Boss - Killer of Kings

He pointed. “The signal is coming from one of those two buildings.”

Viko came up alongside him. He reeked of alcohol but appeared to be somewhat sober. “Where is he? I want to be the one to kill him.”

“Relax, will you? You’re not fucking this one up. Keep back while I handle it. This entire shitshow is on you now,” said Boss.

“He got scared off before we got on scene. There’s no way to know when that happened.”

Boss didn’t have time to argue. “Who’s Manuel Viola to you?”

Viko narrowed his eyes. “A guy I use. Why?”

Boss chuckled. “The Circle of Fuckups. Your guy’s trying to bury you in this mess. He’s paying the scientist. Manuel wants your place in the circle.”

Viko’s expression changed, his features setting hard. “That’s not possible. Where would he get the money to fund processing these drugs? He’s nobody,” said Viko.

“He could have gone into debt. How the fuck should I know?”

Like Graciella had mentioned, this scale of this project needed cash.

“If it’s true, he’ll live to regret the day he crossed me.” He walked back to where his four men were standing. Boss ignored them, keeping on task.

“Xavier, Killian … weapons.”

“We’re ready, Boss.”

“Remember, our number one priority is the antidote. We can clean up shit later. Think about Bain.”

Killian nodded. “Hey, Boss. Why didn’t you tell Viper? He’d want to be here.”

“Why do you think? It would destroy him.” Boss checked the clip on his semi-automatic. “Doesn’t matter. Bain will make it. Move in, clear the buildings.”

Boss used hand signals for his men, Rocco, and Viko’s crew. They all crept in, weapons drawn, moving into opposite buildings. There was no way they were making a surprise visit in this neck of the woods. As soon as their SUVs pulled up, everyone in these buildings would have noticed.

They had to be on high alert.

Xavier kicked open the wooden door and Killian rushed in, spraying a warning burst against the wall. Boss walked in, slow, steady steps, taking in the surroundings. His men kept the four men inside covered with firepower. There were a lot of storage boxes haphazardly piled in the corner. He strolled over, lifting the lid of one and peering inside.

“What do we have here?” Boss pulled out a bag of mints. The same style Scarlett had, the ones Bain ate. He threw the bag on the floor in front of the older man, the contents spilling in every direction. “I’m guessing these just arrived from the city. Start talking.”

El Diablo brought his gun to the old man’s temple. “Habla, cabrone.”

“It’s not what you think. It wasn’t my idea.”

Boss paced in front of him, his temper growing. “You created this poison. You know what it does, how it does it, and as far as I’m concerned, all these deaths are on your head.”

“If I didn’t make more, they’d kill me.”

“Who would kill you?” asked Boss. “Names.”

He began to shake, piss trickling down his leg. “He’ll kill me if I say anything.”

Boss nodded to Killian, and a moment later, the old man dropped down to one knee, blood oozing from his pants. He cried out, and the other men cowered back. “Names!”

“Viola. He paid me. It was Viola. He said he was working for Viko and the Circle of Monsters. No one says no to them.”

“Where is he now?” asked Boss.

“He left a while ago.”

Viko burst in. “The other buildings are full of drugs.” Then he saw the scientist on his knee. “You!”

“Viko?”

“You created all this madness?” Viko pulled the old man up by the collar. “I fucked up financing this entire project. Why would you continue it? Why would Manuel pay you to keep making drugs that kill?”

“He said he was working under your authority.”

“He lied.”

“I didn’t know. I swear I believed you were in charge of this.”

The old man was terrified of the Circle of Monsters. Viko obviously had a reputation that preceded him. With that kind of power, there were always opportunists looking to get a slice of the pie. Boss was constantly shutting down anyone stepping out of line on his turf back home.

Viko laughed out loud. “You have no idea what these drugs have cost me, old man.”

“Where’s the antidote?” asked Boss.

“He wants to make me fall, the little shit.” Viko kept ranting, his emotions taking control once again. This time he was sober. “I’ll cut off his balls for this.”

“Where’s the antidote?” Boss repeated, speaking louder this time.

The scientist turned to him. “Gone.”

“Gone?”

“He took it for assurance. Even my original notes where I have my formulas.”

“Fuck,” said Xavier.

“Now what?” asked Killian.

This wasn’t good. Manuel knew they were after him and now had what they needed. “Where’s Manuel now? How long ago did he leave?”

“An hour or so,” said the scientist. “He lives far from here in the city. I swear he gave me no details. I never question him.”