SO COLD (18+) currently editing

Chapter 45

SO COLD

"So will you do it?"

"I feel like this is a trap or a trick."

"Why? You're doing me a favour and I'll pay you once you get back."

"Forgive me if I'm slightly sceptical of your intentions," I said to Cole. "But you go from overbearing caveman to sending me on a job overnight. What's changed?"

"I don't want you to feel like you're being forced to stay by my side," he said. "You're more than capable of looking after yourself. It's a simple job. Collect the money."

"And the guns?" I nodded to the bed where a case lay open, the guns were cushioned snugly in grey foam.

"Take your pick."

"I don't know. I'm not a gun enthusiast. Which one is better?"

"I'll explain it to you. This is a revolver. Generally speaking they can fire up to five or seven times. Swing out the cylinder...can you see the bullets? That's six rounds of ammunition. Pull back the hammer before firing. This is a double-action revolver, after you pull the trigger the cylinder will rotate to the next round and drop the hammer so you won't need to pull the hammer the second time–but you'll need to pull the trigger with a lot more force. If you're out of bullets and you need to reload, you'll need to empty out the casings in the cylinder and then load in the new rounds. It's lighter than a semiautomatic and great for quick one shots but it's not a top ten choice. It's an easy gun to use and that's all it's got going for it. Now this is a semiautomatic. Press this button to eject the magazine, the bullets rest in a LIFO stack. This gun will hold up to sixteen. You can take an extra magazine with you if you feel like you're slow on reloading. It'll be quicker than manually pushing in every bullet. Push the magazine in and chamber a round by racking the slide. That'll cock the hammer back and load a round into the chamber. The point of the semiautomatic is after the first round, it'll be ready to fire again without racking the slide again. Here's the safety, pull it back if needed. You got it?"

"Yeah," I nodded. "Hmm... I'll take the semiautomatic but I don't think I'll be using it."

"Just in case," Cole reached for my hand and tugged me closer. "I want you to be safe and on the lookout. Shěn's men may try again. And if any of my customers' give you trouble or refuse or hell talk too much, fire a round into their leg. Or shoot the cat. Anything. Show them you mean business. Don't smile and sit down for tea. Get out as soon as you can. It's a risk. The cops could be sniffing around and have you on the ground, handcuffs on in the next second."

"Then bail me out. Bribe a cop. Or the judge."

"Are you one hundred percent sure you want to do this? You don't have to,

"You're the one who asked for this favour," I kissed him, a quick brush against his mouth. "I'll be fine. It'll be like a road trip. So what are you going to do while I'm away?"

"Catch up on sleep. Rest." He lied. "Ask Morris to paint my nails, whatever." Cole really thought I was born yesterday. He wanted me out of the house so he can be free to do what he wants. He didn't have to go out of his way to avoid suspicion: all he had to do was ask for some space. His business was his life, I didn't need to be told a story tale and sent halfway across town on what could be a goose chase. A simple 'Go see your friends, I've got shit to do' would suffice.

"OK, don't watch The Walking Dead without me otherwise I'll change the Netflix password." I was about to leave when he cupped my face and kissed me passionately for a long, breathless minute and then he smiled, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear.

"Text me when you're on your way back," his smile fell and was replaced with a frown, "perhaps I should ask Giant to go along with you."

"Irvin and I will be fine," I rolled my eyes and took the semiautomatic and tucked it in my waistband. "We don't need a bodyguard. See you later."