Cracked Silver

Chapter 9

JESSE

I softly ran my fingertips on Cristal's bare side. Her skin is so soft and subtle. She was sleeping, her head on my chest. Our legs slightly intertwined under the sheets. Her hair was lying softly on her neck. It was short. It stopped just below her jaw, shorter at the back. Natural waves corrupted her skull. She was beautiful when she slept.
My hand moved from her waist and onto her cheek. Again, so soft. So so soft.

My head picks itself up and my lips lightly clasp on her forehead, only to let go seconds later. She moves slightly. Worried that I've woken her, I lay my head down and snuggle closer to her. She murmurs something in her sleep and strokes my arm. 

For the first time in a long time, I'm happy. Very happy. 

I'm not dealing meth anymore. I have money. I've fallen in love. I have hope. My life is perfect. 

A week later; 

Cristal and I have grown more fond of each other. We've slept together another three times. 

We're normal. We're a normal happy couple, who don't fight. Like, at all. We're like the reincarnation of Romeo and Juliet. I love her. I do. I try and tell her that as often as I can, without making it sound too persistent.  

I haven't had a word from my boss yet and I'm starting to get twitchy. He hasn't said a thing and he hasn't called my burner or anything. I'm wondering if he's keeping quiet for a while. Then going to strike when I think he's gone. Maybe not though. Maybe he is really gone.

Maybe he's finally gotten the message that I want to be left alone. Am I free? 

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Cristal calls me and asks to see me. So I go over to her house and we have sex while her parents weren't home. 
She lays her head on my shoulder as my arm curls around her stomach. My hand fiddles with her soft hair. 

'You okay?' I hear her say. I guess she heard me sigh. 

'Fine.' I reassure her. I was actually thinking about Boss. 

'You sure? You've been very quiet.' She turns her body and she's lying on her stomach. Her strong emerald eyes are staring into mine. She gets closer to me. I feel her breath on my skin. 

'I'm fine, Cristal.' I whisper. Her mouth is so close to mine, I want to kiss her. But when I lean in, she pulls away a little. She smiles. She's teasing.

'What'd you do that for?' I grinned. 

'I like teasing you. You always pull a face when I do. Your eyebrows frown like your mouth. It's funny.' 

'Don't tease me.' I growl and I peck her lips. 

I peck them twice. Three times. Four... Five... Until we're using tongue. She's sliding her tongue in different directions in my mouth. I do the same. 

My hands move up her body. She's smooth. 

She grips my back tight, trying to pull me closer. 
Then I hear; 

Bzzzzz..... 

My burner. 

I stop kissing Cristal. 

Bzzzzz.....

'You okay? What's that noise?' she asks, stroking my cheek. 

I quickly hop out of bed, grabbing a towel from a chair on the way to wrap around my waist. I search my jacket, digging into the pockets until I finally find it. I answer quickly. 

'Hello?' I say. 

Silence. 

'Hello?' I say louder.

'Your price has been paid... Rockton Road, 7th street, BNO64...'

My heart suddenly bursts out my chest. Blood starts pumping in my ears. My stomach twists and turns, making me want to throw up. I get dressed. I hear Cristal, asking me continuously what is wrong. I block her out of my surroundings. I can't hear her. There's an incessant ringing in my ears. I'm shaking. Trembling. Like a tremendous earthquake that's hit the planet.
I storm out her house. She's not following me anymore. 

I get into my car and drive to Rockton Road, 7th street, BN064. 

When I get there, the front door is wide open.
 I go inside.
And I see him there.
Lying lifeless on his sitting room floor. 

He didn't deserve this. He did nothing wrong. He was just an innocent old man. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, uncle. I've failed you.