Page 74 of Hush (Fighting Fate)

“TJ…”

My head jerked up at the sound of a new voice from the shadows. I watched as a silhouette appeared, moving closer.

“It’s good to see you again. It’s been too long.”

“Mr. X,” TJ said. I didn’t miss the respect in his tone. “With a business such as ours, I think that’s probably for the best.”

Mr. X laughed. “Yes. I think you might be right. I am happy our little shadow problem has been eliminated.”

TJ nodded in agreement. “Although I would’ve preferred a more permanent elimination.”

“That’s being arranged,” Mr. X said softly. He moved further into the light, his dark eyes sharp and dangerous. He gestured to the table. “Shall we?”

TJ nodded and jerked his head at Vinnie. Pock, Vinnie and I stepped forward with a case each and carefully placed them on the table. With my fingers on the locks, I looked up to make sure I was okay to open it.

Guns raised to us again, and Mr. X gave us the nod. With sure fingers, I snapped the locks and slowly opened the lid before stepping back to my position behind TJ.

The guns remained trained on us as one of Mr. X’s men checked the payment. When he was happy it was all there, he nodded. “It’s all there, boss.”

Mr. X smiled. “Excellent.”

The guys immediately started clicking the cases closed. Mr. X gestured with a swipe of his hand towards two of his nearest guys, who immediately moved to the back of the van they were standing by. Unlatching the doors, they swung them open to reveal the entire cargo area filled with packages of cocaine and ecstasy tablets.

I watched everything. While TJ stepped forward with Mr. X to sample the goods, Mr. X’s guys snatched up the cases and moved towards the other side of the van, ready to get moving the instant the transaction was compete.

My heart rate started to pick up a little faster. It was almost time. Resisting the urge to back up or coil my body ready to take cover, I stood my ground and continued to watch everyone’s movements.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw TJ dip his little finger in the powder and place it on his tongue. This was it. The second he confirmed its quality it was show time.

I braced myself.

He gave one, tiny little nod. And all hell broke loose.

Diving for the table, I up-ended it and grabbed my piece at the same time, taking cover as best I could. Davo and Mac were instantly beside me, scrambling for their guns too.

“What the fuck?!” I yelled for good measure.

S.W.A.T guys and detectives were pouring in from all sides, yelling out orders to freeze and drop our weapons. I looked over to see TJ, hands in the air, by the van. He had nowhere to go. I couldn’t see Pock or Vinnie, or Mr. X anywhere. His guys seemed to have reacted quick enough to usher him somewhere out of sight, but I didn’t think they had much of a chance at escaping.

“You’ve gotta be fucking kidding me!” Mac barked, spinning around so his back was to the table, his gun at the ready.

I jumped when a sudden explosion rocked the entire side of the building. S.W.A.T guys leapt to the side, trying to escape the flying debris. Thick smoke clouded half the warehouse.

“Fuck this!” Davo shouted, making a run for the new gaping hole.

“Fuck!” Mac grunted, taking off after him.

I had a split second to make my decision. I couldn’t arrest them. I had to keep my cover in case the worst happened, but I couldn’t just let them escape either.

Cursing everything I had, I braced myself and ran after them.

All around the warehouse, gunshots rang out amongst shouts and curses. Across the other side I saw one of Mr. X’s men firing at anything that moved from behind an up-turned cabinet. Just when he popped up to fire again, he caught a sniper’s bullet in the head.

I grimaced, running through the smoke, again, praying the S.W.A.T guys knew I was one of them.

Somehow I managed to break through to the outside of the building. I liked to think it was because they knew who I was, but I couldn’t be sure. Seeing Mac and Davo’s figures running down the darkened lane, I broke into a run after them.

We’d barely gone a third of the way down the lane when a team of agents poured out at the far end.

---