Chapter Fourteen

Collins’ Mission

Collins

Pulling up in Kenner’s lavish drive, it was almost like old times.

Almost.

Collins had once been Kenner’s favorite, and even though the older guy didn’t work in the military, he’d always suspected it was Kenner who pulled the strings to get him the numerous promotions that had increased his wealth and status since Bowman had slipped from his fingers. The problem with that theory was, if Kenner was instrumental in Collins’ rise, there was a real possibility he might also have had a hand in his recent decline.

Because he wanted me for this job.

Collins brooded on the thought as he parked his car and gazed up at the cloudy sky.

Because he can…

Kenner’s offer to assassinate Bowman may well have had an ulterior motive, but Collins was past caring. Bowman was the one who had got away from him, and after years of watching his back in case his old enemy showed up wanting recompense, Collins realized it would be a relief to bring the sorry incident to a close.

Kenner was giving him the chance to do what he should have done in the first place. Looking back, he could see that dragging Bowman to so-called safety just to ensure his own status as a hero had not been worth the effort. Collins should have just shot him.

Stepping out of the vehicle, he locked the car and sprinted to the enormous front door. The clouds had been heavy all day and looked as if they would open up and spill cold rain all over him at any moment. He’d handle the inevitable dressing-down Kenner would give him for his recent drop-in at Bowman’s, but the downpour, he’d rather avoid.

Knocking on the wooden door, a member of Kenner’s staff answered and ushered him into one of the many gigantic sitting rooms. He was gazing out at the well-kept lawns when his ‘boss’ finally graced Collins with his presence.

“Mr. Collins…” Kenner’s tone was already wry, conveying the likely tone of the meeting.

“Good afternoon.” Collins turned and offered Kenner his usual fake smile. “Thanks for meeting me.”

The truth was that Collins had more or less been commanded to attend, but he much preferred the way he presented the ordeal. He was sure the older man had heard about Collins’ late-night check-in at Bowman’s place and had an opinion, but Collins had no regrets. As soon as he’d received Bowman’s location, he knew he was going to pay him an impromptu visit. He wanted Bowman to fear him before his number was finally up… needed to feel that power over him again.

Collins had felt the true weight of that clout during their mission in special ops when Bowman’s life had hung in the balance, and wielding that power had been exquisite. Sending Bowman in first and knowing the target was waiting for him had been a thrill few things had been able to rival, but as Collins watched Bowman run into the bunker that night, another thought had occurred.

Rather than running to put the final bullet in Bowman, wouldn’t it be better to let Bowman take the target’s bullets and then go in to ‘save him’? Collins could have come out of the whole shit show as a hero, yet Bowman would still have been dead, and Kenner would have been happy.

So, that’s what Collins had decided. He’d waited. He’d heard the gunshots. Bowman was supposed to have been dead, but when Collins had gone in, the bastard was still clinging to life. Clearly, Collins had gone in too soon, or the target hadn’t been a good shot. Either way, the wounds Bowman sustained were not sufficient to kill him, and once he’d been dragged from the bunker, weeks of treatment had ensured he’d been able to walk away from the military and disappear into the ether. But not before he’d made it clear that he no longer trusted Collins.

“Sit down.” Kenner motioned to one of the large armchairs scattered around the room. “We need to talk.”

“If this is about the other night, then I’m sorry.” Collins wasn’t sorry in the slightest. “I couldn’t resist letting Bowman know we were watching him.” Not that he could guarantee how Bowman had received his cryptic note, but he liked to think the bastard would put two and two together and remember the man who’d ‘saved’ him.

“It’s a clusterfuck, Collins.” Kenner’s reply was little more than a growl. “I want him eliminated, not toyed with. Now, he knows there’s a threat, and we both know he’s been well-trained to deal with those.”

“He doesn’t know who’s coming or when.” Even though Collins had alluded to his identity, he couldn’t help his cocky tone. “I like the idea that he’s jittery and nervous. It means he’ll make mistakes…”

“It means he’ll be ready,” Kenner snapped. “When you could have caught him unaware.”

“Look, you asked me to do the job.” Collins’ tone was equally curt as he remembered how he’d cut the heads off the roses he’d found. He had no idea why Bowman had suddenly become such a romantic, but he loved the message the gesture had sent. The roses die today… and you’re next. “You didn’t say how I should do it. If you’re not happy with my work, you can ask someone else.”

