Beast, Part Two (The Church #5)

Spa Day

chapter Thirty-one

Hawk

I pull the cover up over Brooklyn’s shoulders. She went right to sleep as soon as we got out the shower.

I stare down at her form, lying in the bed. The vision of her is too blurry to make anything out, but I still watch her.

I haven’t been honest with her yet. It’s a huge possibility that even if we do take care of Corbyn, and get the excommunication order withdrawn, I will still have to go back to the Church.

Asking Lucien, after all this, to go back and hide us again, is too much. I wouldn’t want to put my brother through that. He has his own life and family to worry about.

If I go back to the Church, I might not be around to see my family. We’ve all had this conversation. Now that Priest is gone, we have no one to advocate for us. They won’t be as lenient as before. Hell, they may put me in lock down like they did Beast or even retire me. Which basically means they will kill me.

Either way, at some point, I will have to walk away from my family. The thought of that kills me.

Turning from the bed, I head out of the room and toward the dining room. It’s time for our morning briefing. I follow my well-known route throughout the house. When Priest had this house built, he did it with me in mind. Wide hallways, open spaces, and sufficient lighting in every inch of the house. He made sure I could navigate this house without any issues.

Walking into the dining room, I immediately make out the voices in the room. Lucien is here, along with Red, Many, Zel, Maksim, and Beast.

I take a spot against the wall beside Beast. I don’t need my sight to know it’s him. Summer’s fruity scent is all over him.

“You alright?” he asks.

That seems to be the question that we’re all asking a lot nowadays. I’m not sure about them, but I answer it with the same lie every time.

“Yeah, I’m good.”

I wasn’t. And it wasn’t just because my father was dead. I wouldn’t be good until we dealt with Corbyn, and until we figured out what we were going to do about the Church.

Unlike Beast, Zel, Many, and Seth, I had no desire to go back to my job as a deacon. I wanted my freedom. I wanted to wake up and go to bed beside my wife every day without fearing someone coming in and taking it from me. I wanted to hold my sons without always looking over my shoulder.

However, now wasn’t the time to discuss that. So, my lie had to suffice. I wasn’t sure if Beast believed it or not, but he didn’t ask me any more questions.

“D.O.E has now eliminated fifteen of Corbyn’s known residences,” Red says briefing us. “They were all vacant at the time. He’s still in the wind.”

“He won’t come out of the woodworks yet. There hasn’t been enough pressure on him,” Maksim confirms. “We need to continue to track down my siblings.”

“Has he tried to contact any of them yet?” Red asks Lucien, who has been keeping tabs on the cellphones of the siblings we’ve killed.

The goal is to keep him from finding out our plan before we are ready to go after him. That’s why we clean every crime scene and dispose of the bodies.

“No. As of right now, there hasn’t been any attempts to reach out.”

“Good.” The sound of soft footfalls walking across the floor lets me know Red is moving. Tapping has my head turning in that direction. She’s standing in front of the whiteboard in the room. Priest explained the layout when we first transferred the dining room into our makeshift headquarters.

Recently, all the names of Corbyn’s kids were written on the board. So far, the only names that have been eliminated are Archie and Zeke.

“Okay, how are we coming along with tracking down Micah?”

Lucien lets out a deep sigh that precedes the sound of something solid clunking to the table. I’m assuming they’re his glasses. I worry about him. I fear he’s being stretched too thin. I also worry that we have not heard from Seth since we were in Doc’s home. Although Lucien hasn’t said anything to us about it, I think he’s worried too.

“No word from him yet. I think our best option is to wait for Nolan to take our bait.”

Last week Maksim explained that Nolan was a very high maintenance man. He spent thousands of dollars on facials, pedicures, waxes, tanning and massages. Lucien set up a free spa day at an upscale spa in the city. It’s one of the most sought-after places. He made it seem as if Nolan had been chosen for a giveaway. He has yet to claim the award. The moment he walks into that spa, Lucien will be notified.

“Be patient,” Maksim grumbles. “He’s going to take the bait.”

“Well, until then we need to move on to—”

Before Red can finish her statement, Lucien’s phone rings on the table. There is a slight delay before I hear his voice.

“Hello?” he says. He pauses to wait for a response. “Thank you, Veronica.” The phone clunks down on the table.

“That was the spa. Nolan is on his way.”

That was convenient.

“Okay, we need to move fast. This needs to be a quick kill. In and out,” Red says. “We don’t want too much for the cleaning crew to clean up. It also needs to be quiet as possible.”

