Page 28 of Smooth Sailing

Slip in behind a resident at an elevator lobby, like they did earlier with some unsuspecting resident, then slip in behind some health-conscious moron who takes the stairs, you’re right at their door.

The only good thing he saw was that steel bar which might take explosives to get through.

But a desperate man did desperate things, and Hugger had no doubt Babic wouldn’t blink at setting a few charges to open the way to get to his prey.

He felt company come up at his side, and he looked up at Eight.

“We need to get her in a safe house,” he stated.

“Yeah,” Eight muttered, gazing through the courtyard. “We need to get her in a safe house.”

Hugger then watched Eight jerk up his chin toward the coffee place, like he was saying hello to an acquaintance.

Then he looked at Hugger.

“Your take on Armitage?” Eight asked.

“This is personal to her because of her dad, which is some serious stupid shit.”

“It’s personal to her all right,” Eight mumbled.

“She’s got a beef with her pops,” Hugger noted.

“She does. She’s also got a beef with Babic,” Eight replied.

“That’s not hard, with what he did.”

“It wasn’t what he did to Suzette. It’s what some other fuck did to Diana.”

At these words, it felt like a tidal wave pounded into him, stealing his breath, pulling him under, dragging him out.

It sounded like Eight was ten miles away when he heard, “Hug.”

It’s what some other fuck did to Diana.

“Hug!” Eight called sharply.

Hugger struggled to the surface.

Eight watched him do it, and then asked, “You didn’t clock that?”

“No,” Hugger grunted.

“You got a lock on your shit?” Eight asked.

“No.”

Eight crossed his arms on his chest and studied him. “You’re into her.”

“You’re not?”

“Oh, I’d do her if she gave me a shot, but that’s not where you’re at.”

It wasn’t, considering he wanted to land one in Eight’s throat for saying what he just said.

“You’re inside,” Eight announced.

Hugger stared at him.

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