The Finish (The Eliminator Series Book 12), Mike Ryan [summer reading list .txt] 📗

Mallette pulled the trigger, blood splattering everywhere as Ames dropped to the ground. There was no need to check him for a pulse. Mallette stared at him for a few seconds, content with the result. He then tossed the pistol back to his man. With other pressing matters to attend to, the attention paid to Ames didn’t last long. Nobody was going to lose sleep over him.

“What about those other guys, boss?” Selby asked.

Mallette took his eyes off Ames and thought about it. “Well, let’s give them a choice.”

They went to the end of the hallway, making sure they didn’t stick their head—or any other part of their body—out there to be shot at.

“Who’s in charge in there?” Mallette asked.

Someone immediately replied. “Guess I am.”

“And who am I talking to?”

“Joe.”

“OK, Joe. There’s no way out for you. But I don’t want to fight, and I don’t want to kill you. Your boss is dead now.”

“Ames is dead?”

“That’s right. You don’t have to worry about your loyalty to him any longer. I give you my word… I don’t want to kill you.”

“What assurances do we have?”

“Just my word.”

“If you just killed Ames, I’m not sure how much I trust that.”

“I was only interested in him,” Mallette said. “You boys get a pass. Look, I’m not interested in staying here debating this all night. You either trust me, come on out and live… or you stay in there, in which case I guarantee you all won’t live to see another night. It’s your choice.”

It didn’t take long for the men to make a decision. Probably less than ten seconds.

“OK. We’re coming out.”

“Excellent decision, Joe,” Mallette said. “Drop your guns before you come out.”

The door opened, and though Mallette’s men had their guns out, he instructed them not to fire unless they had to. What was left of Ames’ men, all seven of them, came out of the room, empty-handed. They still weren’t sure they trusted Mallette not to kill them, but they knew what the result would be if they didn’t take that chance.

Once out of the room and down the hall, they entered the main part of the warehouse. They lined up against the wall. Mallette made sure they had a clear line of sight to see their former boss lying on the floor. He even pointed at him.

“You see? There he is. He’s gone now.”

“You said you’d let us go,” Joe said.

“I did. And before we get to that, I want to run something past you guys.” Mallette looked at each of the men, grinning at them, hoping to put them more at ease. And more agreeable to joining him. He could use the boost in numbers. “You’re now all out of work. There’s nothing keeping you here. But if you agree to stay, join my organization, and profess your loyalty to me, I will offer you all employment. I’ll match whatever he was paying you and even kick in a little extra as a bonus. What do you all say?”

“What makes you think you could trust us now?”

“Make no mistake, there will be eyes watching you, making sure you fall in, making sure you do the right thing, making sure you are only loyal to me now. But if you prove your worth, believe me, I can give you things that Wilson Ames couldn’t even dream of.”

The offer sounded tempting to Joe. He looked down the line at the rest of the men. They started looking at each other too.

“What would you want us to do?” Joe asked.

“If you agree to work for me, the next up on my list is Brett Jacobs. I’m sure you’re all familiar with him.”

“Yeah.”

“He’s the next target. After he is eliminated, the city will be ours again. What do you say?” The men started talking amongst each other, though Mallette hoped to influence their decision. “There are seven of you now. You had eight. There will be more strength in our numbers if you join us.”

One of the other men in line broke free from the others. “Not me, man, I’m out! I’m done with this!” He started walking toward the door. “I don’t want anymore. Ames, Mallette, Jacobs, I don’t want any more to do with anybody. I’m out.”

Mallette put his hand out for his men to stop the man. “Just wait.”

“What? You said we could go.”

“Yes, just give it a second.” Mallette looked at the other six men standing there. “Does anyone else wish to join this man? Or will you stay here with me?”

“The rest of us will stay here,” Joe answered.

Mallette smiled. “Good. I’m glad to hear it.”

“Can I go now?” the other man asked.

“Yes, you can go.”

The man turned his back and continued walking toward the door. Mallette had no intention of letting him leave, though. He looked at Selby and nodded in his direction. Selby knew what he wanted him to do. Selby wasn’t too far away from the man, and instantly raised his gun, pointing it at the man’s back. Five popping sounds in quick succession. The man fell face forward as he came to his final resting place.

Mallette looked back at Ames’ remaining men. “Now there are six. I promised he could leave. I didn’t say he would be breathing. Is there anyone that has a problem with that?” The others glanced at each other and shook their heads. Nobody was going to say they did now. Definitely not now. “Is there anyone else who would like to go? This is your final chance.” The men continued to shake their heads. “Good. Now it’s time to go to work. We only have one target left. Brett Jacobs.”

7

Jacobs heard his phone ring and scampered over to it, but was too late to answer. He picked it up and saw the familiar number of Franks. Not even a second later, it started ringing again. Jacobs immediately answered.

“Well, it took you long enough, man.”

“I was busy.”

“Well, stop doing it all hoochie-goochie with the missus