How the Hitman Stole Christmas - Sam Mariano Page 0,28
right?”
“Yeah, everything’s fine.”
“The job went okay?”
Oh, shit, I forgot about that. Yesterday was so long, I didn’t even remember I worked last night. “Yeah, yeah, of course. There was a minor hiccup, but I took care of it.”
Adrian is not a man who ever lets his guard all the way down, but I hear the faintest trace of relief in his voice. “Good.”
I nod even though he can’t see me. “Yeah, I’m not calling about that. It’s actually a personal matter.”
“Oh?” He sounds understandably surprised.
“I need a favor,” I tell him.
“You need a favor?” His surprise deepens. “That’s not how this usually works.”
I crack a smile. “Tables have turned, I know. Like I said, it’s a personal thing. Normally I’d handle it myself, but as it happens, I’m out of town. On my way up to visit my family for Christmas.”
“No shit. I didn’t think you ever went home for the holidays.”
“Yeah, I usually don’t. I’ve got some family stuff to deal with this time though, so I’m going up for a few days.”
His tone remains stoic overall, but he extends as much concern as is appropriate given our working relationship. “I hope everything’s all right with them.”
“Yeah, all good. Thing is, I’m bringing my girlfriend with me.”
“Girlfriend? I didn’t know you had a girlfriend.”
“It’s a recent development,” I inform him. “So recent, in fact, that she didn’t have a chance to dump her last boyfriend before we left. That’s what I need help with.”
Adrian sighs. “I’m listening.”
“The guy isn’t from around here, he’s not one of us. He’s some finance guy from Syracuse—a nobody, but…”
“A civilian.”
“Right. But he’s a grade-A asshole, borders on emotionally abusive. I told her she could call him today and make the break-up official, but he left her a voicemail last night that… well, it’s not how any man should talk to my woman, let’s say that.”
“Got it.”
“She was staying with him, too, so her things are still at his parents’ house. I have the address. His name is Brady. Her name’s Autumn. I need someone to swing by his place and pick up her things, give him a heads-up she’ll be calling—and when she does, he better be fucking nice or he’s gonna deal with me when I get back. Obviously, there are other people I could’ve called, but we both know some people wouldn’t handle this right. I need someone smart enough to apply the right amount of pressure so he knows it’s serious, but not so much that it makes trouble where we don’t need any.”
“Yeah, I got it.”
I knew he would. “Wonderful. If you don’t have time to do this for me yourself, I understand. Obviously, I trust your judgment, whoever you want to send instead. But it needs to be someone he’ll take seriously even though he lives out of town and might not know who’s who in Chicago.”
“I’ve got some time this morning, I’ll take care of it myself.”
That’s what I was hoping he’d say. “Thanks, man. I really appreciate it. Consider it my Christmas bonus,” I joke.
“You already got your envelope, you’ll have to owe me one. Hey, you’re not single this year, either,” he realizes. “I’m gonna steal your basket and eat all your Christmas cookies.”
I laugh. “Probably better that way. If Autumn ever sees what Mrs. Morelli looks like, she’s not gonna want me eating her cookies.”
Adrian chuckles. “That’s the truth.” He sighs loudly. “All right, text the address to my burner and I’ll let you know when it’s taken care of.”
I feel much better after that. I wish I could call Autumn and make sure she’s still waiting for me at the motel, but I didn’t trust her enough to leave her there with her cell phone, completely unattended.
I know I’ll have to trust her eventually, just… not today.
Chapter Ten
Autumn
I’m just getting out of the shower when I hear Jasper call out my name from the main area of the motel room.
“In here,” I call back, cracking the bathroom door open and peeking my head out.
Relief flits across his handsome features when he sees me. “Oh, good. I brought coffee.”
I crack a smile. “I wish you’d have left my phone and your number so I could have texted you. I don’t like coffee.”
“Oh. Well, more for me then,” he says before taking a sip from one cup. “We’ll stop and get you something else when we leave.”
“I’m glad you’re back. Could you do me a favor real quick? Grab the big gray bag out of