Page 111 of The Devil's Pawn

“I don’t know. I really don’t. I’m guessing Joey, but I can’t be sure.”

Enzo plants the gun between his eyes, and the man rattles with a cry.

“Shit. Can I just call my kids and tell them I love them? Please? Let me say goodbye.”

Tears drip from his eyes, and for once, I feel sorry for him.

Enzo looks at me. Both of us are gripped in the past. I know he’s thinking what I am: how we never got to say goodbye to our father or our mother. How they were ripped away from us by a ruthless killer. How our brother never got to grow up.

But we can be better than that. We might not spare his life, but we can give him something we never got. I nod once at Enzo, and he returns the gesture.

“Where’s your phone?” I ask.

“Left pocket.”

I reach inside to retrieve it.

“I’ve got my wife’s number under ‘Sweetheart,’” he sniffles, crying harder.

The cell requires a fingerprint, so I place the screen on the index finger of his right hand at his back, and the phone unlocks.

I dial her number, putting the call on speaker. After three rings, she picks up.

“Hey, Anthony,” she says with exhaustion as the sound of screaming kids echoes in the background. “I’m making dinner. You gonna be home to eat?”

“I…uh, I don’t think so. Not tonight. I’ve got too much to do. I’m sorry.” His voice breaks in a silent sob as he takes a pause, sucking in a cry.

“What’s wrong? You sound weird.”

“Nah, all good.” He lets out a chuckle. “Just missed you. That’s all.”

“Okay?” Her response is marked by skepticism. “I miss you too. You sure you’re okay? Do I gotta beat anyone up?”

“Nah, baby. I’m all right. I love you.”

“I love you too, Ant. You come home soon.”

“I’ll do my best, babe. Can I say hi to the kids?”

“Yeah. Sure. Georgia! Runo! Get your butts off the damn couch!” she shouts. “Are you two crazy, jumping like that? You trying to break your neck?”

He laughs, tears streaming down his face.

“Your kids are driving me crazy, Ant.”

“Why do they have to be my kids when they act like that?” he laughs.

Fucking hell. I shouldn’t have let him call them. Killing a man when you hear the voices of his family is torture. But I know I had to give him this for what he gave us.

“Daddy! Hi! I miss you.” A little girl’s spunkiness comes on the line.

“Hey, princess. I miss you too. Stop giving Mommy a hard time, okay? She works too hard.”

“Okay, Daddy. I promise to be good.”

“That’s my girl.” He grins, the love for his kids evident in the glint of his eyes. “I love you so much. You have no idea.”

“I do know, Daddy. You always give me the tightest hugs and the best kisses.”

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