The night air was cool and spread over the city without holding back as Merikh leaned against the balcony of his seventh-floor condo. From this height, the streets below looked like glowing lanterns as the streams of cars fed light to the darkness. His fingers drummed against the railing as his thoughts raged inside him. He had made a promise to Viola, but he realized now that it didn’t serve him any longer.
“It’s taking too long. Just too long.” He said to no one in particular.
The plans were meant to unfold quickly and cleanly and produce results. But Seth had proven annoyingly resilient; the man was still alive. His brother was cautious, more protected than most, and still clung to a level of influence Merikh wanted for himself. Every day Seth remained breathing was another day Merikh
