When he learned that Mozzi had been hit, something snapped in him. As much shit as the three of them got into, that was the first time any of them had ever been shot. Audiemar taught them how to move smart and avoid those types of situations. Moose once robbed a bank with smooth talk and charm. Unlike Riddle and his crew, they’d learned how to truly finesse the game, only using other measures when necessary.
“I appreciate the courtesy,” Riddle responded, watching Kong turn and walk out.
He didn’t feel like he’d resolved anything, but he didn’t want there to be any question about what came next.
Kong left the hotel with a heavy heart. A world without Ayla in it was sure to be his undoing. He thought losing Jane and then Twyla was enough to take him out, until a sweet, spicy young woman walked into his life full of optimism and selflessness. It always blew his mind how empathetic and understanding Ayla was for someone so young.
Once his car was brought around, Kong grabbed the keys from the valet, and his phone went off the minute he sat in his butter-soft leather. He picked up for Moose, glanced over his shoulder, and pulled off.
“What’s up?”
“Green light,” Moose relayed.
“I’m on the way.” Kong reached into his glove box for the extra Glock he kept there and took a glance in his rearview mirror to make sure he wasn’t being followed.
He didn’t trust Riddle. The nigga was a snake as far as he was concerned. He’d take any opportunity if he thought he could get back at Audiemar for the past. That truce shit was cap. He allowed Nickel and Fire to instigate any time they wanted, so that someone in the Blackmoor camp would react. They werepussy, and there was no other way to break that down as far as Kong was concerned.
His fifteen-minute drive brought him to an old fourplex on the outskirts of town. The place had been renovated, and there wasn’t another dwelling for miles. Moose told him they were parked down the block, hidden in the brush. From what he could tell, it wasn’t a busy street. There were trees surrounding the building and a two-car garage that wrapped around the back. It was quiet. Too quiet.
Kong parked, gripped his Glock in his hand, and got out of the car. He spotted the cherry from Moose’s blunt burning in the distance. It was barely daylight. Between the gray clouds and all the trees, it was hard to tell.
“Entry points?” Kong checked.
“Two. One in the front and another in the back.” Moose inhaled the weed smoke and handed the blunt off to Brim at his side. “We got Prime and Carver on the back, waiting for the word.”
“Do it,” Kong encouraged.
Moose whistled lightly in the wind, and seconds later, a fire erupted at the rear of the building. It spread quickly, and then the front door burst open, and a trail of what looked like security and young girls came stampeding out. There was no sign of Mira or Danilo, which pissed Kong off.
“Brim.” Kong’s tone was even.
Raising the AR-15 in his hand, Brim aimed high and sprayed the air. Screams and more chaos ensued, sending most of them to the ground to avoid being hit by a stray. The bottom floor of the fourplex was now in flames.
“Where the fuck is this bitch?” Kong mumbled.
Stepping out of the shadows, he went to investigate the women on the ground as Mira’s men jumped up and took off running in the opposite direction. Prime and his crew in backdidn’t hesitate to spray them all down, leaving them crawling in the dirt, begging for their lives.
“Where is she?” Kong bellowed as Moose and Brim came up behind him, guns swinging to keep people in check.
“Who?” One of the young girls whimpered.
“Mira! Where the fuck is she?”
“We don’t know,” she whined, keeping her head to the ground and eyes low, hoping he didn’t blow her brains out. “She hasn’t been here all night. She called. Told the guards not to let anyone leave tonight, and she would be in touch.”
Kong swung his attention to Moose. Sounded good. She probably knew they were coming, given the events in the last twenty-four hours. The sweet innocence in the girl’s voice made Kong pause.
“How old are you?” he asked,
“Sixteen,” she answered in an unsure tone.
Motherfucker. Lowering his gun, he let his arm rest at his side and watched one of Mira’s whorehouses go up in flames.
“Get out of here.” Kong waved his gun.
These girls were shook. Eyes wide, tears streaming down their face with eyeliner. Most of them were so uneasy they couldn’t even trust the opportunity Kong was giving them. Glancing at one another, they slowly gathered themselves on their knees and stood.
“If you want a life away from this shit, I suggest you keep it pushing. Mira ain’t coming back. Nobody is.” There was brief chatter among them before they scrambled off in groups.
