19. Blood Currency

"You have everything you need?" I ask as soon as I step into Archie's office. I thought of Monica the entire ride to this worn-down warehouse on the edge of town. Leaving Monica there to recover with my dead brother after I fucked her into the best orgasm she's ever had in her life was surprisingly hard. Even in death, I'm jealous of him. Jealous that she gave herself to him first. Jealous that I couldn't stay there all night, fucking her until she couldn't walk for a week.

"It seems you've provided me with what I've asked." Archie steps from behind his desk, adjusting his tie as if it's a silk noose, gulping as he does. He must be exhausted. I know he has a lot on his plate and works hard. Plus, having his right hand man, Tony, being injured, has to be wearing on him, both mentally and physically.

"How's Tony?"

Tony, his right-hand man, was shot, and I fixed him up before I began my own agenda a couple of weeks back. I'm not asking because I care. I don't. But I know it matters to Archie, and what I'm about to ask of him will be more than what I asked of him in the past. If people think my actions are harsh and rooted in a lack of control, they'd be wrong. But I'd never correct a soul. It's better for them to think I'm crazy. It's not that I'm not crazy, but it's probably best that no one knows the level of my madness. I've waited a long time to execute my revenge.

"He's well. He'll survive. What brings you here? You could have called if all you wanted to do was ask about one of my men." He's skeptical because this isn't like me. I'm not a nurse. It's not in me to care or check up on patients after I've worked on them. And I'm definitely not a man who makes superfluous visits when a text would take care of it.

I smirk, and Archie lifts a brow. "I need to ask you a favor."

He shakes his head, probably mentally scolding himself for thinking I have any shred of benevolence lurking within. "I knew something was up. What brings you here?"

He's asking because he assumed my ultimate goal was killing my brother. And it was, but now I need more. My unexpected, newfound obsession with Monica has created a whole other set of problems. Damn her for driving me to this extreme. This way, I can do what I want to her without getting caught or anyone getting in the way.

"A clean-up crew and a cover-up." The family is well-versed in hiding bodies, and I'm not worried about them misstepping. Plus, they wouldn't get involved if there was a minuscule risk of getting caught. I know I'm a liability for them, and if I hadn't come to Archie and tried to do it on my own, he would have ordered my death… or finished me off himself.

Archie steps from behind his desk, giving me his full attention. "For?"

"The clinic."

He nods, mulling over what I've asked of him. As long as it has no bearing on his assets, then he'll be fine with it. I know it.

"As long as you don't plan on cutting and running, I'll allow it. You know the rules. We'll clean up any blood you spill as long as you know we have no problem cleaning up yours as well. So, do what you must to keep your head in the game. I'll have my guys stand by for you."

And just like that, I'm given full permission to execute everyone who's aligned themselves with the murder, motives, and cover-up of my mother's death. Everyone has the devil to pay, and his favorite currency is in blood.