Chapter 55 – A Falled Delivery
The hitman peeked over his shoulder one last time and adjusted his gloves. Except for the muffled ruckus outside the building’s exit, the dimly lighted back alley was deserted. Now muffled ruckus outside the building’s exit, there were spectators all about Sebastian, their voices rising in outrage and bewilderment.
The hitman muttered a curse as he pulled his helmet down tightly over his face. As he raced through the city’s winding streets into the night, the sound of his motorcycle’s roar boomed down the street. In his rearview mirror, the scene vanished as he sped off, revving the bike.
The gust of chilly air didn’t help ease his brewing annoyance. The plan had taken a detour. Sebastian in particular had not been the witness he had anticipated. Raphael was not a man you left with nothing, though, and he had been paid generously. Whether Raphael liked the news or not, he had to go back and report.
The hitman arrived at a slick, contemporary office building fifty minutes later, it exuded authority and intimidation due to its tall glass façade that mirrored the city lights. After parking his bike and taking off his helmet, he entered the building. Marrison, the receptionist, hardly raised her head from her desk,
“Good evening…” she began, but he strode past her without a word,
“Sir! You can’t just…”
Despite her objections, the hitman pushed through the double doors leading to Raphael’s private office. He was surprised by what he saw inside. A young woman knelt in front of Raphael, her head on his lap, and he sat back in his chair, his fitted suit unbuttoned a bit.
There was a subtle scent of cigars and high–end cologne throughout the room. The hitman came in, helmet in hand, and the door smashed against the wall. The woman and Raphael both jumped, the latter stumbling a little as she looked at the intruder. She scurried to her feet as her cheeks turned red.
“What the hell?” Raphael shouted, hastily buckling his belt.
The hitman stood his ground, his face stoic,
“We need to talk”
Marrison burst in behind him, her expression one of mortification,
“I’m so sorry, sir. He didn’t wait for me to announce his…”
“Don’t worry Marrison” Raphael said, waving her off.
He pointed to the woman, who hurriedly packed her belongings and left the workplace
without making eye contact with anyone. Raphael nodded curtly and dismissed Marrison, who lingered,
Chute 55–A Faled Driver
“Close the door behind you”
When they were alone, Raphael leaned forward, his eyes narrowing,
“You don’t have the fucking right to just barge in here like that”
“I know” the hitman said, his voice steady,
“But it’s important”
Raphael’s gaze hardened,
“Where is she?”
The hitman hesitated, his hands tightening around the edge of his helmet,
“There was… a complication”
“A complication?” Raphael repeated
“She walked straight out of the building into my path” the hitman explained, choosing his words carefully,
“I had her. But before I could act, someone came out… a man. I couldn’t risk it”
“Who was it?”
“Sebastian” the hitman replied,
“He was too close. If I stayed, I’d have been caught”
Raphael slammed his fist against the desk, making the objects on it rattle,
“A witness? Do you think I care about a witness?”
“She wasn’t alone for long” the hitman explained. “The risk of being caught was too high”
Raphael groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. He leaned forward, his voice low and dangerous,
“Do you understand how important this was? I don’t pay you to make excuses. I pay you to deliver results”
The hitman remained silent, his face unreadable.
Raphael exhaled sharply, shaking his head,
“Fine. If you can’t get her, then you’ll keep an eye on her. Wait for the right moment and finish the job. No more mistakes”
The hitman was about to reply when someone knocked on the door. Marrison walked in with caution, her eyes darting between the two men,
Chapt650 XTalid Delivery
“The car’s ready for your meeting, sir” she informed Raphael.
Raphael stood up, gathered his belongings, and nodded. He gave the hitman a shoulder pat as he went by, which was a gesture that was both indifferent and patronizing,
“Don’t disappoint me again” Raphael said before leaving the office. As the hitman watched him go, the threat that remained unsaid hung heavily in the air. Sitting in one of the office chairs, he rewrote the night’s events in his head while he was alone himself. This was more than just a job for Raphael, it was a personal one,
And it was risky because of this.
