As his body collapsed, several pairs of eyes turned my way. I didn't dare move from my position because I needed to be ready should someone else try to step outta line. They might not havehad their weapons on them, but men in danger did stupid shit. I'd seen it many times.
Rel wrapped up the meeting and took some people away for deeper interrogations. Once he was gone and the coast was clear, I made my way down. It was time to get to business.
There was no room for error. No chance of things being calm.
Rel had to rebuild his business to find who was loyal and who wasn't. Since these were his men, the people he’d grown to trust, I knew he’d need someone else to help. That would be my reasoning for sticking around.
Not the fact that I was finally ready to make Henny mine. Enough time had passed. He’d had his freedom. Now he’d have me.
Rel wouldn't turn down my help. While he’d been wrong about his wife’s allegiance, he was still an intelligent guy. Plus, he knew I didn't have a secret agenda.
Money was one of my biggest motivators, not power. Well, money and Henny.
Oh, and murder. Can’t forget the murder.
I kept to the main area while shit went down. It gave me the chance to keep watch over the men waiting. I was also close enough to be backup should they need me.
When I saw the last of the men coming out of the room looking properly scared, I decided it was time for me to join the fun. I burst into the space, throwing the door open quickly.
Henny lifted his gun in an instant, pointing it my way, and I grinned, not stopping my stride. My rifle leaned on my shoulder, still easily at hand should I need it.
“What a fun day,” I said. “When can we do it again?”
Rel laughed. It was the same one he'd given me when I told him I wanted to play whack-a-mafia-man with my gun today. I had hoped there would be more to take care of, but getting one shot was good enough for now.
There would be more in the future.
Rel answered me, saying, "Hopefully not for a while, and maybe next time it will be with people not in my employ."
I sighed, acting put out. "Yeah, well, that part sucks. Still, I love a good brain blow. It's so beautiful to watch how they splatter. It's art.”
Blinking rapidly, I held my free hand to my chest as if I were swooning over the idea. Sure, I was hamming it up for them, but at the same time, it was true. I did love a good explosion of the skull.
Nothing like it, really. It reminded me of those Jackson Pollock type paintings, except with brain matter instead of paint.
"That's a bit disgusting," Henny told me, his voice full of disdain.
While I knew he didn't like all the dirty bits of the business, I knew he could hold his own. The way he had raised a gun at me in a blink… yeah there was skill in my man’s history.
I shrugged, taking my rifle to point at the dead ones in the room, no doubt done by Rel.
“Would you rather worry about one of these fuckers trying to slit your throat in the middle of the night? Yeah, didn't think of that. You’re second now, Henny. Have some sense of self-preservation.”
He hated that nickname. It was obvious in the way his cheeks turned pink and his brow dipped.
I fucking loved when he did that. His frustration revved up my desire. It made me want to say something even more outlandish to get a rise out of him.
Rel interrupted the tense moment between us. “Henri, I need to go make a few calls. You handle this. Pip, you’re with me for a bit longer. I’ll pay an hourly rate to have you watch my back until Henri and Jean are done.”
I saluted him, thankful for his lead. I would have absolutely volunteered my services to him as well. This way, it took it off my shoulders.
“You’re speaking my language, Boss. Lead the way.”
It was yet another nickname that irked the men around me. Rel was always boss in front of others. And Henri was Henny. Jean was JJ. That’s just how it was.
I decided that from the minute we met. And it had stuck.
I followed Rel out of the room, tossing one glance over my shoulder to see Henny staring at the bodies with a look of sadness. I bet it was ‘cause he didn't want to take care of cleanup.
