by TJ Nichols
He quirked up an eyebrow. “I still have my life and the lives of my family. They’re the ties that keep me bound to Benitez.” He looked at the ground and sighed. “Maybe I didn’t shoot you because I like you.”
Cody shook his head, but took another step closer. “That wasn’t it. I saw the look on your face.”
“I let you go. My life was forfeit because I failed. I chose that.”
“Why did you let me go if you knew Benitez would come after you?” It didn’t make sense.
Olivier sighed. “Ever since I was a kid, I’ve had these nightmares. I’d kill all these people. It would be so real. They faded when I was a teen. I hadn’t had them for years… until the night I slept with you. Then it came back, but it had changed. In the dream I killed people in pairs, like always, but this time one of every pair became you. To balance my nightmare, I’m supposed to kill you. I can feel it.” He tapped beneath his collarbone where his birthmark was. “It’s a cold burn that starts here and spreads.”
“Were you dreaming of murders you haven’t committed yet?”
“No. The clothing was historical. That’s the bizarre part. As a kid I’d look through books, trying to work out when they happened or to see if I could find out who I killed. My mother thought I was cursed or something. Maybe she was right.”
“That’s impossible.”
“Is it? The last one was in the twenties. I was killed too. Yet I still remember thinking as I bled out that you had to die, that you deserved to die.”
“That wasn’t me.” The hairs on the back of his neck had pulled to attention. As unbelievable as Olivier’s story was, something about it was more terrifying than any ghost story he’d ever heard.
“Not you as you are now, but it was still you. He was tied to a chair in a warehouse, and in death his face became yours.”
Cody’s skin went hot and then cold. “What?”
Olivier closed his eyes as if reliving the memory. “It was a warehouse. I think it was the twenties. Maybe it was more recent, but there were suspenders and hats. And the man who became you in death was tied to a chair in the middle. He’d been tortured, but not by me.”
Cody pulled Connor’s papers out of his pocket. He handed the news article to Olivier, who scanned the page. A frown formed and then deepened.
“This happened.” He studied the grainy pictures of the dead men and the faces he knew too well from his nightmare—the brothers and the cop. He sat heavily on the pew. “It’s all real. But why do you have it?”
“Connor left me a few sheets of paper. I thought at first it was the ramblings of a paranoid cocaine addict. But he was right. Someone did want him dead, and he knew that our father was living up to the old family reputation. I just wish he’d called me and told me he was in trouble before….” The words dried up on his tongue and left a sour taste. “Before you killed him.”
Olivier looked up. “It wasn’t my choice.”
“And you couldn’t refuse. I get that.” Cody held his gaze. “Will you kill me?”
Olivier swallowed. The paper crumpled in his fingers. “I don’t want to, but it hurts. The need to kill… it’s like nothing I’ve ever felt.”
“You’re supposed to say things like that about the time we were together. Back when life was simple.” It was clear Olivier was fighting the need to kill him. How long would he be able to resist the… curse?
Olivier’s lips curved. “That was also like nothing I’ve ever had.”
“Now at least I know you didn’t leave because of me.” How many times had he gotten up and left because he’d sated the need, knowing that he’d never see them again? It had been different with Olivier. He wasn’t sure the hunger would ever stop. It certainly hadn’t died in the face of Olivier’s admission of guilt.
How many times had Olivier killed him in the past? Had their lives been bound together for centuries? It was impossible, but it also explained the pull toward him. He’d been drawn in by forces far bigger than himself. He was just as trapped as Olivier.
“The nightmare was so real. I thought if I stayed, I’d hurt you.”
Cody’s tongue touched the mark on his lip where Olivier had bitten him. It had been a good hurt. He offered Olivier his hand. “If you’re cursed, there has to be a way to break it.”
“We had sex, and that didn’t work.”
