Page 99 of Payback
“Do you understand?” I raised my voice.
“Yes... Master,” she replied sarcastically.
“Good.”
I slammed the door shut, locking it behind me before heading to my car, which was still running and horribly parked. I hastily got inside and drove to Vince’s residence. I didn’t bother waiting for someone to answer the door—I stormed right in, the doors banging against the walls, loudly announcing my arrival. Without delay, I ascended to the next floor, finding Vince seated by the window, leisurely sipping a drink. He turned his head as I burst into his office, a perplexed expression on his face.
“Jared? What’s the matter? Is it done?” he asked.
I pointed at him, my anger momentarily rendering me speechless. I clenched my fist before slowly relaxing my hand to regain composure.
“You look unwell,” he remarked.
“Yes, because the man you had me go after stabbed me!” I growled.
“The addict overpowered you?”
“You never informed me about his family!” I shot back.
Vince averted his gaze slightly, a subtle sign that my revelation had surprised him.
“No, I didn’t. Did he manage to escape?”
“No, he’s dead. Do you realize the dangers?” I questioned.
“I do.”
“He didn’t steal from you!”
“No, he didn’t,” Vince confessed.
“Why the hell did you want him dead then? You might have just started a war!” I exclaimed.
“It was necessary,” he responded.
“Why?”
“To convey a message,” he disclosed. “Sometimes messages need to be delivered in blood. Did you take care of the body?”
“It’s all taken care of, prepared for disposal.”
“No need for disposal,” he stated.
“Vince, this is insane! They’ll easily figure out who’s behind this,” I warned.
“Exactly. I intended for that to happen.”
“Why the hell didn’t you tell me the truth?” I demanded.
Vince slowly rose from his seat, the glass in his hand trembling slightly. He walked over to his desk, setting down the glass before turning to face me.
“Because you would have talked me out of it,” he explained. “But I needed you to carry it out. It sends a more powerful message, especially considering your importance to me.”
“You’re absolutely right that I would have stopped you. It’s an incredibly terrible idea,” I snarled, frustration causing me to run my hand through my hair as I began to pace.
“Don’t worry. You’ll only need to stay here temporarily while I sort everything out,” Vince reassured.
“What?” I asked, abruptly halting my pacing to face him.
