The Return (The Eliminator Series Book 11) Read online

  The Return

  The Eliminator Series Book 11

  Mike Ryan

  www.mikeryanbooks.com

  Copyright © 2021 by Mike Ryan

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Cover Design By BZN Studio

  Edited By Anna Albo

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  About the Author

  Also by Mike Ryan

  1

  He could already smell it. The trees, the grass, the freedom. Especially the freedom. As Mallette signed his last paper, he turned and looked at the door. It was the last one between him and the outside. It was a day that he didn’t think would happen. At least not this soon. He fully believed that he was going to spend every single day of his prison term inside.

  “I’d say not to come back, Mallette,” a guard said, “but we both know you’ll wind up back here again, anyway, don’t we?”

  Mallette tilted his head up and looked down his nose at the man with contempt. If only he had a gun in his hand. And a place where he wouldn’t be seen. He quickly shook off the feeling, though. He finally let loose a grin. Nothing was going to spoil this day for him. Nothing. Especially some underpaid prison guard who was beneath him.

  “I will never be back here,” Mallette said. “Not one more day.”

  The guard laughed to himself. “Yeah, OK. Good luck with that.”

  Mallette turned and walked to the door, another guard opening it for him. The guard escorted him outside. Mallette stopped and briefly looked up, closing his eyes as he inhaled the fresh air. He opened his eyes again and walked over to the front gate that opened for him as he got near it.

  “Don’t come back, Mallette,” another guard said.

  Mallette didn’t bother to look at him, instead focusing on the car that was outside waiting for him. As he approached the vehicle, several men got out of it. They stood near the hood of it as they waited for their boss to get near them. The first of which was Andrew Berry, his new lawyer. He stood there with a pompous look on his face. Standing next to him were Daryl Selby and Ken Reed, two men that Mallette met in prison and who swore allegiance to him whenever he got out of there. They were already loyal soldiers.

  Berry was the first to greet Mallette, extending his hand and shaking his boss’s. “It’s a great day, isn’t it?”

  Mallette smiled. “It certainly is. While I was in that hellhole, there were many people who promised me that my time in there would be short-lived. You were the only one who came through.”

  A cocky-looking smile came over Berry’s face. He liked the compliments and thought they were well deserved, but he at least pretended like he was humbled by them. “Well, I did my best.”

  “Nonsense. Don’t be modest. I am out here today because of you. You have my thanks. And a position in my organization for as long as you want one.”

  “Well, thank you. About those other things we agreed on…”

  “You’ll get them. And more. Houses, money, women, whatever you want, you can have. You’ll never want for anything as long as you’re with me.”

  That was exactly what Berry wanted to hear. “I’m here for the long haul.”

  Mallette then looked at the others. “And what kind of situation are we looking at?”

  Selby answered. “We’ve got fifteen men ready to go.”

  “It’s not enough. Not for what I want to accomplish.”

  “We’ll keep hitting the streets, talking to people.”

  “Why don’t we have more already? You both got out over six months ago. You were supposed to have an army waiting for me.”

  “There’s been complications,” Reed replied.

  “Such as?”

  “Streets are up for grabs right now. You ain’t the only game in town.”

  “If you’re referring to those other two-bit organizations trying to pick up the scraps that I left, I already know of them.”

  “That’s all well and good, but the fact is that Butch and Ames took over most of your territory since you’ve been gone. There’s not many boys available who aren’t already working for them.”

  “And that’s not even mentioning the other problem,” Selby said.

  The pleasant look on Mallette’s face eroded. His jaw clenched, and he looked angry. He already had an idea about what that other issue was. “What other problem?”

  Selby looked at Reed, not wanting to make their boss mad. “Jacobs. He’s still out there.”

  “I’m aware of that!” Mallette said angrily.

  “Yeah, I know. But there’s guys out there who know what happened the last time you went up against him. The rest of the boys you had that went up against him ain’t here no more.”

  “So you’re saying they’re scared of him?”

  “Well, to be honest, yes.”

  The angry face on Mallette wasn’t letting up. “I’ll deal with Jacobs soon enough.”

  “Right now, he might be the least of our problems,” Reed said.

  “How’s that?”

  “Well, like I said, Butch and Ames have taken over.”

  “I was under the impression that Ames’ organization had crumbled, that he was killed several months ago. Is that not correct?”

  Reed shook his head. “That’s the rumor. But nobody’s been able to confirm it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Apparently, he tangled with Jacobs, too. Rumor is he got shot, killed, but his body’s never turned up anywhere. No hospitals, no cemeteries, no morgues, no nothing.”

  “And his men?”

  Reed shrugged. “Operating as normal. Not as many of them left, though. Jacobs got a lot of them too. Word is they’re working with reduced manpower. Skeleton crew.”

