Chapter 6 #2
I took another swallow of my drink, not wanting to leave the rest behind.
“If he causes any trouble, I won’t waste anyone’s time on interrogation.
” And I wouldn’t. Why? Because in cat and mouse games, the best scenario was to kill the first one or five assailants, which would send a clear and present message.
That usually made subsequent interrogations much easier.
“I thought you might say that.” Dante was an enthusiastic and willing partner, getting his taste of the lifestyle soon after disappearing from underneath his father’s forceful hand.
He was young and eager, something I remembered myself being all those years ago.
He was also the only immediate family Rafaela wanted to lay claim to, her mother all but disappearing after being freed of her prison of being with Rafaela’s father.
That was why I felt a particular need to watch over him. No, I wasn’t any man’s babysitter, but eagerness didn’t always equate to making the best decisions.
I gulped the last of my drink, knowing Mark would put it on my tab, and as I stood and slipped into my jacket, I paid close attention to the activity outside.
“I suggest we go out the back.”
We headed through the lobby toward the doors leading to the patio. While the real estate for the stonework and few tables was small, the intimate atmosphere added to the illusion of privacy, which I’d come to realize was one of the reasons people came to this hotel.
From there we moved into an alley, although not typical in the standards of most city streets.
The area was clean, generally well-lit and allowed for safe passage of delivery trucks.
However, at night it was also the perfect location for someone to hide from view of the cameras.
There were too many places to remain unseen.
There was also a light fog developing with the extra humidity, the effect building shadows that floated from the pavement.
The chase was very dramatic but impractical, which concerned me.
However, there was a story unfolding and to move to another chapter, the scene had to play out, this time how the perpetrator wanted.
“You should stay at the hotel,” I told Dante.
“Not a chance. My boss told me to stick with you no matter what.”
Damn Dimitri. He was taking the situation much too lightly.
What the fuck had the unknown person been trying to do, lead me into a trap? If so, he’d gone to a lot of trouble. Just like he had with the christening. “Then you’re going to do exactly as I say, Dante. Understood?”
“Yes, sir.”
The kid wasn’t supposed to be here. He’d stumbled into a situation that I should chase him away from. I could feel that in my bones. This part of the game was a one on one. But I didn’t mind the backup.
While the rain was still light, the falling drops were annoying as hell. I pulled out my weapon, keeping it low. With sounds of the city all around us, there was no way to home in on any particular noise.
Or so I’d thought.
Even over the dull roar of traffic, the unmistakable harsh snick of a hammer being pulled back echoed in my ears. Without hesitation, I pulled Dante to the pavement, immediately jerking my head up and pointing in the direction where I’d heard the sound.
With no time to add the silencer, the gunfire carried but died off in the chaos of the city.
There was no subsequent body drop or other thud as if I’d hit the mark.
“What the fuck?” he hissed.
I threw my hand out toward him while I searched the alley, trying to ascertain if the person remained. As expected, the asshole took off running. “Runner,” I told him as I moved to my feet, immediately chasing the gunman.
With footsteps staying close behind, I knew Dante was following.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
With three more random shots fired, I pushed Dante against the building, darting my head out several times.
“The asshole isn’t a good shot,” Dante observed.
“Wrong. Look at the lights.” The motherfucker had been aiming at the lights so his existence would be masked in darkness.
“Shit. What the hell is he doing?”
“That I don’t know. Nice and easy. Keep against the wall.
” At least he followed my command. In listening for the perpetrator, I finally heard wheezing.
I took off running again, barreling down along the back of the building.
With more light toward the end, I could easily see the bastard making a turn and heading down the street.
We blasted forward, Dante managing to keep up with me.
The chase was on.
Within two blocks, I sensed we were catching up to him. The hour was late and given the shooter had moved to a less traveled road, one that was much darker than the main street, no one paid any attention to three gunmen racing down the street.
Ordinarily, I wouldn’t bother chasing the assailant, but my gut told me it was important to do so. Why? Because I had a feeling this was just part of the sweet little game being played. Either that or I was protecting the hotel from a robbery.
Either way, I was earning my keep.
When the gunman flew around a corner, I didn’t stop or pay any attention to what Dante was doing. I headed in that direction, trying to close the distance.
The rain was coming faster, drops hitting the surrounding cars in a dull echo masking almost everything else. It didn’t matter I was already soaked to the skin.
However, as soon as I flew around the building, I skidded to a stop. The asshole wasn’t in sight. Dante flanked my side, wiping his face with his arm.
“Where the hell did he go?”
“He’s hiding,” I hissed as I scanned the street, paying close attention to the alcoves of buildings.
“Head back to the hotel.” A strange, somewhat uncomfortable feeling washed over me, prickling my bones.
I usually had the reaction when an unwanted and generally unpleasant event was about to happen.
Bystanders were merely bit players, fodder for people who had no appreciation of life.
That would include Dante. Not on my watch. “Don’t argue with me this time. Right now, I’m your boss.”
“Why?”
“Because I told you to do so. Do you understand? Put the security on alert in case the asshole is nothing but a decoy.” Which I suspected he was.
“But you need backup.”
I didn’t have time to argue with him. “This isn’t about arresting a perpetrator. Go. Now.” When he didn’t budge, I turned to face him. “Dante. Do not force me to tell you again. Contact Cormac and have security sweep the building. Check for anything out of the ordinary including bombs.”
“Yes, sir.” He backed away and almost as soon as he did, there was movement.
The chase was on.
I was used to working alone. In fact, I preferred not having someone else to deal with, especially when they were green around the gills. I could move the way I wanted, utilizing my training. As soon as he left, I changed my method of following, crouching behind a vehicle and waiting.
It wasn’t two full minutes before the perpetrator made another move, coming from a hiding place near a building. I didn’t like what was happening. This time, the asshole checked the street. From where he stood near a streetlight, I could tell he was dressed in all black.
Before he started moving again, I followed closely behind until he reached another street.
As soon as I made a move, so did he, firing off a single shot before bolting out into the middle of traffic.
Whoever the asshole was, he wasn’t a true professional.
I had to wait by the curb, now forced to keep my weapon hidden as I fought my way across the street accompanied by honking horns and one vehicle almost refusing to stop.
With a hand slap on their hood when they did, I sprinted away, catching sight of the prick again. He was heading toward a hospital. What in the fuck was this man doing? I continued the chase, heading down the path leading to the emergency entrance.
This was unexpected as fuck.
But I continued following, reaching into my jacket to grab the silencer. Keeping every action quiet was imperative. The last thing I needed was to draw attention to my actions.
The perpetrator had another think coming if he thought he could get away.
Once a predator, always a predator.
And this predator was out for blood.