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Chapter One

Benny

Another day, another beat down

That’s actually my nickname Benny “Beat Down” O’Casey

I’ve been doling out concussions and sending otten what life was like before They don’t pay their debts toa few of their teeth on the floor and collecting promises to pay soon—or else

I hate it when they don’t keep those promises

It happens more often than I care to remember

These a It’s a compulsion A sickness No matter how badly it affects their life, their family, it’s in their blood There is a devil on their shoulder whispering in their ear that next time, next time they in it all back But they don’t They lose Frank’s money—and that’s when I show up at their door, forced to collect a pound of flesh instead of cash

Today’s victim lives way out in the bayou So deep in the swampy heat and murky water that I have to take a boat One of h crocodile-infested backwaters and low-hanging trees, slapping atthe anymore It’s a necessity in this job To be cold and ruthless and hard-hearted To not be swayed by the pleading of desperate men, I’ve had to retreat into a less hu myself to be sent to the next job The next

More blood,broken

We stop at a log cabin that is nestled into the trees Smoke curls from the chimney, empty liquor bottles decorate the front yard—if that’s what you can even call it Mostly the house is surrounded bydown, ready to fall at any second Aupstairs is broken