Cody leaned in and kissed him. Kisses were supposed to break curses, but they were also a good distraction. He slipped the flash drive into Olivier’s back pocket. It would be safer with him. And if something happened to Cody, Olivier would be able to deal with it. The flash drive was a dangerous item to hold on to. “Still want to kill me?”
“Yeah.”
“That’s awkward.” Cody still wanted to kiss him. He’d hoped that he’d feel nothing when their lips touched. A shiver of longing raced down his spine. It was messed up. Olivier was a hit man—problem fixer. He wasn’t the kind of man he should think about living with. If he hadn’t seen the look on Olivier’s face when he saw the old news story, he wouldn’t have believed a word about the nightmares.
“I want to fuck you too.”
“No less awkward.” Cody rested his forehead against Olivier’s. He hoped they could all talk like adults and that everyone would get to live. And he hoped whatever was on the flash drive was worth all this trouble.
“The priest said you would be my salvation.”
“I can’t even save myself.” Olivier was right—he should’ve gone home.
“Maybe I have to save you to break the curse.”
Cody nodded. He wanted to believe it. “I like the sound of that.”
The priest coughed. “When your friends arrive, you’ll have half an hour. No more. Then I’ll call the police. If there are shots fired, I’ll call the police. This is holy ground.”
Olivier dropped his hands and pulled away as though he’d been caught midcrime.
“You aren’t in trouble yet. But if either of you would like to take a few moments.” The priest indicated the confessional to the side.
“I’m not sure we have the time to list my sins,” Olivier said. “But if you could spare a prayer.”
Cody thought about it. While he could appreciate the beauty and the calm and even the music in the church, he didn’t have the faith. “Don’t you worry, hearing the confessions of dangerous men?”
“All the time, but it’s part of my duty. That doesn’t mean I’ll help you.”
Cody wondered what secrets the priest might know. But there was no point in asking him. He’d never tell.
There were three sharp raps on the front door. Cody checked his watch. They were early. The priest went to welcome the visitor, and Cody risked a glance at Olivier. His face had become the hard mask again.
There was a muted discussion at the doorway, and then the priest walked in with Benitez. He was tall and well-dressed and held himself perfectly straight, despite the attack on his life only hours earlier. The only sign that he was hurt was a small bandage on his forehead. He wasn’t even limping. But Cody had no doubt that Benitez was armed and perfectly capable of using whatever he had on him.
Olivier went to his boss. It was a reminder that they weren’t on the same side, no matter what Olivier said or wanted.
Cody tried to swallow, but his mouth was dry. He hated being the center of attention. It was why he wasn’t a performer.
“This is not my office,” Benitez said in a cool, crisp voice to Olivier.
“No. It’s not.” There was tension in Olivier’s shoulders. “He wanted to meet on neutral ground to talk.”
“Who do you work for?”
“You, sir.” Olivier lowered his gaze, and that small move betrayed how much trouble Olivier was in for not taking Cody to Benitez’s office.
Then the boss turned his attention to Cody. “My church is neutral ground?”
“I wasn’t sure I’d get to walk out of your office.”
Benitez almost smiled. “You have some newfound ca
ution.”
“I know you had Olivier kill my brother, so you’ll have to forgive me for not trusting you.” Benitez was the kind of person you should never take your eyes off, not even for a second. And even then, Benitez was probably three steps ahead. No doubt he had men out front and back. Would his father bring his own thugs?
Cody hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
“And you trust him.” Benitez pointed to Olivier.
Olivier had admitted he wanted to kill Cody. If his nightmares told the truth, it had happened before and would happen again. “No. I don’t trust anyone at the moment. You all want me dead,” Cody said.
“Very hard to make dead men talk.” Benitez walked forward while Olivier hung back and continued to avoid eye contact.
“Isn’t that the idea?” If he were dead, all the secrets would be buried.
“I wanted to talk. You’ve obviously discovered more than you should have. Or perhaps your father fed you some information in the hope of misleading me?”
