Page 33 of All My Broken Pieces

I allow the smile at the thought to spread on my face, hoping it helps to alleviate some of the tension.

Killian steps forward, extending his hand. “Hi, I’m Casper, and this is-”

“Juliette.” I cut him off, smiling wider at Kenneth.

Killian proceeds with the ploy, explaining to him that we’re here to install some sort of solar stuff. Whatever he says is enough to earn the trust we need to make our way inside.

Each step that brings us closer to ending Kenneth’s life fills me with dread. It’s infuriating. Usually the promise ofbloodshed has me bouncing on the balls of my feet. But this time?

I glance around the walls, finding evidence of the humanitarian our target is. That mixed with all the information I bribed Andrew into giving me on how sleezy the man who ordered the hit is. Well, none of it sits well with me. But we don’t get a say in it, not while Charles is in charge.

We pivot toward the living room, Killian having dropped the ruse and directing Kenneth toward his fate. “I really wish we didn’t have to do this.” Killian’s admittance surprises me.

I study him closely, finding the same hard set to his jaw and uneasy tension lining his shoulders. Somehow the fact that this job has him just as unsettled as me makes things better yet infinitely worse.

Surprising me further, Killian offers for him to leave a goodbye message. Something unheard of in our profession. Once finished, Kenneth hands over the paper and pen he was given to scribble his last goodbye. “Thank you.” He murmurs.

My eyebrows raise at the words, definitely another first.

“You didn’t have to give me a kind death.” He explains. “Didn’t have to allow me to say goodbye.” A quiet hiccup breaks free from him, and I find I have to blink back moisture in my own eyes. “I don’t know how you ended up here, but there’s some good in you. Don’t let the darkness consume you. There’s not enough light in the world as is.”

I blink away the memory, watching the empty house as the sun begins to set. It’s only a matter of time now before Thomas will be home and I’ll be able to pay him back for what part he had in the ending of that boy’s life.

I still often think about what the world would be like if Kenneth had been allowed to live. He was snuffed out too soon, and I’ll make sure Thomas feels the full extent of the loss.

While it probably doesn’t make up for it, Killian and I made the decision early on that our company would make anonymous donations to the various charities that Kenneth had contributed to before his early demise, all made in his name.

When Andrew brought the idea of forming our own business after Charles’ death, I had the idea to name our company FindingLight after the hit that changed everything. The one that opened both mine and Killian’s eyes to the way things were but didn’t have to be. And, while it might seem like an oxymoron due to the nature of our business, I’ve found the name often serves as a reminder to hold onto our humanity amidst the darkness. To find the light where we can.

Plus it looked really good on paper. Much better than the back up plan of Three Amigos Killing Crew.

Chuckling to myself, I make up my mind to text Killian the info, knowing he’ll be upset to have missed out on the chance to avenge Kenneth’s death.

Grandpa

On my way

I settle back into my seat, taking another drink, relishing in the anticipation of the kill. A grin spreads across my face.

I’ve got some ideas.

Thomas climbs out of his fancy sports car, clicking the button to lock the doors. The beep echoes loudly in the darkened streets.

“Thanks for reaching out.” Killian murmurs, surprising me.

Pushing aside the shock, I clap his shoulder. “Sure thing, old man. Wouldn’t be the same without you.” I let out a quiet chuckle as I climb out of the vehicle, slipping on a pair of gloves.

Walking around the front of the car, I meet Killian, waiting for his signal to proceed. There’s no clever ruses this time around, only simple, clear cut murder. He nods his head and we both pull on masks, needing the extra precaution given the high profile case.

A smile lifts my lips as we creep up to the front door. I spot the sign on the window stating the house is under the protection of surveillance and have to stifle my laugh. People underestimate what someone is capable of if given the right resources and know how. And with our in-house computer genius, the monitoring system has already been disengaged.

Killian makes quick work of lock picking the front door, pushing the door open silently and waving me inside. I salute him as I pass, earning an eye roll.

The entryway is dark, only lit by a small motion sensor light plug in. The sounds of a TV echo down the hall, making our destination clear.

This is too easy.

I grow giddy at the thought, ready forsomethingto go my way.

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