PROLOGUE
He watchedthe group of tight-knit friends as they sat celebrating across the room from where he stood. Six men, two women. Lots of smiles, laughs, and cheers to the birthday boy.
Even from all the way over here, the men at the table looked exactly like what he knew them to be…
Former military, each with their own unique special forces background. Trained killers who went from working for Uncle Sam’s nickel to joining Jake McQueen and his merry band of R.I.S.C. operatives.
From what he’d been able to find, the Chicago-based Delta Team was the fourth and most recent private security team to form under McQueen’s rapidly growing empire. His operatives were supposedly the best of the best, though he’d be willing to put a wager on that bet.
No one was ever as good as they thought they were. Except for him, of course. He was better and smarter than everyone he crossed paths with. A fact that grew damn tiring if the truth were being told.
He should be used to it by now, he supposed. After all, he’d spent his entire life being underestimated by those around him.
Family. Colleagues. People who thought they knew him. Who damn wellshouldhave.
Those idiots don’t know me at all.
No one knew the real him. Oh, but that was about to change soon. Because he was going to show them.
The kind of man he really was. What he was truly capable of. The lengths he would go to for his voice to finally be heard. Yes, sooneveryonewould know the truth about him…
Starting with you.
His focus shifted to one of the two women sitting with the men of Delta. Hidden in the shadows of the bar’s low lighting, the spot he’d chosen gave him an unobstructed view of the mouthwatering temptation while also prevention suspicion from those around him.
A rush of adrenaline brought his veins to life, his fingers twitching with the urge to act. This was it.Thiswas what he’d been missing in his life.
About fucking time.
After years spent living and doing for others, he’d finally found the one thing needed to drive him forward. While his days were still filled with fake as shit smiles, condescending handshakes, and kissing the asses of the rich and famous, he also planned.
Planned. Prepared. And as soon as he got the chance, he’d move into action.
The seed for what would soon come to fruition had been planted long ago. But it wasn’t until recently that he’d realized achieving his most desired goal was truly possible.
As if by divine intervention, he’d been handed the gift of opportunity right out of the blue. Just like that, he’d found his purpose once again. Something to strive for. Something to fight for. Something worthdyingfor.
And that something was currently sitting mere yards from where he stood.
So. Fucking. Close.
Shewasclose. And so unsuspecting he almost felt bad about what was going to happen to her. Almost.
You don’t have to wait, you know? It would be so easy to just go over there and end it all now.
The impatient voice in his head was right. Between the unsolicited distractions of the darkened ambiance and the bar’s bustling crowd, it would almost betooeasy to fast-forward to his grand finale and be done with it.
He could see it playing out so clearly, so beautifully, in his mind’s eye…
Exiting his hiding spot, he would slowly begin to make his way past the bar. He might stop to order another drink. Maybe strike up a light and casual conversation with one of several obviously single women currently at the bar.
Once he felt enough time had passed, he’d then bid the man or woman a nice night and continue weaving through the crowd with his head down and his movements steady.
And when he was close enough to strike, he’d deliver a single, lethal stab on his way past. Then he’d walk right out the door and vanish into the night…before his victim ever hit the sticky, liquor-coated floor.
It was a solid plan, and one he was certain would work. But it wasn’t time for the final kill part of the plan. Not yet. Because killing wasn’t the only thing listed on his agenda…
Take.