Vural’salready gone from the bank by the time I get there. Prime’s gone too. He answers his phone, and I follow to his location. I end up at a fancy boutique hotel out on the edge of town near the Delaware River. It’s not a large structure, thankfully. Only three floors. I’d guess fifty rooms, tops, but still. Not ideal.
Prime’s leaning up against his car, watching the entrance.
“I’ve got men around back. He’s definitely in there.”
“Does he know you followed?”
Prime only shrugs. “He might. I couldn’t risk being too careful. I had to make sure I kept on him.”
“You did good.” I stare at the entrance to the building. It’s a damn problem. I had hoped Vural would stay in a more private location, but this makes my life harder. There will be staff inside and other customers. People who have nothing to do with my fight.
But none of them matter now.
“What’s the plan? And what’s Vural got that’s so important?”
I take a deep breath and slowly let it out. I can’t hide this anymore, not right now when I need everyone on high alert. “He’s got the Black Book.” Saying it out loud isn’t as bad as I thought. It’s actually a slight relief.
Prime stiffens. Even his cocky nonchalance crumbles. “You can’t be serious?”
“It’s a long story, but this is life or death for our entire organization right now. Vural’s got the Black Book, and if we don’t take it back, we’re finished.”
“Well, fuck me in the ear canal.” Prime lets out a surprised laugh. “This is even more fucked up than I realized.”
“Stay with me. Tell your men they need to find that book.”
“You really want everyone to know it’s missing?”
“At this point, I need everyone aware of what’s going on. It’s existential now.”
“Yeah, alright. You’re the Don.” Prime shoots off a few quick text messages. “You think we should storm it?”
I consider the options. We could wait for nightfall and go in as fast and quiet as we can, but I have a feeling Vural’s waiting for that. By the time we’re through the doors, he’ll have copied the book, scanned it, or taken photos of it, and killing him won’t matter anymore. We’ll be fucked.
Which means there’s only a single option.
“We storm the place. Light it on fire. Cause chaos. Get them to evacuate. Find Vural in the mess, kill him, take the book back, and go home.”
Prime’s smile fades. “Sounds easy.”
“It won’t be. There’s a good chance we’ll lose people. An even better chance half of us will end up in prison.”
“I’m not afraid of doing time.”
“Get everyone on the same page. We’re moving in ten minutes.”
“Not much prep.”
“We don’t have the luxury.” I nod back at his truck. “You got weapons in there?”
His grin returns. “Fuck, yes, I do. Vests, rifles, whatever you need.”
I rub my hands together. “How about grenades?”
“You’re in for a treat.”
My leg aches like hell.Each step is agony. The vest I’m wearing chafes. I have goggles, a mask to protect against smoke, and a tactical helmet. I look like a fucking Navy Seal.
Prime’s men wear a similar kit. More soldiers arrive, all of them armed. News about the Black Book spreads like wildfire, and I can tell the men are rattled. I get more than a few calls from the council, and I send them all to voicemail. Eventually, I have to turn off my phone.
