Page 27 of Betrothed
“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 anunwanted 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.
CHAPTER 7
Vivian
