Kuklinski, a name that sent chills down the spines of both allies and enemies alike. Being involved with the Donovans had accorded me the front-seat role to be intimately familiar with the dark deeds and reputation of this infamous mafia boss. Kuklinski was a cunning and ruthless man, known for his calculated moves and deadly organization. He had built an empire based on fear, power, and a complete disregard for human life.
Our paths had crossed in the most violent manner. Especially in the meetings, Archer had made me attend with him with concealed identity, hiding our faces behind leather masks. Kuklinski had teased Archer about it. Taunted him and even tried to force him to have us all unmasked, but Archer was strong in his resolve. "Don't tell me, simple men in a mask are making you anxious, Kuklinski, Archer Donovan isn't wearing a mask, and I believe I am the only important piece on this chess board, or don’t you agree?" Archer had said with a mocking smirk which had made Kuklinski's dark eyes darkened in rage but the older man had reigned in his anger.
Kuklinski had been interested in finding out who I was for a long time. And I couldn't tell if his men had seen me with Archer at the nightclub. Otherwise, why would they have found my house and attacked Adele with so many men and with such brutal force? Or were they after me and thought I was at the house? There are so many unanswered questions and I hate unsolved puzzles. It made me feel vulnerable and like a sitting duck. And I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was missing an important piece of the puzzle. But one thing was clear. Kuklinski now knew who I was, where I lived, and most importantly who Adele was. And that was not acceptable. I am not the kind of character who waits for things to go wrong and play the defensive. And I am not going to wait for that bastard to unleash hell on my sister. Even if eliminating him would be literally declaring war.
Day by day, I meticulously followed the trail of Kuklinski's entourage, blending into the shadows while maintaining my distance. It was a dangerous game, navigating through the underbelly of the city, but my determination fueled my every move. I observed their routine, noting their patterns and vulnerabilities, searching for that one opportune moment.
Two weeks had passed, each day filled with a mix of anticipation and caution. I had discovered that Kuklinski's only moments of solitude occurred during his visits to the local parish, where he sought solace or, perhaps, redemption. It was a vital clue, a potential weakness I could exploit.
Finally, the day came to make my move. Discreetly parking my Jeep amidst the dense cover of the surrounding woods, I carefully disguised myself as a priest, donning the holy garments that would grant me access to the inner sanctum of the church. The building itself, a magnificent testament to faith, stood tall with its ornate stained-glass windows and hallowed halls.
Navigating through the dimly lit corridors, I maneuvered my way to the sacred space of the confession room. The air was heavy with the scent of aged wood and candle wax, a solemn ambiance that seemed to heighten my resolve. With each step, my heart pounded with a mixture of apprehension and determination, knowing that the fate of my sister and the lives of countless others hung in the balance.
Arriving at the confessional cubicle, I took a moment to collect myself, silently reaffirming my purpose. Behind the confessional screen, I prepared to confront Kuklinski, armed not only with the conviction of protecting my family but also the skills I had honed over the years and then as Archer's enforcer.
The scene was set, and the stage prepared for the inevitable collision between two rival forces. As I waited in the confessional, my breath steadied, ready to face the monster known as Kuklinski. I sent a message to Archer, letting him know I was in position. He replied for me to wait and I did.
A muffled cry made me tense up, holding my breath, I listened. The confession box was now filled on the other side but Kuklinski was not alone. My jaw tightened as I listened, sitting rigidly, clenching and unleashing my fists. "Daddy, please stop. No!" A young female voice rang in the enclosed space followed by the sound of the renting of clothes. By the time the animalistic grunts of a man in heat filled the confession box, I couldn't stop myself from turning my attention in that direction.
Discreetly pulling the veil aside, I saw Kuklinski alright; naked and fucking a little girl in a now torn nun clothes. The girl had black hair, her face was stained with tears, and a profound sadness that pierced my very soul. The thought that this could have been Adele, made my heart constricted painfully. The girl was about her age back then, back then when she was ten. The girl held my gaze and I knew I had to stop this.
Letting the veil fall back, I took a deep breath to calm my rage. Acting without thinking would get us both killed and jeopardize the mission. I texted Archer and wrote just three words. "I'm doing it." I didn't wait to read his reply before unsheathing my ankle knife. It was a custom-made hunting knife that I had made for this purpose - killing animals.
As I cautiously opened the door to the cubicle, I surveyed the surroundings to ensure that no one was present. I hadn't anticipated the presence of cameras in that particular area of the church, and even if there were, I assumed they would be inactive for obvious reasons. ‘Fucking pigs!’ I mentally cursed.
Keeping my mask securely in place, I entered the cubicle where Kuklinski was located. Startled by my sudden appearance, he instinctively jerked his face back toward me. Before he could react, I swiftly drove the knife into the side of his neck. A gush of blood accompanied his attempt to speak, rendering him unable to articulate properly. He fought back, displaying his considerable size of 117 kilograms and a height of six feet two inches. Nevertheless, being two inches taller and weighing 114 kilograms, mostly comprised of muscle, I possessed the advantage of strength and training as a skilled assassin. Subduing him proved to be no difficult task. I covered his mouth to stifle any potential outcry, maintaining a firm grip on his neck while continuing to apply pressure with the knife.
Meanwhile, the young woman with Kuklinski didn't emit a scream; instead, she retreated to a corner, facing the wooden partition, visibly trembling with fear. Recognizing her response as a manifestation of plain trauma, I could only imagine the gravity of the situation she must have been constantly subjected to.
I helped Kuklinski slump into the opposite corner, his naked dick pulsating. Carefully, I pressed the knife deeper, ensuring maximum damage, waiting until I was certain he had succumbed to his wounds.
Removing my jacket, I tossed it towards the girl, who gingerly put it on, visibly shaken. I reached out to her, but she recoiled in horror, emitting a pitiful whine.
"I only want to help," I muttered, giving her a moment to contemplate my words. "If you want to escape, you should come with me. I'll assist you in reaching the nearest town, and that will be it," I added, trying to convey sincerity.
Slowly, she raised her gaze to meet mine, her lips trembling. With a hesitant nod, she indicated her agreement. Taking her trembling body into my arms, ignoring how rigid she held herself, I planted an explosive device aggressively into the wooden partition. As we made our way back through the path I had entered, I strategically placed more bombs along the way.
Once we finally reached the outside and entered the surrounding woods, I opened the back door of my Jeep for her and securely fastened her to the seat. "Stay down," I instructed firmly. She promptly obeyed, seeking safety in the lowered position
Taking my place behind the wheel, I swiftly maneuvered the Jeep, putting some distance between us and the church before activating the detonator. A deafening blast shattered the silence, filling the darkened sky with a brilliant display akin to a grand fireworks show. The shockwave rippled through the air, accompanied by a surge of intense heat that momentarily illuminated the surroundings.
In the backseat, the girl whimpered, still reeling from the traumatic events she had just experienced. Her distress was palpable as she sought solace in the sheltered space of the car.
Despite the persistent ringing of my phone, I refrained from answering until we had traveled several miles away from the scene. Finally, unable to ignore the insistent vibrations any longer, I reluctantly picked it up.
"What the hell did you do, Mark?!" Archer Donovan yelled from the other side of the line.