“Where the fuck did you find this?” The note includes an address and a time, with no other details.
“Bathroom, it’s the only thing still working in there.” I glance at my phone and curse.
“We’ve got thirty minutes to get there. Grab whoever’s here and not needed. Any and all weapons.” He nods and then raises an eyebrow.
“Think it’s a trap?” I let out a crazy laugh.
“Of course it’s a fucking trap.” I check my gun and move towards my Harley.
“Screw’s going to want retribution.” I nod as he goes to grab the guys.
“Oh, he’ll fucking get it.”
“Maddy would kickyour ass if she knew her precious little bambino was hanging out in the Badlands.” I let the guys tease Twister as I keep my eyes sharp and on a swivel.
The address has us in the center of the Kensington area of the city. For as long as I’ve been alive, it’s had the worst reputation thanks to the drug problem that isn’t even hidden nowadays. I frown as I see a deal happen right in the intersection where kids are crossing to get home from school.
“Jesus,” I turn my back and glare at the two guys watching me from the opening of an alley.
“Tank,” I whisper to my SAA, and he nods as he pops a piece of gum in his mouth.
“Yup, clocked them too. They got a lookout across the street in that black SUV and a second hanging out the window at your one o’clock.” I nod, impressed at the way they have us surrounded.
“Well, in that case.” I turn to the guys in the alley.
“YO! You called this meeting. Ya gonna stand there with your dicks in your hands all day or we getting this shit done?” I feel Twister at my back as I walk up to the pair.
“My boss wants a word.” I smile at the guy who’s shaking so bad for his next hit he might levitate off the fucking sidewalk before he takes me to his said boss.
“Where’s he at then?” I make a show of looking around, but it’s more to check everyone’s position.
“She is right here. Go get your meds, Stevy.” A woman in a white pristine three-piece suit and tie walks out of the shadows like she’s the fucking archangel Michael.
“Helena Rossi,” she holds out her hand like I’m going to kiss it.
“No shit. You’re Hell?”
I turn on Tank.
“Can you manage not to sound so fucking impressed?” I hiss at him.
“No, you don’t understand. The Narco Field Unit has been after Hell for a decade. They never come close.” I raise my eyebrow and turn back to the woman who should look proud but shrugs instead.
“Hard to catch a criminal when you don’t even know their gender. Please follow me. You are my guests.” She takes a few steps, turning her back on us without fear.
I raise my arm to stop my guys from moving, watching her carefully.
“I mean you no harm, and I did not attack your shop.” She whirls around on me and steps right into my face with no fear at all.
“Do you know how I’ve managed to stay under the radar for so long? I’ll tell you. I trust my gut, and I’m an excellent judge of character. I know who attacked you because they also hit one of my sites. So for the moment, the enemy of my enemy is myfriend. I’d hate for you to be the first person I misjudged, Joel Novar.” She turns and leaves me standing, staring after her.
“Damn, that is one hell of a woman,” Tank says as I snort.
Wonder if that’s how she came by the name.
14
VINCENZO
