“These used up cunts aren’t bringing in what they used to.” Every word that comes from his mouth disgusts me more and more.
“Did you see Vic yesterday?” he asks me. “He's supposed to be on the lookout for buyers, but he hasn't gotten back to me since he was on his way to you.”
I play it off smoothly and say, “Didn't see him yesterday. Maybe I left a little too soon.” He doesn't believe me. But it doesn't matter.
He leans forward and I follow suit, pulling the gun out slowly.
“Well, I’m gonna need two men to round up the product, now that that fucker, what was his name?” he asks me with his eyes narrowed.
“Who’s that?” I ask him. My heart beats faster. James. I know that’s who he’s talking about.
He gives me a wicked smile as he nods his head and snaps his fingers. “That’s right,” he says as he pulls out a drawer to his desk.
My heartbeat slows and I pull the gun out. The metal slips against the leather, but I'm quick and efficient. Aim. Fire. Two shots. Both to the head.
The silencer is barely heard as his body jolts with each shot and he falls back in the chair, sagging with two neat bullet holes dripping blood down his face. And the gun he’d picked up from the drawer falls to the thin-carpeted floor with a low thud.
I push back in the chair and it topples over. Done. That fucker's dead. It's about time. If I die right now, at least I contributed some good to the world. I've sure as shit done my fair share of bad. But I'm done.
My heart beats rapidly and adrenaline surges in me as I leave the office, locking the door from the inside and closing it tight.
I walk out as casually as possible, waving goodbye to the fuckers playing cards and walk across the lot to my car.
Gabriel’s standing outside the driver's door and as I unlock the car, he opens it for me.
“It’s done?” he asks.
I nod my.
“He’s dead. Two bullets to the head.”
Gabriel smiles and hands me a large manila envelope.
“I don’t believe we’ll ever see each other again.”
“I don’t think we will.” I answer him with the same tone as I slide into the driver’s seat and start the car. I make sure to do it while he’s there, just in case. He closes the door and takes in a deep breath as I put the car into reverse.
I place the envelope on the passenger seat. I don’t know what’s in it, but I don’t plan on looking until I get to the safe house.
“It's been fun, Kade. I'm sad to see you go, but I think it's for the best for both of us.”
Again I nod. And I have to agree.
Our heads whip around to the packaging center as I hear a dim scream of anger and then another. They found him.
“Time to go,” Gabriel says with a smile. “Best of luck to you, Kade.”
“Same to you.” We lock eyes before parting ways. As I drive out of the lot, I see Andrew give me a short wave from his truck across the road. I return the gesture and drive off. I’m still waiting for a bomb or a bullet.
I anticipate my death the entire three-hour drive to the safe house.
It doesn’t hit me until I get there and park and look through all the documents that Gabriel handed to me, that it’s finally over. It's really over.
Every contact, first and last name, alias and locations are all in neat, organized columns.
I lean back in my seat and rest my head against the cold window.
It’s over.
