Say Her Name

Chapter 2: Nights

Chapter 2: Nights

Axel

~~~

"Shooters killing left and right

Working through your worst night

If I get my money right

You know I won't need you"

~Frank Ocean

~~~

"Hey Axel, the bossman is in and ready to go," my coworker said from inside the private jet.

I gave him a nod as we packed the last of our luggage into the jet and headed in.

"Axel," a Russian accent stopped me from sitting down.

I walk over to where the big man with a glass eye sits, and stand to hear his instructions.

"Sit boy," he orders and I take a seat across from him.

I watched him as he calmly poured himself a drink. His stubby fingers barely being able to wrap around the bottle. The same fingers that have pulled the trigger and ended multiple lives.

He finishes pouring his whiskey and starts to pour another one. Setting the bottle down, not one second has passed before another one of his men takes it from the table.

"Here," he pushed the drink to me.

"I'm on the job, sir." I declined politely.

"We are on a plane boy, no one can hurt me. Take it," he insists with an underlying threat.

I reach for the drink and hesitantly bring it up to my lips as I take a sip from it. The gold liquid, rich in flavor, burns down my throat and I momentarily forget that I am not his equal.

"Good, eh?" he says with a laugh leaning back and taking a sip of his own drink. "Imported, very very expensive."

I give another nod, not sure what else to tell him. I have been in this spot before, and when he shows kindness you have to be wary and expect the worse.

He gives another humorless laugh as he gets comfortable in his seat and we start taking off.

"I called you over boy because I have... a favor to ask of you," he motions with his hand and says in a tone as if saying no was an option. But in reality, if you say no, you might as well get a bullet through your head.

My lack of response seemed to encourage him to keep speaking, "You are one of my... best fighters. Your technique is... what's that word."

He snaps his fingers expecting to receive the answer just how he receives anything he desires. His face then lights up and says, "Superior! Your technique is much superior to others. And we need that on our team boy."

I set my face not allowing any emotion to show. He feeds on emotions and I will not allow him to turn me into another one of his goons.

"We are having a little quarrel, tomorrow night. After the deal, we are sending our best fighters to give us a little show. And my money is on you boy. Of course, you'll get 20% of what I earn... What do you say?"

He leans back once again on his seat sipping from his whiskey. His face smug as if he just offered me the world and all I had to do was jump.

Knowing I had no other option I gave him another wordless nod and his face split into a satisfied smile as he began to talk about the fight.