CHAPTER 12
CORBIN.
I grab the other envelope, which didn't have a name, as it wasn't necessary. I read who my next target is: Oh, damn, this had to be a joke from Ben. How the hell was I supposed to kill him, and without any explanation?
I take my phone out of my jeans and dial his number; I needed to know why this was happening.
—What's up, kid? —Ben answers, his voice filled with nonchalance.
—Ben, I think there's been a mistake regarding who I'm supposed to kill.
—Hahaha! I don't think so. What's going on, Corbin? You know I never make mistakes.
—Then you have to give me a good reason why I'm going to kill this guy. I can't do this, man.
—To the one who lied to you and barged into your life without saying anything. Like father, like son.
—I don't give a damn! I won't hurt her. I won't make her suffer… Now tell me what he has to do with you?
—A lot, it has a lot to do. You know very well that no one can intrude into my world and then pretend to steal from me and get away unscathed.
—No, Ben, you know I'm not into that kind of…
—Calm down, calm down, I know. Don't forget why I trained you every day, to take care of those bastards who didn't deserve to live —Ben interrupts. He hated those damn rapists who abused innocent children, since his daughter had been abused by her stepfather. When he separated from his wife, she ran away with the girl. Ben had no idea about her until years later. Unfortunately, he arrived too late into her life; the damage was already done. But there was a shadow that wouldn't let her be… and I was able to finish improving the life of that twenty-year-old girl by getting rid of that shadow four years ago.
She was the most amazing woman I had ever known. Despite everything she had been through, she remained innocent, sweet, gentle, loving, and kind. I once told her that if my heart didn't already belong to another woman, she could be the perfect woman for me. Fortunately for me, she was already the perfect woman for another man. I was as sure as hell that Miller loved her so much that he would take a bullet for her.
—Corbin, are you there?
—Yeah, I'm here. I was reminiscing about old times.
—Thinking about my little girl. Amanda hasn't forgotten you either. She always complains because it's been three years since she last saw you.
—I miss her a lot too. Getting back to the point, Ben, I need to know more.
—You're the best man I have, the one who can do a clean job without leaving a trace. He's a damn ex-cop; he infiltrated my organization to get the coordinates of where the big arms deals are made, and he got them. Now I want them back. If you don't want to kill him, that's fine; just bring him to me.
—Ben, I… —he doesn't give me a chance to finish because the bastard hangs up on me. This was his way of telling me that this conversation was over and that I had no more options.
—Ahh! —I shout, frustrated. I take my glass of whiskey and go for more.
I didn't want to think, not today. Maybe tomorrow I'd deal with all this crap. I knew where I had to go: the bike races, the best place to forget everything…
(####)
I take a good cup of black coffee, no sugar, to help me finish waking up. Today was going to be long; no matter what, I had to face Sienna. I would deal with the rest later; for now, I needed to confront that… beautiful and sweet cunning woman.
—Good morning, guys! —I greet everyone as I walk into the restaurant. They respond in unison. It was obvious that John had arrived early and opened the place up. As my right-hand man, he had a copy of the keys; in reality, he was like my older brother.
I walk straight to my office, and when I go to open the door, I see it's slightly ajar. As I walk in, I stop to observe her bare back up to the middle. There was Sienna Green, sitting in one of the chairs in front of my desk, wearing a beautiful white dress with floral patterns. This was the girl I used to remember.
I clear my throat a bit to get her attention. She turns immediately and sits up.
—Good morning, Corbin.
—Good day. Have you been waiting long?
—No, just about forty-five minutes —curses flood my mind, that's a long time, but she would never admit it since she doesn't like to complain or inconvenience anyone.
I walk to my chair and take a seat, placing my jacket aside. Then, I lean forward to observe that sweet woman who, for the second time in my life, has managed to captivate me.
She smiles faintly but looks at me with confusion.
—Is something wrong?
—No. Why?
—Mmm… then it's me who has made up like a clown this morning and you find it very amusing.
I laugh out loud.
—Nothing's wrong, don't worry. So tell me, why were you looking for me?
—I came to pick up my car, as it was left here yesterday, and also… —she lowers her gaze, her long black eyelashes brushing her cheeks as she bites her lower lip. It was obvious she was thinking—. Remember I told you yesterday that as soon as my son was discharged, I would come to hand in my resignation letter.
I remembered that. But I didn't think she would actually do it. She extends a white envelope in my direction. I watch it, but don't take it.
—I just came for that. Now I have to go.
—How is Eric? —I ask her. She seems surprised, blinking several times before answering.
—H-he's fine. At home, waiting for me. —She stands up and starts to walk away.
—Aren't you going to wait for your check or would you prefer I send it to you? —she didn't need to know that I knew where she lived.
—To be honest, I didn't come for your money. I just came to resign, that's all.
I stand up and walk to the front of my desk, leaning on it and crossing my arms.
—I see.
—What do you see? —she asks, turning to face me.
—that you haven't changed at all. Only your hair color. When will you learn that not everyone is good?
—No… I don't know what you're talking about —she turns to leave.
—you don't know what I'm talking about, Sienna. I think you do. —Poor thing freezes with one hand on the doorknob.
—Sienna, look at me. —She shakes her head frantically. I approach and turn her, holding her face in my hands. When I lift her chin, I see thick tears falling down her beautiful face; her eyes are tightly shut. Damn, I didn't want to make her cry. Seeing her like this tears me apart.
—Shhh, don't cry, little one. It's okay. I just want you to look at me and tell me why… why did you do all this? What were you hoping to find in my life? Why did you come back? You know I'm no good for you!
—I… I can't talk right now. Please, give me time —she whispers, her voice barely audible. I watch her for a moment.
—That's okay.
—What? —she asks incredulously.
—I'll give you time. Maybe a couple of days, nothing more. —I hadn't planned to let her go this time. It was clear that if she had come back to me, there was a reason. And even though I didn't want to admit it, my heart still longed for her. I still loved this woman like the first day. I knew I shouldn't, that it was wrong, but then:
Have you ever fallen in love with someone you know you can never have without hurting them?
Because once again, the universe conspired against me, showing me that there were things I couldn't have, and Sienna Green was one of them.