“I’ll do it,” I say.

There is a pause in the room.

“Are you sure, Hawk?” Red asks.

I understand her question. There was a reason I’d left the Church. This killing thing wasn’t for me anymore. But this was different. This was personal.

“Yeah, I’m sure.”

Beast’s heavy hand smacks me in the back. “Welcome back, brother.”

This will be my first solo kill in a very long time.

“Alright, Maksim and Beast, you two take him into the city. Zel, you’re going to be his guide. The floor plan isn't too complicated, but that place has a lot of twists and turns."

Standing to my feet, Beast joins me.

“I got this,” I say.

Although it has been a minute since I’ve done this, there are some things you just don’t forget.

Maksim and Beast let me out at the back of the building. The smell of trash is the first thing that catches my attention. Also, the absence of heavy traffic from the main road stands out.

I adjust the glasses on my face.

“These glasses make me feel stupid,” I complain.

“Hey, as someone that wears glasses, I take offense,” Lucien says.

The earpiece fills with laughter.

“Alright, Hawk,” Zel says speaking up over the laughter. “I’ll guide you through the layout once you get inside.”

“And I’ll be your eyes,” Lucien adds.

I usually wouldn’t need anyone to be my ‘eyes’ on a menu. However, this place has too many unknown variables. It’s a public place during work hours. Not to mention, I don’t know the layout. Because there aren’t cameras in every room, I’ll need Lucien’s sight.

“Straight ahead is the entrance,” Lucien says. “The key card I made for you will get you in. That service uniform and toolbox will also allow you to move freely. They recently had some plumbing issues, so you’re there for that if anyone asks.”

Walking up to the door, I swing it open and step in. The room I enter is bright enough allowing me to make out more shadows. Thankfully, the room is empty.

“They’re leading Nolan downstairs,” Zel says into the earpiece. “You’re going to come out of this room and take an immediate left.”

I follow his directions. There is much more traffic in the hallway. I weave through the few people I come into contact with. Sure enough, no one stops me or asks me any questions. This maintenance man cover up is brilliant.

“About ten paces ahead, there is an elevator to your right. You’re going to take that down to the basement.”

As I listen to Zel, I’m caught off guard when someone bumps into my side.

“I’m so sorry,” the female says as I turn to face her.

“It’s alright,” I say as I try to continue walking.

“Wait, are you here for the plumbing?”

“Umm, yeah.”

“Perfect, you can help me.” She grabs my arm and starts pulling me in the opposite direction of the elevator.

“You could shoot her,” Beast says through the earpiece. Beast and Maksim are parked a block away in the suburban, ready to intervene if things go wrong. They are using the camera view from my glasses to see what I’m seeing.

“No unnecessary bodies, brother,” Maksim says, sounding exasperated.

“Maksim is correct,” Red says through the earpiece. “Just see what she needs.”

The female hauls me through a narrow door. I look around the dimly lit room, unable to make out anything. Soft music is playing in the background and the smell of incense floats through the air.

“You’re in a massage room. Watch out, there’s a table in front of you.”

Just in time, I sidestep the table Lucien warned me about. Placing my hand on the soft surface, I run my finger along the edge to find where it ends.

“See,” the female says. She isn’t moving anymore so I stop too.

“It’s a sink,” Lucien explains.

“What’s wrong with it?” I ask the obvious question any service worker would ask.

She doesn’t answer, but I hear a movement in front of me. It sounds like a squeaking sound.

“The water isn’t turning on,” Lucien explains.

“Can you fix it?” She asks.

“Hold on, I’m googling it,” Lucien says.

“We don’t have time for this. Just shoot her,” Beast says with a deep sigh.

“I can fix it,” I say to the girl.

She touches my arm gently. “Thank you, handsome.”

She removes her hand from my arm and then her footsteps start to recede letting me know she’s leaving. The soft click of the door closing tells me I’m alone.

“You better be glad I know better, or I’d tell my sister you were flirting.” Red says teasingly.

I scoff. “She’d know that was a lie. I only have eyes for Brook.” Reaching my hand out to touch a flat surface, I find the counter in front of me. I place the toolbox down on top of it.

“Says the blind guy,” Zel jokes.

“Alright, you’re going to need pliers for this.”

It takes me and Lucien less than ten minutes to clean out the aerator on the faucet. After replacing my tools, I head out of the small room and back into the hallway.

“Alright, he’s still downstairs,” Zel says, taking over the directions.

