Breaking Bad: 14 Tales of Lawless Love

by Koko Brown

  “Shut up!” Yayo replied. He placed the weapon on his lap, peered around, spotted Andric’s car and shook his head at his inattentiveness. “What are you doing here? You must leave.”

  “Bred sivoy kobyly!” Andric ran around to the passenger side and then jumped in. “Ex is an ass. He thinks he can boss us around, but he cannot.”

  Yayo sighed. “You’re crazy.”

  Andric snickered and reached in his pocket for a cigarette and lit up. He blew the smoke out of the window. “I am here to earn my money. Besides, it appears you are a shitty look-out.”

  TEN

  Ex entered through an unlocked window in the basement. The unintelligible voices above descended. Familiar with the blue-print of the house, his only concern was that the occupants might be scattered about. Once he got what he came for, he’d sweep every room.

  The night goggles were atop his skull cap, waiting for their debut. He checked his watch and with eight minutes remaining before the house went dark, he hurried up the stairs to the landing, ran a gloved hand on the wall until he touched a protrusion. He peeled away the clay that concealed the hole he drilled days ago and looked through the peephole.

  The house had many rooms. There were six bedrooms, four bathrooms, an enclosed sauna and also a gym. He dreaded searching them all and that induced a string of profanity at Andric and his vices. Ex snorted. Then he concentrated on the people in the dining room. Seated were five people. One was the company’s attorney, an older woman in spectacles, and three distinguished men. The woman attached a seal to a document after witnessing the executives’ signatories. These were the documents he was hired to recover.

  “No one is to leave alive,” the Client advised. “It is important—that you kill them all.”

  Ex, worked his mouth. He could use a beer and a steak when the job was over. In the meantime, he observed the Attorney slide the documents into a folder. Then his attention went to an image emerge from his blind spot. Security—he could tell by the person’s carriage and the bulge of a weapon. Another larger person entered his line of vision and tapped the Security Guard. He recognized that fellow—he remembered. He manned the front desk where his Mom worked. The coincidence struck him as odd. However, due to time constraints he failed to ponder the connection while straining to listen to their conversation.

  “Someone is parked on the other side of the lake,” the stout guy said to the Security Officer.

  “Are you certain?”

  “Yes. I noticed a light and then smoke.”

  “Show me.”

  Ebat! Ex rubbed his neck. Yayo did not smoke. Andric must have disobeyed his order. He glanced at his watch again before quickly texting Yayo and warning him that they were spotted. Leave, he then urged.

  “Is everything all right?” Someone asked.

  Ex peered through the hole and noticed the file missing. Then the lights went out.

  ELEVEN

  Ex snapped on the night vision eyewear, slowly turned the doorknob and then peeked out. The image intensifiers revealed green figures moving in the vicinity of the table. He stepped out; gun in hand and briskly marched toward the group, firing.

  The element of surprise worked in his favor. They were unable to see him coming

  One—two—three—four—five.

  Quiet shots landed with lethal precision. People toppled out of chairs. Those standing hit the floor. The only thing moving was his feet, quickly stepping over bodies, doing pat downs in an effort to locate the folder. Then he kicked a briefcase near the attorney and crouched, rolling the numbers on the security lock, hoping it’d snap open like magic. But, it didn’t and he rose with the case.

  Light flooded the room and he pulled the goggles down to adjust to the brightness. He hurried toward the basement door just as footsteps echoed in the front parlor. He made it to a wall, stuck himself there and the moment the person rushed toward the dining room, Ex unloaded bullets through his neck. When he struck the floor, Ex placed the briefcase down and knelt low. He peered around the wall and aimed at the man running in the corridor.

  Ex shot him in the femur and put another bullet in his arm. He didn’t kill him. Instead, he emerged to trot over the figure wiggling on the ground to ask questions. “You once worked for Ogen Pharmaceuticals.”

  “Yes! Yes! Years ago,” he replied as he clutched his leg, wincing from the pain.

  “Sasha Justas. Do you remember her?”

  There was a flicker of recognition. “Yes,” he answered in a shaky lilt. “Is this about her? Please, I am not responsible for her death.”

