“She’s lived a long life.” Josey sniffles and rubs his nose. “Anyway, no, boss didn’t send me, if that’s what you’re wondering. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he does come after you soon. Word on the streets is he might be putting a bounty on you. You really got under his skin, JJ.”
I let out a nervous laugh. “What’s stopping him then?”
Josey scratches his temple. “If I had to guess, I’d say it’s because he wants to do it himself.”
At least I was right about one thing—Franklin wants to be the one to finish me off.
It’s probably a good thing I’ve gotten under his skin like I have, otherwise he would have just paid someone to end this weeks ago.
“Well, thanks for the warning?” I glance around at the oncoming passersby, scanning them for any kind of immediate threat.
They might not be there to kill me, but he could easily have someone capture and hold me captive until he got here to follow through with killing me.
“Had to see you for myself.” Josey stares at me with such intensity. “I’ve got to say, man, you did a damn good job. You had everyone fooled.” He chuckles. “Claire slapped the shit out of me at your funeral. She was pissed. Not that I blame her. I would have decked myself, too.”
“What gave it away?” I’ve done everything I can to cover my tracks.
“Facial recognition shit. Some college kid posted you in the back of his Instagram story.” He glances around, too. “Umm, Pax? Does that ring a bell?”
I knew I hated that guy for a reason. Had to have been the first time we hung out with Claire’s friends, before we thoroughly enforced the no social media rule. He was live streaming and panned all around him, managing to clip part of my face before I realized what was happening. I turned as quickly as I could, but it must have beenjustenough to set Franklin off.
A chill creeps up my spine. He must have eyes reaching further than I thought he did.
Or, he’s monitoring anyone Claire has ever been associated with, in case we slip up.
It was one time, and only for the briefest moment, but it was enough to cause Franklin to be suspicious of my death.
“How much time do you think I have?”
Josey shrugs. “Not sure, kid. He has some more pressing business he’s taking care of, but probably another few weeks at max.”
“Damn, okay.” I take his words in, letting them be fully absorbed.
How in the hell am I going to weasel my way out of this mess? I thought I had escaped Franklin’s wrath, but I only bought myself time. Time I haven’t fully utilized, considering he could be coming after me at any moment. How does someone even go about getting out of something like this?
The only possible solution I can come up with is ending Franklin’s life.
There’s no other option. He’s a man that can’t be reasoned with. And at this point, killing me will be more satisfying than anything I could ever offer him. There’s no chance I’d ever go back to working for him, because he’d only continue to put my life in danger until there was anotheraccident.Not to mention, I’d never put Claire in that kind of danger.
But if I take Franklin out of the equation, what will happen next? Would someone replace him and want revenge? I may have worked for him, but I don’t know enough about his organization to have the ins and outs of that type of system. The main reason I got to live as long as I did was because of his wife—does that mean she would be the one to take over once he’s gone?
And how could I even begin to put myself in the position to kill him? He’d never be stupid enough to come at me unarmed or without guards.
I pull the buzzing phone out of my pocket.
Claire:Me & Rose are going to grab coffee. I’ll be a little late, love you.
Me:Be safe, please. Love you more.
Usually, this is where I would ask Claire where she’s going and have her keep me posted when she gets there, but Josey is standing in front of me, telling me I only have a few weeks to live. Claire only just got her life back; I don’t want to ruin it already. I’ll try to preserve what little bit of normalcy she has left for as long as I can.
“What can I do to help?” Josey surprises me with his question.
His expression is stern, showing nothing but candor.
“What?” I can’t hide the surprise in my tone.
“Dude, I thought you were dead once, I think I’ll pass on the real thing.” Josey crosses his arms over his broad chest. “Listen, man, I didn’t get the chance to warn you last time, and that shit ate me alive.”