Landon
ISMACKEDthe empty tumbler onto the bar and nodded to the bartender for another. The short guy, not much bigger than my grandmother and at least as old, hobbled over and poured me a couple of fingers of cheap Scotch before he scurried off. I ran my hand over my newly bald head, noting the stubble and making a mental note to shave it, and tossed back the Scotch.
Savoring the burn, I prayed it would numb me.
I hated this place. It was beyond a hellhole, worse than a shithole. It was a hell of its very own—hot, dusty, dirty, and full of evil. I despised the place. Not even the two-bit hookers made it better. Somewhat ironic to think I could pay next to nothing to get sucked off if I wanted to. Considering why I was here in the first fucking place, that was a real shit show.
My phone rattled on the bar, vibrating next to my empty glass, and I swiped my finger over theANSWER CALLbutton.
“Landon here.” I tossed a few foreign bills on the bar and walked toward the door with the burner tucked against my neck.
“What’s happening, man?”
“Place is a fucking nightmare. Did I tell you how dirty this shit is up in here?”
“Come on, dude, I know you’re staying in some luxury joint. Cut the crap.”
I popped my Ray-Bans on, blocking my baby blues from the blinding sun, and made my way down the alley behind the sucky bar.
I laughed for the first time in days. I was staying at some European-branded posh hotel when I wasn’t living large in the palace. It was one of the perks of the job, and I’d done plenty of harder time in shittier places over the years.
“I’m in with the guy. So in, you wouldn’t fucking believe it. But this guy is bad. Evil as they come, Carson.” I kicked the dirt with my boot and watched the dust scatter through the dry air.
“I get that. My friend here has heard only a small part, I’m sure. Sounds like a grade-A cocksucker.”
Leaning against the wall, I gave him what he was waiting for. “Got eyes on your girl, and I read your e-mail with your crazy fucking plan. If you want to run roughshod over me, I’m fine with it, as long as it gets me outta here, bro. And of course, I get to take all the accolades.”
“Yeah, I know. You can have all the fame and glory. All I got to do is get the new girl out, and my wife and her buddy will be happy campers. No sweat. I’m on my way.”
“I got to get back to my cover. Text me on my burner when you get here.”
