“I’m in the driveway of your rental digs. Don’t shoot me if I knock on the front door.”
Another pause, then Axel watched as the blinds on the left window slightly moved. “What are you doing here?”
“Need to talk to you about your current job.”
“So talk.”
Axel glanced around, then lifted a hand as if waving at a neighbor. The person would be out of the line of sight for Johnson but he’d still think someone was out here.
“Damn it. Hold on. You want to come in, lose your weapons.”
“Already did.” Without pause he ended the call and strode toward the front door. As he moved he subtly unzipped his jacket and opened it up. When he stepped onto the front porch, he took it off and moved in a slow circle. If anyone was watching they’d probably wonder what he was doing but he wasn’t worried about it.
Less than ten seconds later, the door opened with Johnson standing back in the shadows, a SIG in his hand. “Step inside slowly.”
Axel rolled his eyes, because the guy was overreacting, but did as he said. “I’m going to set my jacket on this table and I’ll lift my arms.” He wasn’t going to attack the guy. Not unless Johnson pushed his hand.
Nope. He was going to appeal to Johnson’s greed. Because it usually worked with guys like this. Not that he had any room to get up on a high fucking moral horse since he killed people for money too. But he had a code at least and he only knew half a dozen others who did as well. It was why Hadley’s contract had ended up in his hands in the first place. Someone had known it looked wrong and hoped he’d take care of it. AKA help her.
Getting that file had changed his life in a way he’d never imagined. He was going to make sure it saved hers.
He waited patiently as Johnson holstered his weapon and scanned him with a wand for any electronic devices. Johnson took out Axel’s phone, removed the battery and set the pieces on the table next to his jacket. Then he scanned Axel’s jacket. When he was satisfied, he set the wand down and faced off with him.
“How did you find me?”
Axel scoffed. He wasn’t going to give away any secrets, something Johnson would know. “I’m here to make you an offer. Walk away from your current contract and my employer will double your fee.”
In his mid-thirties, Johnson was about five feet ten, well built and a decent-looking guy. Unlike some of the men in their profession, he didn’t look rough. Nope, he clearly took care of himself or at least didn’t abuse his body with drugs or alcohol. Johnson ran a hand over his closely cropped dark hair. “That’s an interesting offer.”
Axel shrugged. “Take it or leave it. It’s a one-time offer.”
“Who hired you?”
He scoffed again. “Come on.” They both knew Axel wasn’t going to answer.
Johnson tapped his chin once. “I saw you out with her. I wondered why you were in town. Thought you must have started slumming it and taken this job.”
Yeah, because Johnson at least knew that Axel wasn’t going to kidnap a woman. That wasn’t his MO. “Nope. Got a client who wants to keep her alive. So walk away and you still get paid. Win-win for everyone.”
“What happens when word gets around that I don’t finish my jobs? Work will dry up.”
Axel snorted now. “Please.” They both knew that wasn’t true. Johnson was just looking to get paid more. Something Axel had planned on. Greedy bastard.
He leaned against the nearby doorframe “You doing her? She’s hot.”
Axel simply kept his expression neutral, even though he wanted to smash his fist into Johnson’s face for that comment.
Johnson sighed and tilted his head once, telling Axel to follow him. “Let’s talk in the kitchen. I need a beer.”
Axel’s instinct kicked in as he followed after the man. Something was up, but he wasn’t sure what yet. Johnson was known for being semi-choosy about his jobs and not being a total psycho. It was why Axel had approached him like this.
He tensed as Johnson opened the refrigerator door, ready for the man to pull out another weapon. Instead he pulled out two domestics and handed one to Axel. Though he had no intention of actually drinking it, he took what was offered. He could pretend to be civil.
“I’m not walking away for double but I will for quadruple. I know what the bitch’s father is worth and I’m guessing he’s the one who hired you.”
Axel simply lifted a shoulder, which would look like a confirmation.
“Figured as much. So…quadruple it and I’m gone. I like easy money.”
Paying off Johnson was going to deplete a hell of a lot of his savings, but it was worth it. Hadley was worth it. After Johnson was out of the picture, that would be two down and one more left to get rid of. By whatever means necessary. He just wanted this done with no mess. “Fine. My client will need to know where to wire the funds. And I’m going to watch you call in and cancel with your own client.”
“So how is she?” Johnson asked as he ripped a piece of paper from a Post-it pad on the fridge.
Axel stayed quiet.
“Come on. I’d been looking forward to fucking her before handing her over to that moron.”
Axel forced himself not to react. “Seriously? You’d damage the merchandise?” He hated talking about Hadley like that but he needed to play a role. Even if he wanted nothing more than to wipe that smug look off Johnson’s face. With his fists. Repeatedly.
“I could have done it without damaging her…much.” He snorted as he finished writing the account number down. “Not like it matters. I get the feeling my client plans on hurting her if he gets his hands on her.”
Axel tried not to react but his emotions must have shown on his face, and whatever Johnson saw, he didn’t like because he stiffened. So much for feigning civility. Dropping the paper, Johnson stepped forward, clearly ready to attack.
Using all his training, Axel tossed the full beer at Johnson, knowing exactly what the man would do. It was human instinct unless you had the training—and Johnson didn’t. Johnson’s hand snapped out to catch the beer and Axel attacked like a rabid animal.
He couldn’t dredge up any remorse for what he was doing either. He’d wanted to do this the easy way, but screw this monster. This man had wanted to rape and hurt Hadley before turning her over to another monster. And he’d said it so easily, as if he’d done it before. Probably had.
Which just sent Axel into full-on attack mode. As Johnson lost focus, reaching for the damn bottle like an amateur, Axel struck out, slamming his boot into the man’s knee.
Screaming, Johnson fell back as his leg buckled, slamming against the Formica countertop. He wasn’t down though. With wicked speed he withdrew the SIG he’d holstered. Before he could fully raise it, Axel slammed a fist against his face.
Johnson blocked with his other arm, but it threw him off-balance. He fell back again and Axel broke the wrist holding the weapon, making him scream again.
Needing the guy to shut the hell up, he pounced on him, slamming his head against a cabinet. Wood cracked and splintered even as blood spurted everywhere. Wrapping his arm around Johnson’s neck from behind, he utilized a move he’d done more times than he cared to think about.
Breaking a neck wasn’t as easy as it looked in the movies, not when someone was struggling, but Johnson was screaming, so caught up in his own pain he was simply thrashing around like a fish.
Pathetic.
No wonder he’d washed out of the army. Axel broke his neck, relief coursing through him at the familiar sound of it snapping.