Page 68 of More Tricks

“Looking a little pale, need me to get you a paper bag to breathe into?” he asked, knowing it would piss me off.

“Fuck off, Sprocket,” I shot back. “I’ll be just fine once we get this show on the road. It’s all this waiting that’s got me all wound up.”

He slapped me on the arm. “Hell, man, let’s do this like our little rebel would. Hit them hard and fast, kicking them right where it’s gonna fucking hurt. The powers that be need to know not to fuck with our family. If they do, we'll hit back ten times harder, and it wouldn’t be worth it in the long run.”

I grinned back at him and shoved off the car. “Wait till she hears you said that after the shit fit you had over her stunts with the Mad Dogs.”

“This is different,” he grumbled. “We all know the plan and can work together.”

“Sure it is,” I commented as I pulled open the passenger side door. “Because she’s the type to see the difference and be reasonable.”

Sprocket flipped me the bird and climbed into the SUV, making me laugh. I shoved up so I was standing on the doorsill and looked over the top of the vehicle. Raising my fingers to my lips, I let out a loud shrill whistle. “Load up. Let’s get this show on the road.”

Everything was set in motion with that announcement. Men grabbed their rifles and helmets and finished strapping on their vests before climbing into vehicles. Our SUV was the lead, and we would signal when to turn on the lights. Eagle slid behind the wheel and banged a hand on the side of the SUV, then whirled a finger, signaling for us to head out.

Tires squealed as we flew out of the parking garage, shooting out onto the street. Once all of us were out in the open, Eagle flipped the switch, blaring the siren and lights as we roared down the road.

Traffic darted out of our way as we moved just as we hoped they would, believing we were indeed law enforcement. Arriving at the apartment building, we drove up onto the sidewalk, stopping right at the entrance, and flung open the doors. The building was six floors and had a buzzer system to let you inside but not much else security-wise. One of Daniel's men had an auto lock picker and jammed it into the keyhole, then twisted, allowing us entrance. The sound of boots storming up the stairs to the sixth floor echoed in the open center space of the building.

A woman on the third floor opened her door carrying a trash bag, saw us, gasped, and slammed the door closed. It would make our lives easier if everyone reacted the same way. As we rounded the stairs to the sixth floor, I drew my gun and flattened to the side of the wall next to the door. Void charged up to the door marked 6-C and slammed his boot into it, busting it open. Screams could be heard inside that were definitely more than two people.

Diving in after Void, we found ourselves in the living room where it seemed Axel and friends were watching a movie and eating pizza. “NYPD, everyone, put your hands up,” I bellowed, keeping my voice low so Elena wouldn’t recognize it right away.

“Oh my God, oh my God, my parents are going to kill me for getting arrested again,” a girl wailed as she dropped to her knees on the floor, hands behind her head. Clearly, she’d been arrested more than once.

I grabbed her, zip-tied her hands behind her back, and passed her off to one of Tommaso's men. Shaking my head, I mouthed ‘not her’ then turned back to the scene. Everyone was now on their knees, getting zip-cuffed.

“Why are you doing this?” Elena whimpered. “We haven’t done anything wrong?”

“Shut the fuck up, El,” a male voice snapped. “They have no idea who they’re messing with. My dad will get us out of this, no problem. Just keep your damn mouth shut until I get my phone call.”

Eagle looked at me as he raised one eyebrow since he was the one holding Axel in his grip. Boy had no idea what was coming of him. Sprocket had Elena, but she was so upset she didn’t even notice who he was.

“We’ve got who we came for, let's move out,” Daniel announced as he shoved one of the other guys ahead of him.

Just as they stepped outside the room, shots went off. I couldn’t tell if they shot at us first or if one of the men in the hall made the first move. All I knew was Sprocket and I shoved Elena to the floor as Eagle slammed the kid into the wall covering him.

One of the girls screamed, and I saw the guy Daniel had, flinch and sag to the ground as more shots went off. Looking around the room, I noticed a fire escape outside their window. Tapping Sprocket on the shoulder, I pointed. “Get her the fuck out of here. I don’t care if you have to drive off. Make sure she’s safe.”

He looked like he wanted to argue but then looked down at Elena and nodded. I grabbed her face so she looked me right in the face. Wiping away her tears, I used as gentle of a voice as I could while still being heard. “Ellie, look at me.”

She did as I asked then her eyes went wide. “Uncle Picasso? What are you doing here? They told me you were dead.”

“They lied, I’ve come to take you home, baby girl. Your mom is on her way to meet you in Jersey, but we need to get you there first. Sprocket’s going to take you out the back and get you somewhere you’ll be safe,” I explained, holding up a hand. “Don’t argue, Ellie. Now is not the time or the place.”

More gunshots went off, making her flinch but accept what I was saying. “Be careful. This whole floor is men who work for his dad. He’s not a good man.”

“I’m well aware of who his old man is. Now go,” I urged, pushing her to Sprocket.

Swiftly, Sprocket cut the ties and they hurried across the room in a crouch keeping out of site. Eagle kicked out Axel’s legs and dropped him to the floor next to me. “Might as well try to keep the shit alive,” Eagle muttered.

“You stay back here with him. I’m gonna head toward the hall to see what the fuck is going on,” I said, but when I tried to move, he grabbed my arm. “Don’t fucking get shot. It hurts like a motherfucker.”

Rolling my eyes, I gave him a thumbs up—brothers. Someone had shoved over a wooden bookshelf across the doorway, giving us some cover to hide behind. Army crawling up to Daniel, I peeked over the wood and spotted five guys, two on one end of the hall, three on the other. It was just the right angle that we had to lean out of the room to make a shot which left us wide open to being picked off.

“Got any bright ideas?” Daniel asked.

“Not good ones, but I know one will do the trick,” I answered with a sigh. “Void.” He looked at me from where he stood on one side of the door frame. “Think now might be a good time to roll over a present?”