Chapter 11 Zach
ZACH
“Not my name,” I yelled as Rafe took off running.
I managed to keep pace with him, but when he turned into a parking lot next to a warehouse, I knew I was fucked.
He jumped on a motorcycle that was under a carport, revved the engine, and took off.
There was another beside it, but I’d only ridden once or twice. No way would I catch him on a bike.
I raced through the parking lot to a black sedan. I didn’t even hesitate to commandeer it. I was working, or something like that. It probably belonged to Rafe’s family anyway, or they had stolen it.
I pulled out tools I thankfully never left home without, jimmied the lock, and like a GTA champ, I had the thing started and out of there in seconds.
I prayed I could catch up to Rafe. I’d done my best to pay attention to the direction he headed, then listen for the sound of the motor once he was out of sight, but I was more or less relying on luck and a little bit of instinct.
After I made a few turns, I was almost certain I’d lost him, but then I saw him in the distance. I darted in and out of traffic, making my way to him. He led me on a chase across town and into the French Quarter. He must be headed home, and he had to know I would have found his address by now.
I lost him again, but I headed for his house. As I turned on Orleans Street, I saw him jump off the bike and run toward his town house. Did he think closing the door behind him would save him? I’d break it the fuck down.
I pulled into a small parking lot, jumped out, and ran back to his house.
I charged onto the porch before reason assaulted me.
What the fuck was I doing? I was about to break down Rafe’s door or come through his window, and he’d have every right to shoot me.
My death wouldn’t even be considered a crime. He was just standing his ground.
I’d lost my mind. I was here to investigate Ivanov, and I was chasing Rafe across town. Literally. In a stolen car. That I did not need to commandeer. I really hoped it belonged to him or someone in his family.
Suddenly, the door opened, and Rafe stood there grinning. “Are you coming in or not?”
What the fuck?
He grabbed my arm and yanked me inside.
“What is happening?”
Rafe shook his head. “That’s what I asked you, so you’re first.”
“I told you. I saw Andretti following you, and I followed him to see what he was up to. What were you doing in that part of town?”
Rafe didn’t answer. He had been headed to the warehouse, but why? And why wouldn’t he drive there? I was sure he was meeting someone, a person he didn’t want to spook.
“When Andretti attacked you, I stepped in.”
“Were you protecting me so you wouldn’t want to lose your access to my backroom game?”
I huffed. “I didn’t want him to hurt you.”
“And why is that?”
I rolled my eyes. “Because…” What the hell was I supposed to say? Rafe was far from innocent, but he hadn’t done anything to warrant death, at least not tonight.
“Were you just playing the hero? Is that what you do? Take money cheating at casinos and use it to rid the world of bad guys.”
I shook my head.
He moved closer. “Let me tell you a little secret. I’m a bad guy too.”
“I know.”
“So why did you follow him? Why save me?”
“I was following him to get more information on Ivanov.”
“What do you know about the Russian?”
“That he’s evil, that he rapes boys, tortures them, kills them, or sells them to friends when he’s done.” If Rafe was involved with him, I’d signed my death warrant.
“Why are you looking for him?”
“So I can kill him.” I was supposed to bring him and his associates to justice, but I wanted him dead so he couldn’t get off on technicalities or get pardoned by some corrupt politician.
Rafe looked me up and down. “I’m still not convinced Andretti wasn’t angry about losing and out of his mind enough to kill over it.”
I sighed. “Maybe he was, and I fucking killed him.”
Rafe shrugged. “My brothers won’t care. When he tried to hurt me, he was dead already.”
I couldn’t manage to feel any guilt for what I’d done. I wasn’t going to let Andretti hurt Rafe. Fuck rules. I haven’t cared about them in years. Maybe it really was time for me to get out.
“What do you know about Ivanov?” I asked.
Rafe’s expression hardened. “Did you come to my casino because you thought I was involved, that I was working with that motherfucking perverted scum?”
He looked so offended I had to hold back a smile. “I needed to find out.”
“My family wants him dead more than you possibly could. He’s hurt us and our friends, and we will end him.”
“Then let’s work together.” I’d tried to do this Maria’s way, but that hadn’t worked out. I’d tell her I was captured, and I didn’t have a choice.
“Who are you really, Garfield?” Rafe asked.
“Not my name, and you don’t need to know anything other than our shared motives.”
“Yes, I do. I don’t work with people who want to reveal their real identities.”
“I’m here to stop Ivanov. That’s enough.”
He shook his head. “Who do you work for?”
“I told you. No one.”
“I didn’t buy that before, and I’m not buying it now. Why did you pick Ivanov for your vigilante tendencies? You want me to believe you’re doing this out of the goodness of your heart?”
I huffed. “It sure as hell isn’t the salary.”
“Whose payroll are you on, and why do they undervalue you?”
That was a damn good question for Maria. “I can’t tell you that.”
“Will they kill you?”
I considered that. “Possibly.” If Maria didn’t, some CIA agent might be sent to silence me.
“I could also kill you if you don’t tell me.”
“Then my people would come after yours, and they would start a huge war, and neither of us wants that.”
“You wouldn’t have to worry about that if you were dead.”
“I’d prefer not to be dead.”
He smiled. “Yeah, me too, and I’d sure as hell like to be there when Ivanov goes down.
“Alliance?” I held out my hand for him to shake.
“I was warned to stay away from you.”
My pulse increased. “By who?”
“‘By whom,’ actually. Sorry, that’s my brother’s influence. He’s a professor, but I’m sure you know that.”
I glared at him. “Who warned you off, and why?”
“I can’t tell you, but they want to protect me.”
Did someone in his family know? Would it be better if I went all in with him the way I’d planned to? Or was this the stupidest plan I’d ever devised? Maria tried to tell me it was, but the longer we worked together, the greater the chance Rafe would figure it out anyway.
“I’m going to ask you one more time. Who do you work for?”
Here goes nothing. “The government.”
Rafe’s eyes widened. He took a few steps back before pulling his gun on me.
“This is becoming a habit with us,” I said.
“It’s not going to be a habit for much longer if you don’t get the fuck out of here. If I see you again, I will kill you.”
“If I was after you, I would’ve already made the arrest or the kill or whatever my overlord’s ordered me to do.”
“Are you part of some fucking black ops assignment?”
I shrugged. “Something like that.”
I wasn’t about to let him know I was with the FBI. I’d taken enough risks admitting I was working for Uncle Sam or his evil twin or whatever.
“You really think I’m going to work with you now? You came into my casino, robbed me with your cheating ways, then proposed we work together. I’ll let you in, but you were just a snake the whole time.”
I took several steps toward him.
“Back off.”
I shook my head and moved even closer. There was confusion in his eyes. “I saved your life.”
“That doesn’t mean a fucking thing.”
“Are you sure about that?”
I took the last step. His gun was pressed against my chest. A shot would kill me instantly. “Are you going to do it?”
He didn’t respond.
“If you’re going to take me out, do it now. Or… you could trust me, and we could find Ivanov and end him. There won’t be any consequences for you or your family. You’re not part of my assignment.”
“But you want me to pay, right?” He looked me up and down. “One way or another.”
“I do.” I meant it. I wasn’t acting out a role.
I truly wanted him. “But if I was after your family, would I have told you why I’m here?
” The uncertainty in his eyes was making me hotter.
I liked that I’d rattled him. He might be a hardened criminal, but he could be seduced. “Come on. You know you want this.”