Read Online One Last Bullet: An Action Thriller (Adrian Hell Series Book 3) by James P. Sumner - Free Book Online Page B

argue the finer points of morality, given what we do for a living, but to me there’s a difference between being an assassin and being a murderer. I saw you cross that line last night, Adrian... And it scared the shit outta me.”
    I take a sip of my coffee and think about what he’s just said. I hadn’t thought about it like that. I just see myself as being on a job and doing what I need to do, so I can get to the target—who, in this case, is Wilson Trent. I’ve done much worse for the sake of a contract than kill a drug addict and his dealer. I’m genuinely struggling to see his point, but at the same time, I know he wouldn’t have said anything if there was nothing to it.
    I take a deep breath and sigh heavily.
    “Look,” I begin. “This isn’t just another contract. This is Wilson Trent. I’d tear this world apart if it meant I could put a bullet in his head. You said yourself this has been a long time coming. You must’ve known that once we got here, there would be no holding back? That I’d show zero restraint in going after him?”
    Josh nods his head slowly, reluctantly conceding my point.
    “Yeah, I know,” he replies. “I guess, even after all these years, it’s just strange seeing you act in a way that I can’t justify.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Well, like I’ve said, when we get a contract, we do our research and take them out. There’s no emotion there... it’s just a job. And I think knowing that makes it easy for me to justify doing it. But there was no job last night—no contract or moral justification. You simply murdered two people in cold blood—albeit really horrible people... but nevertheless, the lack of... anything on your part just looked borderline psychopathic.”
    “I understand what you’re saying, Josh—I do. But I’m not apologizing. I fully intend killing a lot more people before this ends, and every one of them will likely deserve it. Every now and then, my demons need to come out so they don’t consume me. And I’m fortunate that my life allows that with some level of valid reasoning. I’m not a mindless psychopath or a calculated serial killer, I’m a professional assassin—I rely on my darkness to keep me alive. And I rely on you to keep me in check—which you do a spectacular job of, by the way.”
    He smiles. “Ah, shucks!”
    We both laugh, and any tension quickly disperses.
    “I appreciate you speaking up,” I add. “But I need you to be okay with whatever I decide is necessary here.”
    He shrugs. “I remember watching you via that satellite feed take out Roberto Pellaggio and his small army in the space of about ten minutes. That guy had pushed you farther than I thought possible, and he deserved everything he got. It was insanely beautiful to watch. But last night, Billy McCoy hadn’t done anything to you, and you still unleashed that tiny Satan of yours. I guess I’m just used to seeing more… provocation. But I know why we’re here and the bottom line is: whatever it takes. Right?”
    “Amen, brother.”
    I lean over the table and we bump fists just as the waitress brings us our breakfasts. We eat heartily, pay the check, and head back to the hotel to collect our things. We’re in the Winnebago and on the road within twenty minutes.
    “Okay, so where is this place, do you know?” I ask, as we stop at a red light.
    “It’s in Hazelwood,” he replies. “Not far from here. We’re gonna have to be discreet with this though, Boss. If this is one of Trent’s businesses, he’ll have security cameras, hired muscle on site, you name it. You’re about to make yourself very visible, and we need to minimize that as much as possible.”
    I smile. “It will be as if I’m a gentle breeze, disturbing no one.”
    He quickly throws me a skeptical glance. “Bullshit. Not only does that not even make sense, we all know you’re about as subtle as a tank.”
    I shrug. “Guilty... But I’ll do my best.”
    “Just give me five minutes when