This time I make it to the elevators without incident. Once I climb on, I find the basement button and press it.

“When you step out of the elevator, go to your right. He’s behind the second door on your left.”

The elevator doors ding and I step out. The hallway is thankfully as bright as they are upstairs.

“You’ll need both your hands,” Lucien says. “In front of you is a table you can put that toolbox on.”

I drop the toolbox on the table and head back in the direction Zel gave me. Stopping outside the door, I pause.

“There aren’t any cameras inside that room. You’re going to have to rely on Lucien and your instincts.”

I don’t respond. Instead, I pull my gun out of my back holster and look in both directions. I’ll be able to see a shadow of a person coming. Thankfully, there is no one. Pushing the door open slowly, I walk in.

As soon as I enter, I take in as much as I can. The smell of sweat, the sound of movement to my right, and then the rapid sound of footsteps. I turn just in time to catch the impact of someone slamming into me. The glasses on my face fall off as I’m shoved into a wall.

“Shit, Hawk, I can’t see anything,” Lucien says in my earpiece.

I don’t reply. A fist flies into my ribs, causing me to lean to the side. I aim my gun and fire off a round, but my gun arm is shoved to the right, sending my bullet in the opposite direction.

“Hawk, are you there?” a panicked Red shouts.

“A little occupied,” I grunt as I dodge the next fist flying toward my face.

“Do you need us?” Maksim shouts in my ear.

Because of his interruption, I can’t make out Nolan’s next move and get kneed in the balls. I groan as I drop to the ground.

“Fuck,” I gasp as I cradle my cock. “He kicked me in the dick.”

Everyone on the other end of the earpiece hisses. My gun is then kicked from my hand.

“Now who are you?” Nolan asks. He’s moving around me. “Can’t be anyone that truly knows me, because this is too bold of a move.” He chuckles.

“We’re coming in,” Beast says.

“No,” Red argues. “Give him time. If you run in, it will draw too much attention.”

“Will you please shut up so I can focus,” I say as I push up from the ground.

“Focus on what?” Nolan laughs.

I take in my surroundings. It’s obvious I’m in a sauna, which means somewhere on the wall are the controls for the steam. I slowly climb to my feet.

“I’m going to enjoy kicking your ass,” Nolan gloats.

I’m shoved from the back into another wall. My hand hits something hard and square.

Well, lucky me. Finding the dial on the machine, I turn it all the way to the left. I’m then grabbed and spun around. Nolan shoves me into the wall again before he gives me a left hook to the face, followed by a right. I again drop to the ground.

Nolan grabs the back of my hair and hauls me back to my feet. However, he hesitates before swinging.

“What the hell?” he mumbles.

From the mugginess in the room, I can tell it’s filling with steam. The sound of heavy footsteps moving away from me tells me Nolan is retreating.

“I can’t see shit,” Nolan fusses.

A slow smile spreads over my face. Closing my eyes, I focus on the sounds around me. The gust of wind blowing at me tells me exactly where he is. I send my fist into him, connecting with his jaw.

He grunts before hitting the wall behind him. I follow the sound, cornering him as I rain down blows on him. My knuckles split against his face, but I keep going.

At some point, he musters up enough strength to shove me off him. I stumble back, my foot hitting something solid. I smile as I bend down and pick up my gun.

Nolan’s feet smack against the floor. He’s moving in circles. The way the air keeps brushing against my face tells me he's swinging blindly.

“Where the fuck are you?” he yells, giving me his exact location.

Holding up my gun, I aim it and fire. The thud of his body hitting the floor is comforting to me. I feel around the ground until I find the glasses. I put them back on my face.

“Oh fuck,” Lucien sighs. “He’s alright.”

“Thank goodness,” Red says.

Squatting down. I feel for Nolan’s body reaching for his neck.

“No need to check,” Lucien says. “You got him right in the temple.”

I still make sure he has no pulse. Once I’m satisfied, I stand back up.

“I’m getting too old for this,” I say exhaling.

“Sounds like you got your ass kicked,” Zel laughs.

“He definitely got his ass kicked,” Beast adds.

I stumble out of the sauna, closing the door behind me. Retracing my steps back to the table, I grab my toolbox before heading to the elevator.

“At least the job is done. Call the cleanup crew.”

“They are already there,” Red says.

I climb into the elevator and push the button back to the main floor. I clutch my sore ribs as I lay my head against the wall behind me.

Yeah, I definitely can’t come back to this shit.