The Executioner by Suzanne Steele Page A

circular booth and we’re immediately acknowledged.
    “What’s up, you crazy mother fucker?” I look at the man talking and he looks like a clean cut college kid, but I know better.
    “Miller, my man!” Trent’s hand shoots out to shake his. I see you finally settled down.”
    I view the woman seated with him and she is beautiful. In my mind, she has everything a man covets: she’s blonde, she’s tan, and she has the body of a Pilate’s instructor. I can’t help but wonder what Trent sees in a plain, brown haired, book-worm like me.
    My heart starts beating faster when Miller addresses another man at the table.
    “Diego! Quit looking at my woman, mother fucker.”
    “Hell no, I’m not going to quit looking at her and if you fuck up, I’m going to steal her from you.”
    The table erupts in laughter and Diego speaks to the woman sitting next him, “Selena, take these girls and get the fuck out of here.”
    I panic and look up at Trent for direction.
    “You’re as safe in here as you are at home. Nobody fucks with the band of blood brothers’ women.” Once again, the men chuckle but, this time, the undertone is sinister.
    Trent leans down and whispers, “I’m a phone call away.”
    I nod my head yes and turn myself over to the woman who is now standing by my side with a huge smile on her face. “Come on, you’re part of the family now.”
    The beautiful blonde stands up, smiling as if to confirm the statement as truth. They pull me off towards the bar and I’m surprised that I immediately feel comfortable with these women. I have never been a part of anything and it feels good…

    Executioner
    I look around the table at the men who would die for me and I waste no time getting down to business. A woman’s life hangs in the balance and for some odd reason, I feel like if she gets killed, her blood will be on my hands. After all, it was when I saved Kansas that he went off the deep end and abducted that woman. I guess he was going to kill someone sooner or later and wave of gratitude hits me that it wasn’t my girl.
    “We have a problem. My so called psychiatrist has abducted a woman.”
    “We all knew you were crazy; now you’re certified,” Diego laughs.
    “Yeah, some paranoid mother fucker who’s buying one of the apps I’m doing wants proof I won’t kill him. I guess my beautiful mug isn’t putting him at ease.”
    Miller chimes in like he’s deep in thought, shaking his head as if he can’t imagine a professional of such high standing being crazy. “That’s some weird shit man, like some crazy shit out of a horror novel or something. He needs to be stopped.”
    “That is why I’m here…”

    Kansas
    “That’s a cool name, Kansas. Were you born there?”
    I look at Selena as she lifts her head after she snorts a long line of what I presume is cocaine. She then thinks to ask me if I want some and I fervently shake my head no and point to my drink, stating that it is more than enough.
    “Yeah, Stormy won’t do drugs either ‘cause Miller is training her as a hit woman. He says he wants her to keep her wits about her at all times.”
    I look at the beautiful blonde next to me and she only chuckles, reaffirming that it’s true.
    “No, I wasn’t born in Kansas; my mom just named me the first thing that popped in her head. I really don’t think she gave a fuck what my name was.”
    Stormy chimes in, “Well you’re part of our family now.” Both girls say it at once giggling, “Bound by blood…You’re part of the blood brothers group now,” Stormy says. “I will warn you though there is only one way out.” Once again, both girls speak in unison, “death.” A cold chill runs up my spine. I start to second guess myself and think what have I gotten myself into?
    I change the subject when I see a rack of dresses hanging in the dressing room we’re seated in that looks more like a five star suite. “I love that dress,” I say as I rise, going over to finger it. I’m