Andrey’s eyes were bloodshot, bulging from their sockets the tighter my fist wound around his throat. He was seconds from passing out, and I just couldn’t have that. He wouldn’t get off so easily. Merely two heaving gasps in, I stuck my blade into his abdomen and twisted the leather handle to the tune of his jerking body. His mouth gaped open in a soundless scream before he keeled over against the chains, writhing in agony.
“You… sick… son of a… bitch,” he huffed between heavy pants.
“Two million women in this city, and you just so happen to run into mine. It was fate, you and I.”
The middle finger on his left hand was the only one left. He lifted his bloody stump and flipped me the bird, and I couldn’t help the roar of laughter that erupted from my throat.
He sure had balls.
For now.
Just as he began a tirade of expletives, a flick of light glittered from a metal table behind my shackled friend. My cell phone vibrated against the surface soon after.
“Here, Andy, hold this for me,” I said, plunging another knife under his right ribcage. He tipped his head back and howled, the sound bouncing off the brick walls like the soundtrack to a horror flick.
EVANGELINA
I have an early shift tomorrow, and I was wondering if you wanted to help investigate a tip with me. I found a new contact for Rayne. It’s off the books, so it’s just me.
Evangelina was seeking my help again.
ME
What time?
EVANGELINA
Pick me up at 4:30. I’m staying at my dad’s for the next two days.
Her father’s address popped up next.
“Hey… come on, man. I’m dying over here.” Andrey’s whimpers were low, his breaths shallow, and he no longer held weight on his knees. Slung forward, he was held up by the cutting restraints around his wrists.
“I’m in the middle of something. Let’s not be rude.”
ME
I’ll be there.
EVANGELINA
Thank you.
Those three text dots appeared on the screen, only to disappear and reappear, repeating that pattern three more times.I clutched the phone tighter, anticipation keeping my eyes glued to the bright screen, waiting on whatever she had to say next, and curious as to why she was so unsure. A slight ache on the sides of my face made me realize I’d been grinning like a fucking fool. A realization that made my chest tighten. The same feeling from earlier that day, one I couldn’t quite place, washed over me. I didn’t like it. I felt strangely… vulnerable.
EVANGELINA
Sleep well, Derek.
All that indecision over those three little words?
ME
You too.
For the past month, while getting all my affairs in order and forging documents on James’s behalf, I had also gathered intel on every facet of Evangelina’s life. Imagine my surprise when I learned Franco was her father. The poor bastard had been forced, through extortion, of course, to work as the official doctor for Philly’s local crime families and beyond, including members of Ares. The haunting revelations hadn’t stopped there. Finding out Eva was a homicide detective for Philly’s 9thDistrict had me reevaluating my entire plan. The irony was as laughable as it was twisted.
I set the phone down and squeezed my eyes closed, pushing all thoughts of her from my mind and loathing the seeds of doubt sprouting in the impenetrable vault that was my conscience.
