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CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CYRUS
After making Carmen a BLT and tending to her feet one last time, I got her set up in my room, where she passed out. At least, I’m sure that’s what she wants me to think. I’m smarter than that though. I know she’s just pretending, waiting for an opportunity to run again.
I made sure to put all the knives or anything that can be used as a weapon into my safe, and I have Tiny outside if by some off chance she does happen to “wake up” and make a run for it.
Once I’m done with the dishes, I peek into my room one last time to make sure she’s still feigning sleep. Her long dark hair is sprawled across my white pillowcase, her eyes are closed shut, and her body looks relaxed. It’s a welcoming sight, in a way. I’ve never brought a woman here. Ever. This is my haven, my own piece of paradise away from the life that molded me.
I made sure no one can track me here. I paid in all cash, used an alias on the deed, and put up signal blockers for any trackers that shoot in a one-mile radius. Because of all the caution I’ve taken keeping this place a secret, I never wanted to bring anyone here. Not unless I had to, and right now, I had to.
Carmen doesn’t understand yet, but I’m hoping soon she will. My intentions aren’t to kill her. At first, they were, but knowing she’s close to my brother… I just can’t do that. She was one of the people there for him when I wasn’t. I can’t take that away from him. So, I simply need to keep her hidden and quiet until I can get a handle on my fuckup.
I close the door, making sure to leave it cracked just enough to keep an eye on her, then grab my burner phone from the end table by my couch. I dial Hatcher’s number and bring it to my ear.
After a few rings, he finally picks up. “Cyrus? What the fuck. I’ve been trying to get ahold of you.”
I look behind me, through the cracked door, just to make sure Carmen isn’t listening, then turn back around and step out the patio door off the living room. “It’s complicated. I have an issue.”
“No shit. You killed a client. What even possessed you to follow through with that?”
I shake my head. “I can’t tell you.”
Hatcher has been my friend since boarding school. We connected almost instantly over shitty dads, and our friendship continued when Ghost approached us both with a job, but right now, I can’t give him details. I never told him about Carter because I felt bad. I was the shitty brother leaving him with an even shitter dad. But now I can’t tell him because although we’re friends, business will always come first. I’m just hoping I made it to him before Ghost.
“Well, give me something. Ghost already made contact. You’re in deep shit.”
I scrub my hand down my face. “What does he want?”
“You know what he wants. You’re blacklisted and have a price on your head.”
“How much?”
“Like you could afford it,” he laughs. “Just tell me what I can do to help.”
“How much, Hatcher? If Ghost put out a price, I want to know it.” I raise my voice, ignoring his comment.
“Two mil.”
“Great. Who knows?” I have a feeling I already know the answer, but I need to hear it.
“Everyone.”
I hang up before he can say any more, then switch the phone’s power back off. I forgot how fast word can travel through our network, and I realize this is worse than I thought. I scrub my hand down my face, trying to keep my anxiety in check, but it’s pointless. I fucked up, and now I may not be able to fix it.
Letting out a deep breath, I squat down, sitting on the porch. I look out into the night, trying to think of anything I can do to fix this shit, but nothing comes to mind. I’m done, and now I’ll be hunted by my fellow colleagues—the best of the best. Even better than me.
I hear Tiny’s footfalls as he rounds the house, pulling me from my thoughts. As he stops in front of me and lowers his head, I give him a few pats. “Hey, boy.”
He looks at me like he knows something is wrong but can’t communicate to ask what. Instead, he folds his long legs under him and lies in front of me.
Tiny is my best friend. The only companion I’ve had for years. He was only a puppy when I got him, but I raised him and trained him to be the best dog and an even better hunter. For a while, he traveled with me, but trying to conceal a dog’s presence from a crime scene is harder than hiding my own. He’s one of the main reasons I even got this place. It has space so he can run and live his best life. I have automatic feeders set up too, so he never goes hungry. It’s hard to leave him when I’m traveling, but I check in every chance I can, and it’s close enough to Bexley Falls to where I’m even able to keep tabs on Carter too. Not that I’ve done a very good job at that anyway.
“Let her get adjusted, then you can come inside, okay?” I say, raising his head to look me in the eye.
Carmen is already on edge, and I’m sure introducing her to the devil dog, as she called him, wouldn’t go over too great right now.
I know he understands, and he’s done a good job calming me down, so I stand then step back inside. I tuck my phone back in its place in my end table.
