Chapter 16
"I can't believe we pulled it off. Cheers Williams," cheered Suarez.
Suarez and I had been friends from as long as I could remember.
It had been a month since we ambushed the meet up Scorpion had with Cobby Velkov.
Cobby was one of the most wanted criminals in two countries.
There was practically a target on him wherever he went.
How he was able to hide from the police all this years was beyond me.
I remember that night rather clearly than I wanted to. "This is for my men Aleksandr and Sergio. If you survive thank the one who you pray to"
I had always heard that the man was cruel and heartless but witnessing him shoot a man cold heatedly and leaving him to die was utterly cruel.
Cobby might have been a criminal and a wrongdoer but that didn't give Scorpion the right to go around putting bullets in people as he pleased.
My rage increased knowing no one else saw his face.
Before he put on his helmet and sped away into the night he watched me with a cold calculating look as if telling me this isn't over.
"You really didn't get to see his face?" Asked Suarez for the million time that day. I stared at my partner and best friend who had doubt clearly written all over his face no matter how bad he tried to mask it.
"Now listen to me Suarez and listen very clearly.
This is the last time I'm going to repeat myself regarding this topic.
Like I said I got to the scene and there was a man clad in a black Armani suit matching the Scorpion's description but with a helmet on his head.
I ordered him to put his hands in the air and drop his weapon but he hopped on his bike and sped off.
Before I could start shooting or chasing after him Cobby's men began firing at me and that is when back up came in," I narrated.
Suarez watched me warily taking another swig at his beer.
"Okay okay no need to be harsh Williams I just wanted to confirm we are still on the same page," he said.
I took a sip of my whiskey relishing the taste as it went down my throat.
I tried to ignore the warning tone Suarez used on me.
"It's okay Luca we are always on the same page," I assured.
He put his hand on top of mine and I let it rest there for awhile as we stared at each other.
"Just know between me and you. If it comes to choosing justice over you I'm going to choose justice.
I'll take matters into my own hands if I have to.
I don't know what's going on with you and that son of a bitch.
Whatever it is don't let it cloud your judgement.
I'm going to put a bullet in his head if I have to.
Men like him are the reason why my family isn't alive today," he warned.
I just nodded my head in understanding lacking words.
He gave me a peck on my cheek excusing himself to the restroom.
I chose to ignore the fact that he had kissed me knowing well how he felt about me and how I didn't reciprocate it since I considered him a friend.
Shaking the thoughts of Suarez off my head I tried to link up the prime minister's disappeared daughter's case.
It still didn't make sense how I received a mysterious call then the girl disappeared from the face of the earth like she never existed.
It didn't make sense at all. Finishing my drink I got up on the dance floor.
I refused to think about work on my birthday.
I started moving to the beat allowing it to carry me feeling a bit tipsy when I felt hands behind my waist. I turned around to find Luca watching me seductively.
"Suarez you know we can't do this," I tried reasoning.
The music which was blaring drowned out my voice and he stepped into my personal space something I wasn't comfortable with.
"Relax Kayde it's just a dance plus it's your birthday.
Or would you rather be home laying next to your fiancee who is patiently waiting for you to marry her," he whispered.
No matter how tipsy I felt I wasn't so naive to not notice what it was about.
"Look Luca you and I are really good friends and colleagues.
We've been over this before I like our relationship that way and if this is about Ivan Bratan you have nothing to worry about.
That man is just a criminal to me and nothing else.
Please excuse me," I stepped away from him headed straight to the bathroom.
I splashed a bit of water on my face to be more sober.
I stared at my blonde hair which had overgrown and my blue eyes which looked bloodshot and tired.
I noticed a man with curly hair who got out of one of the stalls and watched me.
I assessed him silently as he moved towards the door and pulled out a gun before I could mine.
"Just come with me silently or I'll shoot!
" He ordered. I raised my hands in surrender realizing who he worked for.
I was wondering when he was going to make his move.
He had been silent after that night. I followed him silently into a suite I didn't know the club had.
I had made sure that while searching for the perfect club to have a drink it would really be far nowhere near Pure Bliss.
Who knew Ivan Bratan owned the whole city.
Before I saw him I could already smell him throughout the hall.
His smoky wooden scent hit me like a teenager's wet dream and I did my best to calm my nerves.
There was no escaping, it was inevitable.
He sat at the only furniture available in the room which was a massive king sized bed with red sheets.
The room was dimly lit with candles hanging low from the chandeliers appearing like a night of sacrifice.
He had a book in his hand with glasses on making him look devilishly handsome.
"Thank you Sammy. Kindly lock the door on your way out and ensure no one interrupts us!"
His words sent a shiver down my spine not knowing whether to be afraid or turned on.
He didn't bother to lift his face from the book he was reading or acknowledge me.
It felt like an eternity of silence when I decided to start the conversation.
"Mr Bratan I would like to know the purpose of having your man accost me in the bathroom and bringing me here? "
For a moment I thought he wasn't going to say anything but rather remain quiet.
"Feeling brave aren't we detective. I wonder who accosts the other.
Because if my memory serves me right a month ago you accosted me and pointed a gun at me and aimed.
Sadly you didn't get to shoot which was a grave mistake from your side.
" His voice sounded calm and it gave me goosebumps.
He was toying with me.
"Give me a good reason why I shouldn't shoot you right here and right now.
No one would know. This club is one of my secret investments and I'd bury you here and they would never trace it back to me.
You know something detective I have issues controlling myself when people who I give a grain of trust set me up! "
I stood at the center of the room feeling stripped yet fully clothed.
His words tormented me to think I made a mistake.
Trying to find my voice I took two steps forward.
"Mr Bratan I don't remember asking you to trust me for anything.
I was just doing my job. I got a tip that there was going to be an exchange and I showed up because that is what is required of me.
I have no obligation whatsoever to fulfill when it comes to you," I retorted.
A bitter laugh echoed in the room making the flames of the candles dance in eeriness. "A tip you say. I cannot believe even after being caught you can still afford to lie Detective Williams. How noble of you."
He surely didn't mean...
Reading my mind he said,"It is exactly that. You thought no one would realize you dirty tricks. You bugged my office detective. I let you in but all you did was betray me it's high time I return the favor."
He pulled a gun from under the pillow cocked it and aimed at me. I heard him fire before I felt the bullet.