Page 19

Story: Man of Carnage

“You’re only eight years younger than me, and I’ve never missed my mark,” Colton pointed out.

Nathan shrugged. “Then explain to me why this man still lives.”

The coffee maker beeped letting Colton know that it was ready. “Like I told mom, he’s not just some fucking biker.” He turned and grabbed the coffee pot. “Want one?” he offered.

“Sure.”

Colton poured two mugs, then handed his brother one along with the cream and sugar. “He’s a highly skilled killer for that club. I thought at first, it just meant he was your standard shoot ‘em up guy. But that’s not the case. He’s quick, smart, and believe it or not, I watched him kill the senator yesterday.”

Nathan choked on the sip of coffee he’d attempted to drink. Colton watched his brother’s coughing fit and his muscles relaxed once Nathan gave the signal that he was going to survive.

“Come… again?” Nathan said and coughed a few more times.

“I was curious as to why he was in Memphis or if he was still going to keep moving south. But Memphis was his destination and I followed him and saw what his mission was. It was him, a biker from the Lords of Chaos MC, who took out a US senator. And this was after he’d survived two encounters with me,” Colton said.

Nathan pursed his lips and it reminded Colton of their mother. “Impressive, I’ll admit. But then maybe he’s out of your league?”

Colton rolled his eyes. “No one is ever out of my league. We just got interrupted. I’ll finish it, so back off.”

“How will you finish it? Snipe or up close and personal?”

“This one deserves my up close and personal approach. Besides, he’ll be expecting an attack from me, period. So, he’ll definitely be prepared for me trying to snipe him.”

“What if he tells his club about you?”

“He doesn’t know who I am, just what I look like. This isn't my first rodeo, Nate. I know what I’m doing, that’s why I know I can’t rush into this,” Colton said.

“The client expected him to have been killed two days ago. And now you’re asking for more time. You don’t have it. He told mom he sent someone else to do the job. That’s why she put me on it. Doesn’t think you have the… what did she say?” Nathan made a rotating motion with his hand as if trying to remember. “Oh yes, the drive to get the job done. As long as we make the kill, we can get the full payment and keep our reputation.”

Colton’s heart was pounding in his chest at the knowledge that there was another assassin out there after Zaire. “Fuck!” he snapped and slammed his coffee mug on the table. He ran off into his bedroom to get dressed.

His brother appeared in the doorway, watching him scramble into the clothes he’d worn that morning. “I’m only going to give you an hour head start, brother, a chance to redeem yourself.”

“Fuck!” Colton growled again as he shoved his feet into his boots. “Why didn't you lead with that?”

Nathan shrugged a shoulder. “I wanted to see for myself… how you’d respond to my questions.”

Colton snorted as he shoved his way past his brother and fastened his gun holsters into place. “You’ve got a lot of fucking nerve testing me.”

“You let him go, why?” Nathan turned around to face his brother.

“I told you, we got interrupted.”

“Bullshit.”

“I don’t have time for this fucking asinine conversation. I’ll deal with him,” Colton said. “You know how to see yourself out.”

“Actually, I don’t. Why don’t you add me to your security code?” Nathan asked as he followed his brother onto the elevator. “You’ve been living here for almost four months.”

“Because you’re annoying.”

“You may need my help. What happens if I can’t get in?”

“Fine. I’ll add you when I get back.”

“About time. You were just being stubborn.”

“Because you and mom tend to come by unannounced and I value my privacy.”