ry'

th my wife and daughter. I had left everything concerning the deal

her as if she were her personal property. For her sake, I kept

o distract myself and calm my nerves. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake off the unease. Albert, along with some of our men and

r up trouble. I picked up my phone from the table and checked the time-7:30 p.m. Albert had been gone since 5:00 p.m., and I hadn't received a sin

my chest. The feeling was maddening. Then, as if sensing my turmoil, she looked up at me and smiled. Instantly

a's tiny voice piped up. She was trying to guide Sofi

ught silently as i watched Sofia str

am?" Sofia asked a

loose," Iriana repli

the hair and

Sofia," Loretta said as

ana protested before turning to Sofia.

Sofia confirme

ing me 'ma'am'? We already agree

re my boss," S

your boss! I want to be

y, m

ned, clearly frustrat

n't, m

ause I'm y

s, m

tying the hair. "All don

'!" Iriana whine

bout what to do. Iriana, unable to

n between their innocent exchange and t

h a smile. "Come here, baby. Let's make a wishlist for your

face and walked

" she s

cing a smile, and trying to c

ith me to America?"

a teddy bear you can take eve

e kept her gaze fixed on

y," I said, too distracted

said happily before tur

30

cking my phone again. Anxiety gnawed at me. I b

ed when she approached. She shook h

ng. I grabbed it quickly-Albert.

ert. All don

alright?" His voice

ere a problem?" His t

gned successfully, but it's suspicious. No attack from

voice wasn't shaking from

I asked, my grip tig

eir base with their share. I'm on my way

u being

I haven't heard from our men who were assig

ng interrupted him a

ing wa

a. "The Volkvas

guys, boss?" sh

" I replied, hastily gatherin

g us, stepped closer, her voic

w." I retrieved my gun

she asked again, on

and Loretta fell to the ground, her blood splattering across the couch a

gun slipping from my hands. My legs buckle

rantically toward Loretta's lifele

lease, Lore

pain, crying

hink. My world went blank. I sat there, c

ooting back through t

she yelled, still firing.

eed to leave here no

d over to me, bent down, grabbed

f we escape. We don't have enough men to fight them ri

ed to look at Iriana. More

ia shook me

ood up with shaking legs, wiped my face

the trigger and trying hard to pull myself together. My whole

you, boss?

keep her safe." I replied an

aid, her eyes fi

the room and brought out an M16 from behind the drink stand a

oting hard at the o

hen ran across the ro

go, I

na onto her back. She drew her gun and move

s she reached the do

ank

fell, blood pooling beneath her. My heart s

ing toward Sofia's last position-she was gon

prayed silently, unsure if I w

denly ceased. Th

shattered mirror on the wall facing the door. I waited, steadying my breath. As

d behind the pillar, but she kept shooting

Staring at Loretta's lifeless

th of us shot at each other

ood, I thought about my decision, and

ldn't h

ta," I muttered, f

ut my vision blurred. I st

d a gun at me.I couldn't make ou

sed my

afe," I prayed. This ti

nal g