Page 66 of Reaper’s Wrath

I take in the sight of the city skyline as we approach in the tender boat. I wasn’t crazy about leaving now that Isa seems to be coming around, but after several days of hunting, we got intel on where Ruban lives. We’re going to try to get a listening device inside.

As my second, I wanted Drake to be here to assess Ruban with me, and we have two others with us to round out our team for this mission. I want us to learn everything we can while staying safe and flying under the radar as best as we can.

Vadik Ruban keeps to the shadows. I’m hoping that means he thinks no one is interested in him and therefore, he doesn’t maintain sophisticated defenses. The opposite is probably true, but a guy can hope. If he’s calculating enough to run an entire trafficking operation within Biba’s organization without him finding out, the man knows how to protect himself.

I’m surprised our information network didn’t home in on the guy. He’s clearly skilled at spy games. We’ll see how he likes this one. Drake and I have devised a plan to get into the Russian’s home that should seem legitimate. We haven’t been in the city long enough to reliably infiltrate the police, so we couldn’t go that route. Fortunately, firemen are a little easier to persuade.

“I almost forgot to tell you,” Drake says as we pull alongside the dock. “Our network around the Italians sent word that Antonelli is actively hunting for Isa.”

“Interesting. Not sure why he cares so much.” I’d think a man like that would be relieved not to have to deal with a wife he doesn’t want. I never understood how he was chosen for the role anyway.

“With a sick fuck like that, there’s no telling.”

We secure the boat and unload a couple of duffel bags of supplies to stash at the nearby warehouse, then head into the city. Two hours later, we are waiting out of sight near Ruban’s brownstone when a fire truck arrives.

Several firemen in full gear go to the front door. That’s our cue for Drake and me to head to the back of the truck where two men are waiting to give us their gear.

“Come on, come on.” One waves us over. “Get these suits on and don’t talk to anyone or our asses are fired.”

While we get outfitted, we can hear raised voices coming from the house. From the sound of it, Ruban’s men are pissed.

Good. That means they’ll be distracted.

We join the others as soon as our gear is hastily secured, gas masks and all, and arrive as the crew captain is arguing with Ruban himself about the importance of thoroughly investigating the report of a gas leak. It’s the first time I’ve laid eyes on the man in person. I can see how he’s been overlooked as a threat in our world.

The middle-aged man is unassuming at best. Bald with an egg-shaped head, pale in complexion, and relatively small in stature, he’s unremarkable in every way. Maybe even the opposite. I imagine women would find him rather unattractive with a hooked nose and drooping eyes. He probably has a chip on his shoulder the size of Central Park.

Eventually, the fire captain convinces Ruban to wait outside while we head in to investigate. The real firemen investigate. Drake and I go about hiding listening devices in the office and kitchen, which we’ve found to be the two best locations for eavesdropping. Often, listening to staff in the kitchen gives us our best information.

As soon as we’re done, we head back to the truck and return the gear we borrowed. A car alarm down the street wails after I send a text to the other guys. Distraction employed, Drake and I walk from behind the fire truck in the opposite direction of the screeching alarm as though simply out for a Sunday stroll.

Not bad for a day’s work.

“I have one more stop to make before we can head back to the boat,” I tell Drake on our way to meet the others at the warehouse. “I don’t suppose you happened to bring a crossbow.”

His answering grin is positively diabolical. “I always come prepared. There’s a small one in one of the duffel bags.”

I round up a small piece of paper and write a message to Antonelli.

The marriage isn’t happening. Fuck off.

I secure the message to an arrow. If I had to shoot the thing very far, the paper would jack with the aerodynamics and ruin my aim, but that shouldn’t be an issue today.

Drake and I jump in the SUV we’ve been storing at the warehouse and drive to Antonelli’s house. Drake slows as we go past. I lower the passenger window and aim. The front door to his home is close to the street, making an easy target. I loose the arrow and smile as it buries itself into the wood door. The car wheels never even had to stop.

It’s good to know I haven’t lost my touch. I’m damn good with a bow. I learned many, many things on the ocean through the years. Some lessons were enjoyable. Others, not so much.

That education made me the man I am today, and that’s one thing I’ll never regret.

CHAPTER 35

ELIO

Twenty Years Ago

“We should get you above deck. The fresh air will help.” A young man not much older than me brings me a cup of water, though he doesn’t seem particularly happy about it.

I heave two more times before I’m able to choke back the convulsions and sip from the glass. “How did I get here?” I have no idea where here is except that it’s a boat. When I woke up, my head was pounding, and the world was literally rocking. I barely had enough time to locate a trash can before the vomiting began.