  Mallette looked his men over as he pondered what he was being told. “Sounds like there may be an opportunity to move quickly on what’s left of Ames’ bunch.”

  Reed nodded. “Could be.”

  “Perhaps that should be our first objective, then.”

  “What about Butch and Jacobs?”

  “Their time will come. First, we’ll deal with Ames’ crew. Then we’ll take care of Butch. Then, when all that’s been accomplished, and we’ve assembled a big enough army, we’ll turn our attention back to Jacobs. I want him to be last. I want my organization to be so big, bigger than ever before, big enough that not even The Eliminator will be able to withstand the onslaught that is coming his way.”

  “Might take some time, boss.”

  An evil smile slowly developed across Mallette’s face. “I can be a patient man when the reward is big enough. And I want Jacobs’ head on a stick. That’s something worth waiting for.”

  Jacobs waited in his car, with Gunner in the back seat, just as he’d become accustomed to doing over the past several months. He saw Tiffany walk out of the school and come over to his car. He reach
ed across the passenger seat and pushed the door open for her. She got in and gave him a kiss.

  “How was your day?”

  Tiffany smiled. “Exhausting. I want to go home and take a long bath at some point.” Gunner growled. She laughed, then turned around to pet him. “I’m sorry, buddy, how are you?” Gunner licked her face. “That good, huh?”

  “Anyplace you wanna stop on the way?”

  She hesitated before answering. “No, I don’t think so.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “What? What do you mean? Nothing’s wrong.”

  “Then why’d you hesitate?”

  “I was just thinking if we needed to stop anywhere.”

  “That’s not it. Remember, I used to be a detective. I can spot a lie a mile away. You opened your mouth slightly, like you were about to say something, then closed it like you thought better of it.”

  Tiffany gave him a grin. “I keep forgetting. I don’t like how you analyze me, though.”

  “I’m sorry. Old habit. The diagnosis is still the same, though. Now what is it?”

  “I love seeing your face as soon as I get out of school every day.” Gunner growled again, causing Tiffany to laugh as she turned toward him and pet his head. “And yours too, pal.”

  “But?”

  “But do I really still need an escort every single day? I love you. I do. But I’m starting to feel a bit… I dunno… a bit…”

  “Smothered?”

  “I just… I feel like I have a bodyguard with me everywhere I go.”

  “You want me to get lost?”

  She laughed. “No, of course not. I would just like to drive myself places occasionally at some point.”

  “I get it.”

  “Nothing has happened in the last three months. Ames is gone. There’s been no sign of any problems, either with me, or with my parents. Everything’s fine.”

  “Correction. Ames is missing. Not necessarily gone.”

  “Brett, the guy is gone. You need to stop worrying so much.”

  Jacobs looked through the windshield. “I’m not sure that’s something I’ll ever stop doing.”

  Tiffany kissed him on the cheek. “I know it’s hard for you with everything that’s happened. Both with Val and with me. But I really want you to try.”

  Jacobs looked at her and smiled, then sighed. “I’ll try. For you.”

  She kissed him on the lips again. “Thank you. That’s all I can ask.”

  “Go home?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Still feels weird saying that.”

  “Why?”

  “I dunno. Guess I got kind of used to the other place,” Tiffany said.

  “The new place isn’t bad.”

  “No, it’s not bad. It’s just… different. I’m not big on change.”

  “I never noticed.” They looked at each other and laughed. “The place is fine. There’s enough room, it’s got a yard for Gunner, it’s in a nice area, and it’s detached.”

  “Yeah, I’m still getting used to that part. I’ve only ever lived in condos, well, outside of living with my parents.”

  “What, you miss people living on top of you?” Jacobs leaned over and kissed her.

  “The only person I want on top of me is you.”

  As they kissed, Gunner let out another growl that turned into a whine. They stopped kissing and turned to pet him.

  “And you too,” Jacobs said. “I swear he’s like having a kid. Ears always open.”

  Just before they were about to leave, Jacobs’ text ringer went off. He looked at his phone and saw it was Buchanan.

  “Hey, just wanted to see how you were feeling today?”

  Jacobs scrunched his eyebrows together, not sure what his friend was talking about. “I’m fine. Why?”

  “With Mallette getting out, just wanted to make sure you were OK.”

  Mallette getting out. Jacobs looked at his phone with contempt. He had already heard that his old nemesis was being released, but he didn’t realize today was the day. With making sure Tiffany was protected, as well as her family, and continuing to grow their developing relationship, Jacobs just wasn’t as in tune to what was going on as he once was. He was actually kind of surprised that this was the first he was hearing from anyone about it. He didn’t even hear a word from Franks in the last few days about Mallette leaving. Maybe they were trying to cushion the blow for him, and not let it build up inside him.

