Page 15 of Slaughtered Firefly
“We’ve known each other for years, and I still don’t know your role in the organization, or why you haven’t left it. Why haven’t you spoken to me in years?” The vulnerability and sensitivity of his voice was a stake to the heart.
His hand reached for mine; the IV leads poking out of it reminded me of my predicament. The simple gesture of human contact was nice but foreign. I didn’t like it, but I didn’t pull away. Scott had so much potential but not the heart to do what was necessary. It was the reason he wasn’t trusted with that information, and ultimately a reason he was always thrown back into the ocean instead of collected like a prized and rare commodity.
“Not now Scott, you know as well as I that asking questions like that only gets you killed, or worse.” I reprimanded in a serious tone. His face morphed with shock as he pulled his hand back and straightened his tie.
“Who’s going to know?” He questioned after a moment, gesturing toward the empty room, and gripped my hand tighter.
“Midas.” I whispered. My eyes glazed over like I couldn’t exactly remember why I was fearful of him.
8
WHO THE FUCK IS MIA?
Fourteen years ago—he’s Eighteen
“Ineed you to do something for me,” Midas spoke as we walked away from the dead bodies, and I paused.
“Yes boss,” my tone was even, with no signs of distress, even though my heart pounded in my skull as I wondered where I'd fucked up.
“I need you to look after Mia,” he said in a serious tone.
“Mia?” The curiosity in my voice betrayed me, and I quickly fixed it.
Who is Mia?
“Yes sir,” my voice was as neutral as possible. I was hoping he would overlook my question.
“Mia is doing a unique job for me right now over in Fremont, you know the obsidian territory. Go as backup. You will hide her and you will not interfere. Do not to be associated with any organizations, play the big brother, pay an old fool to be your busy dad and make sure you let her do what she needs to.” His voice was authoritative, but detached from the whole situation.
“Yes boss,” I nodded, and we continued walking.
It was latewhen I got to the hotel. It was a ritzy joint on the outskirts of town. I had seen nothing so upscale in my life.
I got to the front desk, and a blonde greeted me with her eyes taking in my tall, broad frame, her eyes tried to chase the tattoos poking out of my collar but I didn’t care, my looks weren’t for her or anyone’s pleasure.
“How may I assist you this evening?” She asked, batting her eyes, attempting to flirt.
“Checking in for Williams.” I grunted.
“Ah yes, you and Miss Williams are in room 542. Here is your key,” She dropped a key into my open palm along with a sheet of paper. I walked off without a glance.
I smacked the elevator button and waited for the doors to open. The eyes of the receptionist followed my ass until I disappeared through the doors. I balled up the paper, not giving two shits about a phone number.
Thankfully, I had this elevator to myself; it gave me time to mentally prepare.Was this punishment?I didn’t want to babysit anyone, and I certainly didn’t want to be away from work. Work kept the thoughts away. I couldn’t be more relaxed than I was when I was torturing some poor fool or when I was delicately slicing the epidermis away from the muscles. It was relaxing, the screams and begging that made the voices in my mind satisfied, the urge to kill postponed for another day. To feel the warmth of blood between my fingers, pure joy rushed towards me at holding the power of life and death.
The latest kill was especially brutal. Midas and I were in New York; the accounts were off, very off. Turns out the accountant had been living in New York for way too long, because he turned into a rat like the rest of them. Such a shame for such talent, but when one million goes missing within a week, someone’s got to pay.
The elevator chimed, and the doors opened; all thoughts of torture left me as I came face to face with her.
“Cole?” she breathed out. It felt like a punch to my gut.
“Firefly,” I blinked, trying to figure out if this was reality or one of those very fucked up dreams I had, but I couldn’t wake up.
Summer rushed towards me, hugging me tightly, and I dropped my bag, still shocked at what was happening. My little firefly’s all grown up.
We were sittingon the hotel’s enormous bed, the pizza box open and several slices gone. I watched as she took a large gulp of soda and burped before laughing. Everything she did mesmerized me. It was a miracle that I was face to face with her.
“How long have you been here?” I stammered, still shocked by this news.
