[ WP ] You 're a retired hitman . An old client wants you to get rid of his wife 's mystery boyfriend . You are the boyfriend .

`` Been a while, D... you look good.'' Blake had the same shit eating grin on his face every time I saw him. I pulled away from the bar and walked towards him. Our hands clasped and he gripped my shoulder. As we sat down, he motioned to the bartender. 
 
 `` Bourbon straight, please.'' I noticed his hands were shaking slightly as he lit his cigarette. I fished around in my pocket for one of my own, as he took the glass the bartender offered him. I lit up as he downed his drink in one steady gulp. Blake never shook. The fact he was now, was enough for me to start worrying. 
 
 `` What do you need from me, Blake? Something's got you spooked.''. I flicked the ash from my smoke, and signaled for another drink. Blake chuckled softly to himself. 
 
 `` Ever been in love, D? Ever loved someone so badly that it physically hurt?''. I shook my head. After 18 years of doing what I used to do for a living, I still found it difficult to let someone get that close to me. Until recently. 
 
 `` I've been married almost 20 years, D. It has n't been easy. Especially for her. What I do... what I've done. When I finally told her, she did n't speak to me for a month. After that month, she changed. We have n't had sex in almost a year.''. Blake sighed deeply, his head dropping into his hands. 
 
 `` Blake, I'm not a marriage counselor. I do n't know what I can tell you that can help.'' I took a last drag of my cigarette, and stubbed it out in the ashtray. Blake raised his head and turned to look at me. The look in his eyes was the Blake I knew of old. 
 
 `` If I'm not getting any, D... then someone else is! You find out who it is. You find them and you fucking burn them. I want you to torture them so slowly, they'll think it's a fucking career!''. He stopped when he realized he was screaming. I put a hand on his shoulder. 
 
 `` Hey.... hey! Calm, ok? Breathe.'' I said... hoping he would do just that. `` I'll need intel. Photos, your wife's schedule, a few things like that. As soon as you can. I'll sort this out for you.'' Blake nodded, and reached into his jacket pocket. He withdrew a thick manila envelope and placed it on the bar in front of me. 
 
 `` Do this for me. Do this, and there is seven figures in any currency you want. In any bank you care to name. But I want them dead within 72 hours. With proof. I need to get going.''. He rose to leave, but not before dropping a $ 100 bill on the bar. He patted me on the back, then left. 
 
 I lit another smoke as I opened the envelope. When I unfolded the documents, my world ground to a halt. 
 
 Mel. Mel was his wife. My Mel. The only woman I have ever gotten close to. The only woman who never asked about my past. The only woman I'd ever really kill for. Well... time to put that to the test. I took the $ 100 off the bar and pocketed it, and left the bar after Blake. 
 
 Things were about to become very difficult.
