to make sure the impressive mofo didn't get me. Two, although many considered me the best, there was always room to learn how to kill better.
“So, who is this person that needs to die?” I asked.
Coughing into one hand, Julio reached inside of his jacket with the other hand and pulled out a picture. “Here.”
Not desiring any of Julio's germs, I grabbed a napkin and used it to pick up the photo.
On the picture, Melody's pretty face stared back at me.
“I can give you all of her information.” Julio rubbed those shivering hands in front of him like he was cold. “She's a bad bitch, man. Bad.”
I heard.
Unease sat in my stomach at the realization that Melody coming by my gallery wasn't a
coincidence at all.
Did she guess that Julio would hire me to kill her?
“Why this person?”
“I have no idea. I'm not the one that even wanted her dead.” He pulled out a cigarette. It bobbed in his shaking fingers. “Dad asked me to kill her.”
“Your dad asked you ?” I quirked my eyebrows. “Why would he ask you? No disrespect, but you're no killer.”
“None taken.” He waved my comment away with his hand. “I never tried to be one.”
Yeah, right.
He flicked his lighter on and lit his cigarette. “It's not like I asked Dad why he chose me, but I figured he did it as a test or something. You are retiring soon. I'll be over all of Miami once you're gone.”
“No. You'll just be in control of the Art District,” I corrected.
“To have the Art District is to have control of the whole drug trafficking center on the east coast.” He blew out smoke. “Either way, that's not the point. Dad asked me to kill this chick. He says into the phone, 'Julio, make sure one bullet goes into her head and the other right in her heart. I want to see evidence, Julio. Videotape. Picture. Anything. Just get it done and then show me.' I tell him okay, hang up the phone, and send two of my best men to the address where dad says she last used her credit card.”
“What happened to the guys?”
“Last time I heard from them they called to tell me that they were going to her room. Next morning, both of their dead bodies are on my doorstep.”
“Does your father know she killed them?”
“Of course not.”
“When did she kill these two guys?”
“Last month. Every week after that, I send a guy and then he shows up dead on my doorstep the next morning. I have no idea where she's at right now, just that she's still using that credit card all over the city. When I send someone there, she's gone.”
I held in my laughter. “She's using that credit card to lure you out. If she was able to out-smart and destroy five of your men, then she's smart enough to know not to use that card.”
He exhaled smoke. “I thought of that.”
Sure, you did.
“Why does Miguel want her dead?” I asked.
“I don't know.” He averted his gaze away from me, which told me he did. “Dad also asked me not to get you into this hit, so I'm hoping you could do this for me and keep it quiet. I'm willing to give you anything.”
I watched a bouncer guide a blindfolded Teagan out of the lounge. “Anything?”
Chapter 4
Control of the Center
~Melody
Chess was easy.
It provided a large board with a set number of pieces, players, moves, and sequences. I studied the game like a biologist analyzed life. Top Chess Champion Bobby Fischer stated that in the game everything depended on that first move. Everything. It built a strong position right from the start and increased all chances of winning. Champs memorized many openings, could play out the whole game in their head from that first move, and knew the exact ending before anyone even sat down at the table and pulled out their pieces.
At times, the world served as my chess board and when that was true, I spent weeks studying the best first move.
Currently, I stood in Kane's office in a dress that matched my mood. Raging red hugged my body. Heels sharp as knives decorated my feet. I let
1796-1874 Agnes Strickland, 1794-1875 Elizabeth Strickland, Rosalie Kaufman