It Comes In Three's

Chapter 11

Alex‘ POV

“I don’t know if I’m buying the whole ‘met her at cheer camp‘ shit!” I voice my concerns to Del and Jace as we approach the bar.

It looked deserted under the daylight – as we enter only to find a few older locals seated around.

‘Let’s just be glad that Anna has a female friend now eh?!” Jace complains about his cousin, as I roll my eyes at his naivety.

We can’t just let anyone into this group… not around the shit we get into… she could be a spy for all we know!

“Well I’ll be watching her so just know that!” I state, as we approach the bar.

“Whatever puts your dangerous mind at ease bro!” Del laughs at me next, as I choose to ignore him – seeing Freddie emerge.

“Well if it isn’t my favourite boys! Thanks for coming round at such short notice!” Freddie grins, wiping a glass with a rag before placing it back on the shelf.

“What’s the job?” I ask immediately, knowing fine well that he doesn’t just invite us round here for a drink…

“I had a lad cancel on me for Saturday night… I–know you’re on a break Alex but I wanted to ask you to take the spot before I ask anyone else… I’ll pay well as always!” Freddie leans closer to us as he talks business, causing me to sit on one of the stools facing.

“My ribs are still in bad shape…” I state, unsure of whether I wanted to take him up on the offer yet or not since I currently didn’t even need the money.

“Ahh! Like I said son, I only wanted to offer you the spot first before I ask anyone else… you three are my favourites!” He compliments, having always given us work whenever we asked, even when we were much younger.

After all, he’s probably one of the main reasons why I bought myself a nice house and a decent car all before I turned eighteen.

“Who is it?” I ponder next, as he laughs at my curiosity.

“Nobody you can’t handle Alex! I’m not supposed to tell you before the event you know that!” He continues on with an amused look, as he pours the three of us a small whisky – dealing them across the bar.

“Cut the bullshit Freddie and just tell us?!” Jace argues, as I knock back the drink – enjoying the bitter taste as it hits my throat.

“Ricardo Pienna…” Freddie gives in, rolling his eyes at our pestering.

“I didn’t know he was out of jail?!” Del states, as I shrug nonchalantly.

“What is he like forty now?” I state bored, as Freddie points a finger at me.

“Watch it boy! We all can’t stay young forever!” He defends, being in his mid forties himself, as Jace and Del cackle with laughter beside

1. us.

“He only got out last month, needed work and so he came to me and asked to be put in… he’s been training in prison.” Freddie tells us more, eyeing the nearby regulars as he speaks.

“Was he not put away years ago for robbing and beating an elderly woman and clearing her bank?” Jace reminds me, as I squint in distaste.

“F**k it just put me in!” I find the words leaving my mouth, a sudden burst of adrenaline meeting my stomach at the thought of giving

the bastard a taste of his own thedicine.

“That’s my boy! I knew you would be up to do it! Freddie claps, as Del grabs my shoulder giving it an accomplished shake.

“The Devil is back! Freddie grins, placing another shot of whiskey in front of me as I take it.

“What’s the payment?‘ I ask, never forgetting to make sure I know what I’m owed…

“Ten… Not our busiest event of the year but if you want to come back fully then you’ll be in for the rest too.” Freddie explains, as I nod in agreement.

Ten grand to knock out a pig… fine.

I’ll have you doped up you won’t even feel your ribs!” Del comments, having usually been the one to stitch and patch me up whenever it was needed.

Although I had broken my ribs four months ago, and had been back at fotball training, they still weren’t one hundred percent healed yet… but I found myself craving the thrill of my knuckles cracking against someone else’s bones…

They called me the Devil, because I was known to take down any man, any age and any size! Once my temper snaps, they’re lucky to escape me alive…

“We have to meet someone in twenty for business so we best be on our way!” Jace checks his phone and states, causing me to stand from my seat at the bar.

“Very well boys it was a pleasure as always! I’ll see you three on Saturday ten sharp at the Mill!” He calls to us as we exit the bar, meeting the bright daylight outside.

“That a*s manages to rope you in every damn time!” Jace comments, as nod in agreement.

“Let’s be honest here! You knew why he wanted to see us Alex… don’t pretend you don’t want to be back!” Del states the obvious and laughs, as we open our cars from across the street.

I can’t fight back the smirk that meets my face, knowing all too well that he was right. I did miss it… more than I probably should…

“At least it’s the day after my party! Or you’d be bruised up for our pictures!” Del mocks next, earning a scoff from me.

“You and your shit pictures! Always when we are unstable and drunk too! I swear I wake up the next day to the dumbest of posts from you!” Jace scolds him, as he doubles over laughing at himself. This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

“The pool one was the best! I don’t know how we can even top that!” Del blurts out a laugh again, reminding us of the picture from the last party.

What a f*cking a*s he is!

The picture or shall I say pictures, he was referring to, consisted of Del, Jace and myself all intoxicated as we stood posing by the pool with cigars pretending to be mafia lords – before myself

and Del decided to pull Jaces pants to his ankles and toss him in the pool – creating a montage of pictures that ended up on Dels Instagram page…

You couldn’t see anything other than Jaces a*s from the angle, and his shocked face with the cigar hanging out of his mouth mid fall made it that bit more funny.

“Pair of dicks!” Jace rages, as we all laugh now at the memory.

“We better go and meet with this bitch before he complains that we are late again!” I state, as we all nod and open up our car doors.

“The river yeah?” Jace calls back, as I nod before climbing into the car

Another day, another business transaction…