The Executioner's Playlist(in-Progress)

Track 11: Back Stabbers- Sammus

West put the car in park and turned off the music. He and Peanut looked into the backseat. Carl-John turned in his seat so that all three stared at me. Hood up, I ignored them for a few more minutes. For a little bit longer, I could act like The Weird Sisters weren't forcing me to willingly step into a bear trap. Those old witches really did me dirty.

"Boss, imma say it one more time: This shit is reckless. Fuck the Sisters." West pounds the driver's headrest to emphasize his feelings.

My skin started crawling again almost as if Joan could hear his words.

"Last time you tried to do your own thing, they sent some were-bitch to eat your face," Peanut said, rubbing his bruises. Foam-Head had nearly eaten his face.

"Language," Carl-John said, uncharacteristically breaking his silence. "Respect women, always."

"You didn't meet this one."

I couldn't help but chuckle. I don't think any of us would've called her that to her face. Walking away from that fall, she'd earned my respect. She represented a threat not to be fucked with. Just one more reason my guys needed to stay in the car.

I pulled back my hood, and gave the brothers a stoic stare.

"This shit is clearly a setup. Whether he wants to kill me or snatch me off the board, this is all part of their game. He won't hesitate to smoke you three."

"We've heard of Stone Cold Death. Together you two put mad bodies in the dirt, but we ain't scared to light the place up." West met my gaze. "We've got your back."

"Yeah, Boss," Peanut added. "Even if you weren't mad chill, we'd still hold you down. The Asha would skin us alive if we sat back and let something happen to you."

"Bash told me to have your back," Carl-John added.

"The three of you can have my back right here." I thought about Kay and the kind of man he was before he disappeared. "Stone Cold Death is dangerous. If you see him, run."

"Nah, we don't roll like that," Peanut said, face screwed up in disgust.

"Run," I said flatly.

His nose flared and he looked like he'd eaten something crazy, but he turned around and stared at the dashboard.

"Look. If shit goes south, which it will. I'll need someone to go back and tell The Asha... and Bash." At least they'd know where to start searching for the body. I left the last part unsaid, but I could tell West and Carl-John understood.

"Take this," the Caribbean man said as he handed me a clear salt shaker full of something that wasn't just salt. "Garlic and uncooked rice."

"Good looking out." Both were useful tools when dealing with things of the unseen.

I took a deep breath and opened the rear door.

"Boss," West said as I stepped out into the night. "Be careful."

"No doubt."

Closing the door behind me, I raised my hood and started down the block. I'd had them park a few blocks away. Hopefully it was far enough that they might avoid whatever trap I was stepping into. These people were waiting for me by Shakima's place. They fucked with The Weird Sisters to draw me out. Clearly Kashawn gave them the whole playbook. They knew how to get me, they knew what moves I'd make.

Back in the day they used to call us Big Brother Reaper and Stone Cold Death. The Asha only sent us when people had to die. Some liked to say we were her favorite executioners. I'd always say we were just young and eager to please. Truth was, I had a chip on my shoulder and a desire to hurt people. On the other hand, Kay was just ruthless. He liked scaring people, and he liked killing. He wanted to live up to his name.