Page 32 of The Sicuro

“OK.”

Getting in the car, he directs the driver to use the back entrance of The Sicuro. He’s already told me he’s not leaving me in the car. We pull up and as we walk into his office Anders is at the desk, hands rested on it, brows furrowed, jaw tense, staring at the computer screens.

He lets go of my hand and points to the seat where Anders usually sits, just inside beside the door. I don’t want to get comfortable he said we will be straight in and out.

“Anders.” He stands straight, and the anger on his face is unmistakable. “What’s the issue?” Gabriel asks.

“One of the staff noticed what they described as a youngish guy, who was clearly watching the place. I’ve got two men scoping the whole place now inside and out.”

Gabriel is beside him viewing the security cameras.

“Who the fuck is that?” He snaps as he points at the screen. “They are making their way up the back stairs, clearly dressed to try and stay concealed.”

“On it boss.” He paces out of the office with purpose, as Gabriel presses the security button which locks down the bar. There are no loud locking sounds, it locks the main doors to the building, and the doors to access the bar. It’s nearing 6pm on a Sunday so it’s open but not busy. The security team knows what’s happening, but it’s kept quiet so that members aren’t disturbed.

He looks over at me, I sit calmly waiting, nothing really phases me after that night in TheManor. As he glances back at the cameras, the office door is slammed open so hard that it bangs off the wall.

O’Connell is striding towards him, gun held out.

“O’Connell.” Gabriel greets him with a smile like someone would an old friend as he takes his seat, undoing his suit jacket.

The fact a gun is pointed at him doesn’t faze him, but I’m here. O’Connell didn’t notice me in his blind determination to get to Gabriel.

“You fucking cunt, did you not expect me.” O’Connell shouts as he strides forward.

“I did.” Gabriel replies, still calm.

“What did you do to my man? I suspect that you took care of him after I had him burn your bitches place to the ground with her in it.”

Gabriel’s eyes don’t leave him. I know that it’s not to give away that I’m sat here.

“What makes you think I cared about her?” His words hurt, but I know that they are not true, he is keeping him talking as Anders will be back here within minutes.

“I had you watched, you took care of her. You don’t care for anyone.” He’s waving the gun at him, trying to unnerve him.

Twenty

Kelcie

The fact he didn’t even notice me sitting here as he smashed through the door and stomped his way up to Gabriel proves he is too sloppy in his attack. I start scanning the room looking for something, anything, and notice the table in front of me, Anders’s gun is sitting on it. He usually takes it out of his belt when he sits down here. When he got up to check the cameras and then take off to find who was here, he forgot to pick it up. But knowing Anders he will have something else concealed on him.

I look over at Gabriel he’s still purposely not looking at me so that O’Connell doesn’t clock me. I know he doesn’t carry any weapons on him, but there is one in his desk drawers, but it would be too obvious for him to reach for it. He is waiting for Anders.

“How does it feel knowing you’re going to die sat in that chair, where your prick of a grandfather sat, giving orders to beat my father.”

O’Connell’s words are bitter but shaken, he’s not comfortable with that gun and it’s apparent, even to me. Gabriel is still unfazed byhim, and the gun pointing at him. The anger of a gun being pointed at the man who protects me, who is mine, stirs something in the pit of my stomach which races through my blood. I can feel the adrenaline travel through my veins, causing goosebumps to form and my pupils to dilate.

Looking back to Anders’ gun I notice that the silencer already fixed to it, he was ready to take out whoever he needed. However, being the always cautious man, he has the safety on. I lean forward slowly, placing my palm on the grip, wrapping my fingers around it and lifting it carefully so not to make a sound. I feel the weight of it, heavier than I expected. I stand in slow steady movements, I know Gabriel has noticed me, but he can’t say anything without letting O’Connell know I am here. I can feel my heart racing in my chest, but I don’t feel any fear.

Taking steady, soft steps making sure I remain silent I walk forward, my right hand gripping the gun, holding it by my thigh. I get to about a meter behind him, and I’ve made sure not to step into his peripheral view at any point.

My mind is clear, my breathing calm, I can feel every part of my body and able to control every inch of it.

“It was me that gave the orders on your father.” Gabriel’s tone is flat and even.

“It was also me that had you beat until you cried and begged for your life. Do you remember that? You begged them to stop,offering everything you have and to do anything they wanted? Weak.”

O’Connell is shaking his head and I hear his breathing become laboured.

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