They let Oswald go.
I look across at Bex.
Should I tell her? She’s already asleep. No need to disturb her with this. I promised he wouldn’t trouble her again? Damn Benito. Happy to take the bribe but then won’t do the work. As bad as Tyson, but too late to do anything about now.
I glance at her again. Sleeping like an angel. No wonder she’s tired. Came twice in minutes. Had me inside her, and she’ll feel it long after she wakes up. The last thing I need is to spoil her mood.
I call Toby. “Where is Oswald now?”
“On the way back to the States. Been deported and told not to come back. What do you want to do?”
“Nothing until after the meeting. We worked too hard to get distracted now.”
“And when it’s done?”
“Send a crew to deal with Benito.”
“You sure you want to take on a cop?”
“We need to send him a message. You don’t take our money and then not do your job. Don’t kill him. Just break one of his legs.”
“And Oswald?”
“Track him. If he gets near Chicago, you hold him until I can get there and fuck him up.”
“You sure you don’t want me to kill him and be done with it?”
“Not while Brody is still watching me. I promised Bex I’d keep her safe from her ex. Don’t make me break my promise.”
“I’ll trace him, relax. Just enjoy the rest of your flight. Have a drink, watch a movie. I’ll see you when you get in.”
I hang up the phone and look across at Bex. Still fast asleep. I settle down and close my eyes. I better get some rest. I won’t be getting much when I get back, that’s for sure.
7
Hunter
* * *
Bex doesn’t wake up until just before we land. She doesn’t look my way once like she’s embarrassed about what we did. When we get off the plane, I lose sight of her. She disappears into the crowd the first chance she gets.
I let her go.
She wasn’t expecting me to do what I did. Probably wondering if it makes her a bad person.
Spoiler alert - it doesn’t. Just means she needed some relief, like scratching an itch. She was satisfied, and so was I. Nothing more to be said. No need for emotional farewells. I know where she lives. I know where she works. I can fetch her back anytime I want.
My car collects me and takes me from the airport to Hotel Europa, where Ivanov is being held. I freshen up, get a new suit, and meet Toby in the lobby. “How was economy?” I ask.
“Cheaper than your seat,” he replies.
“Why not fly first?”
“You’re not paying me enough.”
“If this deal goes through, you’ll get your raise.”
We take the elevator up to the sixth floor. Ivanov’s up there right now, thinks he’s got me beaten. Dumb Russian prick.