Hitman: Captured | #1 - HIATUS

► Chapter 26

Neil Madden

I've worked under Donovan for years, there is nothing I've ever had a problem with. Not even a single complaint. Unless it's about the Vidal brothers. Ludovic I'm okay with. But Nova... I hate that little fucker.

He is insane. A psycho. A little shit with psychopathic tendencies and because this is the underworld we're talking about, no one saw that as a problem. Need someone to torture information out of someone? No problem, Nova was the guy to go to. What I call fucked up, they call it 'creativity' because whatever he does makes every single one talk. No one could lie to him.

Nova just loves the torture like it's a game of charades. Despite his lack of morals, I have to admit he is very smart—terrifyingly so. No one unnerved so much as he does. And whenever his eyes are on me I just know what's running through his head. It's my job to accompany Don to most of his meetings but I can't help wondering why he brought me with him.

Donovan knows full well how I feel about that nutcase.

"Can you stop making that face? You're starting to get on my nerves," Donovan speaks beside me, tone edged with annoyance. "I don't like this as much as you do. Being around Nova makes me uncomfortable and since he likes you, he's more likely to make a deal."

Honey hazel glower at the black hair man, "Just give me to him on a nice little bow, why don't you. Have you ever thought how uncomfortable I would feel having that psycho even look at me?"

"No, because I'm paying you to be here so be a good little boy and stop complaining." he dismisses me, staring out the window.

I grunt in response feeling more uneasy than I did last night. It's a miracle I managed to sleep at all. Considering the mental preparation, I need to withstand Nova's tendencies and a godly amount of restraint to not put a bullet in him if he touches me.

If I ever had to choose between Keli and Nova, I'd choose Keli a million times over. At least with him, I know what to expect.

Maybe I can still save myself if I jump out—the vehicle comes to a halt serving to send an unpleasant chill down my spine. Fuck, we're here. Inhaling, I gather the courage to get out of the car facing a contemporary private establishment called 'Nova French Cuisine' which is surprisingly empty.

The business is owned by the Vidal brothers and since French restaurants are loved by everyone it is constantly busy with customers making it easier to hide our clandestine gatherings. Donovan exits the car from my side serving to have me stalk behind him with a disgruntled expression. Honey hazel eyes analyze the environment seeing no one out of place or watching us in particular.

We enter the vacant establishment designed in a fine dining fashion. Dark wooden tables and chairs, modern chandeliers lighting the way through the dining area where it is divided into sections by brick walls. Shelves are lighting fancy wine drinks on the walls, and light-colored drapes covering large windows.

To the left, the first thing to greet us is Ludovic sitting at the bar section with various lights pouring the bar table. He has faded bleached brown hair in a crew cut, blue eyes, and a silky blue suit without a tie over his average build. He's around the same height as Matt with the same fair skin except he's three years older than me. Ludovic has a noticeable piercing on the right side of his nose and black cross earrings.

Ludovic plasters a smile on his good-looking face, observing our movements as Donovan pulls the chair beside him and takes a seat while I remain standing a few feet away from them. The black hair Don unbuttons the vest, shifting on the bar chair before he gives Ludovic his attention.

The power-play approach. I note.

There is no way Donovan is leaving without getting what he wants from the brothers.