it? Pretty, busty blonde, maybe a brunette, few kids, a dog. You’re one of those guys who comes home every night for dinner and makes love to his wife on a schedule. Every Wednesday and Friday. Same position. It’s boring, but you love your life.”
Bullseye cackles, throwing a dart against the board at the other side of the room.
Daniel has snot running down his nose, wetting his lips like gloss. “I needed some extra cash. School is expensive, you know? This guy offered to hire a hundred of us to shoot your place up, and if we agreed, he gave us $2,000 each. That’s it. That’s all I know. I swear.”
“Why did you all go into the casino? Did you meet a man named Maximo? Dark features, suit, rich,” Reaper asks.
“No, no, no one like that. The guy said to meet us there to get our cash. That was it. He put up these flyers around the school. Call for extra cash. It was simple, a little sketchy, but desperate times. He said the only way he’d have the cash was at the casino. That was it. That’s all I know. I swear, I swear. I’m sorry. You can take the cash. It’s in my pocket. I don’t want it. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry,” he chants and tries to rock back and forth, but he can’t because he’s strapped to the chair.
Like so many before him and so many after him.
“You think I want your damn money? Your lousy two grand?” Reaper tsks, taking the knife to Daniel’s chest. “I make that in a few hours, kid. I don’t want your money.”
“You’re going to kill me.” Daniel’s voice shakes with realization, and then he bends his head to projectile vomit everywhere.
“Fucking sick,” Tongue gags and covers his nose with his hand.
“Out of all the shit that can’t make you gag, this does? Are you kidding?” I ask him, dumbfounded.
“Actually, I’m going to use you. Lead me to the guy who hired you, and if my men apprehend him, I’ll let you go. There are stipulations.”
“An-anything! I’ll do anything you want,” he says, spit dripping off his chin.
“You do this, you leave the city. You go to a different school. And I promise you, this isn’t a get out of jail free card. You’re always going to be on the run from us because the next time I see you, the next time a Ruthless King sees you, I’m going to give the order to kill you. Do you understand?”
“Wait, woah, are you fucking serious? You’re going to let him go?” Bullseye throws a dart through the air, and it punctures Daniel’s arm. “That is not the Ruthless way.”
I’ll have to agree with Bullseye. I expected more blood. I’m slightly disappointed. I didn’t even get to cut him with my scalpel like I’ve been wanting.
“He’s going to lead us to the guy. It can’t get easier than that. We need him.”
“So we ask him what the guy looks like? It’s that simple,” Bullseye argues with Reaper.
“Yeah, Bullseye? Is that easy?” They fuss back and forth, and it’s only going to be a matter of time before Bullseye pushes his luck too far. “Hey, Daniel, buddy,” Reaper calls to him as if they are best friends. “What does this guy look like? White, brown hair? Blue or brown eyes? He likes to wear a t-shirt and jeans?”
Daniel nods, slack jawed. “How did you know?”
“Because that’s nearly what every fucking frat boy, college fuck looks like!” He smacks Bullseye on the back of the head and then backs him against the wall, arm across his throat. “Keep questioning me, Bullseye. See what happens.”
“Yes, Prez,” Bullseye submits right away, even if he isn’t happy about it, and Reaper takes a step back.
“I… I know where to look. He was in the fighting ring at the casino, but he isn’t a fighter. He’s a manager,” Daniel inserts with excitement when he gives us more news. “He will be there on Friday and Saturday nights.”
“Maximo might know him.”
“We can ask. He’s coming here today.” Reaper starts to walk away, and then another smile takes over his face before turning around and squatting to be more on Daniel’s level, bypassing the puke. “You know, Daniel. Next time you want to get into some shady business, you need to look in a different place. The casino you went to? That’s owned by Maximo Moretti. How do you think he’s going to like transactions going down in his