“I just wanted to know why. That was all. I didn’t mean to step into the middle of whatever is going on.” He made himself remain still as Benitez stepped up close—too close, almost toe to toe. His expensive leather shoes were only inches from Cody’s scuffed joggers.
“I knew your brother well. He worked for me, or in my accounting firm, anyway. He got the job because of your father. Connor was smart and driven. He had ambition. If he stayed on the path, he eventually would have made partner. Those were my plans for him. Your father… he saw that ambition and made promises.”
“Connor was gathering information.”
Benitez nodded.
“You were blackmailing my father.”
Benitez smiled. It was like being sized up for dinner. “Was I? Why would I need to do that? Connor worked for me, and I know where all of your father’s bodies are buried. It was a profitable relationship, one that I wouldn’t risk destroying. Now your father on the other hand… perhaps he was the one who needed information on me. Who would he sell that to?” Benitez leaned in close and breathed on Cody’s ear. “I know the answer, and if you’re half as smart as your brother, you do too.”
“Palmerston,” Cody whispered. His brother had been caught up in one of his father’s power plays. He didn’t understand what was going on between the men… and he wasn’t sure he wanted to. He’d learned the truth about Connor’s death, and that was all he ever wanted. But the truth hadn’t helped him, or anyone. All he knew for sure was that those files on the flash drive were worth killing for. Was it really safe in Olivier’s pocket?
“Exactly.” He drew back. “Your brother had become a liability. I couldn’t trust him, and I needed to send your father a warning.”
His brother had been an expendable pawn. “Why not ask Connor to stop? There had to be other options.”
Benitez gave a small, closed-mouth laugh. “They had been expended. I don’t like to lose good people, but when they betray me, I can’t keep them.” He glanced at Olivier then, and the threat was clear.
Cody’s blood became ice. “I’m here. We’ve talked.”
“We haven’t finished talking. You got your answers and know why your brother died. But you came here to haunt me. You’re unpredictable. And you have made him unpredictable. I don’t want to lose another good employee.” Benitez pointed to Olivier.
“My father would never have come to your office, but he’s coming here. To meet with me.” He was handing his father over. Did that make him as bad as his father?
“Your father won’t come here. His friends will. They want to kill you. It would probably be in my interest to let that happen.” He turned to Olivier. “Search him.”
Olivier stalked over. He pulled out Cody’s wallet and the other sheets of paper, all of which he handed to Benitez without a word. Olivier’s touch had never been so impersonal. That hurt more than Cody liked to admit.
“What is this?” Benitez held the papers up for examination.
“My brother left me a few pages of paranoid rambling.”
Benitez tapped Cody’s letter and the translation. “Not so paranoid. What else did he tell you?”
“Nothing. I have no idea what he discovered, or if it was handed over. But I do have the files.”
Benitez considered him. “Why haven’t you looked?”
“The files are locked.” But he told Benitez the same lie he’d told his father. “If I’m killed or unable to stop the email, the files will be sent to multiple law enforcement agencies, as well as the media.”
“You’re gambling that there’s something in those locked files that I care about.” He said it with such carelessness, undoubtedly to shake Cody’s confidence. Was all of it for nothing?
“I am, but my father was willing to kill Lily to get those files, so I’m guessing there’s something damning in there.” Damning for his father or Benitez? How deep were their business connections?
Benitez flinched just a little. He clearly wasn’t used to people standing up to him. “And there might be nothing at all.”
Cody shrugged and hoped he looked calmer than he felt.
“I wish you’d come to me to talk instead of playing games and insulting us both. All this trouble could’ve been avoided.” He handed back Cody’s wallet, but kept the papers and slipped them inside his jacket. Then he checked his watch. “We’ll be running out of time soon. What will you do when your father doesn’t show?”
Cody didn’t know. He’d been hoping that Benitez and his father could sort it out.
When he didn’t respond immediately, Benitez filled the silence. “I’ll give you a moment to think.”
