Marcus nodded. “She said it was important. I had no idea they were going to kill you. I swear. I swear.”
“What number?” I asked.
Marcus’s hands shook so much and he did piss himself again. I didn’t even know anyone could hold that much fucking urine without drinking in-between. He handed me his cell phone and I didn’t want to touch it, but I had no choice. I’d be bleaching my hands by the time I was done here.
“The last number I dialed.”
I didn’t recognize the number.
“Anything else, Ivan?” I asked.
“Clean up. I’m on my way.” His voice was clear.
I pocket Marcus’s cell phone, and then pull out my gun. Terrance holds him down and I put a single bullet through his skull.
“Burn it,” I said, leaving the room, and pressing the fire alarm as Terrance starts a fire.
Screams fill the air, and before Terrance and I even make it out, the flames have already engulfed the entire floor. The people who live in the building are all outside, staring up. No one pays us any attention, all caught up in the chaos and drama of their homes being set up in flames. Once it was burned to the ground, I’d build it right back up. Another business opportunity coming my way.
Adelaide
I’m pacing the floor waiting for Andrei to either call or to walk right in the front door. My hands shook as I held my cell phone. I hadn’t called him, even though I wanted to. I want to make sure he’s okay.
Leo won’t leave. I’ve told him not to worry and to do something else, but he won’t listen. He continued to stand guard.
“Is he okay?” I asked.
“I would have gotten a call if he wasn’t,” Leo said.
“That’s not comforting.”
“Why don’t you sit down?”
I shake my head. “No. I can’t sit down. Someone shot at us.”
“Mr. Belov knows how to deal with this, Adelaide. He is perfectly capable.”
“But someone wants him dead.” I look at my cell phone, stop, and turn to Leo.
“Someone always wants him dead.”
Tears fill my eyes. “That isn’t good.”
“I know. This is the life he leads. This is not the first, nor will it be the last attack on his life. This is what happens.”
I move toward the stairs. My legs had started to ache and I dropped down onto the second step. “That’s awful.”
“He’s used to it.”
“I highly doubt that. I don’t think anyone in their right mind could get used to having their life constantly in danger.” I put my hands on my face and attempt to wipe my eyes, to clear my thoughts, but nothing is happening. “I don’t know how you can be so calm.”
“I have no choice,” Leo said.
Alone with him, I feel the guilt at what I did to him. “I never said sorry.”
“You don’t have to apologize.”
“Don’t be like that, Leo. I betrayed your trust and I am sorry. You must hate me.”
I know I hate myself for doing it. I’d found the sleeping pills days before I had given them to Leo. At first, I’d thrown them in the trash, but then I had the feeling I was going to need them, and I did.
“I don’t hate you.”
“I hate myself. Drugging you like that was awful. I didn’t even think of Andrei being angry at you.”
“He should have killed me,” Leo said.
“But he didn’t.”
“Because of you,” Leo said. “So we’re even.”
This made me want to cry even harder. “Have you ever thought it might be because you’re a good man and soldier to him? Saving you might not have had anything to do with me.”
Leo shook his head. “That’s not how this works. Andrei spared my life to help you.”
I still didn’t believe it.
“Have you heard anything?”