Chapter Twenty

Even as he walked down the street calmly, his face covered by his hood, a huge smile was pulled across his features. He had done it. He had finally hurt Clare Edwards in the way that she had hurt him. Kyle Martin had played his part in this scheme. Although he was still tasked with hunting down evidence against Clare's lawyer, Declan Coyne, Kyle felt little need for that now. She'd be lucky to remember the name of the layer when she gained conscienceless. With all this pressure on her and her lies revealed, Kyle suspected that Goldsworthy would soon leave her. He loved her, sure. But was love enough after everything that he'd experienced? Kyle doubted it. With Goldsworthy out of the picture, Clare Edwards was ripe for Scorpion's picking. Leaving Kyle well compensated, and his cousin's honor defended.

As he turned the corner that would lead him to his temporary home, Kyle felt relieved. He felt that he had done his obligation to Scorpion. He quickly realized much to his dismay, which he no longer wanted anything to do with that man. The man was dangerous.

Far more dangerous than Goldsworthy, Edwards, or Kyle himself could ever dream him to be.

But if he even suggested that he wanted to leave before Scorpion had his final revenge on Clare, he would kill him right on the spot. He had made that clear when he had paid him a visit in jail that, unbeknownst to Kyle at the time, would lead to all of this. He was in Scorpion's debt until Scorpion was finished with Clare.

"Shit." Kyle murmured to himself as he took his key to the apartment out. He was probably better off in jail. Dealing with Scorpion was like dealing with the mob. Shaking his head at his own stupidity, he put the key in and opened the door, giving one last glance around to see if anyone was around, and entered, closing the door quickly behind him.

"That was some beating you gave her." The voice of Scorpion said from the darkness of the apartment as he turned around.

Kyle's heart sunk. This was it. Scorpion never showed up unannounced. He must be displeased. "Was it not to your liking, sir?" Kyle asked, his eyes darting around his apartment for something he could use in his defense should Scorpion want to punish him a little bit before killing him. He knew that Scorpion was a hulk of a man and he would not be able to take him down in a fistfight. He needed something extra.

"No, no. I read her evaluation thoroughly. You've left some marks that might not leave her. Ever." The darkness of the apartment finally gave birth to Scorpion, and Kyle swallowed nervously. He was, as always, unreadable. "I'm impressed." Scorpion murmured.

"You are?" Kyle asked, shocked.

"I didn't think you had that sort of brutality to you, Kyle." Scorpion explained, a small smile forming in the darkness. "Jake would've been proud."

Kyle blinked a couple of times before saying, "I'm glad you think so, sir."

"Oh, I don't think so. I know so." Scorpion finally emerged completely from the darkness and Kyle relaxed as he saw that there was nothing in Scorpion's hands. He was safe for now. "We were partners, after all."

"I remember, sir." Kyle said, smiling slightly. "That is one fact I'm not ever going to forget."

"And if you do," Scorpion said, now towering over Kyle, "I will make sure to remind you that your cousin was in my debt. I saved his life countless times. I helped cover up his... disciplining of his wife. A debt that you, now, have helped repay."

Kyle nodded and said nothing.

"Which reminds me," Scorpion said, indicating to Kyle's bed, "I've left some tools for you to use when you are gathering information on the lawyer. They should prove helpful."

"Thank you, sir." Kyle murmured; his curiosity peaked.

"You're welcome." Scorpion said, easing past Kyle and opening the door. "We'll be in touch."

The door closed behind Kyle and he waited a couple of minutes to make sure that Scorpion would not return before making his way cautiously to the bed, where a suitcase now laid. Kyle opened the suitcase slowly, and was shocked to see the contents.

Inside were various instruments that could only have one intention: Murder.

There were needles with sedatives, a pair of knives, and an empty syrange, with various bottles for which to select from. Kyle also saw a handwritten note and picked it up.

I've changed my mind. I do not desire any information on the lawyer. Kill him.

Pick your poison.

Outraged at this change of plans, Kyle crumpled up the paper and threw it at the wall. Sure, he was an arsonist. Yes, he'd abused a pregnant woman. But now he was expected to be a murderer? Kill a man he didn't even know? This was far beyond what he agreed to when he was discussing the terms with Scorpion while he was still in prison. He had agreed to help him serve justice on Clare Edwards, but not murder.

Now, more than ever, he wanted a way out.

But what choice did he have? If he didn't do this, Scorpion would turn him over to the police and there would be so much evidence against him he'd never see the light of day again. Scorpion would probably have him killed, innocently enough, be a random prisoner that Kyle would have pissed off accidentally.

Calming himself, he reached for the phone and dialed the number provided.

"You've reached the law offices of Declan Coyne. How may I help you?"

"I'd like to set up an appointment." Kyle said, lowering his voice. "When could I see Mr. Coyne?"

"He's available tomorrow morning at nine. Would that be acceptable for you, Mr..."

"Martin." Kyle supplied. "And yes, that's fine."

Before the woman could say anymore, Kyle hung up and threw the phone on the bed in disgust.

By tomorrow, he would be a murderer.