Killian studied the map, trying to plot of the course of action. “Where’s the prez staying?”
Shadow pressed a finger to one of the most fortified locations. Killian should have ended that bastard a decade ago. The prez had only been a young teen back then, skinny and terrified. When Killian had to pull the trigger to fulfill his contract, he’d taken away the kid’s father. But, even though Killer of Kings demanded it, he couldn’t terminate the loose ends, leaving the mother and kid alive after he completed his mission.
His weakness back then had started his clusterfuck, and the time for mercy was over. He planned to fix the error he’d made in the past and then some.
Shadow locked and loaded gun after gun, checking the extra mags were full. “The prez we need to end, why’s he alive?”
“What do you mean?”
“Last time you were here, you killed his father, why not him?” asked Shadow, continuing to handle the guns.
“The contract was for the father, not the kid.”
This time Shadow turned to face him, sitting on the edge of the table. “Word’s all over the street, Killian. The new prez wants revenge for his father’s murder. The one he witnessed. Does Boss even know?”
Killian gritted his teeth, his jaw aching as he focused on his next words.
“Look, I wasn’t ready to kill a mother and her kid for the sins of the father. I’m not a fucking monster.”
There was an awkward silence. Killian knew Boss had been on to him, but he hadn’t said anything directly. Why?
“I know about your mother,” said Shadow. “Shit, the guys always talk about the carnage you left behind in Ireland.”
“That’s nobody’s business.”
“I’m just saying, there’s nothing wrong with having pity. You have a soft spot for women and kids, so what?”
He shook his head. “There’s no roo
m for pity in our world. I knew better, and now I have to fix it.”
“You want to hit their clubhouse?” asked Shadow.
“Not yet. These assholes might be expecting us. They’ll be waiting for me without a doubt,” said Killian. “Strap on as much as you can carry.”
They drove to the end of the main strip, parked, and began to walk. Music radiated out from a few bars. There was a small group of hookers up ahead.
“Hey, handsome,” said one of them, reaching for Killian.
“Not interested, sweetheart.”
“How about your friend?” she asked.
Shadow’s face remained vacant, and he kept walking without acknowledging the women. Come to think of it, as long as Killian had known Shadow he’d never been in a relationship. His named suited him. He was a shadow, a ghost, appearing when Boss needed him at a location. Then he was gone.
When they’d nearly reached one of the rowdiest bars on the strip, Shadow stretched his arm out to the side, bringing Killian to a halt.
“What is it?”
“I guarantee you there are Dead Angels in there. They’ll be on call, so we should weed them out before we visit the prez.”
Killian nodded. “Let’s do this.”
Shadow waited outside while Killian went in the front door. They’d only be expecting him. The bar was fuller than he expected, bikers and whores taking their weight in cheap booze. It would be easy to recognize the men he needed to take out by their patches.
No sooner than he walked through the front door, all attention diverted to him. Killian had hoped the music and laughter would mask his appearance, but no such luck in this hick town. Considering he’d killed a few of their members, they’d want revenge.
A couple older men approached him, their graying beards given them a gruff appearance. They reminded him of the assholes who’d hit on June.