  Tiffany could read his face as he looked at his phone and immediately knew something was wrong. “What is it?”

  Jacobs cleared his throat without looking at her. His eyes were fixed on his phone. “Uh, Buchanan… letting me know that Mallette was released from prison today.”

  “Oh.” She could see how worried he was about it. She reached over and put her hand on the back of his neck and started rubbing it. “It’s OK.” She then put her head on his shoulder. “You don’t have to worry about him anymore.”

  He turned his face, resting it against the top of her head. “As long as he’s breathing, I’ll always have to worry about him.”

  “Brett…”

  “You don’t know him like I do. Too much has happened. If you think he’s gonna get out and just live a quiet life, then you’re mistaken.”

  “But it doesn’t have to involve you.”

  Jacobs typed a reply back to Buchanan. “I’m good.” He then kissed Tiffany on top of her head. “We’ll see.”

  2

  As Jacobs pulled into his driveway, he noticed a familiar car sitting out front by the curb. Franks was already sitting on a chair on the porch as they walked up to him. Gunner ran over to him.

  “Hey, what’s up, pooches,” Franks said, petting him on his side.

  “What are you doing here?” Jacobs asked.

  “What kind of greeting is that? No hi’s? No how are ya’s? No what’s up? No long time no see? Nothing? Just, what are you doing here?”

  Jacobs didn’t look amused. “Hi, how are ya? What’s up? Now, what are you doing here?”

  “You’re so rough around the edges, man. Tiff, you got some work to do in rounding him back into shape.”

  Tiffany laughed. “I’m trying.”

  “Yeah, well, if you actually succeed, you might be nominated for sainthood.”

  “I don’t think it’s quite that bad.”

  Everyone sat down on chairs on the porch, with Gunner lying between Jacobs and Tiffany.

  “I don’t know about that,” Franks said.

  “Eddie, what exactly are you doing here?” Jacobs asked.

  “Can’t a friend just drop by to say hi?”

  “Sure.”

  “Well then, maybe that’s what I’m doing.”

  “OK. Just enjoy the fresh air then.”

  “Well, I would, but that’s not what I’m here for.”

  Jacobs rolled his eyes and threw his hands up. “See, I told you.”

  “Told me what?”

  “Nothing. Just go.”

  “Go where? I just got here.”

  “I mean go with what you want to say.”

  “Oh. Well, why didn’t you say so?”

  Jacobs sighed, then lowered his head as he rubbed his forehead. Tiffany smiled, then put her hand on Jacobs’ knee to relax him.

  “What was on your mind, Eddie?” Tiffany said.

  “I just love how nicely she talks to me compared to you. You’re like a breath of—”

  “Eddie!” Jacobs said. “What is it?”

  “See, there you go. Always getting impatient. You need to learn to relax, man. Just go with the flow.”

  “You’re gonna go with the flow if you don’t start talking…”

  “Brett, it’s fine,” Tiffany said, holding his hand. “What was it, Eddie?”

  “I just love how you talk to me. You’ve got such a soothing—”

  “You said this already!” Jacobs said. “Would you get to it?!”

  Franks snapped his head back. “Man, someone’s
got their panties in a bunch today, don’t they?”

  “Eddie, I am trying really hard to be patient right now.”

  “Funny, you sure ain’t showing it.”

  “Eddie, Brett’s a little upset right now with Mallette being released,” Tiffany said.

  Franks looked confused. “Mallette got released? Was that today?”

  “Apparently,” Jacobs said angrily.

  “Oh. I guess I forgot.”

  “Aren’t you supposed to have your ear to the ground? How do you forget something like that?”

  “Hey, I’m a busy guy, man. I got a lot of things going on.”

  “Such as?”

  “You know… things.”

  “You don’t have anything going on, do you?”

  “I do! As a matter of fact, that’s what I came over here to talk to you about.”

  “Oh, you’re finally gonna get to it?”

  “Yes!” Franks was silent for a few moments, looking as though he forgot what it was.

  “Well?”

  “Oh, yeah, I remember now. I came over because I found out some bad news.”

  “Mallette’s out of prison?”

  “No, worse. Well, maybe not worse. Maybe equally as bad. Or maybe it is worse. I guess it depends on your point of view.”

  “I don’t have a point of view because you haven’t said anything yet!”

  “Oh, well, stop interrupting me then.”

  Jacobs turned his head and looked at Tiffany. Just looking at her had a way of calming him down. She was trying not to laugh, but she didn’t get frustrated like Jacobs did when Franks went off on his tangents. She thought it was kind of funny.

  “What did you find out?” Tiffany asked.

  Franks looked at Jacobs. “Now why can’t you talk to me like that?”