Page 20 of Burn the World Down

Now he used his skills to do whatever the hell he wanted. Sometimes he did weeks-long gaming binges, other times he tracked down terrorists or corrupt politicians. His favorite thing was stealing from scammers who stole life savings from hard-working people. Whatever took his fancy.

“Nothing popping.” Crunching came across the line, and I imagined Rabbit stuffing a handful of Doritos in his mouth. “I don’t have a name for you.”

Damn. That meant it might take Rabbit a few days to get something.

“But,” he continued, “I can tell you she’s walking down South 1stStreet, just off Fremont.”

I straightened. “Right now?”

“Right now. That help?”

“Yeah, that helps. I’ll transfer your funds tonight. Thanks, Rabbit.”

CHAPTER 6

GEORGIE

It felt like ants were crawling under my skin.

I couldn’t sit still, I couldn’t relax. I lengthened my stride, dodging various individuals and groups meandering down the street. There were families, loved-up couples, friends out for a good time. I sidestepped a couple canoodling as they wandered slowly, then a bunch of teenagers with skateboards tucked under their arms.

Sitting in my hotel room had been torture. The walls felt like they’d been closing in; my chest was too tight; my legs moving restlessly. I’d had to get out and do something.

Red and green lights blinked overhead. Christmas decorations hung across the street.

Christmas. Viv had loved Christmas, just like our mom had. Some of my best memories were family Christmases, with Viv tearing wrapping paper off her gifts, Elliot teasing her, and Mom and Dad watching on with indulgent smiles.

This would be my first Christmas without them all.

A lump lodged in my throat. Hunching my shoulders, I kept my head down, but my gaze was up.

On my target.

I’d dressed in something nondescript—jeans, boots, and a black hoodie. I’d had to do something.

Doing nothing was killing me.

Snyder had messaged me again. He’d sent me a video of Viv.

My stomach turned over at what I’d seen done to her.

God. I felt antsy. Energy throbbed inside me, desperate for a target.

I wanted to hurt Snyder. Hell, I wanted to hurt anyone.

My gaze locked on Frank Bruno walking ahead of me.

He walked like he owned the place. A man used to getting or taking whatever he wanted. I’d gone back to watch Red Neon and seen him leave.

It had taken me about two seconds to decide to follow him.

I bent my neck from side to side, listening to the cracks, relieving some tension. Then I slid a hand into the front pocket of my hoodie and my fingers closed around my stun gun.

I’d also purchased a handgun. It was wrapped in a shirt in my suitcase back at my motel room.

Some part of me wasn’t ready to use that yet.

I didn’t really know what I planned to do tonight. I just knew that I needed to dosomething.