by Sam Crescent
“Do not tell me what I can and cannot do,” he said. “I’m not in the mood to listen. Not now.” Viko ran a hand down his face. “Let’s go.”
Graciella watched, expecting Boss to complain, but he didn’t. They all stood by and watched as Viko and his men left the factory.
She turned toward Boss, who was staring at her.
“Congratulations,” he said. He stepped up close to her and she was shocked as he put a set of handcuffs on her wrists.
“What the fuck are you doing?” She tugged at her wrists.
“I’ve got one hell of a guy and he was able to put a trace on some of the technology they were using. He’s waiting for it to stop moving and the moment it does, we’re going to follow. For now, it’s about three hours from this location, heading east. We’re going to follow it. Xavier, take her phone.”
Before she had a chance to stop her brother, her cell phone was taken.
“Hey!” she yelled, glaring at her brother, pissed.
The cuffs couldn’t keep her for long.
“Killian, the hair.”
The clips and pins were removed from her hair.
Piece by piece, it was all removed. Even her earrings. She stood in only her clothes, which didn’t have any metal she could use to remove the cuffs.
“The last time you were left alone, you screwed this up. I’m not going to give you a chance again.”
“And you really think this is the way to do it?” she asked, glaring at him.
“I think it’s the best way of keeping you close, yes. You want to tag me, that’s fine, but I’ve got my own methods for keeping you close. This way, you’re going to know every single little detail as I do, and you’re not going to get a chance to squeal.”
How had he known she’d put a tracker on him? She was an idiot to think she could outsmart Boss.
“Xavier, seriously, you can’t let this happen.”
“Sorry, Graciella, but you only seem to want to use me when it will appeal to you. Bain’s a friend. I want to save him, and you’re putting the whole operation at risk. None of us can let that happen.”
“I didn’t mean to.” That was the truth.
“But you did,” Boss said. “Let’s go.” He was already heading out of the factory, Xavier and Killian hot on his tail. She was annoyed with herself for screwing up. She should have known deep down Viko couldn’t handle this. He was too emotionally involved.
Her emotions were in check. Even Boss, his emotions were also part of all of this.
She tried to think. The science guy had been her biggest mistake.
She had to fix this somehow, but she couldn’t think of how best to do it, and it pissed her off.
“Do we know who he’s working for yet?” Graciella called out.
Boss didn’t say anything.
“Oh, for goodness sake, just talk to me. I’ve got no cell phone, and I need to think. We know where the scientist is, and how he’s getting the drugs across the border, but this guy wouldn’t have this much cash or the resources for a scale this big. Whoever this is, he’s got backing. Who the fuck is it?” she asked.
Boss turned to look at her.
“You don’t know, do you?” she asked.
“So far, we know the scientist has had a great deal of funds transferred into his account. Maurice is working through the codes and firewalls to trace it. Each account and avenue has led to a dead end. We know he’s being funded and with a scale like that, there have to be guards as well.” Boss tapped his leg then pulled out his cell phone. “Maurice, hack into the security footage. Not at the factory, their cameras are minimal and fake. No, I want you to check across the street.”
He hung up his cell phone.
“Why across the street?” she asked.
“There’s a café across the street, the only one within the area. I figure everyone gets hungry, including our scientist, and if he’s working with someone, he needs to be protected. If Maurice can get the information we need, we can find who he’s working for. We can remove this chain of evil once and for all.”
Chapter Nine
“You’re not actually leaving her here alone, are you?” asked El Diablo. They were all getting into the SUV outside the warehouse. “This place is a shithole.”
“Get in the fucking car,” said Boss.
They drove down the rough roadway, the vehicle jostling and jolting. It would be a long three hours. They weren’t in his city anymore. Far from home. These towns were overcrowded, poverty-stricken, and crime ran rampant. El Diablo worried about his sister being left alone in a foreign town with no phone or money. Boss knew better.
He never underestimated Widow Maker. And when they crossed paths again, she’d be fucking pissed—he couldn’t wait.
Viko’s car drove close behind theirs. It was bad enough he’d fucked up their surprise arrival, so Boss wouldn’t let him screw up their second chance to get the antidote from the scientist.
“Any update from Maurice?” asked Boss.
Killian got on his cell in the back seat.
Their driver, Rocco, worked for Killer of Kings, and he was following the initial lead. “The locals can smell a foreigner from a mile away,” he said. “Don’t be surprised if they try to jack us.”
Boss scoffed. “Just keep driving.”
About twenty minutes later, he got a call from Maurice.
“You were right about the cameras across the street. I captured the scientist with the same man three times in the past week. It loops after that. I’ve run his profile and got a hit.”
“Anyone we know?” asked Boss.
“Inside politics, I’m afraid. Your friend Viko should watch his back.”
“What now?”
“Manuel Adrino Viola. He’s worked within the Circle of Monsters for a few years. Errand boy. Looks like he may be trying to make a play for Viko’s place in the circle.”
“By distributing these tainted drugs?”
“That’s as much as I have right now, Boss.”
“Send me everything you have to my secure email. Find out who he’s been talking to. Check his bank accounts.”
