Chapter 2
Lark
Five weeks earlier……
My knuckles brush against the black smooth fabric of my black dress shirt and press into the caviler vest as I slip the .45 semi autos into my shoulder holsters before pulling on my black suit jacket. Everything was black. Shirt, tie, pants, socks and shoes.
This was my profession. The black kept the blood concealed. Placing two switch blades into each boot before pulling the leg of my dress pants over them. I was light today. I normally had more knives and a few more guns.
This was a simple job kill the target by any means necessary. It was a simple, kill and dump. I could be clean and precise or messy and destructive. The black Cadillac helped keep me in the shadows.
The drive to the targets location was short. I planned my route to match his timeline perfectly. The night air was chilled as I exited the car. I normally knew exactly how my target was going to die, but tonight well it was different.
I had a list of possible executions. Quick in and out a precise shot to the front of his head. Clean and easy. Slow and steady a few knives to some well-placed areas before slitting his throat.
The closer I got to my target the more time has slipped from me. It’s been a few days since I have had a nice workout. The choice was simple he needed to die and I needed the exercise.
Death by fist was something I haven’t done in a while. Flexing my black leather gloved fingers, I let anticipation rise as my feet silently brought me closer to my personal workout.
Walking through the back door like an old friend I let myself soak up the atmosphere. I was one with my surroundings. This wasn’t the first time I’ve been in his place, but tonight would be my last.
“Fuck!”
The game blared and over spilled into the kitchen I was currently occupying. Sounds like Deo here was losing another bet. The Russian family, he has been borrowing from is going to be highly unsatisfied when payment can’t be made.
They will look for me, of course. They always do, but I will already be gone. Like a phantom in the night the shadows will surround me keeping me close. I was their master the bringer of death.
The reaper who’s feared by many and seen by few. I liked my life simple so all the money I’ve obscured sits in safety deposit boxes. Want to keep the government from looking too closely.
Keep your shit out of bank accounts. My money bounces from account to account before cash takes its place. The Carters keep shit going for me. Cash is always there when it should be.
My cousins were very meticulous and the only people I trusted. The moment I found my sister, I knew there were few who could ever learn of her existence. Jaxon and Jason were the only ones I shared the information with.
Jesse was a wise man he kept her happy and that kept him alive. Stepping into the light I slowly walk into the room. It takes Deo a moment. The implications of not being alone have finally hit home.
“What the fuck are you doing in my house?”
Why must they always ask stupid questions. You would think it was obvious. Their questions always go without spoken responses. When life is hanging by a thread it finally registers.
I was here to kill them. Honestly the repetitive question gets tiring after a while. Deo pulls himself from the chair, his oversized beer belly making the task difficult. Another fat slob.
I was thinking maybe a quick death would be preferable. His unwashed body, oversized gut and balding head were out of sorts. But I already had myself hyped for a workout so a work out it was.
My fist slammed into his face, causing it to whip sideways. Yellow rotted teeth hit the floor. I don’t wait for his cry of pain to echo around the room fully. I continue to hit him over and over.
At this point I’m straddling him. My fist has turned Deo’s face into ground up meat. His breaths were shallow. A few well-placed hits to his sides and internal bleeding joined the rest.
His wounds were severe and my knuckles were swollen. I could feel them pressing tightly against the inside of my gloves. My fist his left side again. His rib snapped hard under the pressure of such force.
Deo was choking on blood. His lungs would be slowly filling slowly drowning him. His own body his cause of death. Climbing to my feet I watch as he struggled to breathe through the blood and pain.
My phone started buzzing as his gurgles became faint. Placing it to my ear I don’t utter a word.
“Lark its Jaxon. We need you to head over to Old Orchard Beach. We need you to watch over a woman named Elizabeth.”
He didn’t wait for a conformation the line was dead. He wanted me to go babysit? I killed people I didn’t protect them. Straightening out my suit I walk to the door. Deo was gone and I apparently needed to learn a new skill. Protect not maim.
Climbing into the black leather interior I look at the address that Jaxon sent. His text was followed by another. Her beautiful face lit up my screen. Something inside me shifted and tightened.
My whole life emotions eluded me and yet one glance at this woman I had them swarming me in their intensity. Confusion stabbed at me. It felt imperative I head her way tonight.