Chapter Three
Author: Ziko
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56

Reed was so stunned for a moment, that he didn't know what to say.

“K-kayla, what are you doing here?” More importantly, how did she know he was going to be here today? She didn't respond, still keeping a stony look.

She took a step forward which was when he saw the man behind her back. What the hell?

Instantly, he bolted out of his chair, the 

divorce papers forgotten. “Mike?

Mike was one of the men who testified against him for a crime he didn't commit, but he had the balls to show up here.

Hell, no.

Reed was so angry, he didn't think, launching himself at the lying asshole.

He gripped Mike's collar firmly, tightening the space around his neck. “Why did you do it huh? How much did they pay you to snitch on me?!”

Mike grunted, not saying anything, and that even aggravated Reed the more. He struck, sending Mike crashing to the floor

Kayla screamed, running to Mike's defense while she tried to make sure he was okay.

“What is wrong with you, Reed?” she shouted at him.

“What's wrong with me? I should be asking you that question, why is he here? Why are you with someone that would hurt me?”

Kayla spun around angrily. “Well that man is the man I'm planning to marry, you dumbass!”

That statement hit him with the force of a fright train and to add salt to injury, Kayla bent down to place a kiss on Mike's cheeks, and from their passionate display, it was obvious that this wasn't the first time

Reed was stumped.

There goes his plans to woo Kayla and their daughter back so they could live as one big, happy family. 

Kayla stood up, handing him a pen with a fierce look in her eyes. “Just sign it,” Kayla said

He had no choice but to sign. If he wanted to drag it out, she would go to court and Reed didn't have any money so it would be futile.

Numbly taking the pen, he scratched his signature on all the required places, the tip of the pen scratching paper was the final nail in the head.

Handing back the documents, Reed had to ask. “I’d like you to allow me to fulfill my weekly visitation rights to Mandy, please…” He resorted to begging, knowing he wasn't in any position to fight for custody now

Kayla only glared at him. “No fucking way. 

I will not allow a criminal, a sex offender like you anywhere near Mandy!”

She threw that last bit over her shoulder and stormed out.

Reed helplessly walked to his Mom's bed, 

feeling emotionally drained.

Suddenly his phone beeped, and one glance at it raised his spirits.

It was from Mandy!

A simple text which read, 

“Daddy, I overheard Mom saying you had gotten out, along with other vile things she said but I don't believe her. I know you'll never do anything to hurt someone.

I love you, Daddy and I can't wait to see you!”

There were all sorts of love emojis and below was an address.

It was so touching that it almost brought tears from his eyes.

But Fate wasn't done with him yet.

The door opened for the second time and a nurse strode in.

Thankfully, his mom had nodded off during the commotion due to the sedatives pumped into her body.

“Mr Blackwater?” The nurse queried, checking out a file as she approached him. He nodded, hoping everything was fine.

“That's me.”

“Oh, I'm glad to have caught you before you left. There's an issue concerning your mother's medical bills, you see, her medical insurance has long since run out.

“Um…okay…” Reed scrambled, thinking of what to do. “What happens now?

She only smiled politely. “You have to pay 

the outstanding bills, sir.”

How?? He had no money.

“Can I ask for some time? I just need to go pick up some cash then I'll come back.” 

The nurse grudgingly agreed.

Reed knew his mother always kept some stash back at home, so he left the hospital, hoping to get his hands on them

It was already raining heavily when he was heading back home, adding to his distress.

When he got back home, he searched his Mom's cabinets and the special box where she hid money, only to come up empty.

“This can't be true,” he muttered under his breath, panicking as he rummaged through her closet, ransacking every drawer in hopes he would see something, anything.

After an hour of futile searching, Reed had to admit the hard truth.

There was no money here

“What do I do, he thought as he sat down on the couch with his head in his hands.

No way was he going to let his Mom die after everything she's been through for him.

It seems he had no other choice…

But to go back to being a hired killer.

Reed was desperate, as the nurse's warning rang in his ears over and over again.

The fear of losing his mother promoted him to go downstairs, and uncover his laptop which he had hidden away.

He removed the dust from the cover, waiting for some seconds as he thought over his decision again.

Once he opened it, there was no going back

Flipping open the laptop, he logged into the system with his private passcode.

As soon as the green tick appeared on his screen, it went blank before three words popped up.

The Scavenger is Back.

That wasn't just for him but it also sent a message to his clients that Reed was now active again

The term Scavenger threatened to dredge up a lot of unpleasant memories but he pushed it aside, focusing on his mission

As soon as he logged into the system, his notification box went haywire with messages from various dignitaries, oil tycoons, and even heads of state and vice presidents.

Unlike before, all these requests would make Reed's mouth salivate with the thought of the money attached to it but now, he didn't care anymore.

In fact…

He copied all the messages and pressed delete, clearing all the messages in his inbox.

Once done, he went back to his original mission

He kept searching around until he got a hit for the nearest target.

Thankfully, it wasn't taken yet and out of excitement, he clicked on it ready for some easy money.

Only the details of the person he was to kill was one he was very familiar with…

Walker Rhomes.

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