Page 68 of Never Die for a Sinner
A throat clears behind me, and I turn, finding the last person I thought I’d see here tonight.
“Marks.”
“Hello, Mr. Cross.”
“Levi,” I correct. I fucking hate being called Mr. Cross. Reminds me of my father. “Just Levi.”
“Very well,” Marks says, stalking into the ring of light in the center of the old, decrepit warehouse. “I trust you came alone?”
“I know you didn’t.”
He chuckles under his breath, shoving his hands in the pockets of his overcoat.
“On the contrary, you won’t find anyone here but me.”
“Scared?”
“Opportunistic,” he retorts.
Marks has always been “opportunistic”. He’s older, in his early fifties, with a penchant for being ruthless as they come. I guess when you’ve got more money than God, you can afford to be a dick.
“I appreciate you meeting with me on such short notice.”
I stand back and light the end of my cigarette. No need to stand on formalities. I already lost my job.
“Yeah, well, I have somewhere to be, so if we could make this quick.”
I know I’m being rude. I don’t give a fuck.
I don’t like him. He doesn’t like me. No use pretending any different.
“Of course. Time is precious. I imagine you have loads of it now that you’re not working.”
Fucking dick.
He smiles, knowing he won.
“What’s this about?” I gesture to the warehouse around us. “You bring me out here to kill me?”
“On the contrary, I came to make you a deal.”
I can’t help but scoff.
“I don’t make deals with criminals.”
Marks smirks, ignoring me. “I recently came into some information.”
“Good for you. What’s that got to do with me?”
He chuckles under his breath.
“This is why I’ve always liked you, Cross. You don’t like to fuck around.
I shrug. “Like it even less, now.”
He chuckles under his breath, eyeing me. “Funny thing, loyalty. One minute, you’re one of the best agents on payroll, then the next, you’re cast out to the wind with charges hanging over your head.”
“You going to keep being an elusive dick all night, or are you going to explain what the fuck you’re talking about?”
