The Assassin's Blood: The Confradia Assassins 3

Chapter 7: Blood will tell

Declan

Once the Confradia men take Collins away, I stroll into the nearest bar, ready to wash away the sins of the day and find an even keel. A small part of me feels bad for Collins because his family was put in a precarious position. But another part doesn't because he brought it on to himself. Taking a seat on a nearby stool, I gesture for the bartender, Ronny, to serve me a drink.

Striding towards me, Ronny gives me a welcoming smile. "Declan! It's good to see you." He calls out with delight as he stretches his arm out. Ronny's old biker with tattoos all over his body and thinning gray hair. His leather Harley Davidson vest strains around his muscled shoulder as he leans over the bar's counter and shakes my hand. "Hey, Ronny. How are you?" Ronny shrugs his shoulders. "Same as always. Just pounding the pavement every day. How's it going with you?" I shake my head. "Same here, Ronny." Ronny laughs boisterously and slaps the counter. "Alright, then. What will you have today? Scotch?"

Leaning an elbow on the counter, I nod my head and release a weary sigh. "Sound good." Ronny gives me a commiserating grin, turns to the bar, and prepares my drink. "Coming right up!"

Gazing around the bar, I make eye contact with a pretty brunette who's sitting with a few other women. It looks like it's happy hour. As soon as they notice my gaze, the women begin to whisper.

I shake my head, remembering another brunette. Regret still chokes me when I think about the beautiful girl. I should have asked her for her number. It has been a few years, but I can still smell her silky skin and the feel of her body against mine. It's funny because I've been with a few women since, but none of those encounters compared to that moment when I held her in my arms. Sometimes I think about going back to that diner and finding her. But then, common sense rears its head and reminds me that my life is complicated. I can't afford to do complicated.

Ronny places a drink in front of me, snapping me out of my haze and nudges his chin at one of the tables. "Look like you've caught the eyes of several ladies. I don't know how you do it, boy. It must be those pretty eyes." I smirk at his comment. "It's okay, Ronny I'm not stealing Gretchen away. I promise." He gives me a playful scowl. "You stay away from my wife, kid. I wouldn't want to mess up your money maker. I wouldn't want to do that because every time you show up, I make money." I give him a puzzled frown. "What?" He laughs again. "You didn't know? Every time you come around, the ladies come flocking in. You're like the pied piper of women. Gretchen says it's 'cause you're so pretty. I don't see it." I break out into gales of laughter at his comment.

I've never really thought about my looks in that context. I mean, I know that I'm attractive, but it's not something that I use to my advantage. My mother tells me that I look like my father with his dark hair and blue eyes. That's probably why I try not to think about it. My father was not the best father in the world. I'll never forget the day he walked out on us. I was ten at the time, and Christmas had just passed. I remember my mom bought me a zombie video game that I'd been begging for.

I've been a Confradia agent for nearly ten years, and before that, I was in the military. As soon as I graduated high school, I enlisted in the Marines. I proved to be apt in the field of intelligence. I was also very good with firearms and hand-to-hand combat. That's when I caught the eye of the Confradia. Two years later, I became a Confradia Assassin. Confradia means guild. We are a group of sanctioned killers from a very secure part of the government. The Confradia is usually called in when there are no other options. We are the ones who take care of those who believe they are untouchable by society. The rich and powerful assholes who think they are above the law.

I look at the brunette as she makes her way towards me with a come-hither smile and settles on the stool next to mine. Taking a sip of my drink, I give her a sincere smile.

"Hello." She whispers sensually. I nod my head in greeting. "Hello." Her smile widens at the sound of my voice. Taking a deep breath, she leans close, extends her hand in greeting and huskily whispers. "I'm Cici."

"I'm Declan. It's nice to meet you, Cici." Her eyes widen with pleasure. "Declan…would you like to join me for a drink?"

I think about her offer for a moment. Even though she's beautiful, I feel nothing. Sitting back, I shift around restlessly. It's not that I don't like sex. It's more like I'm tired of meaningless encounters. I figure that I'm at a point in my life where I want sex to mean something, which sounds stupid when I think about it.

Thankfully, I don't have to find an excuse to walk away because my cell phone vibrates at that moment. Cici looks on curiously while I reach for my phone. "I'm sorry, Cici. I have to take this…it's work." She nods her head with a disappointed frown.

Turning slightly, I gaze down at the screen and hit the answer button. "Declan, we have a situation here. Priest asked me to call you." I frown at his tone. "What's this about Hunter?" He snickers. "Just get over here, man." Before I can respond, Hunter disconnects the call. Someone really needs to show that kid some manners.

Rising from my chair, I lay three hundred dollar bills on the bar and turn back to Cici. "I'm sorry, Cici. You're very beautiful, and at any other time, I would have taken you up on your offer, but I have to go." Cici scrunches her mouth up into a pout and releases a regretful sigh. "That's too bad, Declan. Maybe we can do it some other time." I nod in agreement and turn back to Ronny. "That should cover the ladies' tab." Ronny nods his head and takes the money. Without another word, I bow my head, wave goodbye, and try to pretend that I don't feel relief as I make my way out of the door. Maybe I need a vacation. Because I refuse to think about the fact that my restlessness began the day I met a beautiful brunette with soulful brown eyes.