A coward and a thief. That tracks better. That makes sense.
He reaches for the gun on the counter. His hand is shaking so badly that he knocks it off instead. The weapon clatters to the floor between us.
I raise mine and point it at his head. "Don't fucking move."
He freezes before his hands raise slowly. His eyes are wide, calculating his odds.
Zero. His odds are fucking zero.
"Please. I was leaving anyway. Deserting. Taking product and disappearing. I can give you some bricks. Several bricks. Quality product. Just let me walk."
Bricks. Cocaine. This is a drug ship.
Fuck. FUCK.
Every second wasted here is another second Lila is getting taken further away. Another second she's in danger. Another second closer to Moscow.
I grab him by the collar and pull him close enough to smell his fear. "Where's my woman?"
"I don't—I don't know what you're?—"
I press the gun against his forehead. "Dmitri took her. My woman. Blonde. American. Twenty-six years old. There's a trafficking operation tonight. Where?"
His eyes dart around, looking for escape. For options. For anything that might save him.
"I don't know about any?—"
I cock the hammer. The click is loud in the small space. Final.
"Pier 19!" The words rush out. "The yacht! The luxury yacht at Pier 19! They're moving girls tonight. Moscow bound. That's all I know, I swear to God?—"
Pier 19. Finally. A real fucking lead.
"Appreciate it.”
Before he has the chance to respond, I pull the trigger.
His body drops.
One less piece of shit in the world.
I step over him and rush back up to the deck. The night air hits my face. It’s cold off the lake.
Pyotr is waiting by the dock with two gasoline canisters at his feet, ready.
"Now, Boss?"
"A kid is hiding on the ship. A rookie." I check my watch. I can’t afford delays. "Get him out first. Then wait for my signal."
He nods. "Da, Boss."
"Message me before you light it. We do this in coordination. All at once. Every Dmitri property burns tonight."
"Understood."
I head back to the car and slide behind the wheel. My hands are steady despite the adrenaline pumping through my system.
Pier 19 is fifteen minutes away. Maybe ten if I push it and the lights cooperate.
