Page 100 of Chalk Outline

I got lucky with this sloppy crew when their sniper went missing—he wasn’t that good anyway. They needed someone better, and they needed it fast; I happened to slot in perfectly.

Shame that they’re dead now.

Mitch has been working undercover for three months as a driver. We studied them carefully enough to know they will be killed after the transaction is authorized. Minh and Third Eye are very meticulous. No one has caught them because no one remains alive to sell them out.

Devon blurted that there would be another shipment of clothing to create a diversion. The stakes are high, as is the payment, which means everyone is on edge. One wrong move, and bullets will hurtle through the thin silence.

“Another Semi is entering the lot,” Braxton informs me through the earpiece.

Shortly after, an identical truck slowly parks next to the one Mitch is leaning against.

“They are waiting for approval.”

“And I’m waiting for their bosses to show up so I can put a bullet in their heads and run off into the sunset like the sweet princess I am.” I make Braxton laugh.

I have to keep my sense of humor if I want to survive this suicide mission. It’s been two years since I last saw Winona. I count every hour of every day, just like I did after she left Germany. My only comfort is that I survived five years without seeing her. I can endure, however long it takes this time, until I see her again.

I’m running on empty, longing for the sweet taste of her lips, knowing she’ll be waiting for me at the finish line. I want to smooch her with all the love that’s caged inside me.

Of course, I keep tabs on her without Romina’s knowledge.

Braxton set up cameras in our house and her car so I could watch her from a distance. I wouldn’t risk it.

Part of me hopes she gives Romina hell just to piss her off for me.

I bite my tongue to suppress a smile.

Mira, the only woman on the crew, stays in the corner where she can see everyone, her arms wrapped around her midsection as her eyes track their movements. A frightened look crosses her face every few moments until she flares her nostrils and brushes it away. She doesn’t belong here, and I hadn’t seen her around until yesterday.

Rick said she’s just a side project.

Whatever that means, I don’t like it. It sets off my senses before they go haywire.

“Mira!” Rick shouts like an animal, startling the crap out of her and sliding his burner phone into his front pocket. “Come with me to the gravel path and scan the area to make sure no one followed. The third crew will meet us there. The rest should be on your best behavior.” His wicked smirk appears. “The show is about to go on the road.”

We have one idiot on edge, a cowboy, and a woman who remains a mystery to me, and right now, I don’t have time for that.

“Three vehicles are on their way.” Braxton gulps loudly, and I can tell the nerves have finally gotten to him. “They are on high alert. We should do this quickly and get out.”

I flex my hand and curve my finger over the trigger. “Copy.”

“Do you think they will be here?” Concern fills his voice.

I clear my throat and lick my dry lips. “They will. I need to get to him. Whatever it takes.”

“Whatever it takes,” Braxton repeats, and I can hear the smile in his voice, a quality I’ve come to value during the many months we’ve spent together. Trust isn’t something I give easily. It never has been. But for Winona, I had to do this.

Two cars cruise into the parking lot and stop a short distance from the others. Eight armed men quickly step out of the black SUVs and wait. One guard raises his hand, and everyone freezes before he opens the passenger door.

A dark Oxford shoe meets the asphalt before a tall figure in an expensive, tailored suit steps out.

Minh.

“A minor change of plans, guys.” An evil smirk crawls across his lips. “Third Eye will meet us at the next stop. Yes, you heard it right. If all goes well, you will be rich men by the end of this week.” The devilish gleam in his coal-black eyes matches his devious words.

Happy chatter and claps echo as Mitch quietly slips into the driver’s seat of the second truck.

That’s my cue to get in position.