Page 60 of The Silencer

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm.I can't let my anger cloud my judgment, not now when we need information.

"What else?"I press."What are the Syndicate's plans?"

Michael hesitates, and I can see the fear in his eyes.He knows that once he tells us everything, he's outlived his usefulness.

"They...they're planning something big," he finally says."I don't know all the details, but they're calling it Ace of Hearts.It's supposed to cripple everything."

I exchange a glance with Maverick.The fuck?

"When?"I ask.

"I don’t know.There’s no definitive timeline," Michael replies."That's all I know, I swear."

I study him for a moment, trying to determine if he's telling the truth.His eyes are wide with fear, his body trembling.I don't think he has anything left to hide.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Michael," I say coldly, picking up a gun from the table.

"Wait!"he cries out."I told you everything!You said?—"

"I said I'd make it quick if you cooperated," I interrupt."And I'm a man of my word."

Before he can say another word, I raise the gun and pull the trigger.The sound echoes through the empty warehouse as Michael's body goes limp in the chair.

I turn to Maverick, my face grim."We need to tell Jer about the Ace of Hearts, see if we can figure out what the fuck it is."

Maverick nods."I'll make the calls.You okay?"

I holster my gun, looking back at Michael's lifeless body."I will be.Once we take down the Syndicate and end this once and for all."

As we leave the warehouse, I can't shake the feeling that there is so much more to this than what we believe.The sooner we have an idea the fucking better.Right now, it’s a waiting game, and I’m not one to sit on my hands and do nothing.I’d rather be pro-fucking-active.We have a name, now we have to see what needs to be done about it.

I say we end those bastards now, but I know Jer won’t go for that.Taking out two members of the Syndicate would cause widespread chaos.No, this needs to be done the right way.No matter how long it takes.

One by one, the syndicate will fall, and I for one will be happy to watch as they crumble.

TWENTY-ONE

clodagh

EIGHT MONTHS LATER

“Happy birthday!”Lisa says the second I answer the call.“I can’t believe it’s your birthday and you’re all the way across the country.”

The smile I have on my face is wide.It’s probably the biggest smile I’ve had in years.It’s been eight months since Emmanuel told me his father was no longer a threat; since we shared a kiss and he walked away, breaking my heart in the process.

"Thanks, Lisa," I say, trying to keep my voice cheerful despite the pang in my chest."I miss you so much."

"I miss you too," Lisa replies, her voice softening."How's college life treating you?"

I glance around my dorm room, still feeling a bit surreal that I'm actually here."It's...different.Good different, I think.Just taking some getting used to."

"And how are you really doing?"Lisa asks, her voice filled with worry.

I sigh, knowing I can't hide anything from my best friend."I'm okay.Some days are harder than others, you know?"

There's a pause, before Lisa speaks again."Have you heard from him?"

My heart clenches at the unspoken name.Emmanuel."No," I say quietly."Not since...well, you know."

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