Page 25 of A Game of Survival

Chapter 16

Cole

As the data loads on my laptop, I am bombarded with the dates and details of this month's expected shipments. I look at the next anticipated date for the drugs haul. Checking my watch, I realize that the next drop off is due in 45 minutes. Reaching into my jacket pocket, I dial Ronan's number on my phone. I am predicting him being in a foul mood. He doesn't like to be disturbed, especially when he is getting his end away, which seems to be a lot of the fucking time.

"What the fuck do you want?" He answers in annoyance at me. Honestly, he wants to rule this city but he's a lazy fuck and I can't wait to take his beating heart in my hand and feel the life drain from it between my fingers.

Begrudgingly, I respond as politely as I can, "I have the information for the next delivery of cargo to my brother."

"Great, I'm busy. Why don't you call me in an hour," he grunts as I can hear the music pulsating and girls giggling as they clink glasses in the background. I'll take a stabbing guess that he is at a strip club.

"Well, I would love to call you at a more convenient time, but the next load is due in about 45 minutes on the east side of town." I tell him.

"For fuck sake, take some men with you and make sure you steal it all from them. I expect good results Cole," he demands. It's like he doesn't know how ruthless I am, and how I am containing my need to slit someone's throat for his naivety.

“No problem, Boss.” I respond, hating that I have just called him that. “But you did make a promise. I do this, you tell me where you are keeping the boy.”

“A deal is a deal, Cole. I’ll give Marcus here the information on the boy. Once you have completed your task, you can have your reward. Get it done quickly. I don’t want any complications.” He warns.

I don’t completely trust Marcus to give me what I want but once this is over, he will have no choice, I am done waiting after this.

“Consider it done, Ronan.” I tell him before I hang up the phone.

Gathering my things, I grab some weapons, including my switch blade that I strap to my right thigh and a Glock 19. Though it’s still early the sky is dark as I leave Ronan’s building, I can hear chatting and joking from the back of the parking lot. Spotting three of Ronan’s men, whom I don’t know the names of, so I decide it's easier to nickname them in my head as Baldy, Fatty and Ugly. I don’t care to ask their names because in truth, I don’t care who they are.

“Boss has a mission for us boys.” I shout to get their attention. They turn to me, I see the slight flicker of apprehension in their eyes. They have heard the rumors that surround me. The whispers of what I have done and will do when I lose myself.

“Why should we listen to you?” Fatty grumbles. I roll my eyes, thinking how stupid they are.

The other guy, who I named Ugly, chimes in. “Yeah, we don’t trust you.”

They are fucking brainless. I’m tempted to take one of their tongues. They won’t need to talk for Ronan’s demands. I walk up to them, none of the three of them flinch as I get closer.

Unfortunately, Fatty is in the middle making it unlikely he will be the one that I makemute. So I grab Ugly, who happens to be closest to me, by the arm and twist it behind his back before smirking at the other two. “Let this be a lesson boys, you watch how you speak to me from now on.” Both of them back away instantly, shouting for help. Idiots, it's only us here.

Yanking Ugly to the floor, I press my weight on top of him and bring my blade around the back of his head to his mouth. “Would you like a new smile as well?” I cackle. Reminding me of that film with The Joker in. He can't see the delight I’m gaining from this, but I can feel him shaking as he’s screaming at me to stop.

I lean in and whisper my warning, “I would stop moving if I were you. Otherwise you might lose more than just your tongue.”

He stills instantly, whimpering, “Please stop, I’m sorry.”

These types of men wouldn't make it in our outfit. They'd be eaten alive.

Just as I bring my knife to the side of his face, the kill joy that is Marcus arrives. “Cole, put the damn blade down. We need him to help us with the heist.” He bellows.

For fuck sake, I’ve felt blood thirsty all day.

I huff as I remove my knife from his face, but I can’t help myself as I stand, I stomp down on Ugly's dirty hand, hearing the crunch beneath my boot, giving me some satisfaction.

Marcus is a bloody pain in my arse, ruining my fun. “So good to see you,” I say sarcastically.

“I should think so, especially as I have the information you’re so desperate for. Just so we’re clear, I will be tagging along, ensuring you do what needs to be done, Cole.” he threatens. Fucking great.

“Let's get going then or do you still want to defy Ronans orders?” I ask the three stooges. They look between myself and Marcus assessing what to do. They are pissing themselves after my little outburst so the decision really shouldn’t be too hard for them. I miss my men, they wouldn't blink twice at the stunt I just pulled.

They all nod silently and follow Marcus to his car, I opt for my bike. Marcus raises his eyebrows at me. “Not joining us?” he asks.

“I prefer my bike, I'll race you.” I grin, putting my helmet on and jumping on my bike, kick starting it and speeding away from them. Marcus can babysit those fuckers. I agreed to help, not socialize.

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