In the Shadow Of Memory

Chapter 44

The boss sat at the head of the table, the room silent as Dennis and the other men gathered around him. He didn't waste any time.

"Daisy has to go," he said flatly, his voice calm but heavy with finality. "She's a liability. Her emotions are clouding her judgment, and we can't afford to have that risk."

Dennis stood still, his face impassive, but the weight of the decision settled over him like a heavy blanket. The other men shifted, exchanging glances, but said nothing.

One of them, Lucas, spoke up cautiously. "What about her father? He's been trying to bring her into the family. How do we handle that?"

The boss waved a hand dismissively. "Her father's problem is not ours. If he has an issue, so be it. But the family comes first. She's become a danger to us, and I'm not going to let that slide."

Dennis felt the tension in the room tighten. The decision had been made.

The boss turned his eyes to Dennis. "I want you to handle it. You know what to do. Stage it, make it clean. Make it look like an accident. I've already got the pill."

The boss slid an envelope across the table. Dennis took it without a word, recognizing the contents. A quick, efficient solution.

"I'll take care of it," Dennis said quietly.

The boss nodded once, his expression cold. "Good. Don't make me repeat myself."

Dennis left the room, the others still gathered around the table, watching him go. The job was clear. Daisy's time was up.

.....

It was a quiet evening as Daisy walked home, lost in her thoughts. She turned a corner and saw him-Dennis, standing under the streetlight with a bouquet of flowers in hand. Her heart skipped a beat as he smiled and stepped forward, offering the flowers to her.

"Thought you might like these," he said softly.

Daisy took them, raising an eyebrow. "What's this about?"

Dennis grinned. "Maybe I just missed you."

Before she could respond, he stepped closer, pulling her into a warm, tight embrace. Daisy froze for a moment, but then the flutter in her chest was unmistakable. She pulled back slightly, teasing, "You think I'll just take you back like that?"

Dennis smirked. "I'll do whatever it takes to prove it to you. I've missed you, Daisy. I've been an idiot, but I want you back."

Her heart raced, but she played hard to get. "Impress me then."

Dennis's eyes sparkled with determination. "Consider it done."

They walked to a quiet restaurant, sharing a bottle of wine and laughing as they reminisced about old times. As the evening went on, Dennis couldn't help but notice how perfect it felt-yet, in the back of his mind, he knew he had to act.

Excusing himself, Dennis returned with a small white pill, slipping it into her wine glass as he sat down. Daisy didn't notice, too caught up in the moment. She looked at him, smiling. "You seem different tonight."

Dennis met her gaze, trying to stay calm. "Just making up for lost time."

She took a sip, and as the evening continued, Dennis felt a surge of relief. He'd done it-he'd impressed her. But deep down, he knew it was only a matter of time before everything changed.

.....

After a lovely evening, Dennis and Daisy returned to her house, the night air cool against their skin. Daisy felt a bit lightheaded, her head spinning from the wine and everything that had happened. "I think I need to lie down," she murmured, swaying slightly.

Dennis steadied her with a hand on her back, guiding her inside. "Yeah, you've had enough for tonight. Let's get you to bed."

He helped her into her bedroom, carefully settling her on the bed. As he pulled the covers up around her, Daisy looked up at him with hazy eyes, a smile on her lips. "Thanks, Dennis. You've been sweet tonight."

He smiled back, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "Just get some rest. I'll be here if you need anything."

As Dennis turned to leave, the room suddenly felt colder. He stopped in his tracks, sensing something was off. He glanced back, but Daisy was no longer lying in bed.

Before he could react, the unmistakable cold glint of a gun barrel met his eyes. Daisy stood at the edge of the bed, holding the pistol steady in her hands, her expression twisted with a mix of rage and something darker.

"You really thought you could just play 'date' with me, Dennis?" Her voice was low, cold. "You drugged me, made me think you cared... but you were just using me."

Dennis's heart raced, but he kept his voice steady. "Daisy-"

She interrupted him with a bitter laugh. "No. You don't get to speak. You'll suffer with me now."

Without another word, Daisy pulled the trigger. The shot echoed through the small room, loud and final. Dennis's body jerked, and he collapsed onto the floor, blood spreading across the carpet.

Daisy looked down at him, her face blank for a moment. Then, she slumped to her knees, the gun still in her hand. The world felt distant, her vision blurring as the weight of everything crashed over her. But in the end, it didn't matter. The two of them, caught in a twisted dance of betrayal and revenge, lay together in that small room.

The darkness claimed them both.