  One-two-three.

  The loud thumps to his chest escalated. There were drums beating in his head. “What do you mean you are not responsible?” he seethed.

  “When I learned of her death, I feared for my life and never returned to the company.”

  The pool of blood spread close to Ex’s feet. “Who is responsible for her death?”

  “I suspect it was Tavas, our boss.”

  Hearing the name rocked him sideways. “Tavas?”

  No, it could not be! Tavas had hired him to kill the executive and collect the documents.

  “Yes. She confided in a co-worker that she may have discovered an herbal formula that could slow the effects of blood cancer. The day before she died, she had been called into Tavas’ office. The co-worker mentioned to me that Tavas requested her to turn over whatever she had been working on during company time. But, it is my understanding he had already retrieved the information from her computer.”

  Ex growled, stunned by the information. His Grandpapa died from a blood disorder. “He stole her lab work.”

  “Technically it is company property.”

  “Shut up!” Ex kicked him in the mouth and spit mixed with blood stained his boot. “It was her work. She would be in the garden, growing plants, making herbal liniments and teas. He had no right to kill her and you did not inform the police. You and this co-worker suspected foul play and what do you do, change employment when my entire family died.”

  The man’s eyes widened. “You are her son, Exeter?”

  “And my father’s son—and a brother—you spineless bastard!” Then he fired repeatedly into the coward’s chest until the magazine emptied.

  TWELVE

  Ex decided to forego a sweep of the house. Instead he text Yayo and waited in the brush near the pond. He kept his eye on the house until Yayo returned with Andric.

  He emerged from his concealment, and tossed the case in the rear seat. “Blow the place,” he instructed and then climbed.

  “I ordered you to remain at the safe house,” he said to Andric.

  Yayo jogged toward the house out of earshot with his tools and Ex’s eyes followed. Then he cut away and focused on the back of Andric’s head.

  Andric spun around. “You did, but I am not Yayo or a dog that obeys a master. We are a brotherhood—Bra,” he stated boldly.

  Sometimes, Andric didn't think. Sometimes, he mouthed off too much. Today, he provoked a volatile person as dangerous as an active volcano. No, Andric didn't think-just like he didn't see Ex’s arm recoil or the powerful punch coming. But, he should've anticipated a hit—it wasn’t a secret that Ex was a troubled sonovabitch. Andric had needed a reminder to keep his big-mouth shut!

  The explosive right hook sent Andric into the dashboard. Before he recovered from the powerful blow, Ex shot from the backseat and dragged him out by his collar. He gripped Andric’s throat. “We are not a brotherhood of love. I owe you nothing except a false pledge that I will not slice your throat as you sleep. When I give you an order, you are to obey, are we clear?”

  Andric nodded. Blood dripped from his nose and Ex shoved him away with disgust. “You lit a cigarette and were spotted. You nearly had Yayo killed!”

  “Yayo…that is the only person you care about?” Andric railed. He took a step forward. “What of me? I have contributed to this business—remained loyal despite your fits of rage and even now it is Yayo that you wan
t to keep alive. Am I not your Bra? Am I nothing?” Andric shouted in Ex’s face. His eyes glistened and the desolate stare bore a hole in Ex that he believed he soldered.

  Ex’s chest barreled out. “Is that why you use the drugs?”

  “I am a foreigner in the land where I am born; abandoned not once—but twice. Yayo befriended me when I contemplated ending my life. When a boy thinks of death; he exists in the present. But presently I am a man looking toward the future. I saw us as a brotherhood. Yet, Bra, you view me as nothing. That is why I do them!”

  The confession extinguished Ex’s boiling anger. Ex opened his mouth, but Yayo had rushed over. Yayo glanced from Andric to Ex. “What is going on?”

  “It is nothing. Andric and I discussed America. After this job, I have decided we should all go to America.”

  Andric peered at Ex. “America?”

  “Yes, but first I must take care of personal business. In a few days we will leave and start anew.”

  Yayo smiled and held up the activation switch. “This calls for a celebration. Anyone wish to do the noisy honors?”

  “Let our Bra Andric do the honors,” Ex said quietly.

