Page 34 of Apple Martinis

“You say you think they’re still there. What’s the plan?” I ask.

“Skeeter and his men plus us will go in as quietly as possible and try to secure all the threats. Then we’ll find the victims, wherever they’d hidden them.” Baratta says.

“I’m going with you.” I announce, surprising even myself.

Looking over at Gio, he’s grinning like a cat that just ate the canary.

“I told you he’d want to go. He’s a Marcus and we run towards the danger.” He says to Baratta.

“I’m not sure about all of that. I was scared to contact you.” I point out but he just shrugs.

“There’s some movement.” Buzz says, getting everyone’s attention.

We all watch the monitor as a couple of men walk out, getting into the vehicle and leaving the area.

“They must not yet have a full shipment. Let’s get a move on before they get back with another victim. Hopefully by the time they show back up, we’ve secured the area and those two will be our little birds that’ll give us the information to track who’s running this operation.” Skeeter says and everyone moves as soon as he finishes speaking.

Turning to look at August, he nods in my direction and I know he’ll stay here to be sure Mocha is looked after until we get back.

I follow my brothers out to one of the cars and get into the back. Baratta gets behind the wheel while Gio rides in the passenger seat, holding his laptop on his lap.

He rattles off the address and we take off down the road. The motorcycles make a huge noise as we move through the traffic as quickly as possible. We’re almost a half mile out when the motorcycles seem to disappear from behind us.

“Where’d the MC guys go?” I ask, turning to look behind us.

“They stop at least a half mile out so no one can hear them since the bikes are loud.” Gio says. “There’s a parking area just ahead.”

“We’ll wait here for Skeeter and his men.” Baratta says, pulling into the lot.

It only takes a few minutes before Skeeter is at Baratta’s window.

“We’ll circle around from the other side. Meet you in the middle.” He says, holding up his fist for a fist bump that Baratta quickly gives.

He turns away and disappears amongst the cars in the lot.

“Do you know how to handle a gun?” Gio asks with a grin, holding out a handgun that I take from his hand.

“Yeah. I actually do.”

“Good. You may need it. Let’s go. Stay behind Baratta or me at all times. You got it? If anything happened to you, Aunty would have our skin ripped from our bodies.” He says quickly and we get out of the car.

I follow right behind them, staying as quiet as they are, ducking down when they do until we make it to the door on this side of the building.

It’s broad daylight and I wonder if we can truly pull this off without giving ourselves away.

The door is locked of course but Baratta makes it look easy to pick a lock. I’ll need to remember to get him to teach me that little trick.

Slipping inside the building, it’s extremely dark with no lights on. The only light is from what few windows that aren’t boarded up along the walls.

As we move further in, we hear male voices as well as a radio playing from somewhere ahead of us. Giovanni looks over at Baratta and they seem to speak without saying a word.

They both motion for me to stay where I’m at as they move closer to the voices, looking through the door a few feet in front of us. They come back to where I’m waiting, squatting down onto the floor.

“These guys don’t look like the professionals we’re used to dealing with.” Giovanni whispers.

“No, they don’t. Small time then.” Baratta says and Gio nods.

“What’s that mean?” I whisper to them both.

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