Page 2 of Dreaux: The Corporate Assassin

“Out,” was all I said as the flashing lights appeared to the side of me. I watched as two squad cars pulled up and the officers rushed into the building. “Can you pray for me, Sweets?”

“Sure, baby.” I heard a small rustling and knew she was stepping into her prayer closet. As of late, she’d been spending more and more time there because of me. “Close your eyes and clear your mind, baby.”

Doing as I was told, I closed my eyes and waited for her to continue.

“Heavenly Father, we come to you as humbly as we know how. We ask that you forgive us of our sins and lead us on the path of righteousness. You told us that you will never leave us nor forsake us. You told us that by your stripes, we will be healed. We know that doesn’t mean just healed from internal sickness, but mental as well. We lay our sins at your feet, Father, and ask you to forgive us for not walking in your truth and your light. Cleanse us, Lord, and make us in your image so that it’s pleasing to you. We all have fallen short of your grace and mercy, but you love us anyway. Protect, heal, and strengthen us, Father. Forgive our trespasses as well as the ones who have trespassed against us. Restore us, Lord, because our soul rightfully belongs to you. All these things we ask and pray… in Jesus' name. Amen.”

“Amen,” I murmured as I opened my eyes. People were now filing out of the club as the paramedics were headed inside with the gurney. Putting the car in drive, I pulled out of the lot and entered the dark highway. “Thank you, Sweets.”

“You’re more than welcome, baby.” I could hear the smile in her voice. “Are you headed home?”

“Yes, ma’am.” I nodded as if she could see me. “I’m less than an hour away from the city.”

“Call me when you get there. I will be waiting up until you do,” she stated sternly, and I couldn’t help but smile. I’d made the mistake of not doing what she’d asked before, and she had no problem pulling up to my house. “I love you, baby.”

“I love you, too, Sweets.”

Disconnecting the call, I rode the lonely road in silence. Even though I’ve been doing this for a while, that doesn’t mean the heaviness isn’t there with each life I take. As I made my way back home, I played the same song I did after every kill: “Deliver Me” by Le’Andria Johnson. I know it’s going to take more than prayer and a gospel song to save my soul with all of the foul shit I’ve done, but that will never stop me from at least getting a consultation with the Big G on my judgment day. I hope my remorse can at least get me into the cooler parts of hell.

***

“It’s been almost a month since we’ve broken ground in Milly Grove, so does someone want to tell me why I’m looking at an aerial view of a bulldozer and pile of dirt?” I glanced from the monitor to the scared faces around the conference room. Leaning against the edge of the table, I eyed the six men in attendance one by one. “Someone has about three seconds to answer my question before I fire every single one of you.”

Some days, I feel like being an assassin is easier than holding a leadership role in corporate America. Niggas act as if they’re incompetent in doing their jobs at times, and if they knew how badly that shit made my trigger finger itch, they would do what’s required of them the first time it’s asked.

“Mr. Boudreaux… the crews are tired.” My head of commercial development was the first to speak up. “I’ve been trying not to overwork my best guys because of some of the members slacking. I want to fire them, but that’s less hands I’ll have.”

“I see.” I stuck my hands into the pockets of my slacks and walked the room. “Why wasn’t this communicated with me?” I stopped pacing and eyed John. “We could have rectified the situation, and I could have been in contact with Mayor Mills about this. We have a very exclusive and extensive contract with his city. I don’t want him to think we’re incapable of doing the job. So… how are we going to fix this before I communicate with him?”

While I hold my team to a high standard, I’m not heartless. I know that even a dog gets tired, and if my guys needed a break, they could get that. They’ve been working nonstop for the past year with the rebuilding of Milly Grove, and I know they needed rest. I’ve offered them breaks and vacations on more than one occasion, and they haven’t taken me up on my offers. I guess their bodies were finally feeling the regret of the declined rest, and now their work ethic had declined. I was more than willing to give the men whatever they needed. I’m more so pissed about the lack of communication.