  Andric smirked, wiped his bloody nose and pressed the button. The massive explosion bent the small trees near the home. The lake reflected the colorful flames before pieces of debris littered its liquid mirror.

  THIRTEEN

  Ex changed out of his bloody clothes in the backseat as Yayo drove. Then he settled back to concentrate on opening the briefcase. After simple attempts of cracking the code, he simply popped the lock out of expediency. The folder he sought was among the legal papers. He read the document, scoffed and then stuffed it inside his backpack along with legal forms which were signed and sealed. He wondered why, but then shrugged. Greed led people to do bad things. Tavas wanted to beat his competitor to market with a life-saving drug with the formula stolen from his Mama.

  Ex noticed they neared the commercial district. “Let me out here,” he said to Yayo as they approached St. Michael’s Cathedral. Landscape Alley’s contemporary sculptures, brightened under the slow blinks of the sun during its awakening.

  Yayo pulled the car to the curb. Then Ex palmed both men’s skulls. “Get rid of this stuff and lay low for a few days, and then hop a flight to America.”

  “Aren’t you going?”

  “Yes, that’s the plan. But, I must handle a few things first.”

  Yayo studied Ex. “What are you planning?”

  Andric snorted. “I believe he plans to visit a woman. Is it the pretty one you saved from being struck? There is a quote from Coco Chanel that says a woman should walk like she has three men walking behind her. That one walks like she is packing and wears a bulletproof brassiere. I would be careful, if I were you.”

  Ex laughed good-naturedly, which surprised Yayo and Andric. They were unaware of his plan to kill a client and the consequence. There was a price to remain anonymous. Viktor Alexi was Mafiya in Donbas. The Brotherhood which Andric sought, Ex denounced. They were allowed to flourish in the guise of independence. However, Ex hadn’t confided that his first paid killing came from an underworld boss who had an open contract on a politician. Ex was seventeen when he executed the hit. On the night he collected the payment; he was offered a job by the Big Boss and declined.

  “You are bold to refuse my generosity,” the Mafiya Viktor Alexi had said. “I can kill you and keep my money for the offense. Tell me why I should not?”

  Ex stood resonate and unafraid as he faced an old man and several henchmen with tattoos of their station. “My Didus’ made your cane.”

  That bought Ex extended life, but not freedom. He chose his path—to avenge his family. But, before he did he wanted to fulfill a fantasy. He patted his comrades’ shoulders. “That is an Oscar De La Renta quote Andric. We will meet again Brothers.”

  “Where are we to meet in America?” Yayo asked. His eyes were translucent under the transitional light.

  “I will contact you. In the event I cannot, there is a sphere of the world in a park. That is where we meet if we are separated brothers. Pobachīmos'!” he said and then departed.

  FOURTEEN

  The luxury hotel’s elegant exterior he’d passed on many occasions on walks to his favorite restaurant. He entered the expansive lobby, which was empty in the early morning.

  Ex reached the Concierge counter and greeted him cheerfully. “Laskavo prosīmo! Good Morning, Sir, how can I help you?” he asked in broken English.

  “Greetings, I am here to surprise my fiancée Lynne Rayne. Which room is she in?” Ex asked in Ukrainian. He slipped the uniformed staff a folded bill.

  “She is in Room 201. I cannot give you a room key, I apologize, Sir,” he said and returned the money. “If she is happy to see you, then she will open the door.”

  “The room number is sufficient. Thank you for ensuring her security.” He left the cash on the counter and used the stairs.

  FIFTEEN

  Repetitive knocks awakened Lynne from a restless slumber. She stretched weary eyes, hoping that’ll help get her mind in tune for a day of sightseeing with zero funds. She grumbled and then hopped out of bed in her lace baby doll, spinning around to locate her robe. The knocks resumed and she croaked. “Hold on…there better be a fire!” She found the robe on the damn floor near the window. Once covered, she marched to the door. “Who is it?”

  “It is a person who wants to take beautiful Lynne to breakfast and apologize.”

