Chapter 2
Our night went from a total bore to downright exciting, and all it took was one phone call from Kratos.
Talking to that man always gives me the fucking heebie-jeebies.
I’m glad he tends to call Rick instead of me, though I worry about what Rick’s punishment will be for slamming his call.
I can’t help but glance at him from the corner of my eye.
Hopefully, it’s not too bad. Rick is a pretty critical part of the daily running of our territory.
I shake the thought from my head. We can worry about that later. Right now, we have a job that’s not just god-awful boring recon.
We sit for maybe another ten minutes in complete silence, all of us focused and ready to go because when Froggie says jump, we do it.
I’ll never admit it to the guys, but I’m not even sure I want to meet his scary ass, not that we really have a choice. We either do good or face death as a punishment, and I would rather sell what might be left of my soul for another day than die today.
“We got a car coming from the south,” Spencer tells us, pulling up the floorboard under his feet to hand out extra weapons.
Of course, we’re all already armed. We don’t go anywhere without carrying if we can help it.
I’m sure the guys each have their guns, and I have my favorite knife.
But seeing that we have no idea what we’re facing, it never hurts to bring out a few more toys to play with.
He hands us both another handgun and a few extra magazines of ammo. I shove the ammo in my pockets before we all exit Rick’s SUV to get a better look.
I grab my trusty Taurus 9mm from under the seat and stow my spare in the back of my pants, patting my side to ensure my knife is still on my hip. Satisfied that I’m ready, I walk around the front of the car to meet Spence and Rick.
“Two more cars, and it looks like they’re all cops so far.” Spencer points to the cars coming in from the east entrance as he tucks his gun away in his waistband.
With every passing moment, my excitement rises.
It’s been a little while since we’ve been in the heat of it.
But, more often than not, we’re in charge of putting our men into place for things like this and not on the front lines, at least not anymore.
I didn’t realize how much I missed being in the mix with a chance to get down and dirty until this very moment.
Spencer’s hand comes down on my shoulder, squeezing it hard and making me freeze.
“Calm down. You’ll get your chance at them.”
I hadn’t even realized I was jumping up and down excitedly until he said something. Looking at him, I can see the excitement in his eyes. He may not be showing it like I am, but I know him well enough to see it.
I don’t even bother to look at Rick. That guy could be more excited than both me and Spence combined and never show it. His feelings are almost always locked down, like Fort Knox. Unless he’s mad, then he’s a loose cannon.
“Let’s wait here and see what they do. Kratos said orders were to kill anyone who ran, so we need to keep an eye on the building.
No one gets away. Take ’em down however you want.
” Rick leans up against the hood of his car and settles in to wait.
Maybe if I sit my ass down, I’ll be less likely to draw attention to my giddiness.
The moment my ass hits the cool metal, I’m pushed off with enough force that I would have face-planted if not for my quick reaction. I get my hands under me with just enough time to roll into a somersault before I push back up to standing.
I whip around to face Rick, knowing it was him because it’s just something he would do.
“What the fuck! For someone who doesn’t want any fuck ups tonight, you sure seem fine with the idea of being a man down. I could have broken my damn neck!” I all but shout. Knowing we aren’t to be seen unless it’s required keeps me from actually yelling at him, but just barely.
“Don’t be so fucking dramatic. You’re fine. I knew you would be.” The bastard doesn’t even look over at me from where he’s watching even more cops pull up to surround the building.
“In the future, keep your ass off my car, and you won’t have to worry about the condition you’ll be in.” He shoots me a flat look before returning his gaze to the building.
I stick my tongue out at him.
“I saw that. Real mature.”
“Good!”
I’m not sure why Rick always has a stick up his ass, but it’s been there for as long as I can remember. Which is a long fucking time since we’ve been friends since birth, thrown together by our parents who were friends before us.
“I’m not sure why you’re surprised, Zan. You know how anal Ricky is about his precious baby.” Sarcasm drips from Spencer’s words, but Rick doesn’t take the bait.
“Come on, Zan. Let’s go put up posts around the building.
The cops went in, so if anyone’s going to run for it, they’ll do it soon.
” Spencer doesn’t wait for me to answer before he turns around and walks away, his hands in his pockets, the picture of calm.
Anyone who doesn’t know him would never guess he just left to kill people, but Spencer isn’t one to let anything get under his skin.
Trust me, I try all the time and rarely succeed.
As he walks off, I look at Rick; he nods, and I quickly follow after Spencer.
While we all run things evenly, Rick is our planner.
He’s got plans for his plans and backups for the backups, so we follow his lead most of the time.
Seeing as this mission could result in our very gruesome death, should we fuck it up, I’d rather not push him tonight.
I’ll save it for when we’re home and our mission is complete.
The thought of succeeding, going home, and having time to chill makes me smile.
With a little more pep in my step, I turn to follow Spencer, excited at the possibilities of what tonight might hold.
If only we knew just how much this mission would change everything for us.
Rick is still posted at the car on the south side of the lot, Spencer’s to the west, and I’ve taken up watch on the east. The cops went in maybe ten minutes ago, and I’m raring to go.
I pull out my blade, flipping it around a few times as the minutes drag by at a snail's pace. Rick would have my ass for messing around while I should be watching, but I can manage just as well, with or without my blade, and this helps me from going stir-crazy while I just stand here. Besides, what Ricky doesn’t know won’t hurt him or get me hurt.
A commotion sounds from the building, but I can’t see what’s happening from here. I have to fight everything in me telling me to go and see, knowing I need to stay here to ensure the mission is carried out successfully.
“Leave ’em. We have the other guy and can’t afford to break off and lose anyone else,” someone shouts, and I assume it’s one of the cops.
A grin splits my face hearing that someone’s gotten away.
I hope they decide to come my way. I put my gun in my holster inside my jacket.
Playing with my knife has given me the urge to use it.
Far too often, we put people down quickly.
A bullet between the eyes, or even send them off for questioning to the boss's guys. But not tonight.
No, if I get someone tonight, I want to play; nothing will be quick about it.
Less than two minutes have passed since I heard the cop call out when two shots ring out from the south, letting me know our runner just came face to face with Rick.
Damn it.
Rick’s not above a good fight. Hell, he even gets into torture when he has to, but when a mission is on the line, he’s all about quick and effective.
I feel my shoulders slump forward, disappointed I wasn’t the one who got to take them out.
But, at least so far, the mission has been successful. So I guess that’s a plus.
My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out.
Zander head back. Spencer stop by and check in with the captain to ensure our one was the only.
I pocket my phone and head back. A small part of me hopes there are others, and we can hunt them down.