Brewing Kane

By Omar Daniels

Kane was an assassin. Strictly small time, but he was good at it. His cold exterior was perfect for the job and there was always a steady stream of hits to be done and people to be killed. But it all came at a price.

Leaving his past behind, Kane sought to begin a new life that was quieter and more peaceful; one where he could enjoy his family and be free from looking over his shoulder, wondering when his own time would come.

One last hit was all it took, and he was free.

Now, 10 years on from that last job and events lead Kane back into the murky world he thought he'd left behind. But things are different now. People he onced counted on a have shifted allegiances. Every person he once trusted is now the enemy and Kane is alone in a dangerous world.

With only his wits and a solitary ally by his side, he must stay one step ahead to stay alive. With the odds stacked against him in a high stakes game, does Kane still possess the skills to do the job he's always done?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Apr 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9781665705868

Omar Daniels

Omar Daniels has spent most of his life in and around Chicago, Illinois. For the better part of two decades, he’s worked mostly in the construction and repair trades. He’s written a few novels, a few short stories, and a tiny variety of screenplays.All of his works dwell within the realms of Crime, Sci-Fi, and Horror. His protagonists are usually do-gooders who’ve been pulled off course or sucked in due to a grander scheme. Every now and then, a Comedy magically appears before his eyes.Over the years, he’s lent his distinctive vision to the darker divisions of Hip Hop music, thriving in the culture’s shadows where he’s most comfortable.Omar likes food most of all, beer, computers, TV, media of all kinds, and of course books and good writing. He has an Associate's of Applied Science Degree in Electronics from DeVry University, formerly DeVry Institue of Technology, Chicago Campus. He uses his vast knowledge of electronics and the Internet to weave together his stories.He's a known techno-geek around the way even though he's way too old for such associations. Spending most of his time writing, lately, he'll sometimes whip up a pretty tasty egg sandwich to keep him going.It's safe to call him a junk-food junkie while in his presence.Full versions of all my books can be found in many online bookstores.For more about me visit https://bookmotives.com

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

"A few years ago, Kane walked his daughter to the corner store to buy her some candy and pop. The temperature outside was boiling, well over 90 degrees, and he had just gotten off work. There were two guys in the store already, Bake and Drone. These guys were far beyond the age of buying candy, but that’s not why I’m telling you this story. Kane’s daughter walked up to the counter while Bake and Drone were still buying candy. She seemed to be butting them, but she was still young and only moving ahead in line as most normally would. ‘Excuse me, can I buy my candy?’ Lexia said.

"‘What? Little girl, wait in line! You see me standing here. Fuck.’

"‘Hey, hey, man, watch the language,’ Kane said. ‘She’s just a little girl.’

"‘What? Fuck you, man. You don’t scare me. You scare these other, you know, um, brothers, but you definitely don’t scare me. I’ll bust your shit. I don’t care where you from. As a matt—’

The crack from the counter’s glass could be heard all the way outside. Kane put the guy’s head all the way through the candy display. I mean, fucking inside the candy display.

No shit? said Lil Marley.

No shit, and some of the glass had cut his face, right, and he was bleeding. There was blood all over the candy. People thought the guy was going to bleed out and die.

Well, it sounds like he deserved it, Lil Marley said.

Nah, it wasn’t that serious. It wasn’t like an artery or a vein. He was just a greasy bastard and was excited. He lived, but to this day he still talks about Kane—how he ain’t forgot, and he’ll catch his ass when the time is right.

Wow. That’s crazy, man, said Lil Marley.

Yeah, well, I just wanted to tell you about it. It was a good story, wasn’t it?

That was all right, man. That was all right.

Yeah. So what?

The explosion from the gun blast was muffled by the interior of the car and its doors, but the sound of the glass shattering as the bullet left the side of Lil Marley’s head was not.

Kane tucked a plastic bag filled with money into the front pocket of his hoodie. A bag of money he had just procured from the now deceased Lil Marley. Kane then wiped off the pistol, also procured from Lil Marley. That was his victim’s weapon, and he had just been checking it out, or so he had claimed before checking him out. Another nobody in particular, another player in the game specifically.

Lil Marley’s position was distributor, but what he had sold was irrelevant compared to what he had earned—what Kane had taken and in his own sordid logic had also indeed earned.

Kane sat for a moment with the now dead Lil Marley in the alley underneath the L station. Another due paid, another check in the mail. Kane enjoyed the cool night breeze and the short walk to the L. He had only a ten-minute ride before he reached his home.

The job of killing Lil Marley had been easy work due to the convenience he now enjoyed, being only a few stops from his neighborhood. His usual targets could sometimes take him coast to coast. These were more expensive operations, of course, more time-consuming, but the pay was always worth the effort.

