Page 22 of The Vicious Defender

I know that's not the path for him. Heath is soft, and the Scorpion cartel is brutal. There is no way he will ever be able to handle this. Not unless I train him, prepare him to be a cold-blooded killer.

The next week, I decide Heath is ready to be a sicario. His childhood friend, Phoenix, who is a couple years older, is coming with us for their initiation. I can feel Phoenix's eyes on me as we drive to the snake's nest. He's made it no secret he doesn't agree with my nephew's initiation. A lot of people think he's too young, but he's fourteen now. I did much worse things at a much younger age myself.

We reach our destination, a small abandoned shed located in a woody area. Soon enough, the place will be teeming with teenagers, here for a secret party. One of them is our victim.

The boys follow me as I go inside and pull out a bag of cocaine.

"Your first task is to sell this," I instruct, handing Heath a backpack.

The two boys stare at the drugs, and then at me.

"But, Uncle," Heath stutters. "Isn't this against the law?"

I laugh. "What did you expect? This is the Scorpion cartel, not Girl Scouts."

Phoenix's face is grim, and he's shaking his head.

"No, sir. I'm sorry, but no," he says, his voice firm.

Heath is looking at his friend with a mixture of fear and admiration.

"What's the problem, Phoenix?" I ask.

"This is wrong," he answers.

"You want to be a part of the cartel?" I ask, arching an eyebrow.

"Of course. I've dreamed about it all my life," he replies.

"Then you must do whatever the cartel needs," I tell him.

"What if we refuse?" he challenges.

I pull out my gun and point it at him.

"Then you die."

Both boys gulp, and Phoenix slowly raises his hands.

"Okay, sir. If you insist," he mutters.

"Good boy," I reply, and turn to Heath.

"Your friend here is a good influence on you, nephew. Perhaps you should spend more time with him and less with the bad influences in the cartel."

Heath doesn't reply.

As the two boys disappear into the distance, I can't help but feel a twinge of worry. Phoenix is not the kind of person I would trust to take care of Heath. In fact, the boy's a wild card. And with Heath's current attitude, it could end up being very bad. I'm choosing to believe Phoenix will protect his friend, and he doesn't disappoint.

A couple hours later, the party is in full swing. I watch Heath and Phoenix dealing in the backseat with Saul. I point out my target, a senator's son, on the video feed of the party.

"There," I say, pointing at the kid.

"That's our target?" Heath asks.

I nod.

"What do you want us to do?" Phoenix asks, his voice tense.

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