“I don’t need a moment.” He needed hours, or days, but he was out of time. “What will you do if my father doesn’t show?”
“I still have to decide what to do with you. Alive you’re trouble. Dead you’ll be more trouble.” Benitez made it sound like they were talking about something insignificant, not his life. Or maybe his life was insignificant to Benitez.
“It would look odd if Connor, Lily, and I all die within days of each other.” That was all the hope he had.
Benitez nodded and smiled. “Perhaps I should offer you a job.”
“I have a job.” He knew too well how Benitez’s employees ended up.
“Perhaps I should let your father deal with you. You’re his problem more than mine. You got your answers. Our business is done.” He tilted his head a little as though he expected Cody to agree.
Was his business with Benitez done? “You don’t care about the files or if they end up in Palmerston’s hands?”
“Your father can’t undo me without exposing himself. Palmerston’s been trying to gain some edge on me for over a year. Your brother was weak, desperate, and careless.”
“You could’ve fired him. That’s what normal people do.” There were so many other things Benitez could’ve done instead of ending his brother’s life.
Olivier shook his head, and Cody knew he’d overstepped.
“Run along, Cody, before I change my mind.” Benitez gave a dismissive flick of his fingers, but Cody knew then that he wouldn’t walk out of the church.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
BENITEZ TURNED his attention to Olivier. Olivier had seen that look directed at others and knew in that heartbeat that his misstep wouldn’t go unpunished. He should’ve forced Cody to go to Benitez’s office. Meeting at the church was a mistake. Benitez didn’t care about meeting with Cody’s father. Their business arrangement was over. Benitez would never work with Anders again. Now it was about containing the problem, and Cody was still a problem.
Olivier wanted to beg Benitez for help the way he had years before. But he knew the price, and Benitez was in no mood to be generous. There was ice in his eyes. Cody might walk out of there and into his father’s arms, but Olivier wouldn’t.
Benitez watched Olivier then smiled. It was broad and more threatening than any scowl. “You get your request. Your sister is out.” He pulle
d out his phone and dialed a number while Olivier tried to work out what was really going on. Benitez’s next words erased all doubt. “OD Marie.”
“No!” Olivier rushed toward his boss but stopped when Benitez drew a gun and aimed it at him. She wasn’t supposed to get out like that. She was supposed to walk free and enjoy her life.
If he took one more step, he was dead too. Then who would look after Dani? His heart pounded, and his blood raced through his veins. He clenched his jaw and drew in a breath. The anger didn’t leave, but he took a step back. He had to live for Dani.
Benitez put the phone away and turned to leave. “Do not disobey again.” Then he lowered the gun. “It’s time to leave and let the Anders settle family business.”
Olivier didn’t move. His sister was dead and his niece orphaned—all because he’d tried to protect Cody from himself, from his boss, and from his own father. He turned to the man who had caused him all the trouble with his stupid taunts and games. Cody had dabbled in matters that didn’t concern him, and Marie and Lily were dead because of it.
He drew his gun and put Cody on his knees, the muzzle to his forehead. Cody’s eyes widened. Olivier wanted to hurt him and make him suffer. White-cold rage flooded his veins. Revenge. He craved it like a junkie. It would make everything right. Marie was dead because of Cody. All Olivier had to do was pull the trigger.
The darkness clouded the edges of his vision. The need to kill Cody and restore balance burned through him. He flicked the safety off.
Do it. Don’t let him get away with it. He’s messed with your life too many times.
The words were like poison being dripped into his ear. He’d heard them so many times before, but he couldn’t say when or who had said them. He shook his head to get rid of them. The darkness pushed closer until all he could see was the fear on Cody’s face.
Revenge is your right. You are a Black Knight. You exist to fight. Take your reward of eternal vengeance.
Olivier blinked, and the nightmare flashed through his mind as clearly as though he were there. The anger, fresh and hot back then, now ran cold. Always two. The brothers who’d wronged him once now paid in every life.