Prologue

C. Prologue

    “Drink?” With the moon at its peak, illuminating the darkest of nights, a calming chill saturated the air. The Dawson brothers stood on a balcony of the umpteenth high-rise they’d been at that month. The view before them so picturesque in description, that both men were momentarily paralyzed at the sight. Straight ahead the vast sky, inked black – made the perfect canvas – contrastingly brightening the luminescent glow of the bustling city many, many stories below. Jordan placed a crystal whiskey glass weighed down by three ice cubes, filled three quarters of the way, in front of his brother. Not bothering to wait for an answer to his rhetorical question, Jordan knew Reid would never decline one of his favorite vices. Lifting the drink to his plump lips, Reid threw a subtle nod - in thanks, Jordan’s way. The pair had stood comfortably silent, basking in the A.M. ambiance for just over twenty minutes before Reid spoke.

  “It’s crazy how small everything looks from up here.” Reid started in a volume barely above a whisper as he caught his brother’s attention. Jordan didn’t respond, waiting for Reid to make his point. “How many people do you think, know we’re watching them?” Reid continued, peering at the sea of people that quickly resembled a colony of ants. “None” he added, “Blissfully ignorant...living their lives.” It was clear to Jordan that Reid wasn’t necessarily talking to him, just aimlessly voicing his thoughts. “From this height, I can help but envy them, even though this is the only place where I can actually breathe.”

   

  “You don’t have to do this.” Jordan announced, his heart tearing in two “we can always find another way.” Tension washed over Jordan’s body, straining his voice, forcing a hard look on the planes of his features. The glass in his herculean grasp fought back in retaliation from the immense pressure Jordan’s hand had applied.

Reid sighed at his brother’s immediate response “Jordan, we both know this is our only shot.” Nodding sadly in agreement, Jordan let out a heavy sigh, training his sight on the lucky insects that would never experience the burden that came with being a Dawson.

  In an attempt to clear the thicket of restlessness that clung to the air, Jordan shifted to a lighter aspect of the subject at hand “Is everything in order? Did Riley go over protocols with you?” this time, his voice coming out calm and rich in timbre.

A smirk in response made its appearance on Reid’s face “you know contrary to popular belief, present company included, I do know what I’m doing.” Reid had a reputation for being...particular. Everything he did, he did with precision and a scary level of control even though nobody fully understood the motivations behind his convictions. It was a quality that helped keep their family alive for years. Jordan on the other hand, wasn’t as wound up as his younger brother. Although, their lives being a constant act of survival, Jordan was as relentless as a blood hound, without the psychopathy bloodlust.

Even in the shadow of every horrific act he committed he was still good. At least, in the ways that mattered. “It doesn’t hurt to check everything again...using mom’s maiden name is already a risk on its own. We don’t need surprises.” Reid chuckled lowly, dousing his lips in whiskey before he retorted, “Is my big bad brother worried about little ’ole me? Aw shucks.”

   

  Letting out a scoff, Jordan mumbled, “fuck off” and disappeared back into the elegantly modern penthouse suite. On a steel decretive rectangular table, a few feet from the glass sliding doors that lead to the balcony sat a sleek laptop. Stacked neatly around the silver device were manila files that housed information on copious amounts of people.

Tucked just underneath the laptop was an open file on a girl named Maya Dupree. Littered across the thin file sat photos of Maya barely a year old. After pouring himself a refill, Jordan sat by the table, eying Maya’s file and her baby pictures. “Did Riley find any recent photos?” Reid appeared over Jordan’s shoulder, his long fingers tapping one of the three photos.

“Nothing.” Jordan replied shaking his head “Michael hid her well” his tone bleeding frustration.

Trying to ease his brother’s anxiety was no small task “Clearly, not well enough” Reid pointed out. “I’m lecturing her class remember? I’ll find her.”