I may have lost everything yesterday, but that doesn’t mean I’m coming back to work for Hawk ever again. I never want to see these putrid streets again. The ugly fucking brick, the cold rain, and all of the young lads who think they’re tough as nails – I never want to see them again. This is the final straw. This when I turn things around.

I get a room at a nearby hostel, and remain low. Erica has called me at least five times, but I’ve ignored every single one. I won’t let her near any more danger. I just want to make things right, even if that’s impossible at this point.

As I sit and plan my next move, there’s a knock on my door. Hawk, I think to myself. Who else could it be? I grab the lamp near the bed and hold it, ready to swing. Another knock.

“Who is it?” I reply.

“Edward,” he says. “I’m alone.”

I open the door, making sure the lock is still attached. “You came alone?” I peer out and when I only see him, I open the door, ready for a fight.

“You shouldn’t have come,” he says. “They’re on the hunt for you. Put the lamp down. I come in peace.”

“I had to come,” I tell him. “My family is in danger. How’d you find me?”

“I’ve been put on the task of lookout. You’re not very difficult to track down. You make too many obvious decisions,” he says. “Lucky for you, I’m in some need.”

“In need of what?” I ask him, waiting for the catch.

“Money. I have some plans for myself,” he says. “So if you help me, I’ll help you. Hawk is losing it. His only desire now is to find you and bring you to rest.”

I take some time to think about the offer and decide that it’s not a bad deal. If there’s anyone I can hire to help me, it may as well be him.

“Well, you got me home. But how can I trust you?” I ask him.

“I know some things,” he says, with a sly smile. He pulls out a pistol and hands it to me.

“What sort of things?” I ask him. “Do you know the man who’s been following me?”

“Mr. Mulligan,” he says. “But he’s the least of your worries.”

“What makes you say that?” I continue to try and put the pieces together, but the whole thing seems convoluted. Is this all part of Hawk’s plan? Did he send Edward to find me?

“Mulligan works for everyone and no one. If you offer him the right amount, he’ll be of good use,” he says. “Which is why I contacted him.”

“What do you mean?” As soon as I ask, there’s another knock on my door. I immediately point the weapon at Edward and stand up, backing away from him. “Who is that? What are you planning?”

“Put the gun down,” he says. “No one in this room needs to get hurt over nothing.” The knocking continues.

“Who is that?” I repeat.

“Why don’t you see for yourself,” he says.

I motion for him to answer the door, telling him, “Slowly. No sharp movements.”

He opens the door as slow as he can and there’s the man, Mr. Mulligan, standing in front of me. All he does is nod and sit down. “It’s you,” I mutter.

“Your woman is coming to find you,” he says. “Edward says you have a better deal for me. If that’s the case, then give me all the details you can. If not, I’ll be on my way.”

“Erica,” I say to myself. “Whatever Hawk is giving you, I’ll double it. I don’t give a fuck about money. All I care about is the safety of my family.”

“I told you,” Edward smiles. “Walker is a generous man.”

“Shove off,” I tell Edward. “I’m confused about some things still. How does Erica know where to go?”

“I can’t tell you that information. All I could dig up is a one-way flight. Your son will be staying with a friend,” Mulligan says.

“She shouldn’t be coming here. It’s too dangerous,” I say aloud.

“I have no interest in hurting you or your family,” Mulligan says. “It’s clear that Edward doesn’t either.”

“Then what’s your goal in all of this? It’s all about financial gain with you people?” I ask, turning red with fury.

“Give up the hero act, Walker,” Edward says. “This world is all about power. Who wields that power lives a free life, right? There’s hardly any dispute over that.”

“It’s a fucking rat race you’ll never be able to win,” I say, placing the pistol in my back pocket. “Once you get in, you can never get out. Trust me. Money doesn’t buy any freedom. It only makes you more of a slave to the work that gives you it.”

“This is boring,” Edward says to Mulligan. “If he doesn’t want any help, we should leave.”

“Wait,” I say. “I don’t have too many options left.”

“No, you don’t,” Mulligan laughs. “Here’s the facts. Hawk needs to go and we’re the people who can help you eradicate him forever. But he’s closed off access to him. We believe you’re the only one who can get to him now.”

“And you want to take over the business, I presume?” I eye him carefully. It’s obvious now why they’re willing to help. “Why should I pay you anything for my help?”

Mulligan sighs and closes his eyes, before peering out of half-open lids again. He looks tired. He’s aging and he knows it. He’s looking for options. We both have legs up on each other and we both need all the help we can get.

“Normally, we settle in pounds. But with this job, you will choose to forfeit that option. You’ll settle with a handshake,” he says. “But after this is all finished, I don’t ever want to hear about you again. I don’t want to see you again. After all this is done, you have to be a father to that child and live a plain and normal life. There’s no getting back in after this.”

“It’s a fucking coup,” I laugh, but no one else is laughing. “Alright, I think we have ourselves a deal.”

“Good,” Edward smiles. “Let’s go over the plan.”