That was one of the problems when you hired any lowlife criminal to do your dirty work. There was no loyalty. The Circle of Monsters was a band of rogue killers looking to get paid. They couldn’t be compared to the Killer of Kings on their best day.
They arrived in the rural town over three hours later. Boss needed to take a piss. They all got out of the vehicles, doors slamming, the sound of crickets droning in the fields of tall grass. There wasn’t much in the little rundown town, just a few dilapidated structures. It was completely off the grid, no signs of life. No people or cars. He didn’t like it.
“You sure this is it?” Boss asked Rocco.
He pointed. “The signal is coming from one of those two buildings.”
Viko came up alongside him. He reeked of alcohol but appeared to be somewhat sober. “Where is he? I want to be the one to kill him.”
“Relax, will you? You’re not fucking this one up. Keep back while I handle it. This entire shitshow is on you now,” said Boss.
“He got scared off before we got on scene. There’s no way to know when that happened.”
Boss didn’t have time to argue. “Who’s Manuel Viola to you?”
Viko narrowed his eyes. “A guy I use. Why?”
Boss chuckled. “The Circle of Fuckups. Your guy’s trying to bury you in this mess. He’s paying the scientist. Manuel wants your place in the circle.”
Viko’s expression changed, his features setting hard. “That’s not possible. Where would he get the money to fund processing these drugs? He’s nobody,” said Viko.
“He could have gone into debt. How the fuck should I know?”
Like Graciella had mentioned, this scale of this project needed cash.
“If it’s true, he’ll live to regret the day he crossed me.” He walked back to where his four men were standing. Boss ignored them, keeping on ta
sk.
“Xavier, Killian … weapons.”
“We’re ready, Boss.”
“Remember, our number one priority is the antidote. We can clean up shit later. Think about Bain.”
Killian nodded. “Hey, Boss. Why didn’t you tell Viper? He’d want to be here.”
“Why do you think? It would destroy him.” Boss checked the clip on his semi-automatic. “Doesn’t matter. Bain will make it. Move in, clear the buildings.”
Boss used hand signals for his men, Rocco, and Viko’s crew. They all crept in, weapons drawn, moving into opposite buildings. There was no way they were making a surprise visit in this neck of the woods. As soon as their SUVs pulled up, everyone in these buildings would have noticed.
They had to be on high alert.
Xavier kicked open the wooden door and Killian rushed in, spraying a warning burst against the wall. Boss walked in, slow, steady steps, taking in the surroundings. His men kept the four men inside covered with firepower. There were a lot of storage boxes haphazardly piled in the corner. He strolled over, lifting the lid of one and peering inside.
“What do we have here?” Boss pulled out a bag of mints. The same style Scarlett had, the ones Bain ate. He threw the bag on the floor in front of the older man, the contents spilling in every direction. “I’m guessing these just arrived from the city. Start talking.”
El Diablo brought his gun to the old man’s temple. “Habla, cabrone.”
“It’s not what you think. It wasn’t my idea.”
Boss paced in front of him, his temper growing. “You created this poison. You know what it does, how it does it, and as far as I’m concerned, all these deaths are on your head.”
“If I didn’t make more, they’d kill me.”
“Who would kill you?” asked Boss. “Names.”
He began to shake, piss trickling down his leg. “He’ll kill me if I say anything.”
Boss nodded to Killian, and a moment later, the old man dropped down to one knee, blood oozing from his pants. He cried out, and the other men cowered back. “Names!”
“Viola. He paid me. It was Viola. He said he was working for Viko and the Circle of Monsters. No one says no to them.”
“Where is he now?” asked Boss.
“He left a while ago.”
Viko burst in. “The other buildings are full of drugs.” Then he saw the scientist on his knee. “You!”
“Viko?”
“You created all this madness?” Viko pulled the old man up by the collar. “I fucked up financing this entire project. Why would you continue it? Why would Manuel pay you to keep making drugs that kill?”
“He said he was working under your authority.”
“He lied.”
“I didn’t know. I swear I believed you were in charge of this.”
The old man was terrified of the Circle of Monsters. Viko obviously had a reputation that preceded him. With that kind of power, there were always opportunists looking to get a slice of the pie. Boss was constantly shutting down anyone stepping out of line on his turf back home.
Viko laughed out loud. “You have no idea what these drugs have cost me, old man.”
“Where’s the antidote?” asked Boss.
“He wants to make me fall, the little shit.” Viko kept ranting, his emotions taking control once again. This time he was sober. “I’ll cut off his balls for this.”
“Where’s the antidote?” Boss repeated, speaking louder this time.
The scientist turned to him. “Gone.”
“Gone?”
“He took it for assurance. Even my original notes where I have my formulas.”
“Fuck,” said Xavier.
“Now what?” asked Killian.
This wasn’t good. Manuel knew they were after him and now had what they needed. “Where’s Manuel now? How long ago did he leave?”
“An hour or so,” said the scientist. “He lives far from here in the city. I swear he gave me no details. I never question him.”
Boss ran a hand through his hair as he exhaled his frustration. “Put him in the back of the truck. We’re heading to the city. Killian, get Maurice on the fucking phone. I need a location on Viola’s cell.”