His bank balance didn’t quite match his arrogant bravado, but Collins had too much pride to let money get in the way. He’d rather downsize his house and live on noodles than allow a cretin like Kenner to dictate how he carried out Bowman’s death. He might not have seen Bowman for years, but that didn’t mean Collins hadn’t thought about him. He regretted the day he’d let that bastard slip away, and he certainly intended to make the most of this unexpected opportunity to finish him properly.

“You have quite the attitude,” Kenner sneered from his seat.

“That’s right.” Collins shrugged as though Kenner should know better. He knew who he was calling when he’d picked up the phone. “I guess that’s why you called me.”

“I guess so.” Kenner snorted and shook his head. “Well, I’m not happy, but what’s done is done. What’s your plan from this point on?”

“I’m going to give him a few days to brew, then I’m going back.” A surge of triumph soared inside Collins as he said the words aloud. He was going to make Bowman suffer before he went back to deal with him. He was giddy with the power.

“And the woman he’s living with?” Kenner’s gaze bored into him. “What will you do with her?”

“Woman?” He straightened at the new information. He hadn’t realized Bowman was living with anyone, although he supposed the explanation justified the fancy flowers. “What woman?”

“So, you didn’t know?” Kenner’s brow rose, his wry lack of surprise clear from his expression.

“No.”

“My little birds tell me he has a live-in girlfriend,” Kenner repeated. “Will you finish her, too, or will you leave a potential witness to your work?”

“Do you want her dead?” Reframing the question, Collins met his eyes.

Kenner had a dark, vacuous stare that reminded him of a shark. Just like the ocean creature, Kenner was a predator, and despite Collins’ bluster, he knew better than to underestimate Kenner.

“I don’t give a shit.” Kenner’s eyebrow arched. “I just don’t want any hassle once Bowman’s out of the equation.”

“Fair enough.” Collins gripped the arm of his chair. “If she gets in my way, I’ll deal with her. If not, she saves her skin.”

“Sounds untidy.” His tone was cynical. “But so long as you do the job with no more diversions …”

“Understood.” Collins didn’t like being told what to do, but he’d swallowed plenty of orders during his military career and could manage a while longer with Kenner. “Anything else I can help you with?”

“No.” Kenner’s jaw stiffened. “But I want this done sooner rather than later.”

“I said it’ll be a few days.” Hadn’t Kenner been listening? “The job will be done soon enough. Will you wire the payment to me?”

“No.” Kenner’s voice was gruff. “I have it for you here in cash.” He motioned to a bag that was sitting under a nest of mahogany tables. “I don’t want any record of the money transfer.”

“You’re giving me the cash today?” Collins could hardly believe Kenner trusted him. He’d let him down once before, hadn’t he?

“I am.” Kenner’s chin rose. “That way, you can take it with you, and I don’t have to see you again.”

“Fair enough.” Not waiting for Kenner to change his mind, he rose from his chair and picked up the bag. The weight alone persuaded him it was stuffed with cash, but he unzipped one half as he sat down and peeked in to be sure. He couldn’t resist the smile that lit up his lips as he surveyed the bank notes. “I hadn’t expected an advance.”

“You can take your money and your shitty car and get off my land.” Kenner’s tone was cutting, but the wad of money on Collins’ lap helped to ease the sting.

“Fine.” Collins had just become too rich to worry about the insult. “I’ll leave you be.” Rising to his full height, he grabbed the handles of the bag stuffed with cash and turned to leave Kenner in his posh sitting room. “It’s nice doing business with you.”

“Hmmm.” Kenner pulled in a breath as Collins strode to the door. “I wish I could say the same.”

Collins smirked as his fingers tugged at the golden door handle. He’d lived with Kenner’s scorn for so long, his rudeness just washed over him, and it certainly wouldn’t stop him from spending Kenner’s money.

“Oh, and Collins…” Kenner’s terse tone compelled Collins’ feet to pause before he pulled the door open.

“Yes?” He peered back over his shoulder at the solemn-faced older man.

“Don’t try to fuck me over.” Kenner’s beady eyes bored into him. “If I don’t think I’ve got my money’s worth, I’ll find someone to eliminate you as well.”

“Got it.” Collins spun back to the door and strode out of the room toward the exit.

From a man like Joel Kenner, he expected nothing less.