RAVIEL (THIRTEEN)

I assumed Claire wouldn’t need me during her time of mourning her mother’s death. And I didn’t want to pretend to be a sad widower in front of her either.

Yikes, that was gross.

So, I decided to leave her in the care of Chasles and Dave while I was gone. But, of course, with a stern warning that those punks were not allowed to touch Claire, even a fingernail. If they dared to touch my Claire, I wouldn’t hesitate to blow their brains out and throw their bodies into the ocean.

“I take your offer. Ten million dollars for Broody Cameron.”

“Deal. I want him executed immediately.”

“Once you pay the deposit, I will execute him.”

“You’ll have it in a few minutes.”

I stared at my laptop screen which was displaying a portal for a digital bank. The notification bell in the corner of the homepage blinked twice. I clicked on it and grinned.

“Yes. I have received the down payment. I will process your order today.”

“Nice doing business with you, Cole.”

Cole, Brian, Hellish, Carl, Tim and other shit names. I never stick to a single name when handling client orders, nor do I ever meet the clients in person. I created a special portal for transactions after they’ve contacted my assistant. He received the order, filtered it, and forwarded it to me if the order was a little controversial and profitable. Then, after the order was completed, the portal simply vanished. I worked cleanly and never left a trace. That was why people never suspected my double life.

I closed my laptop screen and stuffed it into my backpack quickly. I made sure there were no items left on the table before stepping out of the Wi-Fi corner. I was already at the airport and waiting for a flight to Las Vegas. This time my target was a bookie. I didn’t care what problems he had with my clients. What was clear was that the guy was considered annoying, and I had to get rid of him.

“Mr. Shane O’brien. Welcome on board. Let me help you with your bag.”

“I can do it myself. Thanks.”

“Is there anything I can get you? Champagne? Wine? Juice? Anything.”

I sighed softly, glaring at the flight attendant in exasperation. She was a stubborn person and wouldn’t stop until I told her to do something.

“Just bring me some water.”

“Cold or hot?”

Fuck.

Who the hell hires such annoying flight attendants to fly first class?!

“Cold.”

“Would you like me to put a slice of lemon or cucumber in your drink?”

Fucking bitch.

I just wanted to be left alone in my pod to strategize about today’s assassination. I bet if she knew who I really was, she wouldn’t be standing in front of me with her wide clownish grin. Instead, she’d be standing in front of me with her whole body shaking and pale face.

“Just water. Cold. Do you understand?”

“Yes, sir. Coming soon.”

“Wait.”

Before she left, I had to know her name.

“What’s your name?”

“Talia. Talia Alba.”

“Okay. Get me my drink now.”

And when you land, you’ll have a termination letter waiting in your inbox, Talia Alba.

-00-

The room in this apartment building was perfect for stalking my target, who was staying at the hotel across the street. He was with his bitch in the dining room, eating breakfast from room service. The young woman next to him was wearing nothing but a robe. She stroked his face gently before putting a grape in his mouth. His eyes never left the young woman. He was crazy about her, while she only saw him as a walking platinum card that she could use to buy whatever she wanted.

Poor him.

And what was worse, he probably only had two hours to breathe. He would soon evaporate into smoke along with all his sins.

I didn't know whether he was a clean or dirty person. Whether his life was straight or full of twists and turns. Whether he had a family who would cry for him or not. I didn't care about his life. What mattered was that I was paid fairly for my work, period.

I lowered the binoculars from my eyes. I had my gun ready to execute him. However, it was too early to make a scene. I would give him a few more minutes to enjoy his last moments with his bitch. I could imagine the woman’s hysterical screams as her lover’s brains splattered in front of her face. She was great if she could survive the trauma in less than a week and continue her life like nothing terrible had happened to her.

My black cellphone vibrated on the nightstand. It was the phone for my men who would report about their work. I grabbed it and swiped my finger across the screen to answer the call. This should be something important.

“What’s wrong, Charles? Is everything safe there?”

“Yes. So far, everything is fine. Just… You might want to know how she is.”

“Tell me she didn’t lock herself in her room crying until her eyes were swollen shut.”

I glanced at my watch. It should be eight in Hawaii by now. It was time for Claire to get up and have breakfast at the restaurant. She was a consistent woman when it came to waking up. She only woke up late on days after she got really drunk. Other than that, she always woke up around six or six thirty at the latest. I installed two bugs in her room, so she was always monitored well.

“She was. I had been in front of her room since five. There was no sign of life in her suite until after seven. I then knocked on her door to check on her. She opened the door with a red face and very swollen eyes. She had obviously cried all night and had not slept. I asked her to clean herself up, which she refused to do at first. But I managed to get her to go to the bathroom. And now, I’m waiting for her on the porch before taking her to the restaurant for breakfast.”

 “Good. Don’t let up on her until I get back. What did you hear about Karina’s robbery case?”

“Yeah, news spread fast. It freaked everyone out since robberies and murders are rare in Hawaii. Everyone was talking about it, and they were obviously scared. The cops were busy calming people down, I guess.”

“Have you heard the autopsy results?”

“Well, I see two cops walking up to this suite right now. I’m guessing they’re looking for you and Claire to announce the autopsy results.”

“You know what your job is, right? You’re just a beach kid who doesn’t know me. Your job is just to accompany Claire while the police question her. And they’ll probably go to the front desk to ask about me. I left my key card with the lady at the front desk and a message for the police. You report to me after they leave.”

“Understood, boss. They’re close. I have to hang up now.”

I glanced at my watch.

It was time.