Viko’s man had kidnapped the scientist in Colombia, forcing him to make his formula over here where they shipped it out as mints. Without Manuel, without the antidote or formula, Bain’s hours were numbered.
****
“Bastard,” Graciella cursed under her breath for the dozenth time. She was supposed to be tracking the scientist with the “team,” not left behind like unwanted trash.
She’d made her way downstairs and found some old wire to use for her handcuffs within minutes. The old warehouse was littered with debris, metal, and old strapping. It had been emptied in a hurry. There were even some valuable tools and machinery that had been left behind in the rush. As she stepped out onto the street, she had no doubt every item of value would be gone by morning.
She wasn’t in Kansas anymore.
The neighborhood didn’t intimidate her, even if she wasn’t dressed for it. She’d grown up in much worse places. Graciella tossed the cuffs and headed down the bustling street. There were people, vendors, and stray dogs everywhere. Familiar smells flooded her senses. Almost immediately, she’d been propositioned and catcalled. And she knew there were men following her. What she needed was a man with a car, preferably one with A/C. Her full leather attire was ill-suited for her current environment and attracting way too much attention.
Graciella unzipped the top of her leather bustier, showing a bit of cleavage. “Can I use your phone?” she asked a guy leaning against a brick wall.
He smiled and passed it to her. Graciella logged into her secure app and checked on the tracker she’d placed on Viko. Widow Maker wasn’t a hugger, but it had been the perfect opportunity to tag him. There were audio and GPS she needed to review.
“Sorry, I need to keep this.”
She reached into her bra and pulled out her roll of cash, paying him more than the phone was worth. There were so many eyes on her. Flashing money in a place like this wasn’t smart for a single woman. But she was too focused on her task to think about it.
All she cared about now was reviewing her app and planning her next move.
Boss drove her crazy. She wanted to kill him and fuck him simultaneously. He’d left her behind, but she’d also double-crossed him by attempting to tag him. Apparently, Viko wasn’t as observant in his inebriated state.
She held the phone to her ear as she scanned for a suitable ride.
Manuel Viola? He’d managed to slip away with the antidote. Graciella was in the heart of the city and they were hours away, according to the GPS. She had to act now.
What she needed first was a gun … or preferably guns. Even a knife would do. Thanks to Boss, she had nothing useful on her except the cash she’d kept hidden. She left the main strip and slipped into an alleyway, walking faster. She really needed some shoes without heels.
Her intuition was strong, and she felt their presence before she heard a sound. Graciella bent to adjust her shoe but used the opportunity to size up the three men shadowing her. They were in the alley now, and there was no escape. She didn’t even have a purse, so she had no doubt what they wanted from her. Only they weren’t going to get it.
There wasn’t much alley left, but she stood up and kept walking, scanning the entire area, coming up with her plan.
When she reached the end of the road, she turned and leaned against the brick wall, casually bending one leg up. She didn’t utter a word, didn’t move, barely breathed.
They smirked, spreading out as they moved in close.
“Hey, baby.”
“How about a kiss?” said another.
When they were an arm’s length away, she reached out and lightly shoved one in the chest. He laughed out loud at her pitiful attempt to protect herself. What she needed to know was who had the weapons.
“I’ll screa
m,” she said.
The guy with the beard chuckled, opening his jacket to reveal a handgun in his waistband. “I’d keep quiet if I were you.”
She should try harder when acting, but right now, she couldn’t help but smile. Graciella leapt into action, darting forward and snatching the gun before using the heel of her hand against his throat. He staggered back, grasping his neck and wheezing. She shot the first guy in the head and motioned for the third to get to his knees.
“I want every gun, blade, and any ammo you have on the ground,” she said. When neither of them made a move to comply, she pistol-whipped the bearded one “Right now!”
Graciella examined her cache of weapons. Now she just needed a ride.
“How far’s your car from here?” she asked the man with the facial tattoos.
“Around the block.”
“Good. You’re my driver now. Get up.”
After knocking out the bearded guy, she followed behind her new driver, keeping a gun trained on him. It was a pleasant surprise to find he drove an old El Camino.
They drove to the heart of the city. She did her research on Manuel Viola and continually checked in on Viko with her new cell phone. She was so close to finding the cure and ending this nightmare she could taste it.
“Who runs this town?” she asked.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
“If you want to be a smart ass, I won’t think twice about cutting off your dick. I do it all the fucking time. It’s kind of my thing.”
He believed her. Of course, it wasn’t entirely a lie.
“Are you talking about the motorcycle club or the cartel?”
“Cartel.”
“Renzo Bianchi controls everything around here from real estate to people. You cross him, you disappear.”
“And you work for him?”
“Everyone works for him in one way or another.”
She told him the name of the restaurant she wanted, and when he pulled up out front, she stepped out and waved him off. This was Manuel’s favorite restaurant, and she knew there was a high likelihood he was inside. She’d seen pics of him online, so now it was time for her to play her role.
Viko and Boss were still a good half-hour away. She couldn’t wait. It was time to grasp the opportunity.