Jackson sat frozen, unable to believe what he was hearing. His fists clenched so tightly that he could hear his knuckles cracking. Anger coursed through his veins, boiling over with an almost uncontrollable urge to hit something. He couldn’t fathom that Aleksander would do this to him. Did he really expect Jackson to go through with it? To kill a child and then carry on as if nothing had happened?
What the fuck had happened to his old friend? This didn’t sound like Aleksander at all. Jackson grabbed his notepad, quickly scribbled something down, and handed it to Gabriel.
What the fuck is going on with Aleks?
Gabriel gives a frustrated sigh, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “I don’t know man. I don’t know. You should have heard what he said before we left. If you don’t kill this kid, they’re gonna finish you and the boy off.”
His heart skipped a beat. They weren’t friends after all—why would someone want to kill their own friend? Unless, of course, they weren’t friends to begin with, harboring resentment or jealousy in their hearts. This could only mean one thing: Aleksander had ulterior motives, perhaps planning something significant. And it was connected to Lenny’s recent mission. Jacob, too, seemed entangled in this web of intrigue.
He scribbled again in his notepad, giving it Gabriel. Should we inform Dimitri? If I what I think is gonna happen soon, then we need to warn him.
“Fuck! I don’t know if that’s a good idea. That might make things worse. Let’s figure out how we’re going to deal with this kid, and then we can worry about Giovanni.”
The rain intensified, drumming against the roof of the car. A sign that worse things are coming. Gabriel’s mind raced, memories flashing before his eyes—the battles they’d fought, the lives they’d lost. He’d sworn an oath to protect those who can’t protect themselves, but now he faced an impossible choice: loyalty to Aleksander or the lives of innocents.
“We need to figure what Aleks and Jacob are planning,” Gabriel said, determination etched on his face. “We can’t let them destroy everything because of blind ambition.”
Jackson nodded.
As they drove through the storm, the road ahead blurred—a reflection of their fractured loyalties, their haunted pasts. Jackson wondered if redemption was still possible, if sacrifice could lead to salvation.
The car sped toward destiny, headlights cutting through the rain, and Gabriel knew that whatever lay ahead, they’d face it together—even if it meant tearing their world apart.
The storm finally stopped, and the whole area got quiet. The car hummed quietly as Gabriel and Jackson drove through the rain-soaked streets, heading toward the small suburban house that was the last known residence of the little boy they had been tasked with killing. The atmosphere was thick with tension, each man lost in his own thoughts as they approached their destination.
Jackson stared out the window, his sharp eyes scanning the darkened streets. He was a man of action, his mind always calculating, planning, and anticipating the next move. But even he couldn’t shake the unease that gnawed at him. The boy they were protecting was an innocent caught in the middle of a deadly game. Aleksander and Jacob, wanted the boy dead. He knew that if they were involved, there would be no mercy, no hesitation.
Gabriel, on the other hand, was quieter, his hands gripping the steering wheel as he navigated the slick roads. His thoughts were more strategic, more long-term. He wasn’t just thinking about the immediate threat to the boy. He was thinking about Dimitri Giovanni’s organization, the delicate balance of power, and how this mission could tip the scales in ways they couldn’t predict.
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“If Aleksander and Jacob are planning a takeover,” Gabriel finally broke the silence, his voice low and measured, “it’s going to be a bloodbath.” Jackson nodded, his eyes still focused on the road. He scribbled another note in his notepad, handing it to his friend.
This is Aleksander we’re talking about. He was trained for this, just like we were. He’s no amateur. But we have to make sure the kid is safe. We can’t let this get back to Dimitri without handling it first. He won’t like surprises.
Gabriel smirked slightly. “This is surely gonna bite us both in the ass. But, what the hell, you only live once. We do the job, we keep the kid alive, and we deal with the consequences later.”
Jackson didn’t reply immediately. He knew Gabriel was right, but the implications of what they were doing weighed heavily on him. Protecting the boy wasn’t just about saving an innocent life—it was about making sure Dimitri’s empire didn’t get caught in the crossfire. If Aleksander and Jacob failed, they would go after anyone connected to the boy, including Dimitri’s organization. And if Dimitri found out they kept this from him, there would be hell to pay.
As they pulled up a block away from the house, Gabriel reached for the door handle. “I’ll scope out the property. You stay here, keep an eye out.”
Jackson nodded again, his thoughts still swirling as Gabriel slipped out of the car and into the shadows. He watched as his partner moved with the fluid grace of a predator, quickly disappearing into the night.
With Gabriel gone, Jackson was left alone with his thoughts. He leaned back in his seat, staring out at the quiet street. Light rain pattered against the windshield, a soothing rhythm that contrasted sharply with the turmoil in his mind. Should they tell Dimitri? He could see both sides. Dimitri was ruthless, but he was also practical. He valued loyalty above all else, and they had always been loyal. But keeping this from him could be seen as betrayal, and that was a line they couldn’t afford to cross.
His fingers drummed against the steering wheel as he considered their options. If they succeeded in protecting the boy, they could tell Dimitri afterward, framing it as a job well done, a threat neutralized. But if they failed...the thought sent a chill down his spine. Failure wasn’t an option.
Plus, he had his daughter to think about. He already nearly killed Jacob tonight for threatening her. Jackson would kill anyone who dared hurt his little birdie.
For damn sure.
Time seemed to stretch as he waited for Gabriel’s return, every shadow on the street putting him on edge. His mind wandered to the boy—how much did he know? Was he scared, alone? It didn’t matter. What mattered was keeping him alive.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Gabriel reappeared, moving quickly but cautiously toward the car. He slid into the passenger seat, shaking off the rain from his coat.
“House is clear,” he reported, his voice low but urgent. “No sign of Aleksander or Jacob, but the kid’s alone. He’s scared, but he’s holding up.”
Jackson nodded, scribbling his notepad. You think they’re waiting?
Gabriel shrugged. “Maybe. Or maybe they’re just waiting for the right moment. We can’t assume anything.” Jackson sighed, his earlier thoughts returning with full force. He wrote in his notepad again.
We need to decide if we’re going to involve Dimitri. If Aleksander and Jacob find out we’re protecting the kid, they’ll come after us—and anyone connected to us.
Gabriel looked at him, his expression unreadable. “We do this right, there won’t be a need to tell Dimitri. We keep the kid safe, we take care of Aleksander and Jacob if they show up, and we walk away clean. Simple.” Jackson shook his head.
Nothing about this is simple, Gabe. You know that.
Gabriel’s gaze hardened. “I know. But right now, we don’t have time to second-guess ourselves. The kid’s life is on the line, and if we start worrying about Dimitri, we’re going to lose focus. We do the job, Jackson. That’s all we can do.”
Jackson sighed, running a hand through his hair. Alright. Let’s go get the kid.
Gabriel nodded, his expression resolute. They both knew what was at stake, and they both knew the risks. But they were professionals, and they had a job to do. With a shared look of determination, they got out of the car and moved toward the house. The night was still, the rain beginning to taper off, as they prepared to protect the boy from the darkness closing in around him.