Chapter 1: Chapter 1
"Balcom, there are issues, lots of issues," he paused as if contemplating whether or not to continue, "Dylan One...he is in our way, what do we do?" He looked up at me as he shifted from foot to foot. I still couldn't understand for the life of me why Kenny was always so nervous around me. I mean, not to brag, I do give off scary vibes but Kenny had been my assistant since I started all this.
Kenny was a lean man, one reason why I had second thoughts about making him my assistant. He fit that position because of his wits.
I looked at him, finally thinking of what he had said. Dylan One always got in the way, "what exactly did he do this time?"
Kenny took a deep breath and sat on the chair in front of me, looking at me with an emotion I couldn't place. Pity? That's not right.
"He got her." Her. Hearing that single word made the hairs at the back of my neck stand. I tried to control the panic and anger building up in me but the effort was pointless. What could he possibly want this time? Taking Alicia was a bad idea for Dylan. He was not going to get out of this alive. Not while I'm alive. I was mad, furious even.
I closed my eyes, my fist clenched in anger.
In through the nose.
Hold.
Out through the mouth.
In through the nose.
Hold.
Out through the mouth.
"Nico?" Kenny called. I opened my eyes.
"What does he want this time?" I asked, anger seething through my voice.
Kenny stood upright, unbuttoning the first two buttons of his shirt, "he wants the marijuana and cocaine, all of it." I chuckled. Kenny gave me a confused look. "We're not giving him of course. He plans to get our stocks down so he can thrive in the drug market. Nope, we're not letting that happen," I exhaled heavily. "So what do we do then? How are we securing Alicia?" My fists clenched at the mention of her name.
I need to save her before that psychopath does something to her. I folded the sleeves of my shirt. I am sure as hell going to kill him. "We're killing Dylan. We put authentic-looking drugs in two boxes, pretending they are marijuana and cocaine. We are going to need some snipers and silent pistols. When we give him the packages, a sniper would snipe him. The men hiding would find a place to hide Dylan's body."
"Hmmm." He hummed, considering my idea. "What if it doesn't work? Wh-what if he does something to Alicia?" I could see the concern on his face.
"He won't," it sounded as if I was assuring myself and not him.
"Okay, Nico. Let's get your idea into motion now." Kenny gave me a reassuring smile as he walked off, leaving me alone to think about the mess I had put Alicia in.
. . .
I left the Chief of Police office, slamming the door in anger. That man had a special talent for pissing me off. I walked into my office, took a seat and removed my jacket when I heard my phone ring.
Unknown Number. Really? I answered the call, raising the phone to my ear.
"Who is this?" I asked.
I heard a soft crying sound. "Come get her before it's too late. You know what I need. I have to say though, she's a fine one." As soon as I heard that, I recorded the call.
I clenched my jaw and fist in anger, veins popping out, "don't you dare touch her Dylan."
"Oh," he said feigning amusement, "but I've already touched her and I will touch her in places you can't imagine if you don't give me what I want," he paused for a second and added, "Balcom." If I could, I would have slapped this guy over the phone. Damn you, Dylan.
"I'll get you what you want, just don't do anything to her," I smiled, thinking of what was coming for him. "Where and when?"
"A few blocks down the police department. You'll see an alley down that particular street. Walk down the alley and you'll be met with a dead end marked 'The Spot.' Midnight. Only you. Be early." He said, hanging up. He's a fool to think I would go get Alicia alone.
I stood up from my chair, pacing around the room. Midnight and I am going to shoot Dylan's brains out. I whipped out my phone and called Kenny.
"Nico? Any problem?" He inquired.
"Meet me at the bar. We have something to talk about," I told him as I hung up.
I checked the time, left the police department and hopped in my car playing some classics from the 90s. I drove down to my house in the Balcom estate I inherited from my father. I inherited almost everything from my father when he died; his house, his estate, his position of power in the whole drug stuff and even his responsibilities. It wasn't easy being the only male child in the family. My father started whipping me into the shape of a drug lord immediately after I clocked ten. I remember that day like it was yesterday.
. . .
My mother had baked a nice cake for me that day with the words, "Nico is 10!" plastered on it. It was another way of saying "Nico is ready for training to inherit the Balcom heritage." I had mixed feelings that day. After the celebration, my father called me to his study, that was the first time I ever set foot there.
The walls were painted white, with many shelves of books. The room had a smell I couldn't place. It wasn't a bad smell though. There was a sound of Celine Dion's records playing faintly in the room. Even with this nice environment, I could feel the tension in the air, like I was about to face something I would never expect. I looked at the other parts of the study in awe. There was another room in the study marked, 'TRAINING ROOM.' My father gestured for me to come and I walked over to him.
My father tousled my hair playfully as he gave me the brightest smile. He looked straight into my eyes, saying, "son, it's time. You're ready now. Let us begin." I knew what was next. My father had made sure to spare no detail of what would happen when I turned 10. I nodded at him, and both of us walked towards the training room.
. . .
I took a quick shower and put on some casual clothes. Walking over to my car, I received a call from Kenny telling me that he was at the bar already. I drove off hurriedly to the bar.
I told Nico everything Dylan had said and he told me he's got everything prepared.
Dylan was going to get it for laying a finger on Alicia.