got the money, then you’d rattle her out to Cain, and get an even bigger sum. So -- we had no other choice.”

‘But don’t ya worry. Yer death won’t be in vain… You helped us quite a lot.’

Hyatt pulled his sword out, grinning. Malvin was dead before his body touched the ground.

“Pathetic,” Hyatt sighed. He tossed his weed onto the corpse. “No worries. You won’t be missed. Especially not by Cain.”