The fucker was nowhere to be seen.
I kept both hands on the weapon, remaining in a crouched position as I scanned the street. There were ample places to hide. A sound coming from the left forced me to spin on my heel.
Nothing but the wind lashing tree limbs against a window. Exhaling, I stood where I was, doing nothing more than listening.
This time there was no mistaking the movement. The fucker was trying to get away. I took off running, chasing him downthe street. I was getting too old for this shit. I zigged between a couple of cars, heading into the middle of the street.
Pop!
A miss.
Damn it.
He threw a look over his shoulder.
Big mistake, enough of a slowdown to take aim.
Pop! Pop!
This time the assailant went down. After taking a deep breath, I moved closer, still scanning the area to ensure a buddy of his wasn’t hiding in the shadows. He was on his side, his face against the pavement.
I moved closer, prepared to take another shot.
Just before I was about to kick the weapon out of his reach, he reacted.
Pop! Pop!
Two shots fired. Neither by my weapon.
The jogger scrambled to his feet, bolting toward another side street.
Hell, no, the son of a bitch wasn’t getting away. Yet as I tried to run after him, my body didn’t cooperate. I tried again, paralyzed by the attempt. A blasting chill shut down every muscle, every tendon. Ice in my veins.
Stumbling, I was forced to slam my hand on the hood of a car under a streetlight. Every gasping breath was sheer agony. The lights dimmed, my vision foggy. What the hell was happening?
I managed to look down. What was I seeing? Blood.
My blood.
Everywhere.
As the light began to fade, I slid down the side of the car, my weapon tumbling from my hand. Phone. I had to call…
CHAPTER 2
Two months later…
Montgomery
“You’re not listening, David. As per usual. You fucked with us. Now, you’re going to pay a hefty price.” Like it or fucking not. I smashed my fist into his face, enjoying the coppery stench from the spray of blood I’d caused earlier.
His body was pitched against the cold brick wall, sliding down in perfect slow motion. He’d fucking refused to pay what he owed. Not just for the first time but the third. It wasn’t that his business hadn’t made money hand over fist. While he’d done everything to hide why his protection money was three months behind, I knew the reason.
The motherfucker had taken up gambling.
And lost.
Our money.
