Boss - Killer of Kings

What he needed to do first was gain her trust. Allow her to see the real him.

Between the drugs, Graciella, his contracts coming in, Viko, and plenty of other shit he was sure waited at his desk, he certainly wasn’t bored.

Viko entered his office, flicking on the light. His guards tensed up the moment they caught sight of him. Boss didn’t budge.

“Breaking and entering is illegal,” Viko said, looking somewhat unimpressed.

“Yeah, and I find issuing out a death contract on my head a little rude.” To add to his insult, Boss pulled out his gun and fired two bullets, taking out both of Viko’s guards. They didn’t even get a warning shot. He also had a suppressor on to keep things quiet.

Viko tutted. “I’m an opportunist. You think I don’t see your fascination with her?”

Boss got to his feet. “You’re in my town and you think you can continue to insult me?” He rounded the desk, gun at his side, waiting. “I could put a bullet in your head and no one would even mourn you.”

Viko smiled. “Yeah, but there’s a reason you and I are still standing. Where you keep your assassins in line, we both know I keep the monsters at bay.”

Boss chuckled. “You seem to think that my men are what, tame? They’re babies? They do as they’re told.”

“Everything you guys do is based on a contract. You’re all good boys. You have a nice little office. State-of-the-art technology. Everything with you is clean and quick. You don’t even know what hunts you in the darkness.”

He scoffed. “Viko, you’re a fool. It’s why you always have substandard men. You don’t control anyone. The money is what makes your world go round. I want you out of my city, tonight. You stay, the next time I see you, I’ll put a bullet in your brain.”

“Graciella will kill you,” Viko said.

Boss smiled and looked toward his enemy. “No, she won’t. You and I both know it’s an empty threat. I know you, Viko. By knowing you, I look at the little details not many people would. You like Graciella. By making sure her debt to you is never repaid, you can keep an eye on her.”

“You’re turning soft in your old age.”

“No, I’m not. I do my research. You never have any outstanding debt. They pay up, or they’re dead. You’ve left a trail of bodies in your wake, all of them indebted to you, but Graciella mysteriously wanders through life unscathed. Now, I don’t think you’re in love with her, but you admire her. She’s like a daughter you never had. She’s strong and you’re invested in her future, and you also know there are limits to what she will do. Right now, she’s focused on cleaning up her mess, not killing me.”

“You think you know everything,” Viko said. “You know nothing.”

“I know enough. I didn’t know about her existence. You did. You saved her when I couldn’t. That is what’s keeping you alive.” Boss left.

Killian waited for him outside. After climbing into the car, Killian drove off.

“I thought I told you not to wait.”

“You did, but I also don’t mind disregarding orders. We all may hate you most of the time at Killer of Kings, but you’re still a good guy deep down.”

Boss looked sideways at him. Killian was a good man, but he didn’t believe the bullshit coming from his mouth. “Did you plant a device on me?”

“Nope. You’ve got some major trust issues, Boss. I figured you’d need some backup. Viko is not a man to mess with.”

“And you think I am?”

“He’s the first guy you’ve put yourself at the mercy of. It may have all been an act, but I’m not stupid. I know the real risks at play, and so do you. If Viko wanted you dead, you’d be dead.”

“This is a vote of confidence?”

“You and Viko are evenly matched. This is just a dick-measuring contest between the two of you. Why do you want him out of the country and if so, what does Xavier’s sister have to do with this?”

“I don’t have to give you my reasons.”

“Look, I hate to break it to you, but seeing as the drugs and the sister brought Viko to town, not to mention the mounting list of dead people, I’ve got to know. Were you aware that Scarlett was on this trail as well?”

Scarlett was Bain’s wife, a reporter, and a good source to gather information. He hadn’t had a chance to use her for any of this.

“What do you mean?” Boss looked toward Killian. He liked to be the first to know about everything, so this news didn’t sit well with him.

“She got wind of the story about a week ago. Bain told me something about drug users going crazy in the emergency room, begging for help, holding their heads, banging them together. She’s been tracing it all.”