His latest victim had been another greasy bastard, just like the guys in the corner store. The only difference was that he had been recently upgraded with a big mouth. Thought he was the shit because he was moving weight for his man out in the burbs—some cat named Victor. Kane personally couldn’t care less what he sold as long as none of it was given to his daughter.

His boss, Money, on the other hand, did care and had paid Kane to clean it up. And since this particular perp was in the vicinity, Kane had saved a few bucks by taking the train to meet him. After a couple stops, he arrived in Bronzeville, where he resided. He then made his usual call to his handler, Money, to close the job, as he always did once he had dispatched someone.

Yeah. All done.

Thanks, bruh, we needed that one gone. We want to keep this ship afloat, you know what I mean? We got a little something extra for you when you go to see Rebecca. From me to you, my man. Aight? Money said.

Thanks.

Aight, man. Be safe. I’ll holler at you later.

Kane stuffed the little phone back in his pocket as he traveled down the stairs and exited the L station. The usuals were out and about—vendors, hustlers, working folks, and lots of ladies all making their way about the city. Some would make a bit of money today; most would not. That was the way it went, and it was a bitter truth to life. Nobody here was rich by any means. Most had what they had because they scrambled and waited and preyed on opportunities, just like a wolf or any other predator.

If someone managed to have something more, it was simply because they worked longer or harder or took advantage of an opportunity. There were no miracles or magic to life. Shit just was. And it was mostly a bitch.

Kane strolled up the block to his building. He had a nice place. He knew most of the people in his building and was friendly with all. He liked to help out when he could, keeping an eye out and helping the ladies lift and carry their stuff.

He was just about to put the key in the door when his daughter ran down the stairs and greeted him.

Hi, Daddy. Did you bring my stuff? Lexia asked.

Yep. Sure did, sugar bun. Did you finish your homework, or are you watching TV? Kane said.

Lexia was gone and up the stairs before he could finish the question. She was a sweet kid and very active for her age. She ran almost every chance she had. Kane thought she might be hyperactive, but it really was just a free spirit that possessed her. She liked the wind in her hair and how it filled her lungs. She felt like she was eating joy, so Kane didn’t mind.

Hey, Kane. How’d it go? Trina asked as he walked into the apartment.

Trina was Kane’s wife. They’d been married for about seven years now, and she still didn’t know he was a paid killer. That was the only secret about him, and he preferred to keep the secret for obvious reasons. She thought he was just helping out his friend Money, which was fine by her. He was rarely gone for long during these occasions, usually only a few hours at a time. They both respected the relationship, and that made the times when it was just him and her that much sweeter.

Fucking Money, always dragging me into his half-baked missions. Nah, it went well. How was your day? Kane asked. He kissed her on the cheek and patted her butt before fixing himself a plate. They were having fajitas that night, one of Kane’s favorites and a specialty of Trina’s.

Same ole, same ole, she replied. Your daughter wants to go to Cars-go on Saturday.

Mm-hmm, I got skills. I told you I’m going to be a racer, Lexia said.

Sure, babycakes, Kane said.

Kane devoured the plate of steak and vegetables. He was in pretty good shape for a man in his late forties. He owed most of it to his diet. He tried to cook his own food as much as he could, but he wasn’t that good at it.

Thankfully, Trina could cook. She was a chef, and that was what she did for a living. She ran a kitchen at one of the steakhouses just outside of town. She had been working there for about three years before they made her head chef.

Everyone was happy for it. Kane and their daughter both grew a little bored with Kane’s culinary skills when Trina was not around. Usually they had mostly either spaghetti or fried chicken or both whenever Kane cooked. Sometimes Trina would cook a day ahead for them, but Lexia hated leftovers. Kane, on the other hand, ate like he was at a buffet or something.

Lexia finished her plate and went into the front room to watch TV, leaving Kane at the table. Trina had already retired to their bedroom to lie down and relax.

Kane finished the last bite of his steak, then scraped his plate. He realized his phone was ringing when he walked past his jacket, which was hanging on the door. When he pulled out the phone, the screen showed a missed call from Money.

Kane stuffed the phone back in his coat pocket and walked into the bedroom. Trina was lying facedown on the bed, drooling on the pillows now since she had fallen asleep. He didn’t want to disturb her, so he grabbed his personal phone off the nightstand and went back into the front room with their daughter, who was watching something with vampires on TV. He decided to let her have the TV and returned to his room with Trina. He then eased into the bed with her, draped his arm over her waist, and closed his eyes.

CHAPTER 2

The alarm went off, and Kane woke up to an empty bed.

He brushed his teeth, threw on a pair of sweats, and stopped by Lexia’s room to wake her up and have her get ready for school. He then put a pot of water on the stove to boil for his coffee.

He had received another text