one
CALDER
“You know what you have to do?”
I look at the man sitting behind the desk. A man for whom I’ve worked for years. He’s also the closest thing I have to family. He’s what I consider my best friend. Though most would say I don’t have a heart. It’s just an organ that pumps blood through my veins. I would have to agree with those who say this. I’m not a man who cares for anyone around me.
I’ve no problem pulling the trigger on my targets. It didn’t matter to me if they were innocent or not. I was sent to do a job, and that’s what I was doing.
“I have the list and it’ll get taken care of.” I nod, holding Grant’s gaze.
Grant Devore is the head of his family. He took over for his father about five or so years ago when they found their sister. The old man spent a lot of time up in Virginia while Grant and his brothers ran the businesses. Grant’s brothers handle most of the legitimate businesses and help with the not-so-legal so when Grant needed them to.
I was his right-hand man and the one he used to take care of certain jobs. Like the one he’s given me.
Five men needed to be killed. All of them for either getting in Grant’s way or for betraying him. To me, it was going to be fun to take them out. Most of the time, he stuck to one time of year to handle things like this. It’s why some of his men joke about me being the Santa of hitmen. I typically take them all out throughout the month of December.
And today is December first.
To take these men out, I’ll take my time. I don’t want to handle them all at the same time. It would be a waste to take them all out at once.
“We have another situation,” Grant mutters, clasping his hands together and leaning forward, watching me closely.
“What situation?” I ask, shoving the list in the inside pocket of my coat.
“Reggie Campbell has asked for a sit-down.”
“You’re joking, right?”
Reggie Campbell was a major pain in the ass and one name I wish Grant would give me to kill. He’s also our number one rival. The bastard thinks his shit doesn’t stink. He’s tried more than a few times to take business away from the Devores. What he doesn’t seem to understand is that Grant Devore is smarter than he thinks. Plus, he’s got me at his back.
“Nope, he’s supposed to be here within the next . . .” he looks at his watch, “actually he should be here any minute.”
Damn.
As if on cue, there’s a knock at the door, and Emmett pokes his head in. He’s one of the men who works for Grant under me. “Reggie’s here,” he announces and clears his throat. “He’s also got his daughter with him.”
Oh fuck.
If he brought Emerie with him, then he’s definitely up to something with this meeting, and I highly doubt it would be good for anyone.
I knew who Emerie was. I made sure to watch her just as I watched her father. I was about ninety-five percent sure she didn’t have dealings in what her father did. To be honest, I always thought she was clueless about how he gave her the life she lived. Granted, she didn’t really take anything from him. Just the apartment that she lives in, away from him.
Reggie, for the most part, kept her in the dark but also kept a guard on her at all times.
“Send them in,” Grant orders, rising from his chair.
“You sure this is a good idea?” I ask him, keeping my voice low.
“I figured the best way to keep ahead of the game is to play it all the same.” Grant shrugs.
We both knew how to play this sort of game. Give the old bastard the time, see what he wants, then send him on the way. There’s no way in hell Grant would do anything for Reggie Campbell.
A moment later, Emmett is back, being followed by Reggie along with his daughter, Emerie.
Fuck.
She’s beautiful.
