When I’m all clean, I make my way to my huge walk-in closet and pull on some soft pajamas, then hop into bed, grabbing my phone. Even though I’m alone in my big apartment, I tug on my noise-canceling headphones so I can submerse myself fully in my audiobook, and open my Toon Blast app.
I finally beat the level, but by the time that happens, my eyelids are heavy and I can barely concentrate on my book, so I take my headphones off, set the Sleep Timer on my book for ten minutes, and roll over on my stomach. I fall asleep quickly, dreaming of serial killers and my prince who comes to steal me away.
2
DeLuca
Ferro Fetulli. One of the highest-ranking men in the Cosa Nostra and he has called on me to carry out a job. He and I have never met, but his henchmen are about to introduce us after I received his proposition from a messenger yesterday. All I know about the man is his title and that he has a wife. Nothing more. I don’t attend The Ruin events or socialize with others in this world. It’s not my style.
They sought me out. They needed a man with my power and connections to get jobs done under special circumstances. And that first time, it was personal. They knew I wouldn’t turn it down. And once I got that first taste of taking someone’s life, it was all over. In Desolation, where crime is prevalent, deaths and murders are a dime a dozen, mostly brushed under the rug because they just don’t have the manpower to bother with all of it. But when one of these special cases come up, when it’s evident authorities would be called in because of the hit being of a higher caliber, that’s when they call me to make sure it all looks like the “victim” did it to themselves.
I use the term victim loosely, since everyone in The Ruin knows I don’t accept jobs taking out the innocent. I don’t hurt the good.
Who am I?
I’m the most renowned oncologist in the state of New York. I cure the good by day and end the bad by night. I could lie and say there’s a deep, dark reason I’m this way—maybe a trauma from my younger days—but no. I simply am the way I am. I was born with a moral compass that’s stronger than the law.
Walking into the abandoned building in the slums, I’m met with the stench of death. Clearly, this is a place they use for the deadlier side of their business. The sound of leaking water echoes in the space, as well as my boots as I take a few steps inside. The metal of the storm door hits the chains hanging between both doors, and this must alarm the henchmen of my presence.
“Dr. Randazzo, Fetulli is ready for you. Follow me,” the burly man greets. His size should intimidate me, standing several inches above my six-foot three height, but it doesn’t. I don’t spook easily. You can’t in this business. I follow his retreating footsteps, taking in my surroundings, keeping a laser focus on who and what is around me at all times. You never know who is against you in this world.
Running a hand through my thick mane of dark hair as we enter the room, my eyes land on who I assume is Fetulli. He’s… different than I expected. Being a leader in this kind of world, one would think he’d look big enough to defend himself, but clearly that doesn’t matter, since he’s surrounded by nearly half a dozen armed men double his size. He’s roughly five eight in his sleek leather shoes, barely a hundred sixty pounds, I would guess. It dawns on me why a man like him might need my services.
“Ah, DeLuca. The infamous Lethal DeLuca. You’re a legend here.” He spreads his arms out wide to indicate the rusted, rotting room as if it’s filled with all the members of The Ruin.
I give a cocky grin, a hint of sarcasm in my tone. “My ego doesn’t need stroking. What job are you calling on me for?” I don’t care if he is a leader. We have no issues, and we have no rapport, so there’s no need for small talk.
“Well, fearless, I see. I admire that.” Looking me over, as if to assess what to do next, he narrows his eyes when I don’t break eye contact. He’s sizing me up, and that’s fine. Given our significant difference in physique, I don’t blame him.
“Can’t be afraid in The Ruin. Isn’t that the motto around here?” I quip, making sure I keep my tone… friendly, if you could call it that. He doesn’t react right away, taking a minute to smirk at me before clapping his hands in boisterous glee.