Oh, my God. He was being serious. A deep sensation of apprehension created a bigger knot in my stomach.
“Where are you going to be?” I pulled a pen from my apron, tearing off an order sheet and writing down the address. My adrenaline was pumping as the realization of what was happening began to settle in. Very casually, I placed my hand on the folded note, sliding it across the counter as I glanced toward the four men. When the exchange was made, he slipped the note into his jacket pocket.
“I won’t be far behind. You’re going to need to trust me on this. Can you do that?” He finally lifted his gaze. What seemed so strange was that his eyes were the same yet entirely different.
Much colder, albeit not directed toward me. “Yes, I trust you.”
“Order up,” Roger said and I shuddered.
“Good. Don’t change the plans, Valentina. Let me handle this.”
Even the expression on his face was different.
As if he was on a mission.
Maybe for the second time in my life I’d found a hero.
CHAPTER 13
Hudson
Cartel gang members.
In my mind they were the scourge of the earth. Their intimidation tactics were legendary. Men in slick suits pretending they were of some importance when at the end of the day, they were nothing more than cogs in a wheel. If Luis Delgado deemed any of them disloyal, their body parts would be sent in separate packages to their loved ones.
Yet they liked to play vicious games, acting as if they owned the city. I’d had more than one pay a visit to my courtroom, pretending as if spending a few years in prison would garner them a badge of honor. Very few had ever rolled over on Delgado and those who did never made it into any courtroom. That’s why Delgado had never found himself in front of my bench.
Seeing the four men, it was apparent that the Undertaker was smartly laying low. That didn’t mean he wasn’t issuing orders, which was obvious since they’d taken up camp inside the diner.They never issued more than one official warning and that’s exactly what I was taking their sudden appearance as being.
Now I had no doubt the Undertaker had plans on exterminating all those who’d had anything to do with his capture and incarceration. What continued to linger like the stench of rotting garbage in the back of my mind were aspects of my conversation with Chase. She was the right age and type to fetch an extraordinary price on the sex trade market. That would be the perfect way of removing any possibility of her testifying again while leaving no trace evidence.
When Valentina returned to the kitchen, I got off the stool, buttoning my jacket so the fuckers wouldn’t see my shoulder holster, and headed directly by their table toward the restrooms in the back. They didn’t pay any attention to me, which was good for them and the owners of the diner. I’d hate to paint the walls red, making them have to spend any money.
Once inside, I pulled out my phone dialing Chase. Tonight I’d need some assistance.
“Hey, buddy. Two times in one day,” Chase said, half laughing.
“I need your help on a little mission.”
“What’s going on?”
“Well, there are four of Delgado’s slimebags harassing Ms. Sciascia in her place of business.” I returned to the door, opening a crack to ensure I hadn’t been followed. The four assholes were laughing. Good. The cockroaches needed to stay right where they were.
“That was quick. That must mean the Undertaker and perhaps Delgado himself is nervous.”
Standing back, I leaned against the sink. “Whatever is going on with the Colombians, my gut tells me Delgado is worried it will place him in the crosshairs of the DEA.” Maybe for more than just drugs and weapons.
“If you’re right, he will have already commanded Jacob Jones and the men under him to remove anyone who could stand in their way. What do you need?”
“A shadow for when Ms. Sciascia picks up her kid from a babysitter. She’s been directed to return to my house and I need to make certain that happens.”
“What does that mean you’re going to do?”
With a smile on my face, I glanced into the mirror. My reflection appeared entirely different. Maybe that was good because tonight I wasn’t Judge Armstrong. I was simply a man determined to fight crime any way necessary. “Take care of business.”
“Be careful. You could start an entirely different kind of war,” Chase advised.
“I know and I’m always careful.” I slipped the phone into my pocket and headed back to my seat, slowing down as I passed by their table just as Valentina was delivering their food.
