Page 17 of Retribution

My man was holding his cheek with a slew of expletives spilling from his mouth. “You gonna pay for this, bitch!”

I raised the baton at him and he and his friend bolted, running away like a spooked puppy. I was laughing my head off as this was the most fun I’d had all evening. It made me forget about Luca for minute.

“Hey,” Sandy called. “You okay?”

“Yeah, just having some fun.”

The man smelled and looked great. As we entered the bar, Micky waved us over. Micky used to be a soldier for the Mercados, but when he lost his right leg, Madame Mercado abandoned him. She said she had no use for a ‘cripple’. The only person who stood in his corner was Sandy, who went against her wishes to care for him.

Although Micky was no longer active in the field, he had a knack for garnering information from drunken patrons of his bar. I had a feeling that most of the information from the street team were gathered here.

“What can I get the beautiful lady?” he enquired as we reached the bar.

“I’ll have a whiskey on the rocks, please.”

“Neat for me,” Sandy added.

The drinks were served quickly and as Micky set mine before me, he said in a soft voice. “I heard about your brother. Don’t worry, we’ll get the fuckers.”

That meant a lot to me. It was his way of offering his condolences. I smiled. “Thanks Micky.”

Fifteen minutes later and I was bored out of my mind. I thought the mysterious sexy Sandy had something to offer. All he fucking talked about was work and sports. I sidled next to him hoping for some reaction but nothing. Did I imagine that he found me attractive? I saw the way he looked at me when he visited my apartment the other day and I saw the way his eyes lingered on my thighs tonight.

“Ahh,” I made a sound as I exhaled. What the fuck was wrong with me? I didn’t want Sandy, I just wanted him to want me. Luca certainly didn’t and I needed something to numb the pain, and the drinks weren’t doing squat.

Frustrated, I stood and finished my drink. “I gotto go. Sorry.”

Sandy stood as well. “Let me call you a cab.”

“No, I’m good.”

The confusion and a sense of loss was setting in again. I wasn’t relaxed like I was with Luca and that aggravated me. I left before Sandy could stop me, hopping on my motorbike and speeding down the main thoroughfare.

Chapter 12

Luca

Something about her was different. I could see it in her eyes and hear it in her voice. Although her tone was polite, it was curt, and her eyes seemed indifferent. It wasn’t the same as before when we used to bicker. This was unlike her.

Since we were on our way to pick up Marco and his brother, we used the SUV and a minivan. Sandy rode the minivan with several men, while Ciara and I with five other rode the seven-seater. Spike was the driver, and she insisted on riding shotgun. I thought she was avoiding me.

We arrived in Wilbur Heights near dusk and camped out at our secret location while we waited for the right time to pounce. We didn’t want to involve the aunt, therefore we had to plan right. We knew it was bingo game night at one of her friend’s house, and that’s why we chose tonight. Carlos and Marco hadn’t left the house since their arrival a few days ago, so we were hoping they would be alone tonight.

A few men were on a stakeout at the location, keeping track of any movements within or outside the residence. While we awaited word from the men on watch, I tried to have a conversation with Ciara. She reluctantly extricated herself from Sandy, whom she’d been attached to since our arrival. She followed me to the back of the building where there was more privacy.

“Are you okay?” I asked her and she gave me a frosty stare.

“You needn’t worry about me.”

“What the fuck going on now?” I demanded, my tone hard. “I know you’re grieving your brother, and I have been nothing but patient with you, so you better fucking tell me what the hell is eating you now.”

“I don’t have to tell you shit. You think because you’re helping me find my brother’s murderer, I owe you something?”

“This mission has nothing to do with your attitude. Something clearly is bugging you and I need to know what it is.”

“Well Mr. Luca, nothing is bugging me.” She gave a fake smile. “See, I’m fine.”

I sighed, softening my features and stepping closer. “Babes, are we good? I thought we had something. I know we haven’t officially …”

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