Chapter 87: DARKNESS TOOK HOLD OF ME

Kevin.

We all boarded as quickly as we could. We set off without having time to think about anything else. I wanted it to be over as quickly as possible and to see myself back at the mansion, celebrating everything.

The road was empty. There was no sign of any agents. I was sure it was all down to my luck. That helped, and we arrived at the appointed place much earlier.

As we neared the port, I texted Luke to let him know we would be there soon. His man was already waiting for us at the entrance to the port to check the cargo. With a little attention, he bought the signatures from the customs officers.

Once Luke had received his man’s approval, we were on our way, during which he had to transfer the second installment of money. Nothing would be unloaded unless eighty percent of the amount discussed was in my accounts. The rest of the money he would transfer in front of me when the trucks arrived in front of the ship.

It was a strange arrangement, but that’s how I worked. I wanted whoever didn’t like it to be free to choose someone else. Besides, I didn’t do business with the weak.

The most important thing was that his men had to be in position. We needed exemplary mobilization on both sides.

Once we got to the front of the boat, everything had to be ready to unload as quickly as possible. Both parts and weapons were to be loaded onto Luke’s ship. The crates of parts were as much a means of concealment for Luke as they had been for me.

“The money’s already in the account,” I heard Susan’s voice in my earpiece. It was more prompt than I expected but inopportune as usual. Although it helped me every time, it was only her presence that annoyed me. I couldn’t stand her. She came in handy once, when I was bored out of my mind playing love games with Emily. I had to somehow find a way to get away from her.

“I can’t just chase her away because she knows too much about me, but a minor accident.... What the hell are you doing, Kevin... Get a grip! Focus on what you have to do,” I scolded myself in thought.

When we arrived, I saw Luke and his entire crew in front of the boat. We parked next to the boat. Eddy parked next to some containers so he wouldn’t be seen. From there, he could watch and hear everything. I had a little microphone tucked into one of my shirt buttons.

“You were quick, mate,” Luke said to me.

“Wasn’t I supposed to?” I asked him sarcastically.

“Yes, it was. The sooner we finish, the better. You’ll get rid of me and I’ll get rid of you. We don’t have to pretend to like each other,” Luke told me wryly.

“Guys, let’s get to work,” I yelled, trying not to respond to his taunts.

We started unloading the crates we were taking straight to the boat. From there, Luke’s men picked them up. I wanted to get in there and help my guys finish quickly. There was something there that gave me a bad mood. All I wanted at that moment was to get away as fast as possible. I was so nervous that I didn’t even need the difference in the money he still had to give me.

Feelings of panic took hold of me, stronger and stronger. It was something new that I was having a hard time controlling. It was pathetic! The great Kevin Parker was afraid of something. All my life I didn’t know what fear was, and here it came at the worst possible time.

“Come into my cabin for a drink. We have to drink to that, don’t we? That’s where I’ll transfer the difference in the money I still owe you.”

“All right. Let’s have a drink, but just one. We’d better get out of here as quickly as possible so we don’t get in any trouble.”

I followed him to his cabin. It seemed to me the whole thing was a setup and that Carla’s words were true. But I had to act normal so as not to attract attention. I couldn’t allow myself to jeopardize the whole action that was going on as normally as possible. I crossed the entire ship to get to Luke’s cabin. There, his bodyguard was waiting for him and the boy who was serving him with everything he wanted. I walked in and sat down on one of the plush couches Luke loved.

“I’m glad we did business together. I hope we see as little of each other as possible but continue to work together.” The boy filled our glasses with one brandy Luke had in his collection. I was amazed that he opened one of those bottles. “We opened something special for a unique occasion. Let’s toast!”

As I reached for the glass in my hand, I heard gunshots outside. I realized immediately that everything Carla had told me was true.

“What the hell!” I said and ran out the door. Luke stayed in the cabin laughing.

I ran as fast as I could. I pulled out my gun that I had tucked in my leather boots and ran to the top deck of the boat. Everything was chaotic. The gunfire was making a hell of a racket. Bullets flew like hail, mowing down everything in their path. Without a second thought, I started firing. My bullets were taking Luke’s men down one by one.

I didn’t care for men in general, but that night I was impressed with the way my men fought. Though it was a deafening din, I could hear them muffling and shouting at each other to come to my rescue.

That moment really impressed me. I had to protect my men. It was my duty, or at least at that moment, it felt that way. That is until I heard a gunshot behind me.

I felt a warmth in my back that took all the strength I had just seconds before. I knew immediately that I had been shot. With the last of my strength, I threw myself overboard. Slowly, everything went dark in my eyes. I felt myself hit the cold water and sink, but my strength left me and I could only fight. In a few seconds, the darkness took hold of me and I lost consciousness.