“Malcolm Wagner can wait. I need you tomorrow night.”
“Who’s the meet with?”
“The Black Vultures.”
Fuckin’ Hell! What the hell was Reaper playing at? Why the fuck did he want to meet with those sick fucks? They were bottom dwellers, one-percenters. The Skulls didn’t associate with people like that. Choosing my words carefully, I asked. “New business?”
“Nope. Just need to clear up some old family business. That’s all.”
Yeah, I bet. I would like to take care of a few of those fuckers myself. “Didn’t know you had family in the area.”
“Neither did I,” Reaper muttered, looking about the room. “Look, I know this isn’t your normal way of doing things, and generally, I don’t interfere, but I really could use you tomorrow night.”
Oh yeah, I wouldn’t mind.
Not one bit.
I had a fucking score to settle with those fuckers, and if bossman wanted me there, I would gladly drop Malcolm Wagner to take a shot at a few of those fuckers.
They were on my list.
They were all dead souls walking.
Especially Jekyll. I had a particular bullet for that bastard.
“Sure. I don’t mind a detour.”
“Good,” Reaper clapped his hands before getting up. I said nothing as he headed for the door. Just as he opened the door, he turned and asked. “Out of curiosity, how old are you?”
“Old enough to know better and too young to give a damn.”
Laughing, Reaper nodded.
“I’m twenty-five.”
“Same age as me, then,” he frowned.
“I believe you are a few weeks older.”
Reaper grinned. “Really?”
“What is wrong with you? You’re acting weird, and it’s freaking me out. Are you here to kill me or something?” I asked. I couldn’t take it anymore. The man I’d known for the last few years was not himself. I knew the fucker was devious and cunning but being nice was not his forte. Nope, this was not the man I knew at all.
Reaper laughed. I mean, he really laughed, and he was acting strange. He was freaking me out. I didn’t like it one bit. Instead of responding, he just walked out the door, closing it behind him, leaving me more nervous than before.
I finished my cigarette and quickly lit another one. I didn’t know what to make of that conversation, and I was too fucking tired to figure it out. Grabbing my ashtray, I laid down on the bed and stared at the ceiling. Tomorrow night was going to be fun.
I couldn’t remember the last time I had fun.
Reaching for my wallet, I pulled out the only two photos I kept. One of Layla and the other of Kitty and Hailey. My girls. God, I couldn’t wait for Layla to meet Hailey. I couldn’t wait to have all three of them in my arms.
Later the following evening,
Silently moving through the mist of the forest, I couldn’t help but shake my head at the stupidity of the situation. This whole mess was a cluster fuck. I tried to tell him that, but he wouldn’t listen. He was the Boss and what he said was law. What that asshole didn’t know was what the fallout it would bring. I tried to explain it to him. I knew how the Black Vultures worked better than anyone, but he wouldn’t listen.
The Black Vultures weren’t like the Skulls.
They were the one percent.