It was midnight and extremely cold outside. Jaci sipped her bottled water and looked at the phone nervously. She knew the time had come. The 4 years that passed and dealing with the heartbreak was a breeze. She kept her promise about being over her last serious relationship. Or any relationship for that matter. It was the task that she had to do that got her nerves racking. Although, the closer the time neared, the more excited she felt.

"Rrrring!"

Almost falling off her couch and jumping out of her skin, Jaci raced to the phone. "H-hello?"

"Hi Sweetheart! Are you okay? You sound sick."

Jaci gave a deep sigh of relief, "I'm okay mom. I'm just tired is all. Had a long day of work."

Mrs. Veery gave a slight groan, "You're not still working for Paulo are you? He's no good Jaci. Do you know how many times he's been in and out of jail? That's why we don't keep in touch with him anymore. You're going in the same direction. Why have you dropped us out of your life. You only talk to us once every few months. And I'm still not allowed to visit your apartment. What's going on? You know, if your father was still here, God Bless his soul, he'd have such a fit-"

Jaci looked up at the ceiling and closed her eyes. She was used to drowning out her mother's voice every time she talked about her deadbeat cousin, the way her life is going and her father. It was true. She has changed in the past few years. Jaci used to have plenty of friends, was always close with her family, and participated in plenty of events. It was also true that ever since her trust got completely shattered, she lived in seclusion. Too many heartbreaks can do that to a woman.

"-or how about the nice boy from the coffee shop? What's his name? Danny, Steven.. no. Oh damn. I think it was Chad. I don't know." Mrs. Veery's voice interrupted Jaci's thoughts, "or maybe it was-"

"Ma, I have to go. I have alot of stuff to do for work for tomorrow. And no, I'm not working for idiot Paulo." Jaci's eye slightly twitched. She didn't necessarily lie to her mom. It's true she wasn't working for Paulo. She already had a job as a Store manager. However, she was working for Paulo's boss temporarily.

"Allright honey. You call me whenever you need me," Jaci's mom said in a concerned tone, "take care of yourself. I love you so much and remember, you don't need a man in your life to be happy." With that, the line ended.

Jaci knew all too well how true that was. She absolutely did not need a man to be happy. What she needed was total revenge but the more she thought about it, the more scared she was.

I can't do this. What if I get caught? I don't want to end up like my father.

She pondered the pros and cons of the situation. Her father was in gang related businesses and his life ended by a brutal confrontation with the type of people he worked for. You could say Jaci was part of the huge underground con artists and drug smugglers but as soon as her father passed away, her and her mother ran to safety. Many restraining orders and movings later, all was well. Until Paulo arrived back in her life and introduced her to the most charming man of all time. A man that beat her up every night if she didn't have dinner ready by exactly 5pm. A man who slept with every woman at the clubs and then forced Jaci on him along with a few smacks in the face when he got home stinkin' drunk. A man named Louis who is a powerful person loved by everyone because he works in the force.

Fortunately, Jaci left Louis after she witnessed him murder a man who didn't have the right amount of money and coke in the bag. Unfortunately, she met Jon. The love her life. Even more unfortunate, after she left him she was full of hate for everyone involved including Paulo and Louis who found her and told Jaci plenty of times, "He's no good for you! Leave him!" She never listened because she knew Louis was still obsessed with her and used his power to try and get her back. Of course, it never worked. But this time was different. Jaci wanted to use Louis instead, to get what she ultimately wanted.

A small voice in her head told her that what she's doing is wrong.

"Rrrring!"

"Hello?"

"Hi Jaci. Are you ready for tomorrow?" A deep voice answered on the other line.

Jaci noticed she was holding the phone too tightly, "No. I won't do it. I can't Paulo. It's just too much work and too overwhelming." She regretted the shakiness of her voice. There was silence for a few minutes. "Hello?" Silence a few more minutes. Finally a sigh.

"Jaci. Four years ago you said you wanted her dead. Why all the sudden change? Did you guys kiss and make up? Didn't you hate her guts for fooling around with your man? You know, if you back down now, Louis is going to be so damn pissed. We'll both get the flack for it. He wouldn't mind dropping us both in a second."

Angrily, Jaci replied, "I had nothing to do with that and you know it. You weren't there but you knew about it beforehand. I never said a word about it to the police and I promised I wouldn't. Why would I confirm my own death like that? And anyways, why the hell does it affect him that I don't want to do this? He has his own hitmen. And he could care less about the whore."

Paulo gave a small snort, "He doesn't care about anyone but himself and you. Jaci, he's become obsessed with you... and he already paid for the stuff. He's a loony bin, Jaci! He's infatuated with you and he'll drop you in a second."

"Yet you're still friends with him."

The voice deppened, "He gets me what I need for no charge. That's it."

Jaci sighed sadly, "No charge? Only because you're related to me. Well, whatever the case. I'm not going to do it. It's too risky and out of my character."

"Fine. The equipment will be here until next month in case you change your mind." Jaci slumped on her couch. Again, the line ended and her decision was final.