Page 5 of Merciless Promise
“I know what this is about, and I’ll tell you where?—”
“Tell it to your maker,”I’d said before swiping the blade across his throat.
He’d toppled forward, and I’d watched in disgust as he made a few gurgling sounds before succumbing to death. It was a sight I saw at least a few times a year, and when my phone rang again, I grabbed it from the cushion beside me.
“Garmhac,” I heard as soon as I hit the speaker button.
“Daideó,” I replied to my grandfather. “Did you get what I sent you?”
“I did, but that’s not why I am calling. I need to see you.”
“Are you still in Dublin?”
“I am, but my jet is fueled and ready. I’m heading to New York City overnight. I need to see you at Clovers. I’ll message you the time tomorrow.”
“Very well,” I replied.
“And good job with the assignment. I’ll see you soon.”
The line went dead, and I shook my head. My grandfather had always been a man of few words. He’d stayed mostly in Dublin over the last couple of years, very rarely venturing to New York City. While Cillian was mostly in Dublin with him, I’d been running the organization from here in New York City. I had no idea if my cousin meant to make the trip or not, but I would worry about that another time.
I opened another beer, then scrolled through my emails on my cell phone, stopping at the one from my private investigator. Tempted to just move it to another folder, I actually opened it, and when I saw her beautiful, but lethal, face, my lips quirked into a smirk.
Killing her would be so much better than any other assassination I’d done over the years. Unlike tonight’s target, a simple death would be too good for her. She needed to suffer greatly before succumbing to her own, and she would. Just like I had six years ago. Then five years ago. And four, and three, and so on. Truly, every day after she’d slain my kid brother in cold blood and walked away scot-free. There were many things money and power could buy, and her father had assured her freedom. And I would be certain to end it, and in the process, finally fulfilling the promise I’d made as I’d watched Princeton die.
“I’ll make sure that bitch pays for everything she’s done to us. To you. Your death will not be in vain. I’ll make sure of it.”
Up until this point, she’d been left to live her life without consequence. That was all going to end. One day, I’d get my chance to end it, finally allowing my brother to rest in peace.
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK
THREE MONTHS LATER
It’d been raining off and on all day, and between errands, I had to open and close my umbrella multiple times. If I had only thought to do all of this pre-work stuff yesterday, I wouldn’t be in this predicament today.
I hadn’t, so I was now stuck dashing between the spa, nail salon, and dress shop. Tonight, I had a campaign party to attend with a repeat client, and after just returning from Philadelphia in the wee hours, I’d be exhausted by the time the night was through.
Life as a call-girl, whether high-end or not, was not always easy, but it did have its perks. Take tonight, for example. I’d be accompanying a man who had political aspirations of his own to what would likely be a pre-victory party for another. Since returning to New York, and Manhattan more specifically, life had gotten better for me. Not that it had been bad backin Russia, but that would’ve changed had I stuck around long enough to be taken.
Aram was still out there looking for me, and it was something my father had confirmed to me while in hiding. After I fled to America, I did the only thing I was willing to do to help the man, and it was to provide him a place to go. There wasn’t a large Bratva presence here in New York City, but I was able to connect and arrange something with one of them. It was the most I was willing to do, even for him.
Tonight’s date, Stephen, had hired me multiple times over the last couple of months. We’d even made the local society pages, which had me seeing red. While there was something to be said about hiding in plain view as I currently was, there was another altogether to advertise your whereabouts when on the run.
“You’re violating my privacy,”I’d told him.
“I’m not sure what you’re upset about. You’re not in some sort of trouble, are you?”
“Of course not,”I’d lied.“I just want to remain inconspicuous, and it is all detailed in the NDAs you signed on the agency site.”
I’d almost refused to see him again, but he realized he’d been in breach of our contract, then subsequently threatened the sleazy gossip rag until they removed the pictures of us and any stories. While it helped some, it still gave me cause for concern.
Tonight, I’d have to be much more careful when it came to being photographed. Andreas Daniro was certain to be elected mayor in the upcoming election, and from what I had seen, there could’ve been worse candidates. All in all, I was pleased enough, especially since the older man had introduced me to his grandson, Kyle, who had become a client too. In fact, he’d been the one I had just accompanied to Philadelphia the night before.
Kyle, like Stephen, was a nice enough guy, but there was no chemistry between us, which they both knew and understood. Still, I faked it when on either of their arms. Stephen tipped extremely well, which helped me keep a roof over my head.
Money had never been anything I’d had to worry about in my entire life until now. I’d gladly endure this over the alternative. I’d prefer death over the alternative if I was truly being honest. My freedom, security, and way of life had been tilted off its axis, but with ample dates like this one, I might be able to make enough money to flee somewhere no one would ever find me again.
I hated worrying about the future, so I forced my thoughts to something else. Thankfully, I had help in the form of my cell phone. I looked down and saw Rebekah’s photo appear on the screen. She headed up the agency I now worked for, so she was technically my boss, even though we’d been friends first.