He glanced at the other men and gulped before nodding his head in agreement. Before I could continue my brainstorming, John chimed back in. “I was thinking we could hold a job fair of sorts. We could hire about ten more guys, so the ones we have won’t be stretched thin.”

“How long will that take?” I crossed my arms as I walked over to the windows overlooking the city. It was a gloomy day, and I was more than ready to take my ass home. “The hiring and training included?”

“Three weeks,” he said instantly, causing me to turn and face him. “I’ve already started the process. All I need is your permission to continue.”

“I hope with hiring new members, you’re going to fire the ones who don’t want to do their jobs. I’m not paying anyone who doesn’t want to work.” I was adamant about that. One thing I didn’t like was laziness. “I trust you, John. You’re in charge of construction for a reason. Bring me the details when they’re final, and we can discuss it. Also, let the guys know the site is shut down until you have the replacements.”

“But… Mr. Boudreaux, those men need to work.” His eyes widened as he spoke frantically. “They love their jobs… they just needed a break?—”

“Relax, man.” I chuckled as I returned to my seat, right as there was a knock on the door. We all looked as Rosier entered the room quietly. Giving me a curt nod, I returned it before giving my attention back to my men. “I know those guys are good because I’ve seen them in action. I want them to come back focused and well-rested. The amount of time it’s going to take you to find new members to add to the crew, I want them to take that time off—paid. I also want to get with you on an acceptable vacation and pay package for the fellas. Let’s give them a raise and incentive on a job well done.” I stood from my seat and offered him my hand to shake. He hurriedly stood and accepted. “You’re doing a fine job, and so are the guys. Let the site supervisors be hands-on in the hiring process as well. When all this is squared away, let them know they’ll have time off too. They deserve it just like their team.”

I’m a firm believer that when you’re good to your team, they’re good to you. I made sure the guys didn’t need anything else before I let them know to keep me updated, and they were dismissed. Loosening my tie, I watched as the men shook hands with Zoo and filed out of the room. Once gone, he closed the door before walking over to dap me.

“What’s up, bro,” he greeted before taking a seat across from me. “You look like you need a vacation your damn self.”

“Who would help you run this shit if I take one?” I eyed him with my brows raised. “Jules? You want that, Rosier?”

Chuckling at the thought, he threw his hands up in surrender. “You might be right, my boy.” He nodded before he turned back serious. “What’s up, though? I haven’t heard from you since the other night. I assume there weren’t any issues?”

After killing Westley a few nights ago, we’ve been keeping tabs on the news and his family. We were never worried about anything leading back to us because I’m well-versed in what I do. Witnessing the fallout of our actions, though, was mandatory. Like the fools before him, Wes didn’t think there would be any consequences to how he moved. The waitress, Leann, was questioned because she was the last one to see him alive, but she was let go. His poor wife found out he died while in some pussy and damn near lost her mind. She refused to spend any money on his burial, so he became property of the state. It’s not like she had much money to do it anyway. He’d fucked up all of their assets, so she had to sell what she could and move her kids out of state, causing them all to go live with family. The bank was auctioning his businesses and was in the process of selling them to Boudreaux Enterprises. One way or another, we always got what belonged to us.

“Everything is what it’s supposed to be.” I left it at that because we only speak about mafia business in certain locations. “How’s the family? I need to get by there and see Auntie soon. I know she’s going to be talking cash shit.”

With our fathers being brothers, my cousins and I were damn near raised as siblings by our mothers. Even with the underlying beef between my dad and his, our relationship with each other never changed. Rosier and Jules were my brothers, and nothing would ever come between us.

“The family is good, man.” He beamed with happiness as he spoke. “Gabby and Baby Rosaria are great, while RJ is getting bigger by the day. I’ve been trying to put another baby in Gabby, but she ain’t going for it.” He looked off and shook his head before turning back to me. “Speaking of family, when are you going to settle down? You know there’s nothing wrong with having someone to go home to after a day of chaos? You need a little peace in your life.”

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