Page 58 of Blackout

Like the drugs lost their desire, following Jack into the depths of hell has too.

Turning to him, I meet his gaze and deliver him the truth.

“Pipe ain’t the only one here who is going to be a father,” I rasp. “Lacey’s pregnant.” I let the words sink in for the both of us and I realize, in that moment, I’m done.

There’s more to life than this shit.

“One more time, Parrish,” I croak. “Are you sure about this?”

“No, I’m not,” he replies, staring at me. “But it’s too late now.”

Sadly, he’s right.

It’s too late for change.

He pulls a pair of rosary beads out from under his shirt and I watch as his thumb traces the cross.

It’s too late for prayers.

We make our way inside the paper factory and Jack starts to negotiate with Javier. Ignoring my incessant racing heart, I struggle to keep up with everything going on around me. Suddenly one of Javier’s men comes running into the factory and all eyes turn to him as his hand slices across his throat, signaling for Javier to pump the brakes.

“No hay trato, el trato esta muerto!!”

“What the fuck is he saying?” Jack shouts.

Javier narrows his eyes and advances toward Jack.

“Crees que puedes jugar conmigo?”

“No one’s playing you,” I argue. His gaze slices to me and I lift my hands in the air, surrendering to his unwarranted suspicions.

“Tenía a mis hombres fuera de la casa en caso de que intentaras alguna mierda. Ahora tengo que de mis mejores ingresos sangrando en la cuneta.”

“Someone tell me what the fuck is going on!” Jack demands.

Before I can translate, Javier pulls two guns from their holsters and points one at Jack and one at me.

Again, the clock runs out on us.

Gunfire breaks out around us and as I reach for my weapon, Javier pulls the trigger on both guns. A creature of habit, my first thought is to stand in front of the man I swore to protect. My body springs into motion and I stumble slightly, dropping my gun as Javier’s bullet pierces my flesh.

There’s more to life than this.

But I’ll never know it.

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