The Complete Contract Series (40 page)

Miller

I eye my partner as she opens up to me and hugs me. A plethora of emotions run through me as I listen to the words she speaks. I’m nobody’s fucking hero—nobody but Stormy’s.

I never set out to be her hero, it just kind of happened. Before Stormy, I never would have even considered having a female partner. Actually, I would have never considered having a male partner either. I’m too alpha to be butting heads with a man over how I want things done.

She has turned out to be a perfect trainee. I have to say I’m surprised she doesn’t battle with guilt or self-condemnation. She is good at compartmentalizing and when you’re a killer, that’s a necessity. She can always come up with a good reason for killing someone and all I can guess is that it must help her in coping that most of our killings are vigilante based.

I damn sure don’t have a problem with killing the men I do. In my mind, the only way to rid the earth of evil is to kill it off. For these dirt bags we deal with, there can be no rehabilitation. There is only judgment—the judgment of two killers who are bound by blood.

Miller

“Don’t start unpacking,” I yell out as I read the e-mail from Antonio Wayne. I can almost hear her groaning from the next room. She is going to have to realize traveling is just the nature of the beast. Maybe I’ll take her on vacation, maybe go look at the island I’m buying.

“I don’t want to hear it, Stormy,” I stop her before she even start. Evidently it works because she pulls up a chair beside me and looks at the screen.

“Okay, let me fill you in. Ricardo and Antonio Wayne are brothers. Ricardo resides in Guatemala and Antonio Wayne is in New York. Antonio runs a very high-end gentlemen’s club. People travel from all over the country to party there. He brings in women who want to work and somebody was stupid enough to steal his last load of women.”

“How did they steal that many women at once?”

“It was pirates at sea. They hijacked his boat and kidnapped the women. What I can’t wrap my head around is who would be crazy enough to fuck over these two brothers? They are craziness personified. These two have lethal Colombian connections and I don’t know anybody stupid enough to fuck them over. Ricardo is levelheaded. He has a temper but mostly he’s all business and his head is screwed on straight. Antonio…not so much.”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean the mother fucker is crazy. He takes the word sadistic to a whole new level. Ricardo uses him to torture prisoners because Antonio enjoys it so much. I’m talking cutting off body parts, pulling teeth, and using electricity. His idea of fun is coming up with new ways to torture the enemy. Rumor has it he just made a woman marry him to pay a debt for stealing from his brother. She and her best friend had some cage fighting scam going on and stole 100,000 dollars from Ricardo. Ricardo married one of the girls and sent the other one off to marry Antonio.”

“What is it with you guys? It seems like every guy in your blood brotherhood kidnaps their love interest.”

I smirk as I answer her, “We’re a different breed. What can I say?” I turn to look at her and gently take her face, turning it in my direction. “Let’s take a vacation after this, Stormy. I’ll fly you to see the island I’m buying for us. It’ll be just you and me, babe, just you and me…

Stormy

Even though I’m jetlagged upon making it to Antonio Wayne’s club, the energy here quickly brings me out of my funk. I have never been to a club that has this kind of euphoric atmosphere. It seems to pull you in whether you’re willing or not.

The décor here is edgy, yet tastefully done. Golds, reds, and blacks dominate the color scheme of the elite, member’s only club. Every woman in here looks like she walked off the cover of a magazine. When I’m introduced to Antonio Wayne, I am taken aback by the man. He’s dressed as if he is a GQ model but it is his commanding presence that has me doing a double take. When he focuses his coal black eyes on me, I swear he can see right through the walls I have so carefully constructed and everything in my life I’ve tried to hide. He makes me want to run away in order to avoid his knowing glare and, at the same time, I want to stay and subject myself to his scrutiny, just so I can satisfy my curiosity of this enigmatic man.

“Quit fucking staring,” Miller growls in my ear and I look away embarrassed. The man he has introduced me to just has that kind of effect on people.

I sit down, huddling up to Miller, and then begin to study Antonio’s wife with her deep auburn hair and emerald green eyes and, suddenly, it hits me…I know this chick.

“Hey, I know you.”

She just smiles a knowing grin as if she gets that a lot. I continue talking, “I’m a huge fan of yours. I’ve followed every fight you’ve ever been in and you are kickass, girl.”

Antonio eyes her with a mix of admiration and awe and it is clear to see that he is head over heels in love with his wife. I find myself wondering if he really did take her as payoff for a debt. If so, it means the girl has brains and balls. I’m certain there are very few who have the nerve to steal from the infamous Ramirez brothers.

Antonio places his arm on the back of the booth as he unbuttons his suit coat, revealing the beautiful, holstered Glock he is packing.

“It is very good to see you, my brother,” he directs his gaze towards Miller. “I have set up first class accommodations for you at my castle.”

“We’ll be leaving as soon as business is taken care of. I need to take this beautiful woman of mine on vacation.”

“Yes, I have to agree she is stunning. Will you be taking her to the island you’re purchasing from me?”

“Actually, yes I am. We have started construction with your construction team and I want to check on things and see how they’re coming along.”

“Tell the foreman if things aren’t to your liking. He’ll be dealing with me.”

I watch as a dark shadow casts over Antonio’s face and I instinctively know there is more to this enigmatic man than just his good looks and wealth. He has the same qualities as the rest of the men in the brotherhood, one of which being the ability to look a man in the eye and snuff out his life with no remorse.

Antonio directs his attention towards his wife, “Why don’t you and Alexis take Stormy and introduce her to the girls. Take your time and have a couple of drinks.” Once again, the dark shadow I witnessed before crosses his face as he speaks, “Don’t step one fucking foot outside of this club.” He is gripping her arm with force and staring her down, awaiting her reply. She just shakes her head and leads us away from the table. We make our way back to the dressing room as the men continue conversing. I’m certain Miller will fill me in on the details later so I leave without a fuss.

Antonio Wayne

My demeanor changes as soon as the ladies are away from the table.

“I want these fucking Dominicans taken out. That means the woman too. I understand your reluctance about killing women, Miller, and though I find it admirable, this bitch needs to go down. If you can’t do it, then have your woman do it.”

Miller just nods his head in agreement and though I see a spark in his eyes due to the fact he doesn’t like being told what to do, I don’t give a fuck. I want that bitch dead so there is no one to exact revenge on me, or my girls, at a later date.

We relax and have a couple of drinks after our plans are secured. I will feel a hell of a lot better when this job is over and I don’t have my big brother breathing down my neck like some fire breathing dragon. He has a temper and I don’t want to be in range of his anger—ever.

Neither one of us is crazy about his woman being involved in this hit. Just chalk it up to our old school beliefs that women and children are to be protected. I’ve done my homework on her though, and she seems to have a reputation for getting the job done. I guess if Miller wants a woman at his side on hits, that is his business. I just want this job to be successful and out of the way.