  Lynne looked through the peephole, spotted the guy she suspected of stealing her wallet and fully awakened. The door remained locked. She wasn’t stupid. “Did you take my wallet?”

  He held it up. “Yes. I wanted to see you again.”

  “So you steal my wallet? Is this how assholes in your country try to get with women? Is my money in there?”

  “Yes.”

  “Leave it by the door and get the fuck out of here. Thief!” She replied incredulously. His accent was sexy as hell but nope, she wasn’t opening the door for a possible serial killer.

  “I am apologizing.”

  Lynne wondered if he had mental problems. “Do I need to call security?”

  “I am unafraid of security. I am afraid to die without your forgiveness. Forgive me Lynne Rayne,” he beseeched. He stooped and placed his eye to the narrow hole. “Before I am killed I wanted to have a kiss. You are my fantasy.”

  “You are crazy.” She shrieked in disbelief.

  “I have something for you.” Ex disappeared from view to dip and slip a card under the door. She picked it up and noticed it was his driver’s license. “Exeter Justas.” Today was his birthday. She ran to the bedroom for her cell and took a photo of the identification, sent it to her best friend and added a cryptic message: If you don’t hear from me in 2 hrs. , contact the U.S. Embassy and send them this.

  Lynne returned to the front of the suite, and slid his license back under the door. “Happy Birthday Exeter.”

  “Will you have breakfast with me?”

  “No thank you.”

  He had removed his leather jacket and now leaned against the opposite wall for her to see him clearly—and damn was he fine, she admitted.

  “When I was a boy my family died. Every day I think of them. He removed his backpack and slid down the wall with to sit crossed-legged. “My Mama would bake yabluchnyk. That was my favorite. But, for sixteen years I have avoided yabluchnyk.”

  Lynne felt bad for the cutie if his sob story was actually true. “Why?”

  “I dread this day. I have never told that to anyone.” The handsomely rugged face looked in the direction of the elevator. “I hoped that today I might have one slice with Lynne.”

  “Why do you dread your birthday?” she asked.

  He faced the door with his chin raised. “On my birthday everyone I loved died.”

  She sighed; sensing his sincerity—but a thief and a conman is one in the same. “When did this happen? What year? If what you say checks out, I
’ll have breakfast with you and give you a kiss on the cheek.”

  Ex smiled. He recited the day and the time to locate the news article. “Family dies In fiery car explosion in Kiev. Google it American—hurry I am hungry.”

  SIXTEEN

  Lynne took longer than he anticipated to dress. When she emerged from her hotel room, he stared upward from his makeshift bed on the floor. He removed the backpack pillow and leapt to his feet. “You are lovely,” he complimented. “May I use your bathroom?”

  She picked up her wallet, and checked if he stole anything. “Sorry, you’ll have to hold it. I am not letting you in. I don’t trust you.”

  Ex cocked an eye at her. “Are all American women inhospitable?”

  “I don’t know.” She led the way to the elevator. “Go steal their wallets and find out.”

  Ex grimaced. Andric believed she walked with men at her back. He disagreed; Lynne Rayne was a confident woman aware of her feminine power. A woman like Lynne didn’t need a man behind her—at her side was more fitting, Ex surmised. He caught up to her and used his head to gesture to the stairs. “Let’s walk down.”

  “Why, so you can assault me in the stairwell?”

  “No, so I can get to a bathroom quicker.”

  She sighed. “You need to go that bad?”

  “Yes.” He made a face and she laughed.

  “I swear Exeter you must have been a hand full when you were young.”

  “You can call me Ex.”

  “Alright Ex, come on!” She turned around in a huff and strut in the high heels and tight jeans to the hotel suite. When she unlocked the door, she pointed to his chest. “Leave your backpack right here.”

  He obeyed.

  “And hurry up before I change my mind.”

  Ex snickered and squeezed by her to run inside to find the bathroom. The layout was familiar and he found the latrine in a flash. When he finally pissed, his urine expelled with the force of a fire hose. He leaned back smiling. Lynne planned to make him work for that kiss, he figured. He shook off, washed his hands and then sniffed his armpits. He groaned and freshened up with her feminine products and even used her toothbrush to clean his teeth.