Page 101

That leaves four previously identified crooks on duty outside. My first targets.
Shthroomp! Shtrhoomp!
Two down.
Before they can even react, I switch my aim to the next.
Shrthroomp!
My headshots are perfection from this distance.
Shrthroom!
All four are down before they could reach their phones. And now it’s time to sprint.
I stuff the rifle back into the duffle, zip it as quietly as possible before throwing it over my back, then I’m off. Hopping over the side of the roof used to pull less at my joints, but it’s like riding a bike. I’m not as cautious making noise now that the first part of the job’s over. It’s more about speed. Finding grooves in the bricks is the key.
When I’m about eight feet from the ground, I let go and rush for the door.
These police uniforms are terribly uncomfortable—no wonder the pigs are slow as hell.
I sprint straight in, ignoring the bodies because this process will be quick. It’s the middle of the night, so hopefully no one goes walking their dog.
“Pozitsiya scobodna?”I call to the first room, asking if the room is clear. I’m taking a risk, because I’m not sure if their protocol is to speak in Russian.
“Da. Why are you—”
Shloompt!
Another silenced shot from my pistol goes off just as I confirm the cop as one of the crooked eight. In the next room, I hear Nikolaj lecturing Ferraro that this better not be a waste of his time.
“Someone is fucking with us, and I don’t like it,”Nikolaj’s muffled voice comes through.
I sneak closer with a pistol out, knowing there are three more Russians and one Ferraro I have to kill before I give myself up to Niko.
“There’s no sign of the pig. No offense.”Nikolaj laughs at Ferraro. “I meant the other pig. Oh, don’t give me that look. It might be true for you soon, Mister Ferraro. A pig for slaughter, as the expression goes.”He struts around angrily.“This is your last stop if we don’t find this fucker. Either him or his daughter—Yuri’s orders, hm?”
Nikolaj moves deeper into the house, giving me an opportunity to tuck myself into one of the darker corners.
“I told you I’ll find him, Niko,”Ferraro grumbles.
“You also said you wouldn’t play any more at my casinos, Ferraro.”
I can hear Nikolaj slapping Ferraro’s fat face lightly.
“If he isn’t here, you’re going to have another twenty-four hours to produce, otherwise, we’re going to start collecting fingers to satisfy our boss, eh?”
The cop bodyguards are dead silent as Nikolaj dolls out his threats. And once they decide to turn around, the last few months begin to flash through my eyes. The little dates, the shed, the wine… even those stupid fuzzy socks I can’t stand… it’s all telling me I’m making a huge mistake.
Well, it’s either this, or kill her father. Either way I’d lose her.
So, the noble route it is.
My heart calms even in the face of death. After this next move, I’ll be executed.
Thmp. Thmp. Thmp.
Footsteps come my way.