Started another series. It's confusing as hell but then it starts to make sense...
I think...
So do me a fav and go check it out. It's called "Sinful". If I get a thumbs up I'll go ahead and continue. If not...
Anyway, thanks for the feedback on The Target! I squeal like a little schoolgirl every time I get a comment. So keep it coming!
Chapter4!
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Jackie woke up the next morning alone. He sat up and looked around frantically for Roman. He walked into the room a few moments later, dressed in jeans and a tightly-fitting t-shirt. His dark brown hair was wet and a few spiky strands stood out.
"Didn't think you'd mind if I took a shower," he greeted Jackie.
Jackie laughed. "You should've asked me to join you."
Roman smiled and replied, "I didn't want to wake you. You're so cute when you're asleep." He was rewarded with a blushing Jackie.
Roman walked over and sat on the side of the bed. He leaned and kissed Jackie on the cheek. He tucked a stray strand of flaxen hair behind his ear and said, "Jackie, we need to talk."
Jackie looked puzzled. Roman tried to explain. "It's about... my assignment." Jackie frowned. He didn't like remembering Roman's profession, although it was the same as his own: a hitman. His current assignment was to kill Jackie, and that wasn't happening.
"What are you going to do?"
Roman bit his lip. "I have an idea, but you're not going to like it."
Jackie pulled his knees to his chest. "What is it?"
Roman took a deep breath. He looked at Jackie intently.
"You're going to have to disappear."
Jackie looked nervous. "Disappear?"
Roman nodded. "Think about it like this: you'll be laying low for a while. You can move in with me, if you want. But no going out in the daytime, and no accepting jobs. It's crucial that you stay out of the underworld for a while. I'm going to tell my client that you've been eliminated, and hopefully they'll stop looking for you. But if anyone sees you, we're both screwed." Roman took a deep breath. "Are you okay with this? You don't have to do it."
Jackie nodded. "It's for the best. I can deal with laying low."
Roman smiled and kissed him. Jackie wrapped his arms around his neck. They held each other in silence.
Jackie contemplated the lifestyle Roman had suggested. He wouldn't be able to assassinate anyone, and hopefully, no one would be able to assassinate him either. He'd be safe. But then again, he'd lived a dangerous life for most of his twenty one years. It'd be hard to adjust, but it was a logical plan.
Roman spoke. "So, how do you feel about moving in with me?"
***
That night, Roman pulled up to a specific street corner in his black Audi. A stereotypical dark alley was his rendezvous point with his anonymous client.
He stepped out of his car and whistled a tune as he walked casually into the alley.
"You here yet?" he called into the darkness. He was greeted by a figure stepping forward. He recognized his client from the days before: trench coat, dark buzz-cut, cold and leery gaze, ski-slope nose. Roman presumed him to be a mob boss of some sort, although he couldn't have been much older than he was.
"He's taken care of," Roman began.
Mob Boss narrowed his eyes. "How do I know you're telling the truth?"
Roman met his gaze evenly. "I knifed his ass when he was out last night. Wanna bet I didn't? See if you see him around any time soon." He laughed and pulled out a knife and motioned it across his throat. He put the knife away and raised an eyebrow.
Mob Boss nodded in approval. "He was quite a nuisance. Well then, your reward. 10 k." He handed Roman a bulging envelope. "I look forward to using your services in the future."
Roman held himself back from punching Mob Boss in the face. Instead, he nodded and turned away.
As he drove away, Roman breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Jackie was safe, as long as he stayed hidden.
***
One week later, Roman parked near the door to Jackie's apartment building and waited. A few minutes later, Jackie and his friend Cameo appeared. Jackie carried two suitcases and a guitar case was slung across his back. His cast was gone, Roman was glad to see, and he was wearing a suit as usual. Cameo carried a smaller case.
Roman stepped out of the car and helped them put Jackie's things in the trunk of his Audi. Jackie and Cameo hugged. She turned to Roman.
"Now you be careful with Jackie. He's delicate," she giggled. Jackie blushed furiously.
"Goodbye, Cameo," he said, flustered.
She laughed and climbed into her pickup and drove away.
Roman opened the passenger door for Jackie, being chivalrous. Jackie smiled and hopped in and Roman took the wheel. They pulled away, both of them smiling crazily.
"So," said Roman. "You ready to tell me how you broke your leg?"
Jackie laughed. "It's that important to you?" Roman nodded, grinning.
"It was a job a few weeks ago. It had to look like an accident. The hideout was an old warehouse. I was really stupid. I shot at a propane tank. The shit hit the fan. I had to jump from a third-story window. I was a lucky son of a bitch," he laughed again.
"How'd you manage to get the tank to explode? What'd you use?"
