Page 26 of Betrothed
“Well-dressed man in a high-dollar suit, brown hair, about six foot three.”
He was surprised. “Yes, although that could paint a picture of half our guests.”
“True. Have the bartender look at the footage. At this point, I suggest we take a walk.”
“We’re going to try and apprehend them?” Dante was way too eager